Outer Banks Vacation Homes

Thanks to the diligent efforts of our beloved Sales Administrator, Sarah Corcoran, our office was transformed one step at a time to become as Earth friendly as possible.  The Styrofoam cups were replaced by glasses that can be washed and used again.  All paper, plastic, glass and cardboard are collected for recycling in an industrial sized recycling storage bin, shared with our next door neighbors at Red Sky Café.  Paperless procedures and email are used rather than producing copy upon copy of needless wasted paper. 

In addition, we use compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) which give the same amount of visible light as an incandescent light bulb, are extremely energy-efficient and have a longer rated life.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the use of CFLs reduces the release of mercury and greenhouse gases from coal-burning power plants. If every home in America used just one CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars annually.

We encourage our vacation rental home owners to follow suit and provide tips to become more energy efficient and Earth friendly.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of our beloved Sales Administrator, Sarah Corcoran, our office was transformed one step at a time to become as Earth friendly as possible.  The Styrofoam cups were replaced by glasses that can be washed and used again.  All paper, plastic, glass and cardboard are collected for recycling in an industrial sized recycling storage bin, shared with our next door neighbors at Red Sky Café’.  Paperless procedures and email are used rather than producing copy upon copy of needless wasted paper. 

In addition, we use compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) which give the same amount of visible light as an incandescent light bulb, are extremely energy-efficient and have a longer rated life.  The use of CFLs reduces the release of mercury and greenhouse gases from coal-burning power plants. If every home in America used just one CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars annually.

We encourage our vacation rental home owners to follow suit and provide tips to become more energy efficient and Earth friendly.�

The importance of having adequate outdoor open spaces around a large private pool during your vacation on the Outer Banks is emphasized in an article written by Gray Berryman, one of our broker Realtors® at Carolina Designs Realty, titled “The Pool is the New Kitchen.”  Amenities such as a gas grill, cabana, baby pool, hot tub, and water features surrounding the pool are sought after more than ever.  During the rental season, families spend a large percentage of their time outside, specifically in the pool area.  In return for these accommodations, homeowners incur less wear and tear in the home, higher rental rates and more reservations.

For more information, visit www.obxsales.com or contact Gray at 800.368.3825; ext. 240 or via email gray@grayberryman.com .

After five years of exceptional service to Carolina Designs Realty as our beloved Sales Administrator, Sarah Corcoran is switching gears by relocating to Chicago, IL.  Sarah will be dearly missed as the right hand person for our extensive marketing efforts, sales administration and spearheading efforts to get us going green!

Please join us in wishing her the very best in her new venture.

Please join us in welcoming Jessica Winstead, our new Sales Administrator.  Jessica recently moved back to her hometown of Wanchese from South Carolina and has extensive knowledge in graphic arts, marketing and the real estate industry.

According to TripAdvisor®, a web site that provides recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, vacation packages, and travel guides, the Outer Banks of North Carolina has been named as one of the top 10 Spring Beach Destinations!

What was once the best kept secret on the East coast is now world renowned for its unspoiled, sandy beaches and clear green-blue waters.  The Outer Banks covers one hundred miles of barrier coastal beaches and is the hot spot for surfing, fishing, hangliding, kayaking, sunbathing and so much more.

Spring time is especially glorious here when the trees and shrubs are in full bloom and flowers are so sweet smelling, makes coastal living truly feel like a paradise.  The weather is starting to remain in the upper temperatures, just tipping mid-70’s.  Your vacation rental home awaits you and your family as a home away from home for a week or more to experience this world of great natural adventures and beauty abound.

On Thursday, May 1^st at 3:30pm, also the 6^th anniversary of the Town’s incorporation, the Town of Duck is holding a ribbon-cutting for its new 10.33 acre sound side municipal park and boardwalk.  After the ribbon cutting ceremony at the main entrance to the boardwalk located at the park’s northern entrance, there will be complimentary guided tours of the park.  Also located in the park is a picnic shelter, gazebo, public kayak/canoe launch, and the park trail system, which completed the first two phases of this multi-phase project.

