About Us
Owners, Kristy & Christian Favalli the day they purchased their first property in 2014. It’s a tradition for the Favallis to hike Whiteside Mountain each time they close on a property. They now hike with their 3 daughters in tow.
Elevate specializes in boutique vacation rentals in and around Highlands, North Carolina. Founder, Kristy Favalli grew up spending summers in Highlands and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a bigger cheerleader for the area. “I have the fondest memories of time spent here. As a little girl, I remember so vividly the things that made me fall in love with this town: the thick fog coming up the mountains, the smell of firewood in our log cabin, playing in the overgrown rhododendrons, the multitude of waterfalls that can be randomly stumbled upon in the middle of the woods. All of it was new to me, and like nothing I’d experienced before. I’ve seen much more of the world now, but Highlands...it was majestic then and I still find it it just as impressive.”
In 2006, Kristy introduced her (now) husband to the area. "We rented a beautiful house on Upper Brushy Face. We hiked and went to dinner. We hit as many waterfalls as the sunlight would allow. It was over a bottle of wine at Sunset Rock that we decided we’d own a house here one day." That day came in October of 2014. They purchased their first property with the intention of subsidizing the mortgage by renting it. The Favalli’s didn’t know at the time, but they would have a six unit operation within just 4 years and a new opportunity would emerge. Elevate currently has nine rentals.
Elevate is set apart from the other agencies in and around Highlands by providing cozy and unique spaces where people want to be. "My personal thought is that if I’m leaving the comforts of my own home, I want to stay somewhere that has something more or different to offer. I want it to be as nice or nicer than home.” Whether it’s a Joe Webb treehouse, a luxury lodge on the hill, or a loft in the middle of town, all of the properties have their own character and identity but with a sense of cohesion, signature wood walls, and functional style.
Formerly an Atlanta restauranteur, Kristy enjoys the parallels in hospitality afforded by the vacation rentals. From providing ambiance to suggestions for her area favorites, she has a way of molding her renter’s experience into something truly unforgettable and creating lasting bonds with her guests who often return year after year. "The extent of many people’s time spent in Highlands stops at Main Street. While I love Main Street, Highlands has so much more to offer. To me the charm of Highlands is on the back roads. It’s walking the Greenway. It’s the ducks roosting on Harris Lake at dusk. It’s standing in awe of the view on Whiteside Mountain. This town speaks to me so deeply and I love nothing more than sharing my knowledge, experience, and beautiful spaces with my guests.”
