The Modern Heritage home at Hawk Mountain, designed and built by Ward Enterprise. Photo courtesy of BABRM
By Gina Malone
For the last two weekends of the month, October 17–18 and 24-25, some of the area’s most innovative builds, remodels and renovations will be on display at the 2026 WNC Parade of Homes, now in its 45th year. The home tour is presented by the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM), which is celebrating 60 years as a supportive organization for builders, remodelers, suppliers and trade professionals. Homes and communities throughout Western North Carolina will be showcased on the free, self-guided tour which will be held each day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some of the approximately 65 homes will be available for in-person tours, while virtual tours will be offered for others.
“As BABRM celebrates 60 years, we want people to have a better sense of what the association does for the local building industry and the communities we serve,” says Megan Carroll, BABRM’s executive officer. “We advocate for the industry, provide education and resources, and connect consumers with local professionals they can trust. The Parade of Homes is one of the best ways to see that work firsthand. For 45 years, it has invited people to step inside local homes, meet the professionals behind them and discover what is happening in building, remodeling and design across WNC.”
Highlighted homes fall into four categories: Showcase Homes, completed structures; Coming Soon projects, homes that are still in the works; Renewed Spaces, remodels; and Community Highlights, an introduction to neighborhoods and developments that offer different approaches to residential living.
“What distinguishes these homes is not necessarily their size, style or price point,” Carroll says. “It is the thought that went into them. Every project tells a different story about the homeowner, the property and the team that brought the vision to life. Some focus on energy efficiency or aging in place. Others were designed around an art collection, a mountain view, a multigenerational family or the character of an existing home.”
This year’s selection of homes ranges from farmhouses to townhouses. “There is variety in the communities, too,” Carroll says. “The Treadway in Asheville’s River Arts District transforms a historic church into six townhomes while preserving original masonry and soaring dome ceilings. Meanwhile, Terra Futura in West Asheville combines small-footprint, energy-efficient homes with shared greenspaces and wellness amenities.”
The homes chosen also reflect the preferences and needs of today’s homeowners. “We are seeing more flexible spaces for visiting family members, features that allow people to age in place and thoughtful connections between indoor and outdoor living,” says Carroll. “There is also a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, natural materials and personal details, from locally made artwork and cabinetry to rooms designed around a homeowner’s collection or interests.”
Participants seek out homes on the tour to gather ideas for their own projects, or to search for industry professionals. More than 1,300 professionals are members of BABRM, making it one of the largest home builders associations in the country.
“The Parade is about bringing people together,” Carroll says. “There are so many people involved in bringing a home to life, and the Parade helps tell that larger story.”
To learn more about the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visit BABlueRidge.com. To pre-plan a personal route for a tour of homes, visit WNCParadeofHomes.com.
