North Beach Sun Real Estate Holiday 2015

REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

bringing creativity

home

talking design with Keely Owens of Indehouse OUTER BANKS TREEHOUSES

CAN EVENT HOMES BE REGULATED?

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PERMIT NO. 15 MONROE, GA

PAID

NORTHBEACHSUN

NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

@northbeachsun

REAL ESTATE R5

Welcome home!

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Town Report What’s happening all over the beach

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Real Estate & Business Briefs

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Sun Salutations

R10 BUSY SUrveyors, busy builders

Land surveyors are on the frontline of development R12 home sweet treehouse

Unique play places for Outer Banks kids R14 hammertime

Ways to keep your home safe R18 pushing the boundaries

Can event homes be regulated?

R22 on a wish and a prayer

Superstitions and tips to help you sell your home R24 bringing creativity home

Interior designer Keely Owens of Indehouse Design

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R26 obx decor

A rustic retreat R28 reflections on retirement

Giving thanks this holiday season R29 Classifieds

Publishers Adam & Cathy Baldwin EDITOR Cathy Baldwin Writers Cathy Baldwin Glen Baldwin Jeffrey Ballard Lindsey Beasley Dianna Kip Tabb Michelle Wagner COPY EDITOR Michelle Wagner NORTH BEACH SUN 115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 252.449.4444 phone 252.715.1303 fax

Photography Lori Douglas Photography K. Wilkins Photography Art Director Dave Rollins Graphic Design Adam Baldwin

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Sales Manager Helen Furr Account Executives Sue Goodrich Tori Peters Distribution Bob & Glen Baldwin The North Beach Sun is published quarterly by Access Media Group. All works contained herein are the property of the North Beach Sun and/or its contributors. Opinions, responses, and inquiries are always welcome.

You can email us directly at editor@northbeachsun.com or sound off at NORTHBEACHSUN.COM.

ABOUT THE COVER: The Southern Living Showcase home with custom interior design by Keely Owens of Indehouse Design. Photo courtesy of Saga Construction and Development.

THIS PAGE: Photos by Lori Douglas Photography (top), K. Wilkins Photography (middle, bottom).

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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welcome

home Each winter, while much of the tourist industry is in varied states of hibernation, shorter lines and smooth commutes signal quite the opposite for construction season on the Outer Banks. Just how busy will it be this

Interior (above) and exterior of Albemarle Contracting Services’ awardwinning home in Nags Head. Photos by Ben Miller / Bighouse Design.

year? We spoke with the barometers of the construction industry—the surveyors themselves—and got the inside scoop on what to expect in 2016. Check out Michelle Wagner’s article on page 10 to hear what those on the forefront of the industry have to say about what’s on the horizon.

At the center of debate on the Outer Banks is a new style of construction; exaggerated, luxurious and overthe-top, developers are ushering in a new wave of houses built for entertaining. While some builders hesitate to call these “event” homes for fear they may be permitted differently than single-family homes, there’s no doubt that a house with upwards of twelve bedrooms is meant for more than just the Brady Bunch. They’ve come under scrutiny as of late, with questions about safety and a concern for keeping a certain aesthetic to the oceanfront. Kip Tabb explores the issues raised by the construction of these monster homes with town planners, local fire chiefs and the developers themselves on page 18.

Our motto is “Good News for The Outer Banks,” and we couldn’t resist bringing you some nostalgic inspiration this holiday season. Nothing brings joy to a child quite like the freedom of his or her own backyard oasis. Away from the prying eyes of mom and dad, a treehouse hideaway is the perfect place to play pirates, have a tea party, defend a castle or simply daydream. In fact I’d dare to say kids aren’t the only ones who could stand to benefit from the simple pleasures in life! Michelle Wagner’s story on page 12 takes us back to childhood through the eyes of local families who have made backyard fantasies a reality.

Until our next issue in the spring, please continue to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and online at northbeachsun.com. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this issue filled with updates, hot topics and inspirational ideas to warm up those chilly nights!

Happy reading, and happy holidays to you all!

-Cathy Baldwin NORTHBEACHSUN

2015 parade of homes

winners

The 2015 Parade of Homes hosted by the Outer Banks Home Builders Association featured 16 new homes and six large scale renovation projects from Corolla to South Nags Head. Homes are judged in categories based on the cost of construction. This year the list of Judges’ winners matched the People’s Choice winners, according to obhomebuilders.org. Congratulations, builders!

New Homes

Remodeled Homes

Judges’ Award of Excellence 2015 Winners & People’s Choice Award 2015 Winners Albemarle Contracting Services DeBoy Construction & Remodeling Brumfield Realty & Construction SAGA Construction & Development Sea Grove Homes, Inc.

Judges’ Award of Excellence 2015 Winners & People’s Choice Award 2015 Winners Compass Edge Construction Neal Contracting, LLC

NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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real estate

TOWN REPORT

What’s happening in your town?

Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.

Currituck County It looks as though alternative energy is in Currituck County’s future. By a vote of 4-3, commissioners voted to amend permit provisions for a 225-acre solar array in Shawboro, across from Shawboro Elementary School.

The vote allows the project to go forward.

The Currituck County Regional Airport is growing. A new taxiway is planned with RPC Contracting, Inc. of Kitty Hawk awarded the bid of $1.8 million.

In response to a citizen request for a text amendment to control how event homes are permitted, county commissioners engaged in a wide ranging discussion and indicated they would like to return to the subject. The text amendment was not adopted.

Commissioners expressed concern that the Knotts Island Ferry may be tolled.

Duck Because of a recently passed state law making it illegal to regulate homes based on the number or use of rooms, Duck has rewritten its zoning ordinance to classify structures based on maximum occupancy derived from Dare County Health Department septic inspections and lot coverage. The state law prohibits the number and use of bedrooms to determine how a house is zoned.

The town of Duck has held preliminary discussions with Dare County on consolidation of services.

Southern Shores The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has filed a request for all town records relating to the MidCurrituck Bridge.

Replacement of the Tall Pine Bridge will close South Dogwood Trail through the winter and into early spring.

The town anticipates Snow Goose Canal will be open to boat traffic, although some closures during overhead construction are anticipated.

Kitty Hawk

Compiled by Kip Tabb

The Beach Food Pantry is moving from its present location on Sand Dune Drive to the Max’s Real Bagels building on U.S. 158 in Kitty Hawk.

Plans have been finalized for the new Dowdy Park next to Nags Head Elementary School. A multi-use area, picnic pavilion and playing fields are slated to be constructed at the site.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun repairs on the section of Virginia Dare Trail near the Black Pelican that was damaged during early October storms. According to NCDOT, plans call for repairs to be completed by mid-December, although weather may play a role in that. Sea grass will be planted in the spring to stabilize the dune.

Dr. Tim Kana, founder and president of Coastal Science and Engineering, the firm that nourished the town’s beaches, met with commissioners to discuss the project’s success. He noted that the project area “still retains a lot of sand.” The dunes also seem to have grown. Kana took time to explain why the shoaling of Oregon Inlet is not related to the Nags Head nourishment project.

The town has begun the process of looking for a new town manager. Longtime Town Manager John Stockton will be retiring December 1.

Kill Devil Hills With two large multi-bedroom homes nearing completion as the North Beach Sun goes to press, one with 24-bedrooms the other with 14, the town has started to explore what, if any, ordinances or guidelines are needed to address the issue. A joint meeting between commissioners and the planning board was held in August, followed by an October commissioners meeting that included an open discussion on the issue.

Commissioners approved an 18-hole disc golf course on the Baum Tract. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Brandi Rheubottom dissenting. The Baum Tract is on the western edge of Kill Devil Hills between Buzzard Bay and Nags Head Woods.

Nags Head One concern that led town commissioners to terminate the lease with Colony Ridge was the failure of the parent company, Tar River LTC Group, to make required improvements to the facility. The new operator, Peak Resources, has unveiled an aggressive plan to improve the facility and double occupancy.

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Manteo As the North Beach Sun goes to press, Children & Youth Partnership of Dare County is moving to the Wright Place for Youth home. The home that once offered an alternative place for children when families were going through difficult times has not been fully utilized for some time.

The building was part of the original CYP grant when the organization formed in 1994.

Dare County Dare County and the National Park Service have entered into an agreement to facilitate a beach nourishment project on the north end of Buxton. The beach in that area is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

The nourished beach at S-turns north of Rodanthe held the ocean back during the same storm that caused so much damage to Virginia Dare Trail in Kitty Hawk.

Commissioners have begun to examine how residential wind turbines will be permitted in the county. At this point, any turbine requires a special use permit.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to recommend the Albemarle Regional Planning Organization (which includes Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties) toll the Hatteras/Ocracoke Ferry. Commissioner Allen Burrus, representing Hatteras Island, opposed the motion.

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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real estate

REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS

Real Estate Market Shows Strength

BRIEFS Compiled by Kip Tabb

State approves land purchase for MidCurrituck Bridge Concrete steps to build the Mid-Currituck Bridge are finally being taken as the State Board of Transportation approved $5.7 million to purchase seven acres in Corolla. The land, owned by Northeastern North Carolina Properties LLC, is adjacent to Corolla Bay. NNCP had approached Currituck County about developing the property earlier in the year, but the request was turned down by county commissioners at the request of NCDOT. The land will be the eastern terminus of the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge. The western or mainland terminus will be Aydlett.

Currituck County and towns in the northern Outer Banks have been contacted by the Southern Environmental Law Center to provide all documents relating to the bridge.

