A Family-Owned Company
Rooted in Bryson City
Since 1995, Yellow Rose Realty has been Bryson City’s trusted partner for vacation cabin rentals, real estate, and property management in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. We’re not just a business — we’re your neighbors, guides, and advocates for this community we love.
From Alaska to the Smokies
Johnny and Dena Ensley founded Yellow Rose Realty in 1995. Their story is the stuff of the American dream. Johnny grew up in Swain County, and Dena grew up in Florida — they had to travel all the way to Alaska to actually meet.
It was love at first sight, in the Yellow Rose Restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska. Dena’s mother was working at that restaurant and Johnny was in the area working in the oil industry. When Dena came out to visit her mother, she met Johnny — thanks to her mother, who set up the introduction. The rest is history.
The Ensleys began with a residential and commercial cleaning business. As they took on more vacation rentals to clean, they realized they could manage rentals more successfully — and it was a natural synergy with their cleaning business. Adding real estate services was the next extension for their growing Bryson City company.
Why Families Trust Yellow Rose
30+ Years of Experience
Serving Bryson City and the Smoky Mountains since 1995. We know this market inside and out — from vacation rentals to investment properties.
Full-Service Company
Cabin rentals, real estate sales, property management, and custom home building — all under one family roof. Your complete mountain living solution.
Community-Rooted
We live here, we coach here, we sponsor local teams. Multi-generation family roots in Swain County mean we treat every client like a neighbor.
Meet Our Team
Johnny Ensley
Broker / Owner
Dena Ensley
Broker / Property Manager
Ross Ensley
Real Estate Broker
Alessandra Ensley
Marketing Director
Haley Aldridge
Real Estate Broker / Cleaning Manager
Megan Cookston
Real Estate Broker
Mariah Lowe
Real Estate Broker
KaDea Redfearn
Front Desk & Real Estate Broker
Julia Redfearn
Front Desk
Olivia King
Office Manager & Real Estate Broker
Invested in Our Community
Dena, who has a degree in Accounting from nearby Southwestern Community College, manages the financials of the business. Johnny manages the real estate and investment property side of the business. Dena was previously on the board of directors of the Swain County Tourism and Development Authority (TDA).
Johnny was an active coach for various elementary school-age sports teams, including football, Little League baseball, and basketball. Yellow Rose is a consistent sponsor of many kids’ sports teams here in Swain County, including girls’ and boys’ basketball, football, Little League baseball, karate, and kids’ soccer. Johnny was also a Reserve Deputy Sheriff and the Safety Officer for Swain County Little League. Both Johnny and Dena are former Sunday School teachers and Youth Leaders.
The state of North Carolina fully licenses our company and all of our brokers. We are committed to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in everything we do.
Visit Us in Bryson City
Located in the heart of Bryson City, NC — adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our cabins and properties are all within a half-day’s drive of every major southeastern and mid-Atlantic metropolitan area.
Book Your Mountain Getaway
Your Bryson City adventure is waiting. Browse our hand-selected cabins, find the perfect dates, and let the Smoky Mountains do the rest.