In case of inclement weather, the ribbon-cutting ceremony may be cancelled or rescheduled.  Please call the events hotline at (252) 255-1286 for the most up-to-date information regarding the May 1 ribbon-cutting and other Town meetings and events.

The North Carolina Aquarium Society has raised $18 million in revenue bonds to fund the pier reconstruction project, expansions to the Roanoke Island Aquarium and additional storm water management enhancements.   Jennette’s Pier, the oldest pier on the Outer Banks, has been a historic landmark since 1939 and is owned by the State of North Carolina.  The pier sustained significant damage of approximately 540 feet during 2003’s Hurricane Isabel. 

Beginning on or about April 21, 2008, John Bassett, Inc. (JBI) of Edenton, N.C., North Carolina Aquariums contractor, will be demolishing Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The contractors will have 45 days to finish the work.  The restoration of the pier at its original site includes the construction of a 1,000 foot fishing and educational pier built entirely of steel reinforced concrete.  The project will also provide for a two story pier house and two large aquarium tanks to display fish species of the Outer Banks.   Upon its completion, scheduled for 2011, the site will be operated by the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

There’s a lot of excitement in the air!  Not only because it is spring time again, but also because the rental office in Duck, North Carolina, is getting a fresh, new look! 

New paint for all the walls and trim, new carpet downstairs and in the stairwell, beautiful tile in the kitchen, upstairs hall and bath, and new blinds for the windows were all on the “facelift” agenda. 

We are very pleased with the addition of a complimentary kiosk computer station with a very large, wall-mounted monitor in our lobby for the purpose of accommodating our visitors and guests.  With our website displayed, all properties can be viewed on this wide screen with a multitude of pictures, floor plans, descriptions and amenities listed for all of the vacation rental homes that we manage.

In addition, a baby changing station has been installed in the public restrooms for our visitors and guests.

Monica Thibodeau, our Principal Broker, and Michelle Layne, our General Manager, put their expertise, time and energy into these projects.  The results are phenomenal and appreciated by all who are benefiting from the upgrades.

Thank you to all of our staff for your patience, muscle, and coordination of services while the work was being completed.  It was worth the effort and will be enjoyed for years to come!

Whether you are a vacation rental home owner or a guest staying in one, the local YMCA has something to offer you.  The memberships offered tailor to your specific needs.  As a homeowner, you can provide your guests with YMCA membership privileges as well as have personal use for you and your family while staying in the rental home.  As a guest, you may choose a home that offers this as an amenity or contact the YMCA for a weekly membership during your stay on the Outer Banks.  The programs that they offer are limitless for all members of the family including an indoor and outdoor pool, a skate park, fitness facility, day care, racquetball courts, a teen hang out, exercise classes, a huge gym with basketball courts and more!  Our facility is located in Nags Head at MP 11.  Treat your mind, body and spirit to a healthy vacation that will be long lasting after it’s over.

Call 252.449.8897 for more information.

Outer Banks Hauling/Bay Disposal, located at 465 East Indian River Road, Norfolk, VA 23523, has been contracted by the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, to provide the collection of curbside recyclable materials. Beginning May 1, 2008, this new subscription-type service will become available to residential property owners by calling toll free at 866.312.7495 or locally at 252.480.6699 to sign up for their service.  The cost of $8.95 per month, billed to you quarterly, will provide pick up for one container once per week.  Collection days will be either Monday or Tuesday, depending on your location.

All carts must be placed 2 feet from the curb and 3 feet away from surrounding objects, opening facing the street, the night before or by 5:00 a.m.   The items collected in the container may be mixed.  Accepted recyclable material includes the following:

The following items may not be placed in the containers.  If these items are found in the container, it will not be emptied and a tag will be left on the container with information regarding unacceptable material.