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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
R7
Welcome home
R8
Real Estate & Business Briefs
real estate
R10 Town Report What’s happening all over the beach
HOLIDAY 2016
R11 Sun Salutations R12 from forest to beach A brief geological history of the Outer Banks R14 bulking up Building and maintaining bulkheads R18 home spotlight A modern beach shack in Southern Shores R20 a cast of characters Statues come to life at Cast Stone Studio R22 reflections on retirement A yardstick of loss R23 the road home Locals who moved away and then returned R24 open for business The off season continues to shrink for local businesses R26 fab under $50 Build your own roof gable
R20 R18
R28 obx decor Pillows for any seat in the house R29 Classifieds
Publishers Adam & Cathy Baldwin EDITOR Cathy Baldwin Art Director Dave Rollins Graphic Design Adam Baldwin Sales Manager Helen Furr Account Executives Sue Goodrich Tori Peters NORTH BEACH SUN 115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 252.449.4444 phone 252.715.1303 fax
Writers Cathy Baldwin Amelia Boldaji Glen Baldwin Amanda McDanel Kip Tabb Michelle Wagner
Photography Cory Godwin Productions Stacey Hinkle K. Wilkins Photography
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Distribution Bob & Glen Baldwin
COPY EDITORS Amelia Boldaji Michelle Wagner
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 ADVERTISING contributors. Opinions, responses, and inquiries DEADLINE FOR THE SPRING ISSUE are always welcome. You can email us directly FEB. 24 at editor@northbeachsun.com or sound off at NORTHBEACHSUN.COM.
about the cover: A mermaid sculpture is one of the many pieces of yard and home decor produced by Cast Stone Studio in Powells Point (photo by Cory Godwin Productions). this page: Photos courtesy of Cory Godwin Productions (top and R5 NORTHBEACHSUN.COM bottom), Stacey Hinkle (center).
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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
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home Oh, Hurricane Matthew. You were the one visitor we DIDN’T want this year, but you came anyway and left the Outer Banks with soggy carpets, ruined drywall and the potential for (GASP!) black mold. We’re not about to forgive you for cancelling some of our favorite fall festivals, either. October on the Outer Banks just isn’t the same without the Mustang Music Festival and the Duck Jazz Festival. Boo. Sometimes it’s hard to find the bright spot in disaster. But, since finding the bright spot is something we strive to do at the North Beach Sun, perhaps Hurricane Matthew’s silver lining was the amount of help—whether monetary, through the donation of supplies, or by actually lending a hand—that came from within our community. We pulled together as a unified group of Outer Bankers to help each other out. In the aftermath of Matthew, I was proud of our community—I was proud of US. In this issue we report on the total monetary amount of damage done by Hurricane Matthew (page R10), but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. There are real people behind those facts and figures who will be rebuilding their flooded homes and businesses for months to come. We also delve deep into the geological history of the Outer Banks. Can you believe that most of our coastline was once a massive maritime forest? Each winter you can still catch a glimpse of those stumps uncovered by the wind and tides on Carova’s beach (page R12). And lastly, we talk to people who moved away from the Outer Banks and then chose to come back (page R23). To me, it always feels like home driving across the Wright Memorial Bridge, so I understand—the pull is real. In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, I’m even more proud to call the Outer Banks home. Ours is a strong and generous community, and I’m thankful to be a part of it. Enjoy the issue!
-Cathy Baldwin
The winning entry from Neal Contracting, LLC located on E. Helga Street in Kill Devil Hills. Photos by Shooters at the Beach.
2016 Parade of Homes Hosted by the Outer Banks Homebuilders Association, the 24th annual Parade of Homes featured the stunning work of a dozen builders. With a total of 19 houses scattered from Corolla to Nags Head, this year’s collection included homes that ranged from 1,240 to 10,000 square feet — ensuring that there was a wide variety of styles and options to fit virtually any budget. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
New Homes Judges’ Award of Excellence Winners & People’s Choice Award Winners Dennis Bright Contracting, LLC Reliant Construction Neal Contracting, LLC Sandmark Custom Homes, Inc. Overton Corporation SAGA Construction & Development
Remodeled Homes Judges’ Award of Excellence Winner & People’s Choice Award Winner DeBoy Construction & Remodeling, Inc. NORTHBEACHSUN.COM
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real estate
Currituck County Development and the Law
real estate & business
briefs Compiled by Kip Tabb
Possibly the End of an Era Confirming rumors that had been floating around for some time, restaurateur Mike Kelly confirmed in September that he is in negotiations to sell the five-acre lot that is home to Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant & Tavern. Mike opened his Nags Head restaurant in 1985 and has gone on to create a company that manages three local restaurants—Kelly’s, Mako Mike’s and Pamlico Jack’s. Although he is in negotiations to sell the property, he said nothing is imminent and negotiations may continue for some time. The restaurant is booked through New Year’s.
Kudos to Jeremy Miller Congratulations to Jeremy Miller, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk. Miller is the 2016 recipient of the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (NCRLA) Lodging Operator of the Year award. The NCRLA is a statewide organization with members in all 100 counties.
Captain George’s Expansion As reported in the summer edition, Captain George’s is adding 30 feet to the north end of the Kill Devil Hills restaurant. Construction is moving along and the addition should be ready by early next year. The new space includes more than 1,300 square feet and will allow the restaurant to seat up to 500 people, making it the largest on the Outer Banks.
Summer Visitation Figures
As the North Beach Sun goes to press, Friedman v. Currituck County is dominating local headlines with a potential $39.1 million default judgment, but there are other legal issues confronting the county that may have a greater long-term effect than the money. At the heart of the Friedman case is the argument that property purchased in 1969 for commercial development in Carova can still be developed into a commercial venture 47 years later because of a vested rights doctrine. When they purchased property, the Friedmans told the county they were planning on putting in a commercial development when the population in the area warranted it. There was no zoning in the area at the time, but for the past 30 years, the county has zoned Carova for residential development only and repeatedly indicated the area is unsuited for commercial development. Although it is not final, the appellate court did hold that the Friedmans have a vested right to develop a commercial venture. Another area that bears watching in Currituck County is the position commissioners took on large home development (see the Town Report on page R10). Rejecting the idea of regulating the size of a single family home, commissioners honed in on use as a criteria. If they can craft an ordinance that defines use and passes legal muster, that approach may allow the county to require commercial standards in some event homes.
Dare County visitation was up about 3.5 percent through August. July was substantially up over 2015, but June and August were down. According to property managers, there seems to be a change in how visitors are booking their vacations. In the past, most vacations were booked three to six months out or even earlier. Property managers have recently noticed however, that guests are waiting longer and using the internet to take advantage of home markdowns. It is too early to tell if this is a consistent trend. Certainly price is an important factor in determining what home to choose; location, however, is also important to many families, and property managers say that the only way to guarantee an oceanfront or soundfront home is to book the property at least three months before arriving. The property management companies seem to be the most affected. Hotels and motels appear to have had a strong year through August. Managers in that industry have remarked that because of how they have modeled their business, they are in a position to take advantage of late booking vacationers.
Thank You to Karen McCalpin After 10 years of dedicating countless hours, Executive Director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Karen McCalpin is stepping down in December. A passionate advocate for the Colonial Spanish Mustangs that roam Carova as well as a gifted speaker and writer, Karen has managed to keep both a sense of humor and her faith in humanity through some very trying times. With her family still in Pennsylvania and new horizons to conquer, the time has come for her to move on, but the Outer Banks community will miss her.
Water Park Groundbreaking
OBX Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Chamber of the Year
Aquatic Development Group (ADG) broke ground on its 80-acre H2OBX Waterpark in Powells Point in October. Plans call for a state-of-the-art water park with a surfing simulator, a 30,000-square-foot Action Wave Pool, a 90-foot free fall drop, rafting rapids and an area set aside for kids. H2OBX wants to limit attendance to approximately 5,000 visitors per day to enhance the user experience. The management partner will be Arthur Berry, owner of Camelback Resort in Pennsylvania. Berry, who developed Camelback Resort into a year-round destination, has worked with ADG in the past on an indoor and outdoor waterpark. Plans call for the water park to be open by Memorial Day.
Noting that the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is the largest and strongest Chamber of Commerce in Northeastern North Carolina, the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE) awarded the 2016 Outstanding Chamber of the Year to the local chapter. The award recognizes organizational excellence, business and economic initiatives and community improvement projects. Founded in 1994, CACCE works with members in professional development and provides educational opportunities to its more than 100 member organizations in North and South Carolina.
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real estate
town report Hurricane Matthew Currituck and Dare counties both qualified for FEMA assistance following Hurricane Matthew. Dare County incurred an estimated $52,240,654 in damages according to the Hurricane Matthew Initial Damage Assessment issued by Dare County (revised October 17). The worst hit area of the county was Hatteras Island, which suffered from soundside flooding and wind damage. However, no area of Dare County was left untouched by the storm. The Corolla area saw extensive flooding with some structural damage, although no estimates were reported as of press time.
Currituck Dredging Whalehead For the past 20 years, Currituck County has been trying to get a permit to dredge the Whalehead boat basin and the channel leading to the basin. According to County Manager Dan Scanlon, applications have been rejected in the past due to concerns that dredging would damage the fish habitat and subaquatic vegetation (SAV) that is essential for migratory waterfowl. It would also create a channel where one had never existed. Commissioners pointed out that in the 1970s and 1980s, a boat took children to school on the mainland using a channel that was located where the county wants to dredge. There is also relatively little SAV growth in that area of the Currituck Outer Banks. County officials say they hope recent changes in how state government views this type of permit application will allow dredging to occur. No Action on Event Homes Commissioners unanimously rejected a plan of action presented by county planners that would regulate event homes. The commissioners said they were uncomfortable limiting the size of homes, and they felt a more effective way to address the issue was to define use and not size.
Duck Hurricane Matthew Update According to the Hurricane Matthew Initial Damage Assessment issued by Dare County (revised October 17), Duck sustained an estimated $1,011,550 in damages. Although a number of properties in Duck were battered by strong winds, in most cases the damage was relatively minor. Some flooding also occurred, but that mainly R10
Compiled by Kip Tabb
What’s happening in your town? Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.
affected enclosed storage areas rather than furnished rooms. Funding for Pedestrian Plan Already noted as a pedestrian-friendly town, the Duck Town Council has appropriated funds to begin construction of the first stages of a Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan. Construction will begin in 2018. The initial stages include additional sidewalks, lighting and dedicated bike lanes.