Edward Greene receives the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year award earlier this year.

Edward Greene to Retire and Christmas Shop to Close Edward Greene is closing the Christmas Shop, shutting the doors on an icon of the Outer Banks community. For 48 years, families have crossed the Wright Memorial Bridge and made a beeline to the Manteo shop or ended their vacation with the purchase of an ornament to keep as a lasting memory of their Outer Banks vacation. The store will close after the New Year.

It’s the second time closing the shop for Greene and his partner and business manager, Richard Lacerre. In 2005 the doors were shut, but three years later, bowing to popular demand and a soft market that made selling the property impossible, the store reopened.

This retirement looks permanent, though. As Greene says on his website, “After 48 sparkling years we have decided to retire. Why? Because I’m 90 years young.”

Greene first came to the Outer Banks as an actor and dancer in The Lost Colony a few years after serving in the Navy during WWII. Although he toured nationally with dance troupes, he kept finding his way back to Manteo.

Best known for his Christmas Shop, Greene’s contributions to Outer Banks life have been lasting and extraordinary. He is perhaps best known as one of the founding members of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, although that is just one of a number of contributions he made to the local community.

Honored in September as the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, the local community paid tribute to a man who has made these islands a better place to live and visit.

For more on the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year dinner and Greene’s life story, go to northbeachsun.com.

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

Outer Banks Visitation Strong through August Although there may have been some impact caused by the 4th of July falling on a Saturday, the overall summer season showed a 3.6% increase over the same period in 2014.

June barely eked out an increase over the previous year and July was a little over 3%; however, August’s 6.7% increase over August of 2014 illustrates very strong growth during that month.

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau information puts the final figure for the month at $114,304,339, making it the largest volume month the Outer Banks has seen.

That number is also a bit of an anomaly; it is only the third time in the last 15 years that August visitation has been stronger than July.

All the communities of Dare County’s northern beaches saw increased visitation for the year with Nags Head showing the greatest increase—5.75%.

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau reports on Dare County occupancy revenue only.

As of press time Currituck County hadn’t released its reports, therefore information concerning visitation to the entire Outer Banks is incomplete.

As the North Beach Sun goes to press, we’re getting our first look at how the Outer Banks real estate market did through September and that first look is very encouraging. Residential units sold are up 11%, average price of a sale is down a marginal 2% and inventories have shrunk. All of that suggests that there’s not a lot of pressure for prices to come down in the short term.

The increase in activity seemed to be across the board with more properties sold in every community compared to the same period last year.

OBX New Home Construction Booming Consistent with a healthy real estate market, starts on new homes in Dare County are up a whopping 27.9% through September compared to 2014, according to the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce website. The value of the homes under construction is up 13.6%.

If the current levels hold through the end of the year, 2015 will be the best year for new home construction since before the 2007 recession.

Ferry Tolls under Discussion With ferries at the northern and southern end of the Outer Banks, local residents are very aware of the impact tolling a ferry could have. The Knotts Island and Hatteras/Ocracoke ferries are free, but there is increasing pressure to toll the routes.

The ferry fleet is aging—some ferries are over 50 years old—and there is no clear funding method to replace them. The $38 million annual allocation for the ferries is for maintenance and operations but does not include replacement.

Residents of Knotts Island and Ocracoke rely on ferries to get to the mainland.

Knotts Island residents can drive through Virginia Beach to transact county business, but Ocracoke residents must take a ferry to get on or off the island.

The state legislature has asked the Albemarle Regional Planning Organization (RPO) to make a determination on whether tolls should be charged and, if so, how much. The RPO is a ten-member regional organization that includes Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties.

A vote was originally scheduled at the RPO on Wednesday, Oct. 21, but was canceled after intense lobbying from numerous county officials.

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SALUTATIONS Veelee Donahue joins Beach Realty & construction sales team Veelee Donahue recently joined the Beach Realty & Construction/Kitty Hawk Rentals sales team. She continues a long family history in Outer Banks real estate. Her grandfather, Robert Young, Sr., was one of the early developers who arrived on the Outer Banks in the 1950s. He owned the Tan-A-Rama motel and the Young People real estate firm, and he named a Kill Devil Hills street after his granddaughter Veelee. Her mother owned Tanya’s Ocean House in the 1980s.

Veelee works from the Kitty Hawk office and can be reached at (252) 261-3815 or veelee@beachrealtync.com.

Ashley Fellers Massey 252.202.4874 ashleyobx@gmail.com Jessica Evans 252.305.0629 jessicae@vrobx.com

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LeAnne Wiggins joins cb seaside as marketing assistant LeAnne Wiggins has joined Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty as a Marketing Assistant. LeAnne will be responsible for Social Media and the Agent Marketing Services program. She looks forward to using her marketing and organizational skills to elevate the level of service provided to the agents. LeAnne resides with her husband Jeff and two children in Currituck, and she enjoys embroidery and watching her kids participate in cheerleading and football.

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Heather Sakers is top producer Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty announces Heather Sakers as their 3rd Quarter Top Producing Agent. Heather led the way in both closed sales volume and new listings. Since joining Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty in 2008, Heather has been a consistent sales leader and is the recipient of the 2014 Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle award. Heather is a full-time agent who enjoys working with both buyers and sellers. Heather can be reached at (252) 255-6474 or heather@cbseaside.com.

Andy Hawbaker is agent of the month Andy Hawbaker earned the Agent of the Month award for the month of September. This is the second time that Andy has earned this award in 2015.

Andy prides himself on his strong marketing skills and use of a professional photographer to help sell his listings. Andy can be reached at (252) 489-8819 or andy@cbseaside.com.

Beth Garcia Team are top producing agents Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty announces the Beth Garcia Team as the Top Producing Agent year-to-date, as of the end of October. Beth, along with her husband Zak and mother-in-law Debby, lead the firm in both units and sales volume. Beth and team are past recipients of the Agent of the Year award and most recently earned the 2014 Coldwell Banker International Diamond Award.

The Garcia Team can be reached at (252) 207-4484 or beth@cbseaside.com.

Chelsea Jones joins cb seaside as sales agent Chelsea Jones has joined Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty as a newly licensed sales agent. Chelsea is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Mass Communication.

Chelsea is the third generation of her family to enter the real estate business.

She can be reached at (252) 255-6490 or chelsea@cbseaside.com.

Paul Crugnola joins cb seaside as sales agent Paul Crugnola has joined Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty as a newly licensed sales agent. Paul is originally from the Boston area and is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has worked for IT companies in both Boston and Minneapolis. After vacationing on the OBX for 30 years, Paul and his wife Katie decided to make the Outer Banks their permanent home. Paul can be reached at (252) 564-4768 or paul@cbseaside.com.

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real estate

Busy Surveyors, Busy Builders

By Michelle Wagner

Land surveyors are on the frontline of development, often the first to see the signs of a building boom before it happens.

Surveyors are out in the field mapping and measuring the environment for prospective development, making them well-positioned to gauge what is happening in the construction market before even the real estate agents and builders see it.

“I’m always looking for indicators,” says Marty Barnette of Barnette Integrated Land Development in Kill Devil Hills. “Things have been moving at a little quicker pace these last few years, but we are still not at the level we were before 2008.”

When the real estate market tanked and construction stalled during that year, local surveyors felt the blow.

Now work has not only picked up, it has become hard to keep up with the demand.

“This whole year has been busy, the busiest we’ve seen in a while,” says Mike Sadler of Styons Surveying Service, adding that even the tourist season was a busy time. “We are at the point where we are two or three weeks out.”

One trend surveyors are seeing is the return of “spec homes,” which virtually disappeared from the market beginning in 2008.

Jamie Furr of Eastern Geomatics, PLLC says new construction, as well as remodeling, has certainly increased since 2010 and the construction trend seems to continue to be that bigger is better. Furr also points out that redevelopment is on the rise. “There is limited vacant property available for new subdivision developments or large scale construction,” he says. “The redevelopment of existing homes for larger more modern homes will continue to be a large majority of the construction.”

Surveyors say that along with new construction, they are seeing a lot of permit requests for additions, improvements, decks and pools.

Barnette says he has also seen a number of out-oftown surveyors locally, indicating that some larger projects may be on the horizon. Much of Barnette’s business is commercial, and fall is the time in which construction on those projects usually begins.

Many smaller homes suited for the year-round population slowed to a stall and still hasn’t picked up, he adds. “That is sure to follow, though, with the increase in commercial property,” he adds.

Battey also says his firm has seen plenty of new construction along with additions and improvements being made. Despite regulatory agencies becoming more stringent and costly, permit requests haven’t slowed down a bit, he says. “It’s really turned around a lot since 2009.”

Sadler, who has been with Styons Surveying Service for nearly 20 years, says it used to be that construction sped up during the fall and late winter. But since 2008, the opposite has been happening. “People are coming down when the weather is nice, staying in their homes and deciding it would be nice to have a pool or deck,” says Sadler. “They get the permitting process started then.”

Sadler says those types of permits were the majority he saw this summer. That could change as we move into the winter. “It feels like there are less home starts than the late 1990s, but this year there has been an uptake in new home starts. Part of the reason is that there is less area to build new homes. Vacant lots are fewer and fewer. There are no places for new subdivisions. We’re built out.”

He also says there have been more spec homes being built after they virtually disappearing during 2008 and 2009. “They have definitely come back,” says Sadler.

