Resort Realty Invites Travlers to “Discover” Outer Banks Vacation Rentals

Nov 11

Posted by Mike H. in Resort News | 1 Comment

(November 10, 2009) – “Togethering” topics remain a priority through 2010 as more people across North America seek meaningful ways to reconnect with family, friends and spouses – especially when on vacation.* In line with the growth of these priorities, the Outer Banks’ vacation rental options receive record-high reviews, allowing guests to stay underneath one roof for less than the cost of reserving hotel rooms. For the 90 percent of U.S. adults** who have yet to experience what has been labeled as a best-kept travel secret, Resort Realty joins “Discover Vacation Homes,” the trusted public voice of the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), in the designation of November 2009 as North America’s first-annual International Vacation Rental Awareness Month.  For the first time, parents, grandparents, partners and best friends will have easy access to valuable tools, resources and the inspiration to discover how to stay together on their next trip to the Outer Banks for less, including:

VACATION RENTAL SPECIALS

From 10 bedroom luxury homes to 2 bedroom condos, Resort Realty has a vacation property to fit every lifestyle and budget. View current rental specials online at ResortRealty.com/Specials.  Resort Realty is also currently offing these great incentives:

Thanksgiving Special

Resort Realty wants to give thanks to its customers by offing a FREE early check-in on weeklong and partial stays for the Thanksgiving holiday!*

“We Help Pay for Your Stay” Promo

Pre-reserve your 2010 vacation home by January 31, 2010 and be entered in the drawing to have your remaining balance (up to $4,000.00) paid by Resort Realty!*

*Certain restrictions may apply. Call 800-458-3830 for details.

TIPS AND INFORMATION

A multitude of general topics, tips and resources will be available online at DiscoverVacationHomes.com and ResortRealty.com throughout November, including answers to frequently asked questions, debunking the top vacation rental myths, as well as planning tips, 10 secrets to saving on travel with vacation rentals, the option’s advantages over hotels, tips for choosing the right vacation rental, lists of travelers’ testimonials and more.

WAYS TO CONNECT WITH SOCIAL TOOLS ONLINE

Making it easier for vacationers to ask questions, connect with past vacation rental guests, view and share travel photos and more, “Discover Vacation Homes” has also launched a Twitter profile and Facebook page for the traveling public in November’s honor. Twitter users can direct questions about the category to @GoVacationHomes for knowledgeable and personal responses by experts on the category, and Facebook visitors can utilize a public discussion board, post past vacation rental reviews and browse and post vacation rental images among other interactions now available at http://www.Facebook.com/DiscoverVacationHomes.  Visitors can also find Resort Realty on Facebook and on Twitter or stay connected on specials and news by joining the Resort Realty E-Mail List.

“Despite the increased attention brought to vacation rentals in recent years, the majority of travelers remain unaware of the option and its benefits,” explains Alex Risser, President of the VRMA. “Almost nine in 10 past vacation rental guests would rent again in three years, and would recommend the option to friends and relatives. Once travelers try vacation rentals for the first time, the satisfaction rate is incredibly high.”   

Lucy McCaffery, a past Outer Banks vacation rental guest with Resort Realty from Levittown, NY, states that her family has been visiting the Outer Banks for many years and plans to continue for many more. “Of all the real estate companies we have dealt with in the 10 years we have been coming to NC, Resort Realty was the best. When we called for service we got immediate attention. The home was the most fabulous home we have ever stayed in. Clean, perfect and beautiful. We had everything we need to make our vacation perfect. We cannot wait to return next year.”

ABOUT DISCOVER VACATION HOMES

(Outer Banks Rentalswww.DiscoverVacationHomes.com) is the trusted public voice and an expert resource on behalf of the professionally managed vacation rental industry. As the awareness initiative of the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), it represents approximately 150,000 rental homes, condos and villas from more than 500 of the most well established vacation rental management companies in North America and the Caribbean. Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford travelers an accommodations lifestyle unlike any other, providing considerably more space, amenities, guest services, and privacy than other lodging options.

ABOUT RESORT REALTY

Resort Realty is one of the Outer Banks leading sales and rental companies of vacation homes. Resort Realty’s Sales division is affiliated with the strongest global referral network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. With offices located in Duck, Corolla, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and The Landings at Sugar Creek office Resort Realty has served the area for 20 years. Resort Realty currently manages more than 450 Vacation Homes on the Outer Banks, from Corolla to South Nags Head. To learn more about owning or renting a beach getaway, visit www.ResortRealty.com.