Southern Shores Hurricane Matthew Update According to the Hurricane Matthew Initial Damage Assessment issued by Dare County (revised October 17), Southern Shores sustained an estimated $466,000 in damages. Southern Shores experienced considerable flooding and a number of downed or uprooted trees. There was some structural damage, although for the most part it was not substantial. Water remained on oceanside streets for more than a week after Matthew left. Town officials said there was no place to put the water. “This entire area of town was covered with flood waters interconnecting with each other and with existing natural water bodies, making it infeasible to attempt to pump water off any town street and discharge it into the ocean,” according to the Southern Shores website. Beach Profile Monitoring Although Southern Shores does not have areas of beach retreat as significant as the neighboring towns of Duck and Kitty Hawk, there was still some loss. However, the southern end of town is seeing larger losses, and property owners in that area have contacted the town about the situation. Although not willing to commit to a nourishment project, Mayor Tom Bennett contacted the company overseeing the Kitty Hawk project and asked if there was a savings if the affected residents piggybacked on the existing work. The cost would be about $675,000, significantly less than a stand-alone nourishment project. That cost would have to be borne by the residents, although the town would help with permitting and easements. “The town would try to make it work for you,” Mayor Bennett told residents during an October meeting.
NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
Kitty Hawk Hurricane Matthew Update According to the Hurricane Matthew Initial Damage Assessment issued by Dare County (revised October 17), Kitty Hawk sustained an estimated $974,000 in damages. The Atlantic Ocean has again breached a section of N.C. 12 in the vicinity of Black Pelican, this time directly in front of the restaurant. The breached area is immediately south of the section that was repaired earlier this year and protected with a retaining wall and sand bags. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is repairing the damage and recreating the construction techniques that have held the sea back in other sections of the road.
Kill Devil Hills Hurricane Matthew Update According to the Hurricane Matthew Initial Damage Assessment issued by Dare County (revised October 17), Kill Devil Hills sustained an estimated $5,989,500 in damages. Of all the towns on the northern Outer Banks, Kill Devil Hills appears to have endured the worst flooding from Matthew. From Landing Drive almost to Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, there was standing water in between the highways as torrential downpours overwhelmed storm runoff systems. Water was as deep as three feet in some areas, and with nine to 10 inches of rain falling within 24 hours the water table rose, and flood waters were very slow to subside. There was also significant flooding on the soundside of the town as well. Supermarket Approved Town commissioners have approved plans for a 46,000-square-foot grocery store on the five-acre property just north of Lowe’s. No supermarket company has come forward to claim the space, although the developer has said that the new owner is not an existing chain on the Outer Banks.
Nags Head Hurricane Matthew Update According to the Hurricane Matthew Initial Damage Assessment issued by Dare County (revised October 17), Nags Head sustained an estimated $1,991,500 in damages. Like Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head saw unprecedented flooding between U.S. 158 and the ocean. Portions of N.C. 12 were covered with more than three feet of water, affecting many homes and businesses—especially in the commercial district between Bonnett Street and Eighth Street and also in the Gallery Row area.
Dowdy Park Construction of Dowdy Park is on schedule, town officials say. Plans call for the park to include multi-use courts, picnic areas and a sports field. The park is slated to be open by Easter weekend. Seagull Drive After years of litigation and removal of condemned buildings because of the encroaching Atlantic Ocean, the town has closed Seagull Drive in south Nags Head permanently and will not maintain the street. The homes that once lined the eastern side of the road were part of Nags Head v. Cherry, a lawsuit that pitted property owners (who felt the town had unfairly refused to issue permits after storm damage) and Nags Head (that contended the shoreline had migrated and the homes were now located in a public trust area so they had to be moved or demolished). The appellate court ruled that only the state could enforce public trust issues. The town did pass a special ordinance allowing emergency vehicles to use what is left of the road in case homeowners on the west side of Seagull Drive need emergency help.
Manteo Hurricane Matthew Update According to the Hurricane Matthew Initial Damage Assessment issued by Dare County (revised October 17), the Town of Manteo sustained an estimated $979,850 in damages. There was some flooding from Roanoke Sound in downtown Manteo, and cars were prohibited until flood waters receded. Overall, the flood damage was fairly minor and did not approach the damage incurred from Hurricane Irene, which pushed waters up as deep as five feet. Dough’s Creek Dredging A permit has been approved to dredge Dough’s Creek. Dough’s Creek forms the western border of Roanoke Island Festival Park. The bridge from Manteo to the park crosses the creek.
Hatteras Island Hurricane Matthew Update On Hatteras Island, flooding from Pamlico Sound poured into the southern sections of the island and there was ocean overwash at S-Turns and other spots. According to numerous unofficial reports, flood waters from the Pamlico Sound were six to seven feet deep in some areas of Hatteras Village. Initial reports indicate that up to 100 structures were damaged by flood waters. Although travel restrictions for the northern Outer Banks were lifted two days after the storm, only residents were permitted on Hatteras Island for a week following the storm.
sun salutations
Come for a week, stay for a lifetime!
Beach Realty & Construction Danielle Taylor Recognized as October Agent of the Month Beach Realty & Construction is pleased to announce Danielle Taylor as the October Agent of the Month. Danielle Taylor, a consistent top producer, generated the most closed volume for the month. Danielle joined Beach Realty in 2012 and received top honors as Agent of the Year in 2014. “My goal is to exceed expectations for every client, every day. I love helping my buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals,” says Danielle. Danielle works in the Duck office and can be reached at (252) 489-9185 or danielle@sandbarliving.com.
Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales Melanie Day, Current Top Producer of 2016 Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales would like to congratulate Melanie Day, the Current Top Producer of 2016. Not only is Melanie selling real estate on the Outer Banks, but she is investing in it as well. She is very dedicated and passionate about her business; her priority is to provide exceptional service to each of her clients throughout the entire process of buying and selling real estate. She can be reached at (252) 207-6138, toll free at (877) 642-3224 or by email at melanie@melanieday.com.
KILL DEVIL HILLS OCEANFRONT 6 BR / 3 BA MLS# 88083 - $849,000
SOUTHERN SHORES CUSTOM HOME W/ POOL 3 BR / 2 BA MLS# 93787 - $499,999
KITTY HAWK REDUCED! SOUND VIEWS 4 BR / 4+1 HALF BA MLS# 89980 - $479,900
KILL DEVIL HILLS SOUND VIEWS 4 BR / 3 BA MLS# 92056 - $369,000
KILL DEVIL HILLS SEMI-OCEANFRONT 3 BR / 2.5 BA MLS# 93078 - $339,500
HATTERAS OCEAN VIEWS 3 BR / 2 BA MLS# 94094 - $296,500
KITTY HAWK CLOSE TO OCEANFRONT 3 BR / 2 BA MLS# 93761 - $279,900
KILL DEVIL HILLS ONE LEVEL LIVING 3 BR / 2 BA MLS# 86695 - $269,900
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Four Agents Completed Smart Home Technology Course Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty announces four independent sales associates completed the Smart Home Technology Education Course offered by Coldwell Banker University. Debbie Shealey, Natalie Dutt, Chelsea Jones and Ashley Contristan have completed the curriculum developed by Coldwell Banker Real Estate, LLC and CEDIA, the global trade association for the home technology market. This course will equip the participants with the skills needed to advise clients interested in buying and selling smart homes or installing their first smart home products. As buyers increasingly seek out smart homes, these agents now have the knowledge necessary to navigate the smart amenities available in new and upgraded homes.
Beth Garcia Team Named 3rd Quarter Top Producing Agent Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce the Beth Garcia Team as its Top Producing Agent for the third quarter. This award is based on closed sales volume for July 1 – September 30, 2016. "Providing the very best service is essentially about putting my clients first," says team leader, Beth Garcia. Beth can be reached at (252) 207-4484 or beth@cbseaside.com.
Heather VanderMyde Team Named Top Producing Agent for KDH Office Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce the Heather VanderMyde Team as their Top Producing Agent for the Kill Devil Hills office for the third quarter. This award is based on closed sales volume for July 1 through September 30, 2016. “I am passionate about helping my clients and the more I do it, the more I love it,” says team leader, Heather VanderMyde. Heather can be reached at (252) 202-2375 or hvandermyde@gmail.com.
Heather Sakers Named Top Producing Agent Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce Heather Sakers as their Top Producing Agent for the firm. This award is based on closed sales volume for January 1 through September 30, 2016. “Heather Sakers was absolutely wonderful to work with!” says a recent client posting a five-star review on Sakers’ website. Heather can be reached at (252) 599-6814 or heather@cbseaside.com.
4628 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Coldwell Banker Seaside Welcomes Kiirsten Farr to the Firm Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to welcome Kiirsten Farr back to the firm. Kiirsten is a full-time independent sales associate and will be working out of the Kill Devil Hills office. “I was so impressed with Kiirsten Farr's, service, professionalism, timeliness, excellent advice and sound judgment,” says a recent client posting a five-star review on Farr’s website. Kiirsten can be reached at (252) 305-0881 or obxfarr@gmail.com.