But surveyors aren’t complaining about all the work. The slow stretch the construction market is coming out of, Barnette said, “was the longest and most painful” it has experienced.

Barnette said there was a period following 2008 when custom homes were mostly all that were being built. “But in the last few years, we’ve seen more speculative building. People are taking a chance and building something that maybe people would want to buy.”

“We keep getting busier Matthew Battey, director of surveying for Quible and Associates, echoed Barnette’s comments. “We keep getting busier and busier and can’t find people to hire,” says Battey. “I see that as a strong indicator of what is happening in the market. We are on the front end and we tend to feel it before the developers and contractors.”

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

and busier and can’t find people to hire. I see that as a strong indicator of what is happening in the market.”

-Matthew Battey, Quible and Associates

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real estate

KEEP OUT!

E S U O H E E R T T

E E W S E M O H Clcokwise from top left: The Winfree daughters enjoy their backyard hideout.

Joseph and Bert Waddington peer down from the trees. Elliot and Winston Rowe hang out in the fort their dad Mike built.

Photos by K. Wilkins Photography / Story by Michelle Wagner

For a child, a treehouse is never just a treehouse. Author Richard Louv in his book Last

Child in the Woods attests to that as he describes what his became to him and his childhood friends: “The treehouse became our galleon, our spaceship, our Fort Apache and from it we could see out over the cornfields and north to the great, dark woods.”

And while he points out that treehouses are largely a thing of the past in modern day America, a treehouse tour around the Outer Banks proved that just was not the case here.

Here, on these islands at least, the treehouse lives on.

From two-story treehouses with metal roofs, lookout towers, trap doors and zip lines, to one made completely of ropes, Outer Banks parents continue to piece together R12

NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

secret hide-outs and getaways outside so their children can become intimately involved in their environment.

Just take a peek in Bert and Joseph Waddington’s backyard on the west side of Kill Devil Hills. The two brothers have the ultimate treehouse.

Built by 81-year-old Grandpa Bob while visiting from Costa Rica, their 5’ by 7’ tree fort (i.e. bunker/jail/barricade) is nestled in the center of a towering live oak tree.

As you ascend the ladder, you are met at the door with a warning: “Pirate’s Only.” Other old signs the family has collected hang on the outside.

Inside is a wide assortment of “weaponry” and some binoculars for seeing the enemy in the distance. The early fall sun shines in the open windows.

“The kids and their friends use it for everything from

war to hunt and capture and tag. It’s definitely the go-to when playing tag or when they need a hide out,” says Bert and Joseph’s dad, Rob Waddington. When the boys are home, they can often be found in the backyard.

The trap door inside says “Hand-crafted for Whitney.”

Whitney is the boys’ mother, who Rob says worried about kids falling through the opening.

From the perspective up in the trees, you see a rope climb below, a zip line to the side and if you look up – way up – you will see that the treehouse doesn’t end where you are standing. A crow’s nest towers above and sits at the tree line.

As you climb to the top of the narrow staircase and stand in the crow’s nest, one realizes they are truly at the tree line. To the east, the Atlantic Ocean can be seen and

@northbeachsun

25+ Years of Construction, Developments,

above is nothing but skies and birds.

“It’s a great place to read a book,” says Rob.

Renovations,

The Waddingtons aren’t the only ones who have gotten creative with their outdoor space.

Mike Rowe of Southern Shores built a 12’ by 16’ foot treehouse in his backyard five years ago for his sons Winston and Elliot, now 7 and 5. The treehouse goes around three trunks of the live oak it’s built in.

“They play cops and robbers and pretend the fort is a holding pen,” Rowe says. “They also go up with their BB guns and shoot targets.

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With a metal roof, it makes a perfect place for them to sit out in the rain.

The treehouse has electricity as well, and holiday lights are strung along the ceiling line inside. Even the adults use the treehouse. “It’s a great place for the adults to hang out, have a cold beer and socialize while the kids are playing.”

A balance line, trapeze bar and swing are below, as well as a trail leading to the canal, making it a kid’s outdoor wonderland.

CUSTOM HOM E S

Rowe built an even more elaborate treehouse in the backyard of Susie and Ben Winfree’s house, custom made for their three children.

High in the pine trees, the house incorporates a number of trunks and is completely enclosed. Susie says it’s the prime spot for slumber parties during the fall and spring months.

Greg Stewart of Southern Shores is just about finished with the treehouse he has built for his sons Micah, Ford and Knox.

“When we built our house, the boys said they wanted a treehouse, too,” says Stewart, who was inspired after seeing the set up at the Rowe’s and Waddington’s. The 12’ by 12’ treehouse has a metal roof and a zip line launch from a second story 8’ by 6’ platform.

R E MODE LI NG

“The boys can’t wait until it’s done. And Ford said he also wants to add a solar panel and windmill,” Stewart jokes.

At Brittany and Adam Duffy’s house in Kitty Hawk, outdoor play houses rule the day. A skilled carpenter, Adam built a miniature dream wooden playhouse two years ago for his three children, Kaeden, Kole and Koral.

The house, with a real door, a flowerpot and a metal roof, was built completely with reclaimed wood and building materials.

His oldest, Kaeden, was just three years old at the time, but he would walk out with his tool box whenever he saw his daddy working on the house.

Last year, Adam decided to build a pirate ship playset right next to the house. Complete with a pirate flag, plank and lookout, the Duffy kids love to pretend they are on the high seas when they board the ship.

Brittany says both the ship and house, minus the slide, probably cost them less than $100 to build.

Jack and Danielle James of Kill Devil Hills have a two-story treehouse in their front yard that Jack constructed completely out of rope. He says their four daughters love to spend time in their hammock house in the trees.

A FFOR DA BLE HOM E S As a Master Craftsman, Eric Avery is well known for his woodworking creations. He has built over 2,000 houses on the coast and in the surrounding inland communities. Whether it’s choosing materials or designing floor plans, Eric is on the jobsite EVERY DAY. Attention to detail & value engineering in the design process will keep you within your budget.

The giant rope house has plenty of room for lounging out with a good book, taking a nap or camping overnight in, Jack says.

But whether they are made of ropes or wood, have trap doors or crow’s nests, or are used as pirate ships or hideouts, one thing is certain. The backyard treehouses along these islands provide many Outer Banks children a creative refuge in the great outdoors.

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real estate

hammertime

, GC

By Jeffrey Ballard

! t s r i f Safety Safety isn’t just a feeling, it’s a reality of proper construction and maintenance.

Although there is no local building code requirement to do a safety inspection of your home after a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, I strongly recommend you make a habit of an annual checkup.

Fire Prevention When we think of home safety, one of the first things that comes to mind is fire prevention. Smoke detectors are the first line of defense. A rule of thumb is to change batteries when the clocks change for daylight savings. Beyond that, every detector has a test button. Take note that with each button pushed, the other detectors in your home will also activate. This is the preferred system, and is typical of standard codes.

Carbon monoxide testers have been adopted within our codes for specific situations, mainly when gas appliances are installed. They’re a good idea for any home and can be easily installed before or after construction.

Fire extinguishers should be placed in kitchens, both indoors and out, near fireplaces and even fire pits. Be certain the extinguisher used is specific to the type of fire that could arise, as all household extinguishers are classified A, B, or C (or a combination of these) on the label to indicate which types of fires. Type A is ordinary combustibles like wood, paper and cloth; B is flammable liquids, such as gasoline or cooking oil; and C is live electricity.

In addition to fire safety, we need to consider the general safety of our homes. Loose stair treads, unsafe handrails and dark staircases, inside or out, tend to get overlooked. A dark staircase is a disaster waiting to happen. Most of the newer style light bulbs are designed to last many hours while using less power, so they make leaving the light on and keeping the stairs well-lit less costly.

pools & hot tubs Jeffrey Ballard is a local licensed building contractor and the owner of Ballard Custom Designs, a division of B&B Contractors.

Contact him at 252-489-9551 for questions, quotes or consulting. Check him out on Facebook at ballardcustomdesigns, or online at ballardcustomdesigns.com.

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staircases Loose or worn stair treads, and handrails especially, seem to occur on the exterior of homes, so these should be inspected regularly and repaired accordingly. There are specific codes that apply here. Just a half-inch difference in a stair rise is enough to cause a tripping hazard. Check with the local building code enforcer or a building contractor. He or she would be more than happy to explain the ins and outs of stair safety.

In keeping with outside maintenance, loose or missing deck railings are high on the list of unsafe situations. These railing systems are the only thing saving you from a fall that can cause serious injury or even death. Railing systems are also very code specific at construction, and the codes should be met when repaired or replaced.

Four inches on center spacing for rail spindles always comes to mind, but did you know most railing systems are required to withstand the force of 200 pounds? But fasteners tend to loosen with wood expanding and contracting over time, and this significantly reduces the amount of force a railing system will withstand.

electrical safety Other safety situations I see, particularly in older homes, are electrical issues. For example, a hot tub has been repositioned, but now it’s within reach of an outlet or a disconnect station. Mixing electricity and water is never a good idea, so relocating appliances inside or out should be done only after consulting a professional.

One big ticket item in safety, especially for rental homes, is pool and hot tub safety. Pool gates and safety fencing are all part of a construction building inspection. As time goes by, we repair, replace or just rework these items—sometimes not giving much thought to safety.

