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.

Outer Banks Association of REALTORS^® held a Surf Fishing Scholarship Tournament on Friday, October 23, 2009 beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m.   Carolina Designs Realty employees, Jessica Winstead, Richard Rostant, Andy Dagen, Meredith Olinger, and Nick Cianfrini were participants in the tournament.

Our staff at Carolina Designs Realty accommodates families from all over for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Our homes are chosen for this special occasion because these gatherings need the space to accommodate extended family members in eight or more bedroom.  In our extensive inventory, these vacation rental homes tend to have large, fully stocked kitchens, many times with double appliances and all the equipment needed for big family retreats.  These homes are inspected thoroughly far in advance of the arrival date to insure that the kitchens are well equipped and the appliances are in proper working order. 

We look forward to your stay with us during this special holiday.  Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks!

“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

New for 2010 and available for advance reservations beginning August 2^nd, we are pleased to present #673 MacDaddy, a gorgeous, oceanfront 10 bedroom home with 9.3 baths in Whalehead in Corolla, North Carolina.  Equipped with all of the amenities you have come to expect with Carolina Designs premium vacation rental estates, this home boasts of a private 12×26 pool with a cabana area, huge oceanfront gazebo with plenty of outdoor living space, a fully stocked gourmet kitchen with double ovens and granite countertops, large game and theatre rooms, panoramic views of the shoreline from the living areas, hot tub and children’s play yard featuring a ship shaped jungle gym.

Included with the weekly rental for all of our homes, your beds would be freshly made prior to your arrival, you would also receive two towel bundles per bedroom and our welcome bag filled with complimentary fresh roasted coffee, dishwashing detergent, dish clothes, dish towels, pot holder, bath soap, toilet tissue, and laundry detergent.

A request was made by one of our past guests that stayed in #699 Sunrise during the week of June 20th. 

“My family and I recently stayed in Sunrise #699. The location and house were amazing; we couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay or a better time.  In one bedroom on the second floor with the view of the ocean, the bathroom has a picture of dogs sitting on a balcony looking at the ocean.  I am trying to find that picture online.  Are you able to assist me in finding out where to purchase this picture?  The reason I ask and know it is a strange request but my grandmother paid for our entire family to stay at this house including plane flights, gas money, food, and everything else we needed to make this trip as wonderful as possible.  Just about everyday, she would comment on how she loved the picture in her bathroom. She is a huge dog lover and just fell in love with the picture.  This trip was the first she has ever made it to the ocean/beach and quite possibly could be her last, not that she is ill or anything but you just never know.  I understand that your staff is extremely busy but any assistance with helping me find this for her would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much in advance for your help.” 

Within a weeks’ time, our staff had contacted the homeowner with this request and the homeowner mailed the picture to the guest.

“Today I received the picture in the mail and it is perfect!!  Her birthday is next Friday so I am sure I will be giving her the best gift at the party.  You have no idea how much this means to me or will mean to her once she opens it.  I will be sure to send a note of thanks to the owners also, but wanted to thank you first because of all your help.  I work for a company that strives for perfect customer service and many times I have done things for customers that had nothing to do with their transaction.  I truly don’t see it in return very often, but you have gone above and beyond for me in this instance.  Thank you once again for all your help!!!”