# # #

* Ypartnership / Yankelovich, Inc. 2009 Travel MONITOR (SM)

** PhoCusWright’s Vacation Rental Marketplace: Poised for Change

Media Contact:

Jenna Pempek, Marketing Director

Resort Realty

252-441-5000 ext 2048

 jenna.pempek@resortrealty.com

10 Ways to Save on an Outer Banks Vacation Rental

Nov 9

Posted by Mike H. in OBX Vacation Rentals | No Comments

As more people discover Outer Banks vacation rentals by Resort Realty and their many cost-saving benefits, they find great savings and values by renting properties that are managed by reputable vacation rental companies – sometimes in ways they’d least expect. For example, choosing professionally managed vacation homes, condos and villas makes it easy to save on:

SPACE:

Outer Banks vacation rentals come in all shapes and sizes, but travelers will never compromise on space. They often provide from 1,050 to more than 4,000 sq. ft. of vacation space, providing multiple bedrooms and bathrooms underneath one roof that often cost less than even a single hotel room. For example, rates for some three-bedroom vacation homes start at just $99 per night, but sleep up to eight guests versus just one or two.

DINING: 

Equipped with full kitchens and dining areas, with some providing outdoor grills and patios, vacation rentals provide the option to prepare and store meals and snacks at a fraction of normal dining costs. Ultimately, this saves travelers from paying for a full restaurant meal three times a day, additionally saving on the average traveler’s daily caloric intake.

ENTERTAINMENT: 

When staying in a vacation rental, not every day requires an outlay of cash to fill an itinerary with entertaining activities. Most vacation rentals include enjoyable amenities not found in the highest quality resort, most of which included in the price of a nightly rental reservation. For example, some vacation rentals include a private, screened-in pool and spa, arcade and/or billiard room, in-home movie theater, fireplace, computers, multiple televisions with DVD players and game stations, as well as free movies and video games. Some are also in communities that provide free access to fitness centers, hiking trails, parks, beaches and more.

ACTIVITIES:

Because most professional vacation rental companies have relationships with operators of their local activity providers, attractions, shops and restaurants, they can exclusively offer discounts, coupons, ticket upgrades and, in some cases, free admission.

RENTAL RATES:

If travelers are members of AAA, AARP and other organizations, have served in the military, are repeat guests, are booking at the last minute, traveling with a large group or more, there are guest appreciation offers to be found across North America. You can also find themed specials and packages throughout the travel year, and traveling during low season can save guests a substantial amount. Guests should also inquire about EZ Pay Vacation Plans, which allow travelers to select an installment-based payment plan now to secure their future vacation.

STAYING CONNECTED:

While most hotels charge guests for daily high speed Internet access and local telephone calls, many Resort Realty homes offer such services at no charge.

AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES:

Resort Realty vacation rentals come equipped with in-home washers and dryers, allowing guests to pack less clothing and toiletries, avoiding airlines’ pricey checked baggage fees.

INSURANCE:

When choosing a vacation rental from an established property management company like Resort Realty, travelers can be assured that there’s a reputable business maintaining and servicing the property and its guests each day. Beyond this assurance, peace of mind is easily attainable with affordable travel insurance options, which are provided by many vacation rental managers through companies familiar with the category like CSA Travel Protection. Trip insurance is often only about five to seven percent of the trip’s cost. For example, a $5,000 trip would cost roughly $250 to $350 to insure, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

EXTENDED STAYS:

Resort Realty offers their guest many homes that only require a 3 night stay, but travelers will often find added value when extending their stay, whether just one or a few extra nights.  Occasionally Resort Realty homes will offer “free night” specials and other added benefits to help guests save on an extended vacation, sometimes providing more incentives for stays from three to seven nights.

TRANSPORTATION:

Other relationships that travelers can reap the benefits of are those made between vacation rental companies and transportation providers, whether it’s car rentals, shuttle services, golf carts, bicycles or more.  Resort Realty can arrange rental car and bicycle rentals through its partnership with the area equipment rental companies. 

Beyond saving travelers money, vacation rentals provide lasting values through enduring “togethering” experiences with family and friends that are often considered to be priceless.

Outer Banks Condominium Revival!

Nov 2

Posted by Mike H. in OBX Real Estate | Comments off

RE OBX-July cover-EmailThe view from any of the homes at the Landings at Sugar Creek is like something from a postcard. Some views are better than others, of course, but no matter where you are, there’s open space and water in full view.

