Setup, planning and more

With Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene mostly behind us, the “biggest open day” in the Triangle is taking place, rain or shine.

The Triangle Parade of Homes begins this weekend. The event runs from October 4th to 6th and October 11th to 13th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The free event is a dispersed tour of 242 newly built homes spanning four counties in 165 communities from Durham to Zebulon.

This year’s parade, often described as a playground for HGTV aficionados to spot design trends, is back to pre-pandemic numbers, said Paul Kane, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.

About 200 developers are participating with new construction prices ranging from $275,000 to $5.35 million.

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or just curious about what’s on the market, here’s everything you need to know:

The lineup

About 60 of the parade’s 242 homes – about 25% – are listed for more than $1.5 million, reflecting a national uptick in homes priced above $1 million.

The most expensive home in the parade is listed at $5.3 million at 222 Reynolds Rd. in Raleigh’s North Hills. Built by Raleigh Custom Homes, the 6,218-square-foot contemporary Craftsman home features five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a gym and a sauna.

The second most expensive is 117 Lochinvar Court, listed for $5.33 million at Cary’s MacGregor Downs. The 8,300-square-foot home was built by Raleigh-based Loyd Builders and features four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a “two-sided infinity pool overlooking the 10th hole.”

At the other end of the spectrum, about 21 of the parade’s homes, or 8.6%, are priced under $400,000. Many of these are townhouses in fast-growing cities such as Zebulon, Wendell, Roseville and Knightdale in Wake County and Pittsboro in Chatham County.

Arizona-based Taylor Morrison’s Raleigh division has three homes at this price point. These include the Birch House in Wendell’s Magnolia Townes from $299,990; the Quincy home in Angiers Camden Place from $339,900; and the Andrews home in Sanford’s Hickory Grove from $393,990.

Despite a sluggish market, demand remains stable, said Mike Reynolds, president of Taylor Morrison’s Raleigh division.

“We have seen a decline in customer traffic in some submarkets,” he said. “As interest rates stabilize and election season ends, we expect demand to rebound.”

California-based Tri Pointe Homes is also among the foreign builders featured in the parade. There’s the Shepard House from $487,990 in Durham’s Tredenham; and the Shelby home from $726,049 in Raleigh’s Elm Park.

“We’re selling steadily,” said James Flanagan of Tri Pointe. “We continue to see growing momentum since opening at the beginning of the summer.”

How can you plan your tour?

Pack an umbrella! Weather reports are predicting sunny skies with a high in the low 80s. But given the recent flooding, it can’t hurt to be on the safe side.

More tips: Go to www.triangleparade.com and create your own “tailor-made tour,” complete with door-to-door directions.

The website offers step-by-step instructions.

Here’s how it works: The website provides a complete list of this year’s parade entries. Below the photo of each home is an “Add to my tour” option. Users can add homes to a master list and enter a starting address, creating a “custom parade map” with a link to turn-by-turn navigation.

It can be shared with others or emailed to a specific address.

Any other pro tips or strategies?

Melody Pone is the area sales manager for Tri Pointe Home. Her tips:

• Make the tour an event with friends, pack a “car-cuterie” board and snacks for the day.

• Even if you don’t make a map, you have a plan.

• Take photos and create a Pinterest board with ideas for later.

• Bring your checkbook/pre-qualification documents. “Maybe you want to buy a house,” she said.

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