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real estate
From
Forest to Beach
A Brief Geological History of the Outer Banks By Kip Tabb
The Outer Banks is moving. For at least 4,000 years it has been steadily creeping closer to the continental United States. When the wind howls from the northeast, standing in an unprotected spot near the shoreline can be a painful experience; granules of sand, pushed by winds in excess of 40 mph, threaten to strip the first layer of skin from one’s face. After the storm passes, sand from the dunes and beach is everywhere along N.C. 12. Before the Outer Banks was a tourist mecca, before human intervention stabilized the beaches and roads and homes were built, that sand would have been pushed to the western side of the barrier islands and deposited. Properly speaking, these barrier islands don’t erode—they migrate. And they have been migrating since they first rose from the sea. The Birth of the Outer Banks As geological formations go, the Outer Banks is a toddler barely out of its diapers, if even that old. There was no one moment that marks the birth of the Outer Banks, but the consensus is it appeared between 3,500 and 5,000 years ago. The forces that created the Outer Banks, though, were thousands of additional years in the making. The last great ice age trapped huge amounts of water in glaciers that covered much of North America and Europe. With so much frozen water, sea level was much lower and the coastline of North American was 50 to 75 miles to the east. Although the glaciation period ended about 24,000 to 25,000 years ago, it took another 10,000 years before the ice began to melt, and that process began to accelerate about 12,000 years ago causing sea levels to rise rapidly. This created an environment in which the ocean was so turbulent that sediment was not deposited along the shoreline. As sea levels rose, rivers flowing from the interior of North Carolina—the Roanoke, Albemarle and Pamlico—carried sediment to the waters of a rising sea. As the sea level rise slowed, between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago, the sediment suspended in the ocean’s waters began to settle, forming sandbars along the coast. The rivers continued to carry sediment to the coast and that sediment continued to accrete on the sandbars, creating what we now know as the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks has been on the move ever since. It’s important to remember that barrier islands are gigantic sandbars. Unlike a true island, nothing attaches the sand to a rock or permanent core. Because of this, when waves wash over the land, sand is picked up on the ocean side, deposited on the landward side and the island migrates. Evidence of that migration can be clearly seen in a grove of petrified tree stumps on the beach just south of Carova. A similar phenomenon was exposed when Hurricane Irene cut a new inlet on the north end of Rodanthe, eroding the beach and uncovering tree stumps north of the S-Turns. At one time, those tree stumps were part of a system of maritime forests that streatched along the western edge of the Outer Banks. R12
NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
Clockwise from top: Remains of old trees after a migratory dune has passed; photo courtesy of Outer Banks History Center. An uncovered stump in Carova; photo by Cory Godwin Productions. Civil Warera maps still mark the location of Roanoke Inlet, which was once in Nags Head.
Land vs. Sea When the Outer Banks first rose above the sea, it would have been a flat, relatively featureless sandbar. The theory of sand dune development holds that some form of debris was deposited on the sand, most likely seaweed, and that debris then began to capture windblown sand. Over time, sand continued to accumulate to form dunes. When the sandbars known as the Outer Banks were fully formed, they trapped behind them an extensive estuarine network of sounds. Once the coastal plain of rivers flowing to the sea, these sounds tend to be relatively shallow, although their characteristics change as they move from the north to the south. The Currituck Sound, especially on the northern
end, is dotted with small islands; on the southern end the Pamlico Sound is a vast body of water that is the largest embayed estuary in the world—so large that when early explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano first saw it, he thought he had discovered the long-sought secret passage to the Pacific Ocean. During storm events, water contained in the sounds is pushed by the winds—think of it as swishing water in a gigantic bathtub. As the waves build, if there is a weak spot in the shoreline, the sound will force its way through to the ocean. Often there is ocean overwash that weakens the area of an inlet, but the actual inlet is pushed open by the force of the waters in the sound. Inlets tend to reoccur in the same areas and those areas generally correspond to ancient riverbeds.
A Brief History of Outer Banks Inlets On Sept. 7, 1846, a powerful hurricane roared up the Eastern Seaboard from the Caribbean. Sometimes called the Havana Hurricane because of the devastation it wreaked in the Cuban capital, the storm plowed into the Outer Banks, pushing a storm surge over the sand. As the wind shifted, the waters of the sound ripped open two new inlets—one just south of Hatteras Village and the other 50 miles to the north at a largely deserted strip of sand south of Nags Head. The southern inlet quickly became known as Hatteras Inlet. To the north, the first ship to sail through the new cut was the side-wheeler S.S. Oregon, and Oregon Inlet bears its name to this day.
The current configuration of Outer Banks inlets is an anomaly…not that there are inlets, but that there are only three—Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Inlet and Ocracoke Inlet. According to "The Outer Banks of North Carolina," a professional paper prepared for the National Park Service, “Up to 30 inlets have opened and closed since the first settlers arrived almost 400 years ago.” We are still witness to inlets opening and closing. During Hurricane Irene, an inlet opened just south of what was once New Inlet, an active area that opened and closed at least three times between 1657 and 1945. Almost on the Virginia border, Old Currituck Inlet was directly across from Knotts Island. Explored by Amadas and Barlowe when they were mapping the North Carolina coast during the first voyage to Roanoke Island, the inlet closed in 1731. By the time the inlet closed, however, New Currituck Inlet had opened about three miles to the south. New Currituck Inlet was a navigable entrance to Currituck Sound and so much commercial traffic passed through it that a customs house was established to collect tariffs when the United States became an independent nation. By 1828 the inlet had silted over and the area is now a part of Currituck National Wildlife Refuge in Carova. Perhaps no closed inlet has had as profound an influence on Outer Bank history and its environment as Roanoke Inlet. Roanoke Island was chosen as at the site for the first English settlement because of Roanoke Inlet. A
broad, easily navigated waterway, it allowed ships to sail directly to Roanoke Sound and Roanoke Island with few obstacles in between. The inlet was located just about where Jennette’s Pier is today. When sand sealed the passage in 1811, the closure triggered a remarkable change in the waters of the Outer Banks sounds. Before 1811, the area between Roanoke Island and the mainland was a marshy wetland and shallow estuary. When the inlet closed the outflow from the Albemarle River, it could no longer flow to the sea on the east side of the island through Roanoke Sound. Seeking an outlet, the waters of the Albemarle River moved to the west side of Roanoke Island, scouring the marshy wetlands that lay between Roanoke Island and the mainland. When Oregon Inlet opened in 1846, that scouring continued and because of that, Croatan Sound, although the smallest Outer Banks sound, is consistently deeper than other sounds. People and a Mutable Environment Oregon Inlet began its life two miles north of its current location and all indications are that if left to its own devices, it would continue to migrate to the south and at some point close. There are a number of reasons for that, but perhaps the most significant factor in its movement and the constant silting of the channel is the littoral drift of the Outer Banks. Littoral drift is the nearshore current that runs parallel to the shoreline, and in the case of the Outer Banks it is predominantly north to south with some seasonal variations. The movement of Oregon Inlet is typical of Outer Banks inlets and there are a number of examples of that. The Old Currituck Inlet closed and the New Currituck Inlet opened south of it. Hurricane Irene created a new inlet immediately to the south of where New Inlet had been located. The migration of Oregon Inlet has been slowed through dredging and a terminal groin, but it continues to try to move south and the jury is still out on how successful efforts to hold it in place will be. Oregon Inlet is not the only place humans are trying to stabilize the Outer Banks. The dunes that line the Outer Banks beaches are not natural constructs; they are a legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a government New Deal program that was designed to create jobs during the Great Depression. The dunes the CCC constructed could be considered a first attempt at beach stabilization. Over time, it has been largely unsuccessful at keeping the ocean from encroaching on the land, but it did establish an infrastructure to support a nascent tourist industry. Beach nourishment could be seen as an outgrowth of that first attempt to hold the ocean back, although the science and application of it is far more sophisticated than building a sand dune. Successful in many applications—for the most part, Nags Head has stabilized its beaches using nourishment—the towns of Duck, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills will be pumping sand from the ocean floor to the beach next year. Will attempts to hold back the sea and stabilize the shoreline be successful? That remains to be seen. Mother Nature works in millennia, not decades, and the story is still unfolding before our eyes.
Banks, NC Outer
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real estate
Wanchese, where it’s a heavier salinity the worms are pretty bad, but if you’re up in Southern Shores or Currituck where it’s fresher water, I’ve seen wooden bulkheads last 25 to 30 years.” Looking out over the Outer Banks sounds on a calm day, it’s hard to imagine that when hurricanes such as Irene or Matthew strike, the waters can rise up to five feet or more, and the waves crashing into the shore can take away chunks of land. Storms that intense and spectacular are rare occurrences for the Outer Banks. But even in the normal course of a year or two, there are forces at work that are constantly changing the coastline, which is why almost every soundfront property has some form of bulkhead to hold the waters back. Permitting Putting in a bulkhead or repairing an existing one is a fairly straightforward process, according to the experts. There is some homework that has to be done, Duncan Aydlett of Lightning Marine Construction notes, but then it should go smoothly. “You have to get adjacent property owners’ signatures. Sometimes the adjacent property owner will say you’re going to obstruct their view, but they need a really good reason because you have the right to protect your property,” he says. “It takes three weeks to a month just to do the paperwork part.” Chris Coleman, president of Carolina Marine Structures, agrees that the process is usually quick. According to Coleman, obtaining a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permit can typically be done within a couple of weeks as long as there are no major issues. Once the preliminaries are done, things go quickly. There will be a permit review by the town or county, depending on where the bulkhead is placed. “CAMA determines where you can put the bulkhead. The town determines how you do it,” Aydlett says, adding that a bulkhead can be up to 500’ without triggering a major CAMA review. A major CAMA permit review is very complex and time consuming. “That could take between six months to a year and it’s going to cost a couple thousand dollars. That’s when they bring in everybody from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and there’s no guarantee it’s going to go through,” Coleman says. Materials Although wood is still an important part of bulkhead construction, newer materials have created a wide range of options. Coleman, whose company focuses on commercial construction, prefers synthetics, noting that they have a much longer life than wood, although it can be significantly more expensive. “These are the vinyls, the fiber-reinforced polymers, the graphites,” says Coleman. “We take the collateral approach with our customers. We ask, ‘Do you want to build it once or do you want to build it four times in your lifetime?’” For Aydlett, who works mostly with residential customers, cost is a very important factor, and he points out that location will often determine materials. “It does depend on where you are,” he says. “The salinity of the water has a lot to do with it. Near R14
NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
BULKING
UP
By Kip Tabb
Construction of a new vinyl bulkhead, showing the extruded interlocking panels that give strength (above). An example of an elevator boat lift (below) and a four-pile lift (bottom).