Mike Corwin–one of the developers of the property–and I are standing on the balcony of a west facing unit, and all I can think is I wish I had brought a pair of binoculars and a birding book. A pair of cormorant are perched at the end of the pier that’s part of the property . . . a flock of geese skim over the waters of the sound about 100 yards out and everywhere I look, waterfowl are floating on the surface of the water.

Mike gestures to the north of us, pointing out four or five acres that is wetlands and marsh grass. “That will always be there,” he says. “That was purchased under a federal green space grant with the town of Nags Head. There is more open space surrounding this than any other condominium around.”

Walking through the the units the one thing that really comes through is just how different these are from the first generation of condos that were built on the Outer Banks. There’s no way to really describe the sense of privacy that each unit has, but it’s real. As an example, the walkways have segmented walls that separate the common areas from the units themselves, so that the inner walls and windows of the units are not right on the common area.

When architects Ben Cahoon and Mark Kasten designed the building, they used a number of modern construction techniques to reduce or just about eliminate sound crossing from one unit to another. I don’t doubt if someone cranks a stereo up to 100 or 110 and decibels, somebody somewhere is going to hear it, but I suspect that’s about what it’s going to take. In fact, one of the things that really impressed me when I was standing on the balcony overlooking the sound was just how quiet it was. The Bypass was only 100 or 150 yards away, and I could not hear the sound of traffic going by.

Resort Realty has just started selling the units, and they are getting some interest. And people who are thinking about buying should be aware that these units will rent. Mike mentioned that as soon as they put Sugar Creek into the Outer Banks Vacation Rental market last spring, units started renting. “It started right away,” he says. “We had a really strong summer. We have rentals all the way through the fall and into the winter.”

That seems to be consistent with some of the occupancy numbers that are coming out for Dare County. Although overall occupancy for the county seemed to be down a little (about 2% through September), condominiums in general, however, were significantly up over previous years.

Some of that may be that there are just more units, but there is growing suspicion that this may be the beginning of a new trend. “When you rent one of these, you’re not renting a four, five or six bedroom house when you only need two or three bedrooms,” Mike points out. “And you’re not sitting there with neighbors or relatives when you just want to be with your family.”

Overall, as a condominium, Sugar Creek does seem to stand out from the crowd. It’s not on the ocean, but that may not be so bad. The beach isn’t even a quarter mile away and the Sound is much quieter and frankly far more interesting visually. Sugar Creek is located right in the heart of the shopping and restaurant district of Nags Head. Oh, and Jeanette’s Pier should be completed in about 18 months. That will be the new second home of the NC Outer Banks Aquarium.

Submitted By:  Kip Tabb

Resort Realty Launches New Outer Banks Vacation Rental Site

Oct 8

Posted by Mike H. in Resort News | No Comments

Resort Realty Outer BanksOctober 2, 2009 (Outer Banks, NC) – Resort Realty, the leader in vacation rentals on the Outer Banks, NC, has announced the launch of their new website: http://www.resortrealty.com/.

Resort Realty has been providing families with memorable Outer Banks Vacations and professional Real Estate services since 1987.  Resort Realty manages over 450 privately owned Outer Banks Vacation Rentals along nearly 50 miles of barrier islands that make up the northern part of the Outer Banks. They have 4 full-service offices in Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk and Nags Head to serve their clients and homeowners. Resort Realty offers vacationers a variety of different properties to suit every lifestyle and budget from two bedroom condos to 10 bedroom luxury homes located from soundside to oceanfront.

The new website has been completely redesigned with many user friendly features to enhance the vacation rental experience for visitors. Some of these features include:

  • Detailed descriptions of all properties including multiple large pictures and real-time availability and booking
  • Advanced search options based on preferences such as rental specials, military discounts, private pools, partial week stays, and pet friendly accommodations
  • Mailing list sign-up which allows site visitors to receive emails on specials and news
  • Current information on Outer Banks events, attractions, and area information
  • “Email a Friend” feature which allows visitors to email descriptions and pictures of rental properties
  • Live Chat for a visitors to easily communicate with a vacation reservation specialist
  • Property Management section for Outer Banks homeowners looking for information about listing their rental home with Resort Realty
  • “Owner Link” section where homeowners can log-in to view information about their property, see availability, view statements, and download “Resort Record” (Resort Realty’s owner newsletter)
  • Link to ResortOuterBanks.com and OBXMarketWatch.com the premier Outer Banks Real Estate Sales sites which contain informational pages for buyers and sellers

“Resort Realty’s vision is to be the industry’s leader in Property Management and Guest Services; therefore we are always looking for new and innovative ways to enrich the booking experience for our vacationers. We decided to redesign our website to make it as user friendly and advantageous for all visitors as possible.  By embracing new technology and trying to keep our image fresh we hope to stand out among the rental industry crowd. We feel we are on our way to achieving this and ResortRealty.com will become the premier website for people who want to vacation in the Outer Banks,” stated Michael Harrington, Resort Realty’s CEO.