In keeping with new building codes, ground fault breakers for all circuits of your home may soon be required. We have grown by leaps and bounds within our codes and for good reason. Thank goodness we no longer have screw-in fuses. You probably recall the ones grandpa used to “jump out” with a penny! Time has taught us to be safer, and that begins with following updated building codes.

Specific codes here include self-closing gates, fences built to a specific height to inhibit climbing, gate latches and pool door alarms. The codes can be confusing, but rest assured they are in place for good reason. Always consult a professional in these matters. It takes just seconds for a child to wander into a pool or hot tub area and drown.

Since we allow the public into our homes, we need to do our own inspections every year. Put together a safety checklist and do it every year. Most contractors can help you create a checklist specific to your home. It’s never a bad idea to hire a licensed home inspector to do this for you, and this service is not as expensive as you might think. The life you save could be your own.

NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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SOUTHERN SHORES OCEANSIDE - Cute 3BR/2.5BA nestled in Sea Crest Village. Only 5th lot back from oceanfront. Game room, large owners storage, screened porch and ocean view from crow’s nest. Plenty of room for a pool. $365,500 #8138

SOUTHERN SHORES OCEANSIDE - Charming 3BR/2BA beach cottage just 125 yards from beach access.

Meticulously maintained with many upgrades. Ceiling fans throughout the house. Tile laid in kitchen & bathrooms.

Newly added game room is an additional 480 SQF. Sundeck with furniture, outside shower and grilling area. $365,000 #8156

KILL DEVIL HILLS CONDO w/OCEAN VIEW - 3BR/3BA condo with great ocean views and direct beach access!

Nice location. Includes garage, outside shower and offstreet parking. Very nicely maintained. $299,000 #8282

SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - Super private home in Chicahauk. Huge private lot backs up to common area and is completely surrounded by beautiful trees. 4BR/3BA with one half bath built in 1991 by Paul Snearer with an open design home. $524,900 #8353

LOTS FOR SALE

DUCK - WESTSIDE - 3BR/2BA soundfront Nantucket condo offers a soundfront deck and sun room! Enjoy a peaceful and relaxing setting or watch the boaters, kayakers and windsurfers cruise along the Sound! Home features an open floor plan, large master suite with a jetted tub and access to sun room and deck! $325,000 #8234

SOUTHERN SHORES - OCEANSIDE - Beautiful 6BR/4BA oceanfront home located in Sea Crest Village. Features include fantastic ocean views, cathedral ceilings, skylight, covered decks, outside shower and gas fireplaces. Wonderful vacation home! $1,350,000 #8299

KILL DEVIL HILLS - WESTSIDE - Enjoy one-floor living in this terrific 3BR/2BA ranch with a game room in a wonderful, family-friendly neighborhood! New heat pump in 2014. New roof in 2012. No worries! Sundeck in the back, plus large storage shed. Attic has flooring, with plenty of room for future expansion. $229,000 #8388

SOUTHERN SHORES - CHICAHAUK - Fantastic 5BR/3 Full BA & 2 Half BA home in Chicahauk. Features include a private POOL, hardwood flooring, game room, sundeck, screened porch and much more! $579,000 #8337

SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - Gorgeous home on a high lot with a private pool. Bright, spacious interiors with high ceilings, hardwood floors, large windows, and plenty of natural light. Extras include a great office, hurricane shutters, generator, dumbwaiter, large sundecks and covered decks. $499,000 #8348

SOUTHERN SHORES - SOUNDFRONT - Great opportunity to own a 3BR/3BA older home with beautiful views and unlimited possibilities! Fully bulkheaded, cathedral ceilings, and wraparound porch! $599,000 #8357

KILL DEVIL HILLS - OCEANFRONT - Located in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, this 12BR/11.5BA oceanfront estate is majestic! Three levels of exquisite luxury completely accessible by elevator, and the midlevel boasts a private boardwalk to the private gazebo and deck! $1,999,999 #8356

DUCK - SEMI-OCEANFRONT - Highly desirable top floor unit with ocean views! Updated kitchen with gorgeous ceramic tile floor and tile backsplash. Large oceanfront community pool, plenty of deck, and wide beach. $199,900 #8364

CURRITUCK MAINLAND PRIVATE CANALFRONT/MARSHFRONT ON WATERWAY! EXCELLENT COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY IN GRANDY! TWO ACRES LOCATED TWO LOTS FROM CURRITUCK SOUND! BEAUTIFUL LOT ON A QUIET CUL-DE-SAC!

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SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - Immaculate 4BR/2.5BA home in desirable Chicahauk! Just steps to the beach, and beautifully landscaped yard. Enjoy the salt water private pool w/a jetted jacuzzi/hot tub that cascades like a waterfall into the pool. Spacious decks, gas fireplace, and bright, open airy great room. $349,900 #8358

COROLLA - SEMI-OCEANFRONT - Gorgeous semioceanfront 8BR/8.5BA home with pool, hot tub & elevator!

Large living room/dining room with all new furniture including 2 imported Italian leather sofas. Top floor master bedroom with ocean views, jacuzzi tub, and deck access $949,900 #8365

SOUTHERN SHORES - SEMI-OCEANFRONT - Stunning oceanfront views! The past meets the present in this 5BR/3BA classic beach cottage which is only one lot off the ocean! No street to cross! Private beach access in quiet neighborhood - great for children, biking, and the beach! $1,100,000 #8371

COROLLA - OCEANSIDE - 9BR/8BA rental machine with heated 13x26 pool! Located in desireable X zone with a well planned modern kitchen that you will love. Plenty of workspace, granite, two dishwashers, and high end appliances. A ship’s watch offers 360 degree views. $849,900 #8369

SOUTHERN SHORES - CANALFRONT - Updated 5BR/3BA Chicahauk home with private pool, 2-car garage, and landscaped yard. Home is waiting for a new owner to put their own special brand to this property! $449,000 #8373

KILL DEVIL HILLS - WESTSIDE - Immaculate 3BR/2BA home close to the beach. Nice open kitchen with attractive tile floor, large decks and a crow’s nest deck. New siding and top entry door in 2010. $249,900 #8370

SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - This 4BR/3BA pondfront home is conveniently located near school and shopping yet quiet and private. Enjoy a fun and open floor plan with beautiful functional kitchen. Terrific view over pool to pond!

Two-car garage and great office! $498,500 #8374

SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - Chicahauk 5BR/4.5BA contemporary “like new” home with heated private pool! Home backs up to open space for extra privacy. Enjoy a super floor plan with large open kitchen/ living area, screened porch, roof top deck, game room, fireplace, ship’s watch, and more! $524,000 #8375

COROLLA - OCEANSIDE - This Crown Point house is A BRIGHT STAR with great rental income! 5BR/3BA immaculate home with many recent upgrades and so much to offer. Private pool, hot tub, screened porch, sun deck, wonderful community amenities include pool, tennis court, and beach access. $449,000 #8378

SOUTHERN SHORES - OCEANSIDE - Cute and wellmaintained Sea Crest Village home with 3BR/2BA. Easy walk to the beach with no roads to cross. Huge lot, garage, nice oaks, sun deck, and nice screened porch!

Perfect family retreat! $339,000 #8379

SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - Beautiful waterfront home located in the very desirable Southern Shores! This 4BR/5BA with 2 half baths, 4,200 square foot home offers a main floor master bedroom suite overlooking Ginguite Bay! $895,000 #8383

SOUTHERN SHORES - OCEANSIDE - Well maintained 4BR/2.5BA home in sought after Sea Crest Village, only 7 lots back from the oceanfront! No roads to cross. Built in 1987 and never rented. Bright, open kitchen. Bottom level has four bedrooms and two baths so that the living area is totally separate from the bedrooms. $359,900 #8385

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real estate

Event Homes

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES Photos by K. Wilkins Photography / Story by Kip Tabb

A home under construction on the Kill Devil Hills oceanfront.

It defies logic to think of a 24-bedroom structure as a single-family home, but logic and the law are often at odds. The law, in this case—at least North Carolina law—is very clear: no municipality or county government can dictate how any room within a home is going to be used, nor can a property owner arbitrarily be told how they can use their house.

Yet concerns about what exactly constitutes a single family home and how that property is going to be used is the core of a debate that has no easy answers.

The look of the Outer Banks shoreline is at the heart of the way in which a beach community views itself. As 12, 14 or even 24-bedroom event homes become part of the local landscape, a robust, vibrant discussion has emerged examining the appearance and feel of communities from Nags Head to Carova.

Compared to the total of new home construction on the Outer Banks, structures with 12 or more bedrooms and larger than 5000 square feet are few and far between. Yet their size and potential impact draws attention out of proportion to their numbers.

Some towns, such as Duck and Nags Head, have limited the size of structures. Other areas are still grappling with how or even if large single family homes should be

regulated. To some it seems a simple, perhaps straightforward, issue that should easily yield to regulation. Yet in talking to a range of people involved with these homes, finding a solution seems to be more complex than at first glance.

Where to Draw the Line Kill Devil Hills Planning Director Greg Loy has watched the town’s shoreline develop over a number of years and he poses some thought-provoking questions about property rights, land use and taxes.

“There are any number of issues involved,” he says.

“There are tax implications. There are cost implications.

Where do you draw the line?”

Limiting the size of a home is one way to address citizen concerns, but, as Loy points out, those have very real consequences for the individual.

“What does that do to that person’s right to develop their land?” he asks. “If you’re paying a lot of money for a valuable lot, what are you going to do with it? Somebody is going to want to build something of value on that property.”

