Your Local Real Estate Experts
The Outer Banks Investment Specialists
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty
Beth Dobney Garcia, Zak Garcia & Debby Garcia
1(877) OBX-LAND
actually stumps of trees that used to be on the sound side of the island hundreds of years ago. Just imagine, those salty preserved stumps used to be towering trees along the west side of the island when the colonist first arrived. Those same timbers were used to build homes, boats, and provided shade from the afternoon sun. This section of beach is known as “Wash Woods”.
By now you probably have already sited one or many of the wild horses that roam the beach. The horses are ancestors of Spanish Mustangs that ship wrecked onto the island. You may also see the mule that has joined their ranks, obviously a descendant of wild horse with less discretion. These majestic beasts have called the beaches home long before our time and are accompanied by other wildlife such as the piping plover, the loggerhead sea turtles, and sea beach amaranth (an endangered beach plant).
With thousands of acres of natural reserves and conservancies this place is ideal for nature lovers of all kinds. Property values are experiencing tremendous growth despite that the state park and nature reserves make it near impossible to imagine paved roads ever being laid in this section of beach. This fact alone will continue to draw thousand of visitors who are looking to get away from it all.
When you hear the call of the wild there is no better place to go than to the 4-wheel drive area of the Outer Banks know as Carova. Carova is made up of two sections - Swan Beach (to the south) and Carova Beach (to the north). You definitely know once you have arrived there due to the abrupt end of route 12 that gives way to Carova’s sandy beaches. Those who are faint at heart (or do not have 4x4 vehicles) turn back and the more adventurous kick it into gear and experience the trip of a lifetime.
Not too far along your journey you will see a section of beach that seems to be littered with road hazardous driftwood. Those pieces of wood are
Carova - Corolla - Duck - Southern Shores - Kitty Hawk - Kill Devil Hills - Nags Head - Manteo - Hatteras Island
Carova
You can also go back in time to visit “old Corolla” with a trip to Corolla village. There you will see many business and homes that date back to the early inhabitants including an old lifesaving station that was restored and relocated from Kill Devil Hills.
One of the more well known pieces of real estate is know as the Whalehead Club. It was built back in the 1920’s by a wealthy industrialist for his wife. It was the first home on the Outer Banks to have a basement, a swimming pool, and an elevator. Though you would be hard-pressed to find another basement, swimming pools and elevators have become a necessity in Corolla’s first class vacation homes. Whether you are a first time buyer of a savvy investor Corolla is a place to explore when looking to buy that perfect vacation home.
Corolla is the new kid on the block in regard to vacation homes on the Outer Banks. Settlers have called its shore homes for a hundred (+) years but, it was not until 1984, with the expansion of highway 12 when Corolla became the resort destination it is today. Now it is one of the most sought after locations by visitors and investors alike.
Corolla offers many attractions including an outlet mall, village shops, and the Currituck Lighthouse. It’s spiral staircase beckons you to the top of this restored treasure to experience some of the most breath-taking views available. It is truly a remarkable sight, one you will daydream of once you return home.
Corolla
Duck
Duck was not named after the champagne but, for the large number of waterfowl that migrated to its shore in the winter. Though the name leaves one wondering there is no question that Duck is one of the most prestigious towns on the Outer Banks. It was undeveloped until sometime around the 1970’s but, has quickly risen to “Cape Cod” status with its quaint downtown area and gourmet restaurants.
There is never a day when you can find nothing to do in Duck. There is something for everyone from water sports and bike paths to relaxing on beautiful sandy beaches. There is even an Army Research Pier which is great for an afternoon of sightseeing. In the winter, you can see the migrating right whales. In the heart of Duck you will find a charming downtown area with shops, fine dining, as well as world-class vacation homes that serve as a refuge to the vacationers who still flock to her shore in droves.
Located between Duck and Kitty Hawk Southern Shores is a wonderful residential community with a few vacation investment possibilities. It is the first town you see when you cross the Wright Memorial Bridge. Her borders expand from just south of the Medical Center up to 2nd Avenue on route 12. Southern Shore residence and vacationers enjoy some of the only sound front beaches in the area. Along with the sound side boat launch and private oceanfront parking Southern Shores is the perfect place for those looking for exclusivity.