Construction “Generally, putting in a bulkhead should take only two to three weeks, but there are variables with weather and wind,” Aydlett says. The first step is to place the pilings, and there are two ways to do that. Coleman drives his pilings because he feels as though that creates the strongest support. “We drive everything. By driving, you’re actually compacting it even more, but you’re creating friction on the piling itself,” he says. Aydlett, however, prefers jetting—using water pressure to loosen the sand, and vibrating the piling into place. This method allows crews to work in close quarters and have access to tight places. Although initially not as sturdy as driven pilings, Aydlett feels the difference is short-lived. “Once they get in, after two or three months they’re pretty well settled,” he says. After the pilings are in place, sheeting forms the wall, typically driven almost as deep or as deep as the pilings. The sheeting is held in place by whalers—horizontal braces that extend the length of the bulkhead. Boat Lifts and Docks Along with bulkheads, docks and boat lifts are common parts of the Outer Banks shoreline. Docks are considered open pile structures and generally no CAMA permits are required. There are, however, national standards to insure that the water gets adequate sunlight for vegetation to grow. “There are shading rules set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” Coleman says. Boat lifts come off docks or bulkheads, and for much of the waters of the Outer Banks they are a necessity. In many of the bays along the sound, the shallow waters can empty when the wind blows from the right direction and leave watercraft stranded in mud. Along the canals, especially in Southern Shores, a docked boat can be a navigation hazard. Also, boats stored out of the water tend to have lower maintenance costs. There are two types of boat lifts—an elevator and a vertical lift. The elevator lift works off two pilings with an I-beam coming out at an acute angle at the top of the lift. “There is a 22.5 degree I-beam that goes out into the water,” Aydlett says. “And the boat basically rides up and down that I-beam.” In places like Southern Shores where space is limited, an elevator lift is often used. “A four-pile lift is stronger and more stable,” Aydlett says. “Four-pile lifts are typical on the end of a dock or pier in open water.” Using a four-pile lift, the boat comes between the pilings and is lifted from the water. The sounds that form the inland waters of the Outer Banks are an integral part of its beauty. From the shallow bays and estuaries that dot the coastline, to beaches exposed to the force of wind-driven waves and tides, the waters and shoreline have become a place that residents and visitors enjoy. Preserving that beauty is at the heart of how and why bulkheads and docks have become so much a part of the Outer Banks scenery.
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SOUTHERN SHORES WESTSIDE - High-end quality constructed 3BR/3BA J.B. Edwards home. It’s over-the-top nice with a large finished room over the garage. Beautiful kitchen with granite counter tops, cherry cabinets with matching panels on the appliances. Sunken living room with a gas fireplace and an impressive dining room. $549,900 #8498
SOUTHERN SHORES - OCEANSIDE - Spacious 4BR/3.5BA home with an elevator and great ocean views! Large dining room with breakfast nook off the kitchen along with a screened porch. Upstairs master has handicap bath and the elevator offers access from all three levels. $539,000 #8497
DUCK OCEANSIDE - 4BR/2.5BA home in the desirable subdivision of Tuckahoe! Reverse floor plan nestled in the live oaks close to the ocean with no roads to cross! Nice, bright, open living area with plenty of upper-end Andersen windows and sliders giving you a very open welcoming feeling. Plenty of sun decks! $359,900 #8481
DUCK - SOUNDSIDE - This 2BR/2BA Nantucket Village condo has panoramic views of the sound and is a short distance from the heart of Duck. Community amenities include heated indoor pool, tennis, boat ramp, and gazebo. Nicely furnished and well maintained. $260,000 #8409
DUCK OCEANSIDE - Beautiful 5BR/5.5BA Oceancrest home on the east side of Duck Road, and a short walk to the beach! Private pool, rec room, gourmet kitchen w/ granite counter tops and premium cabinetry. Great room with gas fireplace and tray ceiling. $699,999 #8496
SOUTHERN SHORES - SOUNDFRONT - Great opportunity to own a 3BR/3BA older home with beautiful views and unlimited possibilities! Fully bulkheaded, cathedral ceilings, and a wraparound porch! $599,000 #8495
SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - Almost new J.B. Edwards built 3BR/2.5BA Chicahauk home with colonial floor plan and the master bedroom on the main floor. Galley-style tiled kitchen, large living room/dining area with gorgeous stranded bamboo floors and a gas fireplace! High end construction throughout. $384,900 #8480
KITTY HAWK - CREEK FRONT - Beautiful estate with 200 feet on Jean Guite Creek in Martin’s Point! Pier/dock, heated pool, full apartment/one bedroom and bath plus 3 bedroom, 3 baths with 2 half baths in the main house. Easy one floor living. $1,595,000 #8479
SOUTHERN SHORES WESTSIDE - Beautiful 5BR/5BA coastal home in sought after Chicahauk! Private pool and hot tub! Very close to the ocean – home abuts the paved beach access. Very private, completely surrounded by live oaks and vegetation. Fantastic floor plan with an open great room, vaulted ceiling and huge wall of glass on the east end. $449,900 #8474
DUCK OCEANSIDE - Magnificent kid-friendly 6BR/6.5BA home with exceptional quality! Gourmet kitchen with ample working space, granite countertops, and top of the line stainless steel appliances. Huge family/great room with elegant cathedral ceiling and two-tone bamboo flooring. $1,079,000 #8397
DUCK - OCEANFRONT - Classic 4BR/3.5BA home in the exclusive Tuckahoe community! Enjoy the view of the beach and ocean from this high-perched home. Location is super, and the wide dune is well vegetated and stable. Private walkway to the beach includes seating area. $949,500 #8392
COROLLA - OCEANSIDE - Seller says, “IGNORE THE PRICE, AND BRING AN OFFER!” 9BR/8BA rental machine with heated pool! Located in desirable 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 degrees of views. $784,900 #8369
CURRITUCK MAINLAND
LOTS FOR SALE
PRIVATE CANALFRONT/MARSHFRONT ON WATERWAY! EXCELLENT COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY IN GRANDY! TWO ACRES LOCATED TWO LOTS FROM CURRITUCK SOUND!
SOUTHERN SHORES – WESTSIDE $80,000 $299,000 $69,000
#7481 #7906 #8253
COROLLA CHARLESTON PLACE OCEANSIDE LOT!
$99,900
#8298
KITTY HAWK - WESTSIDE GREAT LOCATION, QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD! WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO OWN IN MARTIN’S POINT!
$84,900 $119,000
#8429 #8448
$525,000
#8311
$135,000
#8217
HIGH SEMI-SOUNDFRONT CANAL LOT!
$189,000
#8218
BEAUTIFUL LARGE SOUNDFRONT LOT!
$319,000
#8446
LARGE X ZONE LOT IN CHICAHAUK!
$149,900
#8458
RARE OPPORTUNITY IN OCEANCREST SUBDIVISION!
$159,000
#8467
FANTASTIC VACANT LOT!
$118,000
#8473
PRIME LOCATION IN CHICAHAUK!
$149,500
#8476
LARGE X ZONE LOT IN CHICAHAUK!
$149,500
#8477
HUGE CHICAHAUK LOT!
$167,500
#8491
$379,000
#8485
SOUTHERN SHORES - OCEANSIDE
MANTEO BEAUTIFUL SOUNDFRONT LOT IN PIRATES COVE!
OVERSIZED GOLF COURSE LOT!
SOUTHERN SHORES – JUST STEPS TO THE OCEAN!
252-261-2000 • 800-334-1000 • southernshores.net
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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
The Outer Banks Expert
SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - Quality 5BR/5.5BA home nestled up to the Chicahauk wooded preserve for extra privacy and tranquility. Private pool, cabana, 2-car garage, landscaped yard with outside lighting. Great for year round living or a super rental property! $775,000 #8494
CURRITUCK - GRANDY - Gorgeous colonial 4BR/2.5BA home in beautiful Steeple Chase. Immaculate with a great floor plan, beautiful landscaping, welcoming front porch and a bright, tile kitchen with breakfast table. Formal dining room, spacious living room, and master bedroom with cathedral ceiling and deep, walk-in closet. $249,900 #8490
SOUTHERN SHORES - WESTSIDE - This 4BR/3.5BA landscaped home has been maintained and furnished beautifully, and the owners are always upgrading in interesting ways! Enjoy the sound system, deck with ocean views, private hot tub, private pool area with tiki bar, and a great quiet location! $479,000 #8487
COROLLA WESTSIDE – Sunny, bright 4BR/2BA home in Monteray Shores! Ocean view from the top floor, screened porch, hot tub, roomy kitchen, open living area with a deck on the south end. Community amenities include outdoor pool and tennis, playground, clubhouse, and boat ramp. $323,900 #8486
MARTIN’S POINT - SOUNDFRONT - Spotless, open, and bright 3BR/3.5BA soundfront home with pier, gazebo, 3-car garage, and soundside dock. Masters on both floors, separate living and dining rooms, brick fireplace, oak floors, and sound views from every room. $599,900 #8434
SOUTHERN SHORES - SEMI-OCEANFRONT - Meticulously maintained 4BR/3BA beautifully furnished home! Great rental with Florida room, 2-car garage, wood burning fireplace, and huge sun deck -- over 2,000 sq ft of living area! Paved walkway to the beach abutting this property. $574,900 #8424
DUCK - OCEANSIDE - Gorgeous 4BR/4.5BA home with den, office, and sunroom. Features include elevator, custom built-in cabinetry and woodwork, beautiful kitchen with fabulous appliances including Wolf range, granite counters and hardwood floors. $779,900 #8422
COROLLA - OCEANSIDE - Beautiful 6BR/5.5BA house located just 2 lots off the beach! It offers all the amenities one would expect in the gorgeous Corolla Resort setting. Incredible views and only steps away from the surf and sand! Extras include private pool, hot tub, game room with pool table, wet bar, and refrigerator. $695,000 #8414
KILL DEVIL HILLS - SOUNDFRONT- Enjoy fantastic views in this 2BR/2BA. Elevation at about 35 ft. on a private cul-de-sac. Home is sold “As is”. Lots of renovation possibilities! $275,000 #8347
SOUTHERN SHORES - CREEKFRONT - Creekfront 4BR/2BA home with fantastic views and sheltered dockage! Excellent private location near Duck Woods Country Club, Kitty Hawk Schools and shopping centers. $319,000 #8335
SEMI-OCEANFRONT IN KDH - Condo with ocean views! Super nice location with direct ocean access! Includes garage, outside shower and off-street parking. Very nicely maintained! $288,000 #8282
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. $169,000 #8251
Charlie Byrne 252-202-2642
Janet Owen 252-599-1786
Mike Ross
252-202-4444
Jim Stone
252-256-3131
Cory Taylor
252-599-1721
John Wojcik 252-473-7060
Manny Medeiros 252-202-1862
Jim Forrest 252-256-0528
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home spotlight
Modern Beach Shack Fresh style and airy design bring life to a new Southern Shores bungalow
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NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
Story by Michelle Wagner / Photos by Stacey Hinkle
The small house nestled among the live oaks of the maritime forest at 223 Wax Myrtle Trail isn’t your typical Southern Shores rental property. But “typical” is not what owners Gray and Ali Berryman ever intended when they started drawing up plans two and a half years ago. Gray, a real estate broker with Carolina Designs, wanted to reinvent the flat top with a more modern, contemporary look. He also wanted to go small. Ali, a massage therapist and mother of four, wanted it decorated and designed to a tee. They both wanted it to be handicap-friendly, fun for families, and to have a great outdoor space. When they realized a flat top roof wasn’t feasible, what the Berrymans ended up with was a cozy California-style bungalow that comes in at 1,560 square feet and has three bedrooms and two baths. Built by Olin Finch and Marc Murray and furnished by Amy Crisler of Urban Cottage, it is infused with character, detail and charm at every turn. “I really wanted it to be the first flat top to be built here in the last 50 years,” says Gray. “But we learned soon enough that the building codes would make that difficult, and there were concerns surrounding condensation and leaking.” Instead, they opted for a low-pitch roof with 4-foot overhangs and metal siding for a long lifespan. “There’s no paint on the house except for the front door, so in theory the exterior is maintenance free.” The overhangs, says Gray, are an added green feature that help with energy conservation year round. Inside, the Berryman’s one-story bungalow features larger doorways, easily moveable furniture, a kitchen island on wheels and kitchen appliances that are at wheelchair level. Open shelving in the kitchen was custom built on site. “We wanted to put something on the market for people who don’t want to or can’t rent an oceanfront with an elevator,” says Gray, who moved to the Outer Banks with Ali in 2003. They now live in Southern Shores not far from the property. While Gray describes the floor plan as a version of the “tried and true” beach box that has been built a thousand times here on the Outer Banks, there’s plenty that makes this house stand out. The floors consist of reflector epoxy applied directly to concrete, which brings a sleek, clean look to the home. Salvaged cargo light fixtures from decommissioned ships purchased from Big Ship Salvage in South Carolina hang from the ceilings. And the décor is a twist between a California beach shack and an African safari, with Ali getting a few of her ideas from some photos she saw of an African resort. She followed
"We wanted to put something on the market for people who don’t want to or can’t rent an oceanfront with an elevator."
