Outer Banks Vacation Homes

Monica Thibodeau, Randy Gilbreath, Michelle Layne, Samantha Chappell, Amanda Perry, and Cherylyn Burns attended the 25th Annual Vacation Rental Manager’s Association (VRMA) Annual Conference and Showcase Overview in Washington, DC during the week of October 24th, 2009.

Since 1985, membership to VRMA, a professional trade association for the vacation property management industry, indicates that the vacation rental company aspires to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and continues to learn the latest trends and developments in the industry. Consumers regard the VRMA logo as an indication of the professional management of vacation rental properties.

VRMA hosts both owners and managers of vacation rental management companies as well as suppliers throughout the United States. Attendees may choose both general sessions and/or smaller workshops to discuss pertinent information affecting vacation rental management and operation. In addition, suppliers to the industry are available to demonstrate the latest products and services.

The opportunities for learning, networking and improving existing operations are endless here.  Everyone involved has the same focus, which is very refreshing.  This venue is well worth the trip.

Our guests have always been able to protect their vacation investment by electing to accept optional travel insurance, offered with any reservation through Carolina Designs Realty. Travel Guard, our selected provider, now offers even better coverage if and when the unexpected happens.
By enhancing the standard coverage for mandatory hurricane evacuations, sickness, injury or death, the new plan includes coverage for  inclement weather; military duty; employer terminations; layoffs or job transfers; travel delays and mechanical breakdown.
Reimbursements are also included for trip delays, lost baggage and medical expenses.
A 24-Hour Emergency Hotline provides immediate assistance  with any travel or medical emergency.
Additional perks of the plan include:
*  Concierge Services
*  Identity Theft Assistance
*  Pet Return Service
*  Roadside Assistance
*  Vehicle Return Assistance
Our guests may enjoy more coverage than ever with more peace of mind for their vacation investment.

2010 Vacation Rental Agreements were mailed on November 2nd. To secure the  reservation, the first payment is due by November 12th.  If we have not heard from the guest by November 16th, the reservation will be automatically cancelled and the week will become available to any guests on the waiting list or the general public.

All reservations made after November 3rd will require the first payment within five days. Guests may view their lease from our website, or have the information emailed, faxed or mailed.  Payments can be made via credit card or ACH online, paper check or by calling us to take a payment over the phone.

To search for a vacation rental home on our web site, simply enter the criteria in our basis or advance search from the home page of our web site, www.CarolinaDesigns.com.  You can enter general search criteria or get as detailed as you desire on our advance search engine.  If you need any assistance in finding the perfect vacation destination, call 800.368.3825 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

To provide convenient, online service for our valued guests, our technical staff implemented the Guest Services section of our web site for guests to be able to view their lease information and make payments via MasterCard, Visa, Discover or ACH transactions.

Our payment program will now provide even more financial flexibility as we have added the ability to pay using American Express credit cards.

We are meeting the needs of our target consumers as well as remaining on the competitive edge of our industry.

“I just want to say we all had the best time ever.  It was a once in a lifetime vacation and we’re all committed to doing it again, probably next year.  #677 Mucho Dinero was a beautiful house and everything was wonderful.   We couldn’t have asked for more.
The only thing holding us up for next year is finding out where my son who is in the military will be deployed to. When that is known we will decide on a date, probably being the same time of year next year.  I look forward to doing business with you again
Thank you so much, I found dealing with you and your company so pleasant.”  Pat from Mountiantop, PA

”P.S. I am looking forward to the catalog for next year already.”

“Just wanted to say again, THANK YOU CAROLINA DESIGNS! We just returned from our 6th stay at #536 Ocean Pocean in Nags Head. We left several items in the elevator upon leaving, we contacted your office and they were able to return them to us. We have rented from several other companies in the past, in several states, NO ONE has been as professional, friendly or provided such excellent service as Carolina Designs. From beginning to end, everyone we had contact with (office personnel, pool, maintenance, linen and housekeeping) was very helpful and provided exceptional and friendly service. Needless to say we will book with Carolina Designs again and again, and we tell all our friends that there is no other company in the Outer Banks to rent from but Carolina Designs!”
Thank you,
Danny
Chase City, Virginia

“Our family tradition started in Duck in 1988 with my parents re-starting the “family vacation” with their three recently “20-something” children and spouses.  Then when children came along over the next few years, our need for a larger and more “equipped” house led us to Carolina Designs. We grew quickly to trust their selection of homes as being of quality standard with us enjoying a clean and functional home the minute we arrived. When any inconveniences arise as with any home, their customer service is responsive and professional. Our return for many years to our current rental house are the great memories we have had and with my father’s death a few years ago, the house rekindles memories of him and his love of the family vacation. 

Our only challenge that will arise is when our next generation of children reaches their 20-something years and whether we further grow into one larger Carolina Designs house or three homes. Either way, I have comfort that Carolina Designs will be there to meet that challenge and provide the continuum of great family memories for generations to come.”
 

Anne Marie

New Brunswick, NJ

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We all know that summertime on the Outer Banks is a blast - but have you considered a stay in the “off-season”? If not, you’re missing out! 

First of all, you could save thousands over the summertime rates and still enjoy all the benefits of a grand Outer Banks vacation. Second, the average air temperature in September and October average 75 degrees which is perfect for leisurely strolls on the beach and building the perfect sandcastle.  Third, many of the homes with Carolina Designs have private pools with optional heat and hot tubs for relaxing evenings. 

The off-season is the perfect opportunity to visit your favorite Outer Banks restaurant or try a new one! The lines short or non-existent and you might even catch a deal or two. Fishing piers on the Outer Banks are open all year round and the off-season provides some of the best catches! 

Find the perfect Outer Banks vacation home now!�

Carolina Designs’ #1 priority is customer service! So, we have been using the Rental Wait List more then ever! Not only is it convenient for us but guests love it too. It saves them time – there’s no need for repeated phone calls to check availability! 

Here’s how it works - tradition has it that current guests have the right to the same house, same week the following year until Monday noon following their check out. If the current guest does not reserve for the following year, the wait list is checked and the person in 1^st position is automatically bumped into the reservation position. If no one is on the wait list, the reservation slot is then opened back up to the general public. 

Convenience and accuracy are just two of the benefits of using the Rental Wait List.

“We just had the most wonderful family reunion yet at your family’s home — 21 of us from California to Maine, ages 13 to 86.  We adore each other but can only all get together every three years.  So every time that third year rolls around, we’re so excited we can barely stand it.

Your house is wonderful, and echoes of our laughter may still be there.  Because of how the old and the new shoot off in all directions in such fun and interesting ways, everybody’s reactions upon initial exploration were pretty funny.  The handicap-assist bedroom off the main living area was perfect for our patriarch father.  The elevator is one of the nicest residential ones I’ve seen, and its proximity encouraged his easy and frequent use.  One of my sisters called the small screen-in porch off the dining room her “cafe” for morning coffee.  The main living area easily accommodated all of us when we came together.  Games downstairs were often in simultaneous tournament use.  We loved the decks at the top of the dunes.

Because your scrapbook of photos and original house memories conveys affection for your family home, I suspect your desire to ensure its ongoing care runs deep.  And also because you’re paying a rental management fee, I wanted to attach a letter my husband is snail-mailing to Carolina Designs, along with a few of our Guest Survey responses.  They were excellent to work with throughout, and I hope they — and you — realize that it’s only because we grew to care about Crawford Cottage that we took the time to share observations for how it can be even better than it already is.

Thank you again for a memorable week.  Our family declared it the best ever.”

Laurie

Dandridge, TN