If economics is determining whether an event home will be built on a lot, it is also the economics of the homes’ ultimate use that will decide how many will be built.

“If the market will tolerate what they have done, then they’ll keep building,” Loy says. “The market is driving it.

It’s the weddings and the family reunions. That’s what’s doing it.”

Currituck County Planner Ben Woody addresses another issue as well, in this case the legal obligation he has to approve plans that comply with local ordinances. “Unless we see something that would make it not a residential project, when they bring it forward, it is being presented as residential and we have to approve it,” he says.

Grappling with the Problem When the state legislature passed SB25, the impact was immediate. A far-reaching law, the language in the bill prohibits local governments from defining how any room in a house is to be used. In other words, a home can no longer be zoned based on the number of bedrooms—that would be dictating the room’s use.

Zoning ordinances in many North Carolina jurisdictions were immediately invalidated and Outer Banks towns were no exception. Towns can still control the size of a home, but not through the use of bedrooms. Nags Head and Duck capped the square footage of homes; the size of a house can also be restricted through the use of setbacks and lot coverage, but it does make it more difficult to create a barrier to a large home.

Neither Kill Devil Hills nor Currituck County have ordinances that would limit the size of a single family home if there is adequate land available.

Continued on page R20>

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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he has moved with the trend. “We don’t tell people what to build,” he says. “They come to us.”

New construction in Kill Devil Hills.

There is, as expressed by Mancuso, an understanding of what the market is like on the Outer Banks and an acknowledgement that it is a different place to live. Living in a vacation community, he says, means there are going to be large gatherings and that certain homes, even in his neighborhood, will have guests coming and going.

“We didn’t move to a quiet place in the country,” he says.

Although there is a trend toward large event homes, a selflimiting factor will come into play—and come into play very soon. “I won’t build anything (with 20 or 24 bedrooms) on less than an acre and a half of land,” he says. “There are only so many places left where you can do that.”

Most of the lots that seem to meet Mancuso’s requirements are in the Carova area, and it is in the 4WD section of the Currituck Banks that some of the area’s largest event homes have been built.

And it’s also where some of the most controversial issues have arisen.

When Mancuso Construction proposed building a 24-bedroom home in Carova, the Currituck County building inspector asked the North Carolina Department of Insurance if the plans as submitted were consistent with a single-family home. The answer was no, that what was presented more closely resembled a hotel and would have to be constructed to the more exacting standards of commercial construction.

The owner appealed to the North Carolina Building Code Council and its findings illustrate how byzantine creating ordinances to govern the size and use of a structure can be.

There are already a number of event homes between 10,000 to 20,000+ square feet on the Currituck Banks. In Kill Devil Hills, with a 24-bedroom home built by SAGA Construction nearing completion and a 14-bedroom house that Mancuso Construction is finishing, the issue is coming to the fore.

Kill Devil Hills held a joint planning board/commissioners meeting in August and at their October meeting, commissioners weighed in with their concerns.

Mayor Sheila Davies is aware of how complex the questions confronting policy makers are. “As with any issue like this there are two sides,” she says. “I know myself and several of the other commissioners have been contacted by residents who say this has just gotten out of hand.”

Referring to the August meeting, she said, “We (the commissioners) knew that it wasn’t just as simple as just limiting the size. There’s the whole economic factor. Not that we’re afraid to make a decision because of the economic factor, but if you’re going to be a good steward, you have to look at all those factors.”

The scope of how difficult it is to come to grips with governing the size and use of event homes was on full display during the Currituck County Board of Commissioner’s October meeting. Responding to a request for a text amendment to classify single-family homes based on intended use, commissioners held what amounted to a 30-minute open forum on event homes.

In the end, Dave Knoch’s text amendment proposal was not accepted because it was not considered consistent with other county ordinances, but comments from

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

the commissioners gave an indication of how complex the issue is.

The Council rejected all of the Department of Insurance claims and what was written in its finding is telling. “The occupancy of classification for a structure is not changed . . . because of the number of bedrooms for the structure proposed.” And, “The occupancy classification for a structure is not changed . . . because of the proposed use of the home as a vacation rental . . .”

“It’s going to be problematic getting into this whole thing about events because there is a degree of subjectivity. There is the matter of interpretation. Not only that, Safety Concerns how do we enforce it?” Board of Commissioners Vice The one issue that policymakers and government planChair David Griggs said in response to Knoch. “I think ners agree needs to be addressed is safety. Although there what has led you here is the size of these houses and the are a number of differences in construction between commerscope of the events. When you have 24, 25, 26-bedroom cial and residential structures, one of the most significant is a houses . . . with commersprinkler system—or lack of one. cial kitchens, it stretches Carova Fire Chief Bill Vann says he woncredibility to say it’s a sin“As with any issue like this ders if safety has been adequately addressed gle-family house.” in the homes in his area. “It is a concern to there are two sides. I know The house that Knoch us,” says Vann. “The threat of many people myself and several of the was describing is in the in a house without any of the provisions of a other commissioners have Currituck Club, a point small hotel is what bothers us.” been contacted by resithat Commissioner Paul Builders generally do not agree with that Beaumont noted. “What dents who say this has just assessment.

Mancuso made a point of stressauthority do we have over gotten out of hand.” ing that in the homes he builds there are two a private community with -KDH mayor Sheila Davies exits on every floor and hallways are built private roads?” wider than code.

Finally, Commissioner He also took issue with how effective a Vance Aydlett expressed residential sprinkler system would be in preventing damage a sentiment that seemed consistent with other remarks to a home, posing a scenario where a child with a match could from the commissioners. “I think we understand that set off sprinklers causing thousands of dollars of damage. there are issues. We all know we need some kind of way “Who’s going to pay for that?” he asks. to get our arms around this.”

Mancuso’s position gets little sympathy from local fire Commercial versus Residential chiefs.

Bernie Mancuso, owner of Mancuso Development, has been building homes on the Outer Banks for almost 30 years, and as the trend has moved to larger homes

Chief Troy Tilley of Kill Devil Hills notes there is very clear data supporting sprinklers in residential structures. He points to a 15-year study that was done in Prince William County,

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Virginia that was unambiguous in its findings. The executive summary from the study reports: “From 1992-2007, there were 101 fire deaths and 328 civilian injuries in single-family or townhouse fires that were not protected with fire sprinkler systems. No fire deaths occurred in sprinklered structure fires during the period studied, and there were only six civilian injuries.”

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“With the data from Prince William County, (we know) it saves lives,” Tilley says.

Although he is in favor of sprinklers in the larger homes, Tilley also emphasizes prevention, pointing out that if there are no fires, everyone benefits. “We want to promote safety,” he says.

“My job is prevention first and foremost.”

There are other concerns as well. Vann’s Carova station is on the north end of the 4WD area, quite a distance from where most of the event homes are located. “We have a single station with a 12 mile run up the beach,” he says.

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What’s Next for Event Homes Whether it’s a family reunion, a wedding or a corporate retreat, events have become an important part of the Outer Banks economic picture, and in some form event homes are here to stay.

The large, single structure event home offers certain advantages that a group of homes cannot—a central gathering point for everyone and a larger facility.

If Bernie Mancuso is right and the suitable land to even build in the future does not exist, then the issue will resolve itself.

However, local builders have always found ways to maximize the space available, and there is always the possibility of redeveloping older homes on existing lots. If that is the case, then the debate may be about how they can integrate large, multi-bedroom homes into the existing look and feel of the Outer Banks.

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On A Wish And A Prayer Superstitions and Tips To Sell Your Home

By Lindsey Beasley Dianna

Are you trying to sell your home? I sure am.

Feng Shui Tips

plants and flowers inside and out (but not in bedrooms).

doorways, windows and corners of your home to clear out negative energy.

• Use only paired items (two lamps, two candles, etc.) in the master bedroom.

• Put fennel over door jambs to ward off negativity.

• Place yellow square or oblong rugs in the south and southwest corners of your home.

• Place a horseshoe over the doorway.

Some say upside down, some say right side up. You’ll have to experiment to see which works best for you!

Desperation to move things along prompted me to google all available tips, tricks and superstitions thought to bring luck and fortune in home sales my way. I stopped short of looking up actual spells, but rest assured they are plentiful and easily accessible should you find yourself looking for some voodoo magic or a witch doctor who makes house calls! I’ve tried a few of these already and may be tweaking my methods to see if any boost my results. Anything’s better than twiddling your thumbs, right?

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art and philosophy positing that the happiness and harmony of your home relates directly to the surrounding environment, and it requires specific placement of various elements throughout the home.

Adhering to this system is said to add to the appeal of your home and aid in its sale. Here are some of the many suggested tips:

St. Joseph: Patron Saint of Real Estate?

• Put away all items with sharp edges (including knife blocks).

• Place electronic items in the northeast part of your home.

• All surface areas should be cleared and free of clutter.

• Use lots of metal such as brass or copper in the western corner of your home.

• Place fresh yellow flowers in the living or dining room (dried flowers should not be used as they are considered very bad Feng Shui).

• Place a fountain or other water source in the foyer.

• Place a large red potted plant by the front door.

• Open all window dressings; light is said to attract good Chi (energy).

• Keep doors to the bathrooms closed (good luck with this one!).

But That’s Not All!