through with choosing artwork, bedding and other accessories for the home to create a style all its own. “Ali worked really hard to get the right pieces of art,” says Gray, adding that several of the pieces that adorn the walls are by local artist Meg Rubino. Another quirky detail that makes this house special? The dining room table comes from an oak tree that fell in Kitty Hawk during a hurricane. Matt Steede of Kitty Hawk transformed it into a beautiful table to share meals on. The Berrymans’ bungalow sits on just under half an acre of land and the outside is designed to have a simple courtyard effect. A fenced-in yard creates privacy so guests can enjoy the solitude of the maritime forest while swimming in the pool or hanging out under the covered deck. The deck also has 4-foot eaves, providing protection from the sun and the rain. The concrete that makes up the decking is treated with rock salt to give texture. Gray refurbished one of his old surfboards and made it into a house sign that is anchored to the eaves. “I rode the board once and it rides terribly, so I stripped it and refinished it,” says Gray. The surfboard sign reads Tide Pool. Now, the Berrymans are focusing on getting their first few rentals under their belt. “We are very familiar with how the rental market works,” says Gray, adding that his clients could also use the house while in town looking at properties. And with four kids, the Berrymans have plenty of visits from the grandparents. “The home is perfect for them to come and visit for an extended stay.” Come summer, the Berrymans will have the home rented through Carolina Designs. “I feel like we won’t have any trouble making it work with the feedback we have had so far.” Gray still likes to toy with the idea of building a tiny house one day—say about 600 square feet. But in Southern Shores, there’s a 1,000-square-foot minimum. “Maybe we’ll build one in the four-wheel drive area of Carova one day.” But for now, Gray and Ali are excited to add this unique space to the rental market.
The Berryman's cozy bungalow is nestled away in Southern Shores (top). Sleek designs complete the kitchen (far left); a private pool area is perfect for long summer days (left); and don't forget to take a wide view of the comfortably chic living space.
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real estate
a cast of
characters Photos by Cory Godwin Productions Story by Michelle Wagner
just over the bridge in powells point is a place where the imagination can run free.
Here, the eyes of gargoyles follow visitors and miniature Big Foots are just underfoot. Fanciful fountains trickle with water and angels spread their wings. Here, there are rows and rows of statues, pounds and pounds of concrete, and piles and piles of molds as far as the eye can see. This is Cast Stone Studio and for more than 20 years, Jo and Bill Kiourtzidis have been turning blobs of wet concrete into works of art that end up adorning gardens not just here locally but across the country. These statues come to life right on site and are made from scratch, courtesy of Bill, Jo and their dedicated staff. From the mixing of concrete to filling the molds and putting on a finish, Bill and Jo have filled the building and surrounding grounds with thousands of concrete statues of at least 600 varieties – from mermaids and fairies to dogs and bullfrogs. Creating molds in order to transform raw material into art isn’t something new for Bill, who moved here from Greece about 40 years ago. In Greece, he specialized in the reproduction of architectural pieces. Now, all these years later, he makes hundreds of molds out of latex rubber, fiberglass and plastic backings. He uses them to create and re-create the statues that passersby can’t help but be drawn to as they drive along U.S. 158. “Some statues are originals and some we hire artists to
make. Some are reproductions, but I make all the molds right here,” Bill says in his charming Greek accent. “Sometimes when I order something and the package arrives, I can’t wait to open it. I have to be the first one. When I am here doing this, I don’t feel like I’m ever really at work.” Piles of molds are stacked in the Cast Iron Studio building, a portion of which dates back to the 1800s and once served as a potato packing company and Grigg’s Feed and Seed. Bill says he knows where each mold is – well, at least the general area it’s in. And Jo laughs when she says that at nighttime, the building can give off a spooky feel. “You kind of wonder whether it is going to turn into a scene from A Night at the Museum sometimes,” she says. Before moving into the building two decades ago, the couple started out making statues at their home and then opened a small retail store on the beach. “When I moved here from Greece, there weren’t any old buildings to reproduce, so we decided that maybe we could start making statues,” says Bill. The couple sells these works of art wholesale to local customers, customers in other states and to local stores. “We have a lot of people stop in the studio. Some to browse but more to buy, and we have a lot of return customers who are looking for something specific. We always listen to what people are asking for,” Bill says, adding that there are definitely trends that come and go in statue design. Last year the trend was an Asian twist, other years it’s something else. “Benches and lions seem to consistently be big items and the ocean-themed statues are always in demand. But here at the studio, we take people around the world. We start here
Jo and Bill Kiourtzidis outside Cast Stone Studio in Powells Point (above). Workers prepare a mold for one of Cast Stone Studios' creations (left). Fanciful creatures, planters and sculptures fill the lot (right).
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and take them to the Pacific, Asia, Europe. We have Greek designs and Italian ones, too.” And really, Cast Stone Studio has molds for just about anything you are looking for. If you want a statue of something, they’re likely to have it. But you have to stop to see it. “We have people who say they’ve been driving by for 20 years and have never stopped,” Jo says, laughing. On this day, Bill seems most excited about a beautiful flower planter he salvaged from an old building in New York. He explains, step by step as he stands in his workshop, how he will make the mold for this and other treasures he has acquired. “The process hasn’t changed for a thousand years. We use different materials now, but it’s the same system.” Pouring, he adds, is usually done during the warmer months, and winter is for making molds. Bill has even reproduced many of the weathered statues that needed replacing at The Elizabethan Gardens and has made a miniature replica of the Virginia Dare statue to sell at the Gardens’ gift store. Once the mold has dried, each statue is sanded and patched. Some will be finished, and some will be left in their raw state. But whatever the end state is, they find their way into the eclectic mix that makes Cast Stone Studio a must see when travelling through Powells Point. And maybe one day, Jo jokes, she’ll even take a statue home for her own garden. “We just have four pots in our garden. Every time I’m ready to take a statue home, I always think that maybe the next day someone is going to come in looking for just that one.”
OBX...where dreams come true!
Christie Lilliston Broker
252-256-0756 • christielilliston.com
Jennifer Sylvia Realty
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reflections on retirement
A Yardstick of Loss By Glen Baldwin
Family members Bill, Glen, Bob, and Sue Baldwin stand in front of the family's Southern Shores beach cottage.
How do you measure loss?
I lost my favorite swimsuit cover-up this summer, probably on my trip to Maine. This might not be a big deal to most, but I really miss it. It was black and loose enough to flow modestly over my lumpiness at a group breakfast. Unsuccessfully, I've tried to find something similar since I'm sure, as I write this, it’s being repurposed as a witch's costume for Halloween or snipped into pieces for some funky quilt seen on Facebook. The fact is, though, it's definitely replaceable. My other losses this year are not. My most recent loss is ironically the birth of our grandson. How can that be a loss, you ask. The sad answer is that he'll be the last of those wee munchkins of whom I can't seem to get enough. Not enough snuggles; not enough soft kisses to their sweet smelling heads; not enough singing of off-key lullabies made up as I pace the room, hoping to calm them to sleep; and not enough gassy smiles that I'm sure are in response to my special grandmother charms. Such loss, and yet such gain...of memories and of times to come as they grow (all six of them) into young men and women whom I'll cherish more than ever. Our beach house – that's a future loss knocking heavily at my mental door right now. Purchased nearly 20 years ago by Bob and me along with Bob's brother and his wife, it began as a southern haven, an occasional getaway from our chilly northern farm. Sharing its respite, warmth and sandy joy, it became, as our family grew, a vacation tradition for our sons, their wives and babies, as they'd all spill out of cars for a week at Sea Fever. Pool volleyball, ghost crabbing, poolside poker, pitchers of rum Painkiller, even men's synchronized swimming (usually held after the aforesaid pitcher was emptied) – all traditions binding our family with love as traditions so often do. Now, though, we reside on the Outer Banks as do two of our three sons. Sea Fever's purpose has changed, and the time has come to sadly say goodbye, letting go of the structure but holding on to the memories within. Last, and most filled with heartache this year, is the loss of my friend Pam. She and her husband were with us on my first date with Bob, a fraternity toga party, so our relationship spanned 50 years. Weddings, babies, vacations, hockey trips to watch the Frozen Four, Christmas tree cuttings on our farm – all special times to recall. Pam loved coincidences: I'd dial her just as she was picking up the phone to call me, and one year we even gave each other the same Willow Tree “angel of friendship” for Christmas. Even from afar, we remained a constant in each other's lives, so I rebuffed the news of cancer's intrusion on her life, believing it would end with Pam as winner in the nasty fight. I was wrong, and this loss still finds me weeping at unexpected discoveries: a pair of cheap earrings at the back of my jewelry box that was purchased with her on a shopping excursion years ago, a book she lent me not 12 months ago, a ceramic container (Christmas present) tucked away in my bathroom cabinet. And this Christmas, there will be more reminders in holiday storage since Pam was famous for her handmade holiday decorations – wreaths, napkin rings, ornaments – all delightful yet dismal reminders that she's gone. How do I spin this enormous loss into a positive? How do I reconcile the absolute and permanent absence of my longtime friend? It's R22
NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
like trying to darn a sock with a huge hole, but in this case the hole is in my heart. I think I have to fiercely concentrate on the blessings of having had a half-century friendship with Pam. I realize that when you love someone or something deeply, its loss is that much more painful, but I certainly wouldn't have traded this pain for her oh-so-special friendship. Grief from her passing just reminds me that I have strong feelings, and I embrace that. The strength of that emotion allows me to
love that much more vigorously, and her death will long be a reminder to love and appreciate other friends as well as family that much more. Thank you, Pam, for having been in my life. Glen Baldwin is a wife, mom, and grandmom who’s spent the past 45 years as an 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.