Southern Shores
Know as “sister towns” Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head offers something for everyone in your family or group. These towns are responsible for putting the Outer Banks on the “map”, literally.
The first town to be named on a map of the area was Nags Head making it synonymous with the term Outer Banks. When one thinks of OBX architecture the “Old Nags Head” style beach cottages come to mind. It became a resort area around 1830 and has been going strong ever since. Added to the list of attractions are golfing, shopping, nature trails, shipwrecks, and other historic sites. Nags Head is also home to Jockey’s
Ridge, the largest sand dune on the East Coast. It may have been from this very same hill that Nags Head earned her name. Land pirates would go to the top of a dune with a nag (Horse) that had a lantern tied to its neck. Offshore vessels would mistake the light as ships that were closer to shore and would move toward it. When the ships ran aground it would allow the pirates free access for pillaging.
Once the entire area was covered with a series of “sand mountains,” some reaching to over 100 feet high. This is how Kill Devil Hills received its name, from the highest sand dune which was called Kill Devil Hill. (This is the hill from which the Wright Brothers chose to launch their flying machine). There is also legend that the name derived from a brand of rum that washed up on the beach from a shipwreck. This may explain why K.D.H. is still the best spot for Outer Banks nightlife.
Though the first flight actually took place in Kill Devil Hills history associates the event with Kitty Hawk. This is because the closest telegraph office was located there. When the message, "Success four flights Thursday morning. All against twenty-one mile wind. Started from level with engine power alone. Average speed through air thirty-one miles. Longest 59 seconds. Inform press. Home Christmas. Orville Wright." was received the receipt read Kitty Hawk as the place of origin. Even though it was not the actual place the first flight occurred vacationer still find inspiration in her steady breeze and wide open spaces.
What ever your heart desires shelling, sailing, fishing, swimming, surfing, biking, or kayaking the sister towns are the place to be. You no longer have to deal with land pirates or contend with 100ft sand dunes but, one can still realize their dreams and find treasure in their K.H., K.D.H., or N.H. beach home.
Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head
Birthplace of the first American born colonist Manteo has left her mark on history with many events that have shaped our country. It is located just off the Nags Head area of the Outer Banks and is a true island connected only by a few bridges. Though Manteo is mainly residential there are a few vacation investment opportunities within Pirate’s Cove and the Shallow Bag Bay Club.
The area offers a wealth of attractions including an aquarium, the Elizabethan Gardens, and the longest running out door drama – The Lost Colony. The Lost Colony details the history of the first colony in America and their mysterious disappearance. The one thing that is not a mystery is Manteo’s island beauty denoted by her lively waterfront district and Spanish moss covered trees. If you are looking for a place with lots of southern charm Manteo is it. You too will get lost in her splendor.
Manteo
If you are looking for a slower pace of life then Hatteras Island is the place to be. Still true to its “Banker” (Outer Banker) style of living it is the hub of activity for windsurfers and fisherman evidenced by the stacks of crab pots and fishing vessels that accompany most of the homes in the area. First known as Chicamacomico, until 1874, the sister villages were once independent of one another. They were not linked by highway 12 until 1953.
From 1894 until the late 1930’s the towns underwent a succession of name changes that were brought on by the local post offices. After all, Chicamacomico was a mouthful. The first change created North Rodanthe, South Rodanthe (Now Waves), and Clark (Now Salvo). Avon’s original name was Kinnakeet and Frisco used to be called Trent. Some people continue to struggle with the current pronunciations of their names. For example, is it pronounced “roadanth” or “road-ant-the”???
Hatteras Island offers a number of attractions including museums, life saving stations, visitor centers, nature trails, and campgrounds. While in the area you may hear the stories of the “Ghost Ship of the Diamond Shoals”, “Black Beard”, or of “Hatteras Jack”. I will not spoil them for you. These stories are best heard when you are here.
As with all regions on the Outer Banks, erosion is a great concern. Hatteras Island once was host to a large maritime forest. Due to boat building and other local trades the trees were thinned away allowing the dunes to migrate westward. This problem still affects her coastline today. Though one should take care when selecting property do not let this deter you from experiencing what pleasures Hatteras Island has to offer. Who knows, when you are relaxing on the beach with your favorite beverage you might catch a glimpse of Hatteras Jack.