“Nights in Rodanthe,” starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, was dubbed a “weeper” by film critic Roger Ebert in 2008. It received a less-than-stellar 52% Rotten Tomatoes score, made $42 million at the box office, and vanished from the minds of most.
But to some moviegoers, the romance based on Nicholas Sparks‘ popular novel left an indelible impression. In fact, two of those superfans now own the home that was used as the inn for the movie, in Rodanthe, NC.
The owners, Debra and Ben Huss, bought the place (actually a residential property, and not a hotel) in 2010. The beach house splashed back on the scene as one of our most popular listings in April, when it swept onto the market for $1.25 million.
“It’s an icon. It’s a movie house. It’s like selling Jimi Hendrix’s guitar. I expect a bidding war,” says listing agent Frank A. Jakob.
(realtor.com)
(realtor.com)
(realtor.com)
And the couple didn’t just buy the home, they saved it. Due to beach erosion, the structure was in danger of being washed away. After purchasing the beach retreat (which was condemned by local officials after filming concluded) along with an oceanfront lot about 2,500 feet away, the duo moved the 83,000-pound beach house to higher ground, out of harm’s way.
Then they painstakingly re-created some of the rooms of the inn from the movie. (The interiors were shot on a set.) The distinctive blue shutters seen on the big screen were added to the actual house. The vintage floral wallpaper was tracked down and now covers the kitchen walls. Decor items from the set, including lamps and an oak desk, adorn the home.
The home is now rented out 52 weeks a year, the agent notes, and can bring in around $130,000 annually in rental income. However, the home is in need of repairs and maintenance due to weathering. Interested buyers can get a list of potential problem areas, notes Jakob.
The 2,933-square-foot beach house has six bedrooms, 4.5 baths, multiple decks, and a hot tub. The first level includes living, dining, and kitchen areas with an oceanfront nook and wet bar. Upstairs are multiple bedrooms and baths along with private balconies.
Guests appear to be happy with the home.
“Upon our arrival at the Inn, it seemed like we were walking right into the movie, for which it became famous. The home was/is preserved extremely well. It was just like a museum there was so much to see and appreciate inside and outside,” wrote one reviewer. Gushed another, “As a fan of Nicholas Sparks, staying here was a dream come true.”
The home has drawn global interest, Jakob says. “I’ve got calls from Switzerland, South Africa, Beverly Hills.”
However, he’ll allow only “qualified buyers” who make appointments to see inside the house. “I do not want people taking memorabilia,” he says.
With the summer months set to bring hundreds of thousands of tourists to the area, “I expect to sell this season,” he says.