About Resort Realty:
Resort Realty is one of the Outer Banks leading sales and rental companies of vacation homes.  Resort Realty’s Sales division is affiliated with the strongest global referral network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.  With offices located in Duck, Corolla, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and The Landings at Sugar Creek office Resort Realty has served the area for 20 years. Resort Realty currently manages more than 450 Vacation Homes on the Outer Banks, from Corolla to South Nags Head.  To learn more about owning or renting a beach getaway, visit ResortRealty.com.

Stand Out From the Outer Banks Vacation Rental Crowd – Part II

Sep 23

Posted by Mike H. in OBX Vacation Rentals | No Comments

covered park grill

covered park grill

Ready for five more tips that will help you stand out in 2010?  In our last post we discussed five easy ways you could improve your chances of repeat renters and overall occupancy.  These things, while not difficult to do, are often overlooked in the big picture.  If you have ever had to sit down with a disgruntled renter, then you will know that it is the LITTLE things that really count.

 Here are another five things that can help you stand out from the Outer Banks Vacation Rental crowd:

 1)      Painted Walls – You might be saying to yourself, What?  When I say “painted walls” I mean with a color.  Think about it, people are on vacation at the beach.  When you think of the beach what comes to mind?  For me it’s blue oceans and skies, sand, and swaying sea oats.  Incorporate some color in your home on the walls, even if it is one accent wall.  If you need help choosing a painter, check out Beach Painting Contractors.

2)      Good Mattresses – I don’t know how many times I have heard that the “house was great, but the beds were horrible”.  What do you love about hotels?  I bet one thing is the unbelievably comfortable beds some provide.  If you mattresses have seen there better days, then please consider investing in new ones.  You can find pretty good deals if you know where to look.  Check out Outer Banks Furniture, they just opened a new mattresses store. 

3)      A Thank You Gift – This does not mean you have to buy a $100 gift basket for every guest.  We had one owner that used to print t-shirts with the house logo and the year on them, and would ask us to hand give them to the guests for every stay.  If you buy these in bulk, it can be pretty cheap, and an awesome way to build your home’s brand.  Check out Flying Fish Screen Printing for some ideas!

4)      A Quality Grill – This is one of the more frustrating aspects of being a homeowner in a beach community.  Everyone wants to grill out while on vacation, but our environment is terrible on Grills.  There are only two options in my book.  Buy a inexpensive (not “cheap”) gas grill and plan on replacing it every year, or a COVERED park style grill and install it in an area with ample room to set up tables and chairs.  These types of grills can last 3 to 4 years or longer.  Do not, I repeat, do not buy the UNCOVERED park grills, they are disgusting.  Here’s an example of a Covered Park Grill.

5)      Ceiling Fans – This, again, is not a big deal, but you would be surprised how many homes do not have ceiling fans in the bedrooms and living areas.  People love the Ocean Breezes, but hate the humidity.  While this may be a non-factor for some guests, I’ll bet it would make a difference if they weren’t there!  Home Depot usually has a good variety.

Stand Out from the Outer Banks Vacation Rental Crowd in 2010

Sep 9

Posted by Mike H. in OBX Vacation Rentals | 1 Comment

Outer Banks Vacation RentalsWhat makes a successful vacation rental home?  Is it the location? Is it the size? Really that is not as hard of a question to answer as one might think.  Many Outer Banks homeowners are constantly on the lookout for ways to increase their rental income and decrease their expenses (just like any self respecting business owner).  One good thing about sitting in a position to see a range of different properties, from large to small, from westside to oceanfront, is you can see a commonality in the homes that outperform in their respective categories. 

 Now, there are some guidelines or “rules” to what a home can command in the market due to their physical location.  However, it is all relative depending on when and for how much you purchased your home.  Let’s run down some common traits among some of the better performing Outer Banks vacation rental homes:

 1)      Clean and Updated Carpets – I know this sounds boring, but if your carpet is more than 7 years old, it is a safe bet you need to replace it.  No matter how good a cleaner is, it’s hard to hide such a dominating feature in your home.

2)      A Well Stocked Kitchen – This doesn’t mean raid your old junk from home to bring down to the beach.  Yes, I know things go missing or get broken every year, but think about it, only one pot to cook spaghetti in for a crowd of 12?  Check out some of the deals on WalMart.com for cookware and utensils.