Long thought of as the Patron Saint of Home Protection and said to ward off doubts and hesitations, realtors and sellers have a long-standing tradition of utilizing St. Joseph in aiding in the sale of homes, dating back to the early 1500s. The specifics of this superstition vary a bit, but all call for burying a statue of St. Joseph upside down in your yard. It is suggested that you choose a spot in the front yard facing the street near the For Sale sign and dig a hole about 3” deeper than the statue. If you don’t have a yard, a large plant pot is suggested for placement. As you cover him up, prayers should be said. I had my kids out there with beach shovels and prayer cards in the garden minutes before a showing—fun for the whole family!

Once your home sells, you should dig up St. Joseph and bring him to your new home, giving him a nice spot in your garden or other place of honor. You can find actual kits containing the statue, prayer cards and instructions for as little as $7 online.

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

• Hang mirrors in the east, southeast and north corners of your home.

• Keep your exterior lights on all night.

• Use a black doormat at the front entry.

I found a number of other “helpful” suggestions to bring about a sale.

• Hang a brass bell with a red ribbon outside your front door.

• Place a comb under your bed or mattress for prosperity and luck.

• Display colorful, healthy, blooming

• Burn a white sage smudge stick in all

• Bake cookies, light apple-scented candles or dab lavender oil or vanilla extract on lightbulbs to evoke positive, home-y feelings in prospective buyers.

• Good numbers: the Chinese consider the number 8 to be lucky, as its meaning loosely translates to “wealth and prosperity.” In America, 7 is considered a lucky number. Use these numbers when considering the listing price of your home.

• Bad numbers: avoid the numbers 13 and 4 in your listing price (and your address if at all possible). 13 is considered a universal symbol of bad luck, and the number 4 loosely sounds like the word “death” when translated to Chinese.

Got all that? Great! You’ve got your work cut out for you. We at the Sun wish you all the fortune and luck in the world in selling your home!

@northbeachsun

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE E V E R Y S T E P O F T H E W AY

Ready to sell your home? We’re here to help, every step of the way.

We deliver excellent ser vice and results in today’s performance driven market. If you’re ready to sell, trust our team to handle the details while keeping you informed throughout ever y stage of the process. At Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty, providing excellent ser vice and results is a matter of pride. Our team of local exper ts has the market knowledge, experience, tools, and technology that will make the process of selling your home a perfect finish.

Connect with us via: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest

Locally owned and operated since 1990, Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty has been proudly serving as the leading firm* in Northeast NC and the Outerbanks for three years running.

TRUST THE BEST SELLING AGENCY ON THE OUTER BANKS.

For more information, contact Pamela Smith, Vice President 4900 North Croatan Hwy, PO Box 1860 | Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 27949 252-255-6504 | pam@cbseaside.com | WWW.CBSEASIDE.COM NORTHBEACHSUN

*Based on sales volume as reported by OBAR & AAAR from 1/1/12 - 12/31/14. Each office independently owned and operated. An Equal Opportunity Company Equal Housing Opportunity.

NORTH. BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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real estate

keely owens gives style to outer banks homes

bringing creativity home Photos by Lori Douglas Photography Story by Michelle Wagner

Fresh and edgy is what interior design is all about, according to Keely Owens, owner of Indehouse Design and Furnishings in Kitty Hawk.

“An interior designer’s job is to learn from the past and look to the future for innovative design concepts and lifestyle trends,” says Owens who most recently designed the Outer Banks’ first Southern Living Showcase home.

“For me, finding that edgy, unique and perfect piece that holds its own for years to come and in decades still feels current… well then, I’ve hit the mark.”

Owens has a talent that can turn a house into a piece of art and isn’t afraid to step out of the box. “New and updated interiors can add big return on investment properties,” says Owens, who explains that Indehouse comes from the “in” of interior and the “de” of design. “I’ve worked with clients who have seen their rental property income increase exponentially with just updating furnishings.”

Owens says she is in tune with her clients’ needs and tastes. As part of the

process, she creates unique design boards reflecting their wants and needs with specific fabrics, furnishings and colors. “I love to discover their vision,” says Owens. “It’s such a thrill to connect their ideas with their needs and create a home that will live with functional beauty, design and comfort.”

“It’s different for every client,” she points out. “I’ve had clients who love whimsy, but too much of that can feel busy and restless, so I incorporate that in the overall design. Sometimes modern can feel cold and sterile, so I work that into places that are practical, but combine it with elements of transitional or traditional design that enable the space to feel more relaxed and lived in.”

For Owens, locating that perfect piece is rewarding. “Finding the unique multipurpose piece that will serve the lifestyle of the client is something I love to do. I love mixing the old with the new to create a cohesive style.”

One priority overrides everything for Owens. “I think it is imperative to incorporate my client’s personality into every design. We are all so busy and hurried. My job is to make the process joyful. Often our

For this Duck residence, Owens used bold patterns to complement and update the antique bed her client loved. A modern mirrored-front chest and antique mirrored table lamp create a nice balance between old and new.

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homes are put on the back burner because there’s not time to focus on it. It’s something we will ‘get to’ later,” says Owens.

“But I passionately believe that where we live and work should be beautiful and inspiring. It should reflect what we love and enjoy. We can gain a sense of peace and clarity in our home or office space. This ultimately leads to increased happiness and is reflected in all aspects of our lives.

I believe that design, which reflects and celebrates things that we love, makes us happier.”

One of the things Owens loves is encouraging clients to explore beyond their comfort zone. For Owens, who has a master’s degree in fine arts and design, the design process can take a few hours to a few weeks depending on the scope of the project. Owens confesses, “I see a painting everywhere I look.”

Even a small beach box can feel like a dream home worthy of magazine coverage. Owens says that interior design services can save money by preventing costly design mistakes. An interior designer can also pass on considerable savings with designer discounts and access to resources

Keely Owens of Indehouse Design.

that retailers cannot provide.

“I’ve worked with so many different people in a wide range of design projects, from rearranging existing pieces for $100 to designing every aspect of a new 10-bedroom resort home,” says Owens. “I have a client in Nags Head who downsized and moved here from a colonial home in Virginia. They wanted to keep their furniture and make their home here feel more beachy.” After Owens was able to do what she does best, the owners were ecstatic.

For Owens, she considers each project and client an exciting new journey that centers on a significantly different set of wants and needs. “It’s my job to find inspiration within the framework of what they communicate to me and to create a design that works beautifully for them.”

Her favorite parts of the process, Owens says, are the beginning and the end. “I love finding that perfect piece, a fabric for a sofa, a lamp, a rug or whatever gets my client excited about the design and looking forward to the project ahead.

I love the end when they see the finished product and I see the look of awe on their faces. That’s what it’s all about.”

In the Southern Living Showcase Home, Owens chose deep colored cabinets to contrast the antique brass fixtures and accentuate the marble hex and motherof-pearl tile backsplash in the kitchen. A built-in chalkboard and hidden appliance storage were fun and practical elements incorporated into the design. Photo courtesy of Saga Construction & Development.

An 80s home with typical yellow pine paneling was updated with a fresh coat of paint to add depth and color.

Custom furnishings in teals and grays with subtle patterns added softer tones while the crystal lighting and silver nailheads on the ottomans give the beach house a touch of glam.

Shimmery gold sand dollars in the wallpaper of this accent bathroom wall sparkle with the light from anemone-like sconces. This “homage to the beach� is capped off with a mirror framed in mother-of-pearl.

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real estate

obx decor

Photos by K. Wilkins Photography Compiled by Cathy Baldwin

a rustic retreat

Mount a hand-painted ceramic buck near the fireplace for instant hunting lodge-chic!

Available in different colors at Revival Road.

Organic shapes and textures— weathered wood accents, repurposed metal signs, velvety-soft linens— they’re all the hallmarks of rustic décor. The theme is a mixture of old and new, an unpretentious style that’s cozy and inviting.

We’ve included a few of our favorite finds from Outer Banks retailers to help you bring the outside in this holiday season.

Perfect as a personalized wedding, Christmas or anniversary gift, this marble and wood cheeseboard is available in most letters and comes with a knife.

Available at Urban Cottage.

Lead the way with a repurposed metal arrow. Available at Deja New.

You’ll never want to leave the bedroom with luxurious Bella Notte linens.

Made in washable silk, velvet and satin, they come with matching crochet lace or satin pillowcases and shams.

Available at Nest in Manteo.

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

Reclaimed teak wood from an Indonesian fishing boat makes this colorful bench a one-of-a-kind piece for your entryway or front porch.

Available at Island Attic.

custom built coastal homes design + construction

view our portfolio at coastalcottageobx.com or call 252.573.9342

With the look and feel of an old ship, the multi-tonal Rafferty Console by Hooker Furniture makes a beautiful statement piece.

Available at Outer Banks Furniture.

Refurbished and distressed, this birdhouse with wrought-iron detailing by Bramble truly brings the outdoors in. Available at Kitty Hawk Carpets and Home Furnishings.

VACATION RENTALS • REAL ESTATE SALES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

joelambjr.com 252-261-4444 NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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real estate

reflections on retirement

A Journal of Mashed Potatoes

By Glen Baldwin

The pressure is on. I need a topic for the holiday issue, and after several conversations, serious brainstorming, and tiny warnings about triteness, I’ve succumbed. It’s Thanksgiving time, and I must write about things for which I’m thankful. Balancing the warnings were the positive signs: a reemergence of my Gratitude Journal; the discovery of a bookmark in a lost novel which read, “A Year to be Grateful 2015”; a church request which took me down a similar path; and most recently, Joaquin – that wild and windy dickens who went back out to sea. Anyway, whether you find me sappy, silly, or narcissistically simple, I’m about to share the many things for which I give thanks.