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real estate
The Road Home
Locals move away. Sometimes they return.
Photo by K. Wilkins Photography / Story by Amelia Boldaji
“If you love something, let it go.” We’ve all heard that one before. But how about this for a twist? If you love a place, move away. Take it from me. If there’s an award for the amount of times someone’s left the Outer Banks — and eventually come back — I might be the record holder. Like most of the people I grew up with, college was my first real draw off the island. Then there was graduate school and even more post-grad, interspersed with a few stints abroad, and a spell on the West Coast that lasted longer than anticipated. I came back to the beach from time to time in between — a summer here, a few years there — to see friends, replenish my bank account, and soak up the sun (not necessarily in that order). Those are the basics anyway. It can be hard to talk about any major life changes without digging into a (seemingly endless) variety of factors that were invariably involved. At the risk of sounding clichéd however, I can say this: While I’ve always called the Outer Banks home, I often found myself craving the opportunity to see more, do more, go where nobody knew my name. (A nice reversal on the Cheers theme song.) About three years ago I finally moved back to the beach on a more permanent basis. Funnily enough, it wasn’t long before I began running into a number of people I grew up with — and discovered that many of them had also moved at least once before returning. Like me, they all had their reasons (both big and small) for finding their way home via an admittedly more circuitous route. But while everyone has their own stories to tell, there are plenty of overlapping commonalities behind many people's decisions to return to the Outer Banks.
1. Family & Friends Relocating to be closer to family and friends isn’t exactly unheard of no matter where you’re from, but this is a variable that clearly resonates with those who have come back to the beach after some time away.
“One reason: love,” says Ricki Stewart, a sixth-generation Wanchese native who recently bought a house in Southern Shores with her husband and two young children after being away for nearly 16 years. “I have deep roots here, and being back again makes me feel really connected. I want that sense of connection for myself and my own family, too.”
2. Community, Island-Style Close family and friends aren’t the only draws. Although the community spirit here can often seem familial (which is yet another appealing factor), people definitely feel as though they’re a part of something larger and more specifically unique by living in this area. “I love that I can find so many people like me here,” says Ricki. Amy Boutin, who’s in the process of moving back to the Outer Banks from Delaware with her family, agrees. “People look out for each other,” Amy says. “There’s a laidback atmosphere here, and I’ve never experienced a place where everyone’s values seem to align so closely with ours.”
3. Location, Location, Location Geography might seem like the most obvious reason for being drawn to the Outer Banks (think natural beauty in general), so it makes sense that it is perhaps the most overwhelming response people invariably give for making their way back here. “We’re beach lovers,” says Amy. “We spend as much time there as possible, and I want to be able to smell the ocean when I go to sleep at night.” “I think we’ve embraced the parts of the beach that we took for granted before moving,” says local Emily Urch about her newly re-found connection to the Outer Banks after returning in 2014 with her three children. “We spend nearly every weekend exploring places from Nags Head Woods to Pea Island and discovering eclectic shops. I like being back in my hometown…there’s a good energy that I’m happy to be a part of.”
“There’s a sense of privacy here,” adds a Kill Devil Hills resident who returned to this area last year with her high school sweetheart after several years of living temporarily in Norfolk. “Even though it may not feel like it in the summertime, there are still plenty of places you can go and have a moment to yourself outside — to be able to just walk out at night, breathe, and look at the stars.” These highlighted reasons were part of my thought process at one point as well. But to be very honest, deciding to move back to the beach wasn’t easy — a refrain I repeatedly heard from many of the people I talked to. While there is much to love about this place, there are also plenty of difficulties. It can be hard to find fulfilling, year-round work, to make ends meet, or even to secure affordable housing. Those things can’t, and shouldn’t, be ignored. And yet, that may be why it’s remarkable that so many of us have chosen — truly chosen — to make our way back home. We’re not here because we couldn’t, or didn’t want to, entertain a different type of life elsewhere, but rather because we did exactly that and yet still found ourselves drawn to the ocean, this land, and perhaps most importantly, to each other. Ultimately, home can be found in so many things. It can be a place, to be sure. But it can also be the idea of a place, a way of thinking about and living in this world. And home can also be made up of people — in fact, in my humble opinion, it nearly almost always is. And that might be the best way to describe the Outer Banks. It’s a physical location that’s so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s home in the way poet Oliver Wendell Holmes once described such a space: “Where we love is home — home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” No matter how many roads or detours we may take along the way, there will always be something deep inside ourselves that ties us here together in the end. And that makes this place the type of home we can always, even endlessly, return to. NORTHBEACHSUN.COM
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real estate
Steeler fans crowd the bar at Barefoot Bernie's. Photo courtesy of Chris Vlahos.
open for business Local Restaurants Keep It Going Year Round
By Michelle Wagner
Hawk Pizza, which they opened back in 1983 at the same location Barefoot Bernie’s is now. “I left for about 10 years and when I came back, the first couple of years still felt a little dismal, but then business picked up and we were hearing locals say they needed a place to go during the winter and were tired of driving around and wondering what was open.” Every year since, Vlahos kept reducing the amount of time his restaurant was closed during the off season until finally, a few years ago, he didn’t close at all except for a few days to do a deep cleaning of the restaurant. “In a couple of days, we popped right back open.” The owners of Outer Banks Brewing Station found themselves in the same boat a few years ago. “We used to close for five weeks, but during the last two years we’ve only closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from January 2 through March 1,” says co-owner Karen Loopman-Davis. Loopman-Davis says the restaurant loves hosting community events in the off season such as painting parties, fundraisers and meetings. “It gives us a chance to get to know one another again and since there’s no town center per se on the Outer Banks, it’s up to the community, sporting events and businesses to provide that unity,” she says, adding that the Outer Banks has done a wonderful job promoting itself with all the festivals and events. The Bonzer Shack is the fourth restaurant Kirchmier has owned and operated on the Outer Banks since taking it over four years ago. With good employees, Kirchmier knows he
There was once a time when many businesses on the Outer Banks closed up shop for the winter. Come January, the blinds were pulled and the doors locked. Owners would travel, come back in the spring and be ready for the next tourist season. Those days, however, are gone. While many businesses still reduce hours during the off season, closing down during the winter just doesn’t happen very much anymore. With a thriving year-round population, a steady stream of visitors every month of the year and plenty of events and festivals held during the shoulder seasons, businesses are staying open longer or not closing at all. And many offer local specials that keep customers coming in all year long. “Part of the reason we are seeing this is because of the strength of the shoulder season,” says Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Brown. “Businesses stay busy right through Christmas. For many businesses now, it just makes good financial sense to stay open at least a few days a week.” John Kirchmier, owner of Bonzer Shack in Kill Devil Hills, says that staying open during the off season helps keep good employees and is also good for the community. “We need to be here for the community,” says the longtime restaurateur. “It’s important to us.” Chris Vlahos, owner of Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar in Kitty Hawk, remembers years ago when the winters on the Outer Banks were pretty quiet. His parents owned Kitty
can keep it going every month of the year—even when he’s not here. Bill Golden, owner of Dare Devil’s Pizzeria, right next door to the Bonzer Shack on N.C. 12, echoes Kirchmier. He has been keeping the pizza pub open five to six nights a week for the past six or so years. He has enough business to warrant it and likes to keep his employees active over the winter. Also during the off season, many local restaurants offer regular specials that are hard to resist. Beginning in October, Vlahos offers nightly specials such as sushi, burger, tapas and oyster nights. Such nights encourage people to get out and about and either enjoy a regular menu item or something a little different. Slice Pizzeria is another local restaurant that runs off season daily specials beginning in mid-September and running through May. Its popular $1 slices on Mondays and Thankful Thursdays (when they donate $2 to a local charity for every 16-inch pizza sold) are hugely popular among locals. Staying open year round also allows employers to retain quality employees. Brown says with changes in the unemployment laws three years ago, seasonal employees now need year round work. Prior to the changes, employees on unemployment could receive 26 weeks of unemployment and $500 to $600 a week. Now, the initial period is for 12 weeks and a maximum of $300 a week. These days there are plenty of reasons businesses keep their doors open every month of the year, and like Kirchmier says, that’s good for everyone.
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Fig. 1
John of White Gables By Amanda McDanel
I grew up with two very handy parents. My dad is an electrician by trade and has a knack
for building things, from decks and antique cars to radio controlled planes (ask me about the to-scale pull-behind Woody he built for my daughter sometime). I spent most Saturdays of my childhood riding around in my mom’s station wagon hitting up every yard sale she deemed worthy by circling the ads in the Friday newspaper. Needless to say, I learned to read a map at a young age by calling out directions as the shotgun co-pilot. She loved refinishing things, but mostly furniture and houses. Armed in a dirty jumpsuit, my mom would wield a paint stripping heat gun in one hand and a sander in the other. I could buff and refinish hardwood floors before high school. DIY just runs in my blood. My best friend grew up with the same sort of parents and then she married her college sweetheart—only to learn he didn’t know a hammer from a wrench. She went from “Fix this, Dad” to a man whose handiest accomplishment in their first year of marriage was hanging a picture level. Said friend’s husband has since either gone to “Home Depot School,” watched a lot of YouTube tutorials, or made a lot of handy friends as he has now installed tile backsplash, has an elaborate Christmas light display, and built a fire pit. Luckily, being handy runs in my husband’s blood. He has learned to stop questioning why I want him to pick up a set of trailer steps from the side of the road and has actually embraced finding his own ways to create beauty with reused materials. This has gotten to the point where I will find him outside with a pile of wood and a hammer before I even knew he was planning to do a project. In this issue I will feature Mr. McD’s latest project that is sure to add another piece of flair to your typical beach box. Beach boxes are kind of the standard everyday home on the Outer Banks. Yes, you will see the old Nags Head style and larger rental homes, but many year-round residents live in either saltboxes or beach boxes. A saltbox style has a pitched asymmetrical roof while a beach box is square with a gable roof. A gable is the triangular portion of the wall between the edges of the intersecting roof pitches, according to Wikipedia. It is the pointy top on the front of your house, according to this writer.