3)      Ample (and good condition) Deck Furniture – This is a must for any vacation rental home.  I’ll bet before you were and Outer Banks Homeowner, you were a vacationer!  Put yourself in their shoes and imagine being on the deck with the salt air blowing off the ocean while sitting in a relaxing Adirondack Chair.  Now imagine that same scene sitting on half a bar stool that is falling apart!  Check out Carolina Casual located in Point Harbor, NC about 2 minutes from the Outer Banks.

4)      Wireless Internet– This is a no-brainer now-a-days.  Check out Silicon Travel as they have a support line that your guests can call directly and monthly rates starting as low as $30.

5)      TV’s in the Bedrooms – This may sound a little overkill to the seasoned Outer Banks homeowners that have been in the Vacation Rental game for a while, but having TV’s in all the bedrooms (as well as the living room!) creates a sense of privacy for your guests when they need to get away from the crowd they are staying with.  I know I couldn’t vacation with my entire family for a week without having to have some downtime.  Again, WalMart.com has some great deals on flat screens to fit any room.

 These are the first 5 in a series of small things that can lead to big results.  Stay tuned for our next post that will highlight 5 more ways to stand out from the Outer Banks crowd.  Until next time.

Resort Realty Announces New General Manager

Sep 6

Posted by Mike H. in Resort News | No Comments

Resort Realty, specializing in Outer Banks Vacation Rentals and Real Estate Sales, has recently announced the promotion of Debbie Ianetta to General Manager. Ianetta has been serving as Resort’s Director of Corporate Development for two years prior to taking on this new role.

“Debbie is an industry expert who possesses the knowledge and expertise in building, growing and managing a premier Outer Banks Real Estate Company,” says Michael Harrington, the newly announced CEO of Resort Realty. “I have worked with Debbie for nearly two years now and am confident that under her management, Resort Realty will thrive as she continues to foster admiration and respect among our peers and loyalty from our customers, sales agents, and employees.”

Moving to the Outer Banks from upstate New York in 1999 with her husband and two sons, Ianetta began her career in the vacation rental industry as a reservation specialist with Seaside Realty. In 2000 she earned her broker’s license and was promoted to various positions within Seaside Realty, allowing her to gain experience in all aspects of the industry. Before accepting the Director of Corporate Development position with Resort Realty, she worked in sales management with BD&A for over three years.

Ianetta is looking forward to applying her expertise to Resort Realty. “My past experiences in both sales and rentals have prepared me for this dynamic position,” she says. “My goal is to help build Resort Realty by reaching out to agents, vacation guests, property owners, clients and employees to reaffirm our relationships and expand our core business.”

Her love of the area convinced her whole family to relocate to the Outer Banks. Over the past years, her parents, an aunt and uncle, two sisters, and cousins have all made the Outer Banks their home. She currently lives in Kill Devil Hills with her husband of 22 years and two sons. In her free time, Ianetta is an avid reader and also likes to spend time with her family and relax on the beach.

If you would like to speak to Debbie about Resort Realty’s Property Management Program, feel free to contact her at Debbie.Ianetta@ResortRealty.com.

Welcome to OBX Market Watch!

Jul 23

Posted by Mike H. in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

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Welcome to OBX Market Watch.

There was a simpler time when owning a second home meant just that, owning a “second” home.  While it was nice that this asset could increase in value over the years, the main purpose, for those that could afford it, was to create long lasting family memories at a place that was dear to their hearts.

The Outer Banks has been such a place to thousands of families over the years.  Over the past few Real Estate cycles, investors started noticing this grand barrier island and used the basic principles of supply and demand to their favor.  Limited land space meant a limited number of homes, and with rapidly growing demand, this equaled an increase in value.

Today the Outer Banks is a hub of activity, yet still exudes that slower pace of life that only a beach community can get away with.  Outer Banks Real Estate has become a consistent investment in many peoples lives to help them weather the cyclical market cycles in the stock market.  With prices correcting themselves back down to pre Real Estate boom levels, it makes owning on this special island a reality once again.

This leads us to the creation of OBX Market Watch, where those that already own or are thinking of owning can get first hand information from experts in the field.  There are many facets to buying or selling Real Estate, and being knowledgeable about the options is of utmost importance.  So, welcome, and check back often as we will have a series of blog posts on everything from how to maximize your Vacation Rental income, to where you can find the best deal on a water hose!  Our mission is to educate you, the Outer Banks Homeowner, on the ins and outs of the OBX Real Estate Market.