My family has made a big deal out of thankfulness ever since I can remember. One of those cute stories that gets repeated at holiday time stars my brother Doug at age two (before I was born). At the Thanksgiving table when it was his turn to share what he was grateful for, he replied, “mashed potatoes”. Now see, that’s not really all that adorable, but in our family it was hugely so; and I think for me, mashed potatoes symbolizes the very core of my appreciation criteria.

Somewhere along the line, most likely during my spiritual awakening of sorts, I realized that if I took measure at the end of each day for any blessings – no matter how small or mundane – it truly balanced, no, outweighed – most of the negatives.

And here’s a “thankful”: I’m delighted that I began writing them down because now, years later, in rereading them, I find joy in remembering the “thankfuls” I might have forgotten.

We’re all thankful for the many common good things in life: a family who loves us, good health, a rewarding job, a home, the affection of close friends. I’ve found delight, however, in taking note of the less profound which conversely has made me more profoundly appreciative of so much. Are you annoyed yet with this “Pollyanna” thing I have going on? If you are, stop reading now because I’m afraid it’s going to get worse.

Here are some of my journal entries. I’m thankful: • for long, winter walks down the center of snow-covered, back country roads (we lived in Maine then) • for a daughter-in-law who likes to chat and share stories about my grandson • that 22 geraniums planted from seed have poked through the soil • for a new good read, Angela’s Ashes, that someone recommended

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• for belly laughs with friends • for doctors who provide explanations that are understandable • for shorter winters here at the beach And even in the preparation of Hurricane Joaquin who threatened to spoil our trip back to Maine – even then, I found things that made me grateful:

252-491-1234

• for people on the OBX Locals Facebook Page reminding us to check on the elderly or disabled • for having the energy at our age to still drag outdoor furniture and heavy garden ornaments under cover • for not having to water my plants I’m undoubtedly no more appreciative of the good things in life than any of you. Writing them down, as some of you may already do, just somehow adds a fullness, a richness to that appreciation. And so I repeat, I’m even thankful that I decided to do that; and I’ll bet if you decide to keep a Gratitude Journal, your first entry might be that this article has finally ended!

English teacher, greenhouse grower, and real estate agent. Living here at the beach now, she’s waiting to see what her next career will be.

NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

dawn@hiddenouterbanks.com | 252.715.1786

• for daily crossword puzzles with my husband in the morning

Glen Baldwin is a wife, mom, and grandmom who’s spent the past 45 years as an

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Look beyond the Bypass.

Home Care Assistance, no matter where you call home We provide quality in-home caregiving (short and long term) for seniors, people with disabilities, and youths with special needs.

Serving visitors and locals alike.

HomeCareOBX.com info@homecareobx.com

@northbeachsun

real estate

classifieds

Duck – Oceanfront home site in the much sought after Caffeys Inlet. 15,000 sqft. Access to the Soundside Park. MLS 83202, $889,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 441-9997.

Powells Point – 2 commercial lots available at great prices. Both recently cleared. Access to county water.

MLS 84318/84319, $27,000/$79,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Ocean Sands Oceanside – 4 BR, 3 BA. Pool, hot tub, and terrific outdoor bar area. Lake views and well maintained. MLS #89752, Priced right at only $365,000. Call Janice at Beach Realty & Construction (252) 453-3131.

Ocean Sands Oceanside – 4 BR, 2 BA. Affordable home under $300k and very close to the beach.

Come sea the value! MLS #86575, $292,500. Call Danielle at Beach Realty & Construction (252)2616600.

Whalehead Oceanside – 9 BR, 9.5 BA. Beautifully remodeled home with pool, HT, game room and elevator. Terrific rental income! MLS #89503, $880,000. Call Ilona at Beach Realty & Construction (252) 261-6600.

Whalehead Oceanfront – 5 BR, 3.5 BA. Spacious home currently offered as a very successful wedding event home. Game room, lots of decks, and room for all! MLS #89804, $1,574,000. Call Ilona at Beach Realty & Construction (252) 261-6600.

Corolla Light Oceanside – 4 BR, 3.5 BA. Well cared for home in amenity packed community.

Never rented, stone FP, lovely spa room. MLS #89894, $545,000. Call Veelee at Beach Realty & Construction (252) 261-3815.

Corolla – 3 side-by-side, semi-soundfront homesites in Corolla Light. Some of the last few building sites available. MLS 88997, 88998, & 88999, $99,000 each. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Duck – Level oceanfront lot with good elevation and high dunes. Favored community of Oceancrest. MLS 89283, $1,500,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.

Manteo – Boat slip in the heart of Marshes Light Marina. N side of Bayberry Bldg. MLS 85695, $39,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.

Corolla – Soundfront building site. Great price for sunsets & water access. MLS 88703, $210,000.

Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 2617550.

Jarvisburg – 196’ of road frontage on Hwy. 158.

Great commercial location. Close to traffic light and adjacent to ABC Store. MLS 89836, $198,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Corolla – 20,000 sqft lot in Whalehead. Short stroll to the beach. MLS 88895, $155,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Duck – Ideal lot located in Sanderling. Possible ocean and sound views. Steps to the ocean access.

MLS 88080, $399,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.

Powells Point – Golf course homesite w/spectacular views. Quiet cul-de-sac. Community amenities. MLS 87044, $70,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7500.

Corolla – 4WD, bucket elevated semi-oceanfront lot in relaxing North Swan Beach. Wide sandy beaches.

MLS 88044, $125,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Corolla – Great lot in a beautiful part of Corolla Light located in Ocean Sands Subdivision. MLS 89353, $155,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Corolla –Vacant level lot, well treed, located close to indoor club facility. A quiet cul-de-sac. MLS 81675, $189,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.

Corolla – High elevation, great price. Monteray Shores amenities. Adjacent homesite also for sale.

MLS 89573, $69,900. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.

Corolla – Ideal building site. Semi-Soundfront location in Monteray Shores. Community amenities.

MLS 87724, $99,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.

Duck – Immaculately maintained .36 acre corner lot in Sound Sea Village. Seconds from the beach. MLS 88188, $275,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Nags Head – 9 prime oceanfront lots available.

Will accommodate an 8 BR house. Approx. 450’ of water frontage. Varying MLS numbers. $899,000 each. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 441-9997.

Corolla – 2.6 acres of high dune in the OBX 4WD area surrounded by natural habitat. MLS 88021, $399,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-2186.

Duck – Great residential building site within walking distance of Duck. MLS 88082, $150,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.

Corolla – Unique, affordable, oceanside lot in Monteray Shores. Possible ocean and sound views.

MLS 83471, $79,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.

Kill Devil Hills Between the Highways – 6 BR/5.2 BA, 3,600 heated sf. MLS #89853, $795,000. Walk everywhere…beach, restaurants and shopping!

Everything is better at the Beach!

New Construction Remodeling Real Estate Sales Property Management Maintenance Home Improvement Vacation Rentals

S E R V IN G T HE B E A C H F R O M C A R O V A T O S O U T H N A GS H E A D F O R O V E R 5 0 Y E A R S BeachRealtyNC.com • Kitty Hawk 252-261-3815 / 252-441-1106 • Duck 252-261-6600 • Corolla 252-453-4141 • Vacation Rentals 800-635-1559 NORTHBEACHSUN

NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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Currituck – 9BR/9 full/2 half BA, Stunning new oceanfront! 5,000 sqft of high-end new construction. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered with this property. A coastal cottage theme is carried throughout this property combining fine finishes, coastal elegance and exciting amenities. MLS# 89999, $2,400,000. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www. cbseaside.com/89999.

Enjoy the bright great room and well equipped kitchen. Beautiful yard, pool and hot tub. Call Carolina Designs Realty, Stacey Hinkle (252) 202-5588.

Kill Devil Hills Colington Harbour – 4 BR/3.1 BA, 2,158 heated sf. MLS #89825, $259,900. Large Colington cottage on quiet cul-de-sac. Extremely well maintained home with 2 master bedrooms.

Amenities include gated security, pool, tennis and clubhouse. Call Carolina Designs Realty, Barry Breit (252) 202-1043.

Southern Shores Oceanside – 7 BR/6.2 BA, 4,396 heated sf. MLS #80566, $839,000. Numerous upgrades, 6 masters, water views, elevator, game room with pool table and heated saltwater pool.

A short walk to beach! Strong rental income.

Call Carolina Designs Realty, Fran Kapinos (252) 202-8467.

Nags Head – 4BR/3BA. Great second home in established neighborhood. Close to beach and Jockey’s Ridge. Private pool with large backyard.

MLS# 89545, $299,000. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www.cbseaside. com/89545.

Currituck – 3BR/2.5BA. Fantastic views of the Currituck Sound from just about every room in this traditional waterfront home. Located close to the Tidewater area of VA, as well as the Outer Banks.

MLS# 89842, $475,000. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www.cbseaside. com/89842.

Looking to make your Outer Banks Real Estate dreams a reality?

Contact Tidal Realty for your home buying and selling needs.

Go to www.justsoldobx.com to see what has sold in your Broker/Owner, REALTOR®, GRI, BPOR, SFR, RRS neighborhood.

Dan Lester

Dan@TidalRealty.com • 252-489-4500 www.TidalOuterBanksRealty.com

Kill Devil Hills – 4BR/3BA. One of a kind classic beach home featuring all of the “Old Nags Head Style” charm, Yankee Retreat offers gorgeous juniper walls, wood floors, open floor plan, wood beam ceilings, hurricane shutters, expansive decks, amazing ocean views and more. MLS# 89872, $550,000. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www.cbseaside.com/89872.

