Excerpted from Coast Magazine

Outer Banks 27th Annual Parade of Homes 

By Phil Houseal

Every Parade is a New Parade

Even as architectural styles, furnishings, and “must have” amenities in homes change over the years, what never changes is people’s desire to peek inside the doors to see what’s new. That is again true for the 27th Annual Parade of Homes, according to Maxine Rossman, Executive Officer for the presenting Outer Banks Home Builders Association.“ They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but getting up close and personal inside a home is just hard to beat,” Rossman says. “On our tour you can see it, feel it, and even sit on the sofa!”

This year’s Parade of Homes runs from October 10-13, and will offer a variety of sizes, prices, and styles, with all the homes located within a 35 mile stretch. That means guests will get more bang for their 10 bucks. Some are smaller, starter homes; some are true second homes and some are for retirement or investment. Architectural styles include both the “new new” and “retro new” feel as seen with throwback looks like “the new flat top” that started last year with a traditional version updated with current technology by Neal Contracting. This year will feature three more slightly different interpretations. 

At the same time that flat tops harken back to a simpler time, new “smart home” technology is slowly coming to the Outer Banks but that is not always a priority when you voluntarily come here to leave “the real world” behind. The real selling points are the natural surroundings and the lifestyle. But those who want all the bells and whistles can still find them!

For viewers who happen to be visiting from other areas of the country, Rossman points out that the Outer Banks is a unique market when it comes to the real estate industry.

“We have a different type of market here,” she says. “It is not primarily for year-round residents, and there is only so much land, most of which is already built out. So now builders are looking at creative ways to use smaller lots, working on ways to redeveloping existing ones, whether it is remodeling what is there, adding on to what is there or starting over.”

Whether old or new, or remade to look new, this year’s featured homes will hold interest for all lookers. Three are large-scale remodels from complete makeovers to extensive add-ons. The Parade of Homes offers a format that enables potential buyers to get a “side by side” comparison of ways different builders approach and execute design and function.

Styles range from a soaring three-story, 6800-square-foot villa (House #15) with 12 bedrooms and 12 baths, complete with theater, gourmet kitchen, fitness room, salt-water pool, hot tub, and tiki bar; to a compact, open concept 800-square-foot condominium (House #2) the comes with association exterior maintenance. 

But small doesn’t necessarily mean spartan. House #12 comes in at a little over 2100 square feet. But in that compact footprint, the builder packs plenty of details expected in larger spaces, such as a private courtyard, two-sided fireplace, and dining room with cupola.

House #8, appropriately called Transcendence, presents a “luxurious-retro design” that starts with the exterior presentation, with industrial lines and gray exterior set off with white trim. Lots of sky view windows bring in the natural light while providing inspiring ocean views.

Some stops exude a timeless appeal. House #4, The Pineapple House, is an oceanfront setting with hardwood floors, granite countertops, tiled showers, barn doors, and shiplap walls.

Even after 27 Parades the variety and style remain amazing. The participating builders expect to see in the neighborhood of about 2000 people over the traditional Columbus Day weekend. Rossman notes, “It’s funny how it always comes together,” and “There is something for everybody and always lots of ‘oohs and aahs!’”