Mr. McD thought that our gable looked naked so he started a new project. After driving around gable-peeping throughout the neighborhood, he hand-sketched a design to add a nautical touch. Mrs. McD calls it gingerbread trim but Mr. McD assures you it is not and admonishes me for calling it that so just forget that description, mmmkay? To create your own (classy gingerbread), you will need: • 1”x4” salt-treated or pressure-treated wood—you’ll need 12 to 16 feet, depending on your gable size • Metal tie plates • Exterior wood screws • Primer and paint color of choice To begin, you will need to calculate your roof’s angle (figure 1). There are several websites that can help you calculate this by measuring the rise and run of your roof. Just pop it into a Google search if you need help on this part. Once you have determined the angle, you can sketch the design you like by again doing a little neighborhood or internet recon, and then cut the boards according to your design. Measure twice, cut once (figure 2). There are plenty of variations in style from true gingerbread to colonial to modern—just select one that best represents your house’s personality. Join the board configuration using the metal plates and screws on the back side of the design (figure 3). An electric drill/screwdriver is handy here. After the gable bracket is assembled, you will prime and paint the wood (we went with white to match the house trim), and install it under the roofline against the trim with exterior wood screws (figure 4). The project costs well under $50 and adds some major wow-factor and personality to your house. It can be completed in a day or a weekend if you are slightly DIY challenged or have small children you must wrangle. If you aren’t the least bit interested in screws and power tools (but you can fiercely wield your credit card), you can purchase these premade by searching for a “gable bracket,” but they will cost you $150-300 plus for something that can be made for a fraction of that cost. However, if you choose to buy your own gingerbread, I won’t judge. Just borrow someone’s Mr. McD to install it for you.
Fig. 2
1" x 4" treated lumber
Fig. 3
Tie Plates
ext. screws
Fig. 4
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OBX DECOR
Getting
Down with Stylish Pillows A pillow is so much more than a place to rest your head—it’s a statement of style. Check out these fantastic finds from some of our favorite shops around the beach.
Exceptional quality and color are the hallmarks of this African Modcloth pillow by Meadow at Dusk. Available at Altwood. Give a nod to nautical décor with a hooked octopus pillow. Available at The Cottage Shop. Elegant mother-of-pearl buttons and silk charmeuse piping adorn this luxurious, down-filled floral lumbar pillow. Available at Nest. Need a pillow that can hold up to spills and stains both indoors and out? Try one with durable Sunbrella fabric. Available at Nags Head Hammocks.
Photos by K. Wilkins Photography / Compiled by Cathy Baldwin R28
NORTH BEACH SUN REAL ESTATE HOLIDAY 2016
Custom geometric printed pillows made by local seamstress Maria Avelar out of Studio Flock fabric provide the perfect pop of color. Available at Modern Beach House. Home is where the heart is… and where this sweet burlap pillow belongs. Available at Mudpie. Love your pup? A pooch needlepoint pillow with soft velvet backing is a stylish and sophisticated way to honor Fido. Available in a variety of breeds at Sam & Winston. Add a little preppy charm to your décor with Lily Pulitzer pink-fringed indoor/ outdoor pillows. Available at the Cotton Gin.
classifieds Crown Point Oceanside – 5 BR, 4.5 BA. This wellappointed home is just 180’ to the beach access! Light and bright and well maintained. Community pool and tennis. MLS #93517, $479,900. Call Liz at Beach Realty & Construction, (252) 261-6600.
Ocean Sands Oceanside – 4 BR, 3 BA. Pristine, high and dry! Spacious and well-maintained with ocean views. Upgraded kitchen with granite. MLS #93849, $389,500. Call Danielle at Beach Realty & Construction, (252) 261-6600. Carolina Dunes Oceanside – 5 BR, 4.5 BA. Amazing ocean and sound views. Large 16x38 pool, game room and short walk to the beach! MLS #93431, $699,000. Call Ilona at Beach Realty & Construction, (252) 261-6600. Ocean Sands Oceanside – 5 BR, 3 BA. Great value for a 5-bedroom home! Oceanside home with good beach access and lots of decks! MLS #93685, $345,000. Call Nancy at Beach Realty & Construction, (252) 441-1106. Carova Semi-Oceanfront – 8 BR, 8 FB, 2 PB. This home has it all: 8 master suites, heated pool, theatre room and elevator! Great rentals and furnishings. MLS #93609, $899,000. Call Joanne at Beach Realty & Construction, (252) 453-3131.
Grandy – 255 ft. of road frontage on Hwy 158. Great commercial location. Adjacent to ABC store. MLS 91893, $149,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Kill Devil Hills – 17 vacant lots available in Carlyle on the Sound, a soundside community. Starting at $69,900. Varying MLS numbers. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Duck – Large soundfront site w/ a private sandy beach. The ultimate private location. MLS 93597, $525,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-2186. South Mills – Corner lot cleared and ready to build. Close to Suffolk, Norfolk & Elizabeth City. Private septic/county water. MLS 85570, $46,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000.
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. Grandy – 150 ft. of road frontage on Grandy Rd. Level and ready for commercial construction. MLS 91894, $59,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Corolla – 2 lots available in the ocean side community of Buck Island. Rare opportunity to build 8-10 BR homes. MLS 84788/84789, $120,000 each. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-2186. 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 – Unique, affordable, oceanside lot in Monteray Shores. Possible ocean and sound views. MLS 83471, $79,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Nags Head – Oceanfront prime lot location, close to shops and restaurants. Perfect place to build. MLS 87683, $835,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-2186.
Corolla – 3 side-by-side semi-soundfront lots available in Corolla Light. Incomparable resort amenities. Multiple MLS #s, $99,000 each. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Corolla – Great lot located on Willet Court, oceanside in Ocean Sands. MLS 89353, $128,000, Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Moyock – Commercial lot on the Currituck mainland. Prime location. MLS 90859, $270,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Colington – Soundfront lot in the quiet neighborhood of Swan View Shores. MLS 92194, $269,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-2186.
Manteo – Boat slip in the heart of Marshes Light Marina. MLS 2105, $30,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.
Duck Oceanside – 5 BR/3 full and 2 ½ BA, 2,700 heated sf. MLS #93007, $685,000. Enjoy quiet relaxation and serene seaside days in this classic cottage with ocean views. A tranquil yet central location means you are close to the best of Duck. Call Carolina Designs Realty, Fran Kapinos (252) 202-8467.
Kitty Hawk – Large pondfront building site in attractive wooded area. Convenient location. MLS 91092, $79,900. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550. Corolla – Monteray Shores homesite with high elevation at a great price. Ideal location for your dream home. MLS 94032, $69,900. Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550. Duck – Great location close to Downtown Duck. Build your dream home with a short walk to the beach. MLS 93012, $147,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.
Edenton – Unique 5 acre soundfront lot. On the Yoepin River with great fishing, boating and more. MLS 91911, $145,000. Call Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 453-3000. Corolla – Perfect building site in Monteray Shores. Semi-oceanfront lot with great amenities. MLS 87724, $90,000. Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales (252) 261-7550.
Kill Devil Hills Between the Highways – 6 BR/5 full and 2 ½ BA, 3,600 heated sf. MLS #93581, $795,000. This meticulously constructed home is close to all of the OBX fun. A beautiful pool area complements the bright and sunny interior. Call Carolina Designs Realty, Stacey Hinkle (252) 202-5588.
Duck Oceanside – 5 BR/4½ BA, 3,450 heated sf. MLS #92870, $899,000. This home was remodeled in 2012 and a spacious retreat was created. Too many interior features to list. A gorgeous pool area with pergola and playground were also added. Call Carolina Designs Realty, Barry Breit (252) 202-1043.
For Hire – CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty is hiring two full-time real estate agents. When the market is right, make sure you're with the right firm. Low fees, low stress and a positive work environment make selling easy. Call Cindy Edwards today for more information, (252) 256-0520. OBX Land – Value is in the land and there are good buys on home sites right now. We have lots starting at $39,500. Call CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty, (800) 282-6401. 53-Acre Island – Own an island! These 53-acres of paradise include sandy beaches and marsh views that can accommodate any size boat. Keep for yourself or subdivide into 10-acre parcels. $899,000. Call CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty, (800) 282-6401. Outer Banks Commercial Opportunities – If you're a commercial investor, we have opportunities from warehouse storage to office buildings. Call CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty, (800) 282-6401.