Kitty Hawk – 4BR/3BA. Ocean to sound views from this stunning custom built home with light gauge steel construction. Watch the sunrise and the sunset from your living, dining, kitchen or outdoor living space! MLS# 89505, $479,000. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www. cbseaside.com/89505.

Southern Shores – 4BR/4.5BA. Incredibly well maintained and beautiful. This home has the wow factor, and you will feel it immediately when you walk through the front door! Perfection in design with every detail considered during construction.

MLS# 89764, $749,900. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www.cbseaside. com/89764.

Duck – 4BR/2 full/3 half BA. One of the most sought after Duck communities with direct access just down the street! Elevator, room for pool, X flood zone, fabulous home Duck oceanside in Caffey’s inlet. MLS# 89869, $524,900. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www.cbseaside. com/89869.

Kill Devil Hills – 4BR/3 full/1 half BA. New construction just completed located in Sunrise Crossing, an upscale waterfront/water access community located on Little Colington Island.

Large corner lot over 18,000 sqft. MLS# 89832, $348,900. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www.cbseaside.com/89832.

Coinjock – 3BR/2BA. Located on the intracoastal waterway. You’ll love the simplicity of the waterfront living. 100 ft of quality bulk heading. Forget TV, watch boats go by from your living room! Recently remodeled. MLS# 89888, $339,900. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www. cbseaside.com/89888.

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Kill Devil Hills – 3BR/2BA. Well-maintained home has a great layout with spacious rooms, open kitchen with stainless appliances, pantry and dining area. The master bedroom is located on the main level with access to the sun deck and views of the canal. MLS# 89988, $279,900. Call Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (252) 261-3800, www. cbseaside.com/89988.

Lot in Manteo – 8.5-acre subdivision in downtown Manteo on Fernando and California lane. Price reduction! MLS 85676, $150,000. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485.

Climate Controlled | On-Site Management Drive-up Access | RV, Car, Boat Parking | Truck Rental Business Center | Online Bill Pay 24 Hour Access | Boxes & Supplies

9050 Caratoke Hwy, Point Harbor, NC 27964 252.491.8585 | manager@areastorage.com

www.areastorage.com

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

Ocean Sands Corolla – This home has covered and open decks for relaxing with your very own lake view or swim in the private heated pool. Large rooms with 5 BR and 4 full BA, bottom floor has a game room for the family to enjoy time together. MLS 84346, $340,000. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485. All reasonable offers will be considered!

Retail Space – Premium retail space available. St. Waves Plaza unit #1 is 3,074 sf., formerly a bank.

It is a turn-key operation with 2 vaults, ATM and security systems, etc. Units 8 & 9 2,200 sf. each of prime rental space. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485.

Kill Devil Hills – New construction, granite countertops, cathedral ceilings. Spend your days relaxing on the porch of this 3 BR, 2 BA home.

MLS 89493, $262,500. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485.

Kill Devil Hills – Close proximity to First Flight schools and a straight shot to the beach. This 4 BR, 2 BA house has a great location and open floor plan. Downstairs area approved as a game room and everything else is non-conforming. MLS 89173, $289,000. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485.

Corolla Oceanside – $497,900. This seaside home in Whalehead Club has the potential to become a success rental income property. The current owners continue to make improvements that will benefit the buyer. Features include spacious great room with ocean views, private pool and hot tub. 5 BR, 4 BA. MLS #89695. Contact Jack or Carol Riggle, (252) 453-3700.

Nags Head Soundside – $319,000. Located in Old Nags Head Cove, this newly remodeled home offers a fresh interior with a custom kitchen featuring granite countertops, renovated bathrooms, new paint and updated flooring throughout. Ocean views from the upper deck. 3 BR. 3 BA. MLS #89763. Call Mike Powers, (252) 261-8686.

Corolla Soundside – $422,900. See the ocean and sound from this well-kept home in Monteray Shores. New furnishings and bedding have been added to this open concept space. Amenities include a private pool, hot tub and community amenities.

4 BR, 3.5 BA. MLS #89862. Jack or Carol Riggle, (252) 453-3700.

Kill Devil Hills between Highways – $599,000.

Currently operating as an inn, this former lifeguard boarding house was meticulously restored to its original charm. Located just steps from the ocean with 6 master suites, fenced yard and gazebo.

Proven income producer! 7 BR, 8 BA. MLS #89891.

Contact Lauren Nelson, (252) 261-8686.

Avon Canalfront – $294,750. Enjoy peaceful waterfront living at this well-cared for home, featuring juniper cathedral ceilings, open layout, in-law apartment, office and sun decks. Recently updated throughout, this home offers scenic canal views. 2 BR, 2 BA. MLS #89903. Call Norm Campbell, (252) 995-5891.

Kill Devil Hills Soundside – $344,500. This brand new construction in Kill Devil Hills is a charming year round home, centrally located in a sought-after neighborhood. Details include upscale laminate flooring, stainless steel appliances, stylish master bath and sun decks. 4 BR, 3 BA. MLS #89913.

Contact Randy Jones, (252) 261-8686.

Nags Head Oceanfront – $1,325,000. A true OBX classic, this traditional Nags Head style cottage was renovated to fit today’s lifestyle without losing its character. Features include incredible ocean views, juniper walls and ceilings throughout, in-law apartment, private pool, game room and private boardwalk to the beach. 7 BR, 6.5 BA. MLS #89915. Call Linda Harper, (252) 441-7156.

Kill Devil Hills Sounside – $169,000. This charming rustic log cabin sits on a private wooded lot, conveniently located near shopping, dining and the beach. It includes an open floor plan with a loft and spacious decking. 2 BR, 1 BA. MLS #89923.

Contact Wanda Wise, (252) 453-3700.

Corolla Soundside – $289,900. Well-appointed first floor unit in The Currituck Club. Some ocean and golf course views with outstanding amenities, including access to community pool, tennis courts, golf, fitness center and summer trolley to the beach.

3 BR, 3 BA. MLS #89975. Call Jack Riggle or Carol Riggle, (252) 453-8806.

Corolla 3 Lots from Oceanfront – $789,000. This stylish vacation home is in great condition with everything guests desire, including a beautifully landscaped yard, attractive furnishings, upscale details and amenities. Impressive rental income history! 7 BR, 5.5 BA. MLS #89995. Call Mark Massey, (252) 261-7060.

Southern Shores Ocean View – This deluxe 4BR/3.5BA high elevation ocean view home has it all! Like new, quality furnishings and electronics, private pool with hot tub and Tiki bar. Quick walk to the beach! $485,000 #8202 Southern Shores Soundfront – At 30+ feet above sea level this view is awesome! 3BR/2BA + sleeping loft. Hot tub on the deck gives a panoramic sound view from Duck to Currituck. Big kitchen, garage, lots of skylights and an open feel makes this contemporary special. This home is a gem! $695,000 #8207 Currituck Jarvisburg – 2BR/1.5BA single family detached home. Property is commercially zoned acreage (1.3 acres) fronting Caratoke Highway.

There is a small older rental cottage on the property. $199,500 #8251 Duck Oceanside – This 5BR/5.5BA Oceanside home has it all! Top floor offers large gourmet kitchen with granite counters and glass tile backsplash.

Large open living room and dining area with tons of windows $769,900 #8274 Corolla Westside – 2BR/2BA condo in a great location; good for employees! Short walk to the beach and many businesses! $110,000 #8278 Southern Shores Sound Side – Very private custom built 4BR/4.5BA home with hot tub! New top of the line stainless steel appliances throughout the kitchen, and cathedral ceilings. $895,000 #8289 Kill Devil Hills Ocean Side – Semi oceanfront KDH Condo with Ocean view! Super Nice location with direct ocean access. Includes garage, outside shower and off street parking. Very nicely maintained. $299,000 #8282 Duck Oceanside – 5BR/2.5BA two lots from the beach, this home boasts ocean views! Located in Tides of Duck. Bright open kitchen! Reverse floor plan with ocean views from the living room, porch and sun deck. $474,900 #8306 Southern Shores Soundfront – Beautiful 6BR/4BA custom built soundfront home! Enjoy unreal sunset views from the poolside, decks and expansive windows throughout the house. Gorgeous landscaped grounds, custom floors and cabinets. $1,825,000 #8309 Kitty Hawk Westside – This beauty is a 4BR/4.5BA home with ocean golf course views! Masterfully built

by Bowlin Built Homes, enjoy spectacular views of the 8th hole of Sea Scape Golf Course and at 80 degrees above sea level, the views are wonderful from the ships watch deck! $695,000 #8307

Kill Devil Hills – 3 BR, 2 BA. Sound front location.

MLS# 88212, just $364,900. Call Susie Sullivan (252) 267-6467 or SusieSullivan@SunRealtyNC. com.

Nags Head – 8 BR, 7.5 BA. Affordable oceanfront!

MLS# 89680, just $799,000. Call Theresa Christian (252) 441-7033 or TheresaChristian@SunRealtyNC. com.

Rodanthe – 6 BR, 6.2 BA. Nearly 4600 sqft, beautifully maintained and redecorated. MLS# 89788, just $695,000. Call Mary Davis (252) 2026279 or MaryDavis@SunRealtyNC.com.

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2015

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