The WNC Parade of Homes is full of ideas worth bringing home, from clever storage solutions to floor plans that may make you rethink how you can use your space. A little planning will help you see your favorite homes without spending the whole afternoon behind the wheel.
Presented by Warmstead, this year’s Parade takes place Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25, with free, self-guided tours from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Here’s how to make the most of your time on the tour.
Do a Little Browsing Before You Go
Start by browsing WNCParadeofHomes.com. Flip through the digital Parade magazine, peek at photos and floor plans, and see which homes make you want a closer look.
Check each project’s tour information, too. Some entries are available exclusively online, so you can explore those from your sofa and save the driving for homes open in person.
A few highlights to look for as you browse:
- Weaverville Mountain Top: The homeowners’ art collection helped shape the interiors, with personal touches including a custom glass stairwell fixture by an Asheville artist.
- Beaver Lake Tea House: This historic North Asheville renovation restores original features, including porches, a hearth, and wood ceilings, while making room for modern mechanical systems.
- Walnut Cove Vista: A mountain retreat in Arden pairs expansive porches and a custom waterfall with ENERGY STAR and Green Built NC Silver certifications.
- Terra Futura Regenerative Neighborhood: This West Asheville community combines small-footprint, energy-efficient homes with shared greenspaces and wellness amenities.
Pick Your Must-Sees
You don’t have to visit every home to come away inspired. Start with a few that match your interests and give yourself time to explore each one.
- Thinking about a renovation? Look for projects with something in common with your home, such as its age, size, or layout. Seeing how a builder opened up a kitchen, added storage, or updated an older house can help you imagine solutions for your own space.
- Planning a new build? Look beyond finishes to how the home functions. Where are the bedrooms? How does the kitchen connect to gathering spaces? Is there room for guests, working from home, or changing needs over time? Choose stops that can help you think through your priorities.
- Looking for a building professional? Review the participating builders and remodelers, then prioritize projects by those whose work interests you. Touring a finished home gives you a closer look at their craftsmanship and a chance to discuss the kinds of projects they take on.
- Just there for inspiration? Pick a mix of styles and sizes, including a home you might not normally gravitate toward. A smaller space or an unfamiliar design could offer an idea you’d never have thought to search for.
Keep your list on your phone or mark your favorites in the Parade magazine. Add a quick note about what you want to see or ask at each stop.
Make a Route, Not a Zigzag
Pull up the in-person tour map and find your must-see homes. Then build your route around clusters of nearby stops. You might spend one day exploring homes around Black Mountain or Mills River and save another area for your next outing.
A few ways to keep the driving manageable:
- Choose a starting point that makes sense. You can begin at any participating home. Consider starting with the stop farthest from where you live and working your way back, or choosing a cluster close to home if you only have a few hours.
- Check travel times between stops. Homes that look close on a map may take longer to reach on winding mountain roads. Look at the drive between each address before deciding how many visits to fit into your day.
- Read the arrival instructions. Review each listing’s directions, parking details, and any shuttle requirements. Save those instructions on your phone before leaving, especially if your route takes you into areas with spotty cell service.
- Make the last stop optional. Put your priorities earlier in the route and keep an extra home or two in mind if time allows. That way, a longer conversation with a builder won’t throw off the whole afternoon.
Remember that tours run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Allow time to park, walk through each home, ask questions, and grab lunch between stops. A full itinerary is fine. One that leaves you only five minutes to fully check out a house is probably a little too full.
Make Time to Ask Questions
See something you like? Ask about it. A few simple questions can lead to a useful conversation:
- “What was the biggest challenge with this project?” Maybe it was a steep lot, an older foundation, or a tight floor plan. Ask how the builder worked through the challenges and whether a similar approach could help with your own project.
- “Why did you choose this material or feature?” Ask about the windows, flooring, countertops, or anything else that catches your eye. How will it hold up? What maintenance will it need? What made it the right choice for this home?
- “What should I think about before starting a project like this?” Builders can share what’s worth planning early, which decisions affect the budget, and what homeowners tend to overlook.
If you would like to talk more about your own plans, collect the builder’s contact information and arrange a follow-up.
Leave Something for Next Weekend
There’s no trophy for touring the most homes in one afternoon. With four in-person tour days available, you can spread out your stops and spend more time at the places that interest you. Keep a few optional homes on your list, but give yourself permission to linger, take a lunch break, or call it a day.
You can also return to the online showcase to revisit favorite details and explore entries you missed. Virtual tours remain available for a full year, giving you plenty of time to track down the kitchen you’re still thinking about.
Ready to plan your visit? Explore the digital Parade magazine, participating projects, and in-person tour map at WNCParadeofHomes.com. Free printed Parade magazines are also available at locations across Western North Carolina.