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4000 Lindbergh Avenue, Kitty Hawk – Views, income and location! Large rental home with amazing ocean views. This home is a solid rental with 3 master BR. Relax at the private pool and hot tub. Just a short distance to the beach. Asking $515,000. Call Andrew Hawbaker (252) 489-8819. 4006 Welch Street, Kitty Hawk – This 3 BR, 3 BA home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac in an X flood zone and has amazing ocean views from the front covered porch, living room/dining/kitchen area and upstairs bedroom. Asking $299,900. Call Beth Garcia (252) 207-4484. 151 Yaupon Trail, Southern Shores – Southern Shores creekfront with water views! Beautiful home nestled on a ridge overlooking Ginguite Creek and the Albemarle Sound. This is a serene setting with beautiful hardwoods and landscaping. Amazing water views from inside and out. Asking $699,000. Call Brad Beacham (252) 202-6920. 114 Old Squaw Drive, Duck – This spacious, nicely decorated five BR beach home offers a reverse floor plan, private pool and hot tub. The community offers private beach access. The top level is very open and includes a large living area, master bedroom, dining area, kitchen with bar seating, and a half-bath. Asking $525,000. Call David Fry (252) 256-2136. 7008 Currituck Road, Kitty Hawk – The minute you walk in the door, your eyes are drawn to the wall of windows capturing the stunning soundfront water views from almost every room in the house. Everything about this home is warm and inviting, especially the floor plan. Asking $1,595,000. Call Heather Sakers (252) 599-6814. 1036 Lighthouse Drive, Corolla – This 9 BR, 8.5 BA semi-oceanfront estate is loved by all. Only 1 lot from the ocean, offering breathtaking ocean and sunrise views. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel
appliances, granite counter tops, custom cherry cabinets, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, elevator, large game room with bar, media room, and private heated pool. Asking $1,295,000. Call Heather VanderMyde (252) 202-2375. 116 Snipe Court, Duck – Beautiful 5 BR, 4 ½ BA vacation home on a high hill that gives this home dramatic views. Private pool and hot tub provide nice amenities for vacationers. Asking $699,000. Call John Leatherwood (252) 202-3834. 200 W Barnes Street, Nags Head – New construction under $300K with many upgrades including red cedar shakes on the exterior complimented with LP Smart siding, hickory wood flooring, granite countertops and stainless appliance package. Asking $289,900. Call Kent Copeland (252) 202-2815. 2044 Creek Road, Kitty Hawk – Fabulous single level home located in the gated community of Martin's Point is well appointed with granite counters, stainless appliances, gas fireplace, screened in pool, generator, jetted tub, steam shower and more. Lovely landscaping with a welcoming front porch. Asking $550,000. Call Melissa Morgan (252) 202-5636.
Retail Space for Rent – Premium retail space available. St. Waves Plaza unit #1 is 3,074 sf., formerly a bank. It’s a turn-key operation with 2 vaults, ATM, security systems, etc. Units 8 & 9 2,200 sf. each of prime rental space. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485. Yearly Rentals – University Park Townhomes located in Powells Point, only 3 miles from the Wright Memorial Bridge. 3 BR, 2 ½ BA, 1450 sf., lovely back patio with storage, community pool with club house, playground, and basketball court. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485.
Retail Space for Sale – Nice retail space in Grandy, NC, with road frontage on Hwy. 168. 8 units are available for sale in small strip mall. $65,000– $69,000. They can be sold separately or all together. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485. Furnished Rentals – University Park Townhomes located in Powells Point offer fully furnished rentals for long term. Only 3 miles from the Wright Memorial Bridge. 3 BR, 2 ½ BA, 1450 sf., community pool with club house, playground, and basketball court. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485. Commercial Office Space for Sale – Stand-alone building located in Powells Point, NC. Great road frontage on the Hwy. 168. MLS #87934. Priced at $140,000. Call Carolyn Hickok (252) 562-2485.
Great Location with Easy Beach Access – This rental beauty has a solar heated pool with tiki bar and hot tub. Very well-maintained with new water heaters in 2014, new carpet in 2014, new hot tub 2012, new upstairs HVAC in 2015 and new downstairs unit 2011. Spacious layout with game room and 2 wet bars. MLS# 90185, $539,900. Call (252) 305-6321 or email judyb@JudyBurnetteRealty.com.
Duck Oceanside – $320,000. This beautifully updated end unit townhome offers affordable coastal charm near the beach and downtown Duck. Enjoy the newly remodeled kitchen, community pool, and tennis courts. 2 BR, 2.5 BA. MLS# 93753. Contact Lauren Nelson, (252) 261-8686.
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Kitty Hawk Soundfront – $1,299,000. Enjoy spectacular sunsets over the sound and grand living at this showplace in Martin's Point that features a private heated pool, boat dock, library and quality finishes. 4 BR, 3.5 BA. MLS# 93784. Call Mike or Stacy Siers, (252) 441-7156.
Southern Shores Soundfront – Immaculate 6BR/3BA like-new home situated high atop a sought after X zone lot right on the sound. Almost the whole soundfront side of this bright, open home is glass so you feel like you are sitting outside on the spacious deck. Sunsets forever! $949,900. MLS #8420.
Nags Head Soundside – $350,000. Located on two lots in North Ridge, this brick home offers a large layout with spacious rooms and a bonus in-law apartment. 3 BR, 2 full, 2 half BA. MLS# 93801. Call Dave Hoare, (252) 261-7060.
Southern Shores Oceanfront – This beautiful 5BR/4.5BA Cape Cod home sits on a huge 36,664 sq. ft. lot, plenty of room for a pool, lanai or outdoor entertainment area. Covered decks wrap around and ocean views from level two are great. $1,490,000. MLS #8417.
Manteo South of Airport Road – $399,000. This charming Cape Cod is just 2 blocks from downtown Manteo and features a spacious layout with a guest house. 3 BR, 2.5 BA. MLS# 93877. Contact Mike or Stacy Siers, (252) 441-7156. Nags Head Oceanfront – $799,000. Outstanding value and ocean views at this well-maintained beach house that features a spacious floor plan, dune top deck, and hot tub. 5 BR, 4 BA. MLS# 93894. Call Linda or Dick Harper, (252) 441-7156. Kill Devil Hills Soundside – $249,000. This one-level home features a guest house and is within walking distance to the ocean and sound in the heart of Kill Devil Hills. 2 BR, 1 BA. MLS# 93919. Contact Maria Daniels, (252) 441-7156. Kill Devil Hills 4 Lots from the Oceanfront – $349,000. Located just steps from the beach, this recently renovated cottage features stylish upgrades and furnishings and a solid rental history. 3 BR, 2 BA. MLS# 93943. Call Sarah Close, (252) 261-7060. Corolla Oceanside – $397,500. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a spacious, move-in ready, seaside home for under $400K. Amenities include a private pool, hot tub, and Crown Point’s community amenities. 5 BR, 3 BA. MLS# 93946. Contact Cooper Hawk, (252) 261-7060. Corolla Oceanside – $597,000. This popular vacation home in Whalehead Club offers a large layout, great location near the beach, sought-after amenities, and a solid rental history. 6 BR, 4 full, 2 half BA. MLS# 93979. Call Jack or Carol Riggle, (252) 453-3700. Kill Devil Hills Between Highways – $599,000. Own a piece of Outer Banks history! The Atlantic Street Inn is a successful income producer that was meticulously restored and is located just steps from the beach. 7 BR, 8 BA. MLS# 94023. Call Lauren Nelson, (252) 261-8686.
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. $1,595,000. MLS #8309. Point Harbor - Harbinger soundfront. You'll fall in love with this fabulous 4BR/3.5BA William Pooledesigned soundfront estate. From the beautifully landscaped grounds to the high-end construction, the place is positively stunning! This idyllic location is only minutes from the ocean. $849,500. MLS #8320. Southern Shores Creekfront – 4BR/2BA home with fantastic views and sheltered dockage. Excellent private location, yet near Duck Woods Country Club, Kitty Hawk Schools and shopping centers. $369,000. MLS #8335.
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Nags Head Between Highways – This 6BR/4BA with 3 partial baths located between the highways has fantastic ocean views and is close to a beach access. Enjoy a great rental layout with an elevator, recreation room on the ground floor, super pool and hot tub with a large backyard. $569,500. MLS #8340. Southern Shores Westside – Super private home in Chicahauk. Huge private lot backs up to common area and is completely surrounded by beautiful trees. 4BR/3.5BA home built in 1991 by Paul Snearer with an open design. $474,900. MLS #8353.
Corolla Westside – 2BR/2BA condo in a great location in Corolla. Good for employees and a short walk to the beach and businesses. Call for an appointment today. $112,500. MLS #8441. Southern Shores Soundfront – Gorgeous 3BR/2BA soundfront home overlooking Ginguite Creek and the sound. Sunken living room with a massive stone gas fireplace and a mantel made from a huge driftwood board. Remodeled kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas range top, and striking cherry cabinets. Detached garage with brick driveway. $674,900. MLS #8440. Southern Shores Oceanside – Great 4BR/2.5BA home only two lots back from the ocean! The upstairs kitchen/dining area can be made private from adjoining living room with dual pocket doors. Enjoy a maintained walkway within steps from the home going to the ocean. Low traffic area with no roads to cross. $549,000. MLS #8454. Southern Shores Semi-Oceanfront – Custom-built 4BR/3BA home in immaculate condition and just steps from the ocean on a quiet dead-end street. This home is perfect for rental, second home or primary residence. Interesting floor plan with inside loft that adjoins outside new weather proof deck. Terrific ocean views! $597,500. MLS #8447. Kill Devil Hills Westside – Stunning 5 BR/4.5BA semi-soundfront home with private pool and hot tub located in quiet neighborhood. Perfect floor plan for large family or multi-generational living. Features include gorgeous hardwood floors, beautiful kitchen with granite counters and brand new stainless appliances. $574,900. MLS #8466. Southern Shores Westside – Meticulously maintained 5BR/4.5BA home owned by original buyers and is “like new.” The location is quiet and private and backs up to an open area. Enjoy large in-ground heated pool, hot tub, screened porch, roof top deck, ship’s watch area, game room, and open and congenial kitchen/living area. $489,900. MLS #8471. Southern Shores Soundfront – At 30+ feet above sea level this view is awesome! 3BR/2BA plus sleeping loft. Hot tub on the deck gives a panoramic sound view from Duck to the Currituck bridge. Big kitchen, garage, lots of skylights and an open feel makes this contemporary special. Nicely landscaped and furnished (with some exclusions), this home is a gem. Room for a pool. A kitchen re-do and pool would make this house pop! $689,000. MLS #8207.
Corolla – Oceanside. 5 BR, 3 full, 1 half BA. MLS#87763, $489,000. Contact Paul Sabadash at (252) 453-8811 ext.8232 or PaulSabadash@ SunRealtyNC.com. Kitty Hawk – 5 BR, 4 full, 1 half BA in Harbour Villa. MLS#93800, $589,000. Contact Joseph Staten at (252) 261-4183 ext.5239 or JoeStaten@ SunRealtyNC.com. Nags Head – Semi-oceanfront home. 7 BR, 5 full, 1 half BA. MLS#90199, $699,000. Contact Hugh Scooter Willey at (252) 441-8011 ext.3478 or HughWilley@SunRealtyNC.com. Avon – 3 BA, 2 full, 1 half BA soundside home. MLS#90341, $249,000. Contact Mike Wynn at (252) 995-5821 or MikeWynn@SunRealtyNC.com.
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