Outer Banks Vacation Homes

Thursday, April 24^th through Sunday, April 27^th, the 6th Annual Outer Banks Bike Week coincides with the North Carolina state H.O.G. Rally with over 10,000 registered participants thus far. As the bikers from all over the country roll into town, these visitors on wheels are welcomed with a full week of planned entertainment, great food, events and special attractions.  Sponsors include the Harley Davidson dealerships in Harbinger, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. There will be a bike show, 100 mile poker run, live indoor and outdoor music, scenic rides to enjoy many miles of Outer Banks beaches and waterways and official nightly party sites.

For more information, call 252-255-5922.

Fly Into Spring on Friday, April 4^th and Saturday, April 5^th with Kitty Hawk Kites for their Annual Kite Festival celebrating the beginning of National Kite Month.  This years’ festival is part of The Land of Beginnings Festival, a week-long community festival in Dare County, North Carolina, celebrating the cultural history of the Outer Banks.
 

Admission is free for this worthwhile family event where children can make and fly kites, get their face painted, and enjoy a day together.  Come out and experience Kitty Hawk Kites’ main facility and the company’s largest retail store in the area across from Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head (MP 12.5) offering stunt and recreational kite products, windsocks, high quality clothing products focused around aviation and the outdoor environment and toys.  The Kayak Store, located next door, offers kayak sales, accessories, and rentals.

Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County will co-sponsor the event assisting with a fundraiser and opportunity to register to participate in a new program called Imagination Library.  This program, founded by Dolly Parton, is geared to improve educational opportunities for children. The books in the program are age-appropriate, and promote positive themes of confidence, diversity, and appreciation of art. Once registered, children enrolled will receive a hardback book in the mail each month until their fifth birthday.

To find out more, call 1.877.FLY.THIS.

In an article written by Angie Brady-Daniels, “Though Times are Changing, Area is Still Good Investment”, Monica Thibodeau, our Principal Broker and Co-Owner of Carolina Designs Realty was quoted saying that she thinks that coastal areas will continue to attract more visitors and people who wish to relocate and that the area will grow and thrive.

“Our amazing natural surroundings, the mild climate, the low tax base and strong services make this a wonderful place,” said Thibodeau. “We are so fortunate to live in a pristine area, and the entire state of North Carolina has so much to offer. Even though prices have increased dramatically over the past few years, we have always been a good value. This area will continue to grow and thrive.”

Fresh Salt Air  *  Wild Horses  *  Sea Gulls  *  Barrel Waves *  Sand Crabs  *  Sand between your toes  *  Unforgettable Sunsets  *  Ocean Breezes  *  Water Sporting  *  Surfing  * Herons  *  Sea Oats  *  Go-Carts  *  Miniature Golf  *  Scuba Diving  *  Pink Sunrises  *  Southern Hospitality  *  Yucca Plants  *  Dunes  *  Clear Blue-Green Water  *  Golf Courses *  Bike Paths  *  Private Plane Runways  *  Maritime Forests *  Sailboats  *   Surf Fishing  *  Piers  *  4×4 Beach Driving  *  Lighthouses *   Lifesaving Stations   *   Beach Boxes  *  Jockey’s Ridge  *   Wright Memorial of First Flight   *   Pelicans  *   ATV Adventures  *  Ferry Boats  *  Public Beach Accesses  *  Boardwalks  *  Beach Memories  *  Hammocks  * Volleyball Games  *  Day Spas  *  Aero Tours  *  Parasailing   *  Charter Fishing  *  Elizabethan Gardens  *  Fresh Seafood *  Atlantic Ocean  *  Tiki Huts  *  Palm Trees  *  Frozen Margaritas  *  Kite Flying  *  Ocracoke Island  *  Marinas  * Dolphins  *  Sea Shells  *  Sun Block  *  Shallow Sounds  *  Tide Charts  *  Lifeguards  *  Oregon Inlet  *  Barrier Islands  *  Boat Ramps  *  Souvenirs  *   National Wildlife Refuge  *  Tackle Shops  * Relaxation  *  OBX  *  Amusement & Water Parks  *  Billiard Parlors  *  Whalehead Club  *  Nature Trails  * The Lost Colony  *  Beach Buggys  *  Wave Runners  *  Bikinis  * Pampas Grass  *  Star Fish  *  Geese * Sand Buckets * Laughter * Fun * Sun * Families * and More!

Diania Whitehead is the 2007 VRHP Executive Housekeeper of the Year.  Diania is employed by Atlantic Beach Realty in Atlantic Beach, NC. She was nominated by the two owners of the company and along with the nomination came many glowing references from owners, employees and numerous guests.

Diania received a check for $100, week’s vacation accommodations compliments of Carolina Designs Realty, and a plaque which read: “For excellence in creating an in-house program, implementing a unit inspection system, creating effective owner relations, and for her methods used to train and empower staff.”

Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP) is committed to providing outstanding educational opportunities for our members so that through education and networking with colleagues, we may improve the level of service that we provide to the highest standard possible.

Michelle Layne, General Manager of Carolina Designs Realty, is a certified Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professional (VRHP) and active board member. VRHP is a professional association of vacation rental companies that strives to increase the quality, service level, and professionalism of housekeeping to both homeowners and guests.

During the off-season, usually the time between the months of January to May, our staff spends quality time viewing the magnificent homes in our vacation rental program.  Even though our superior web site provides extensive pictures, floor plans, descriptions, inventory and area maps pinpointing where the homes are located, we are able to tour the vacation rental homes and become familiar with all of the details.  It is also a pleasure to meet with the homeowner to develop a deeper rapport with them.  If improvements have been made in the vacation rental home such as new carpet, an added theater room or new kitchen cabinetry, we make a point to see these upgrades in person as well as update our property photos on the web site.

If a guest or potential guest inquires about specific details about a vacation rental home that is unknown to us, we go above and beyond to get the question answered.  A perfect example to this scenario would be finding out the width of all doorways in a particular home because one member in their party is wheelchair bound.  This type of request is common and we always accommodate our guests in any way that we can to meet their needs.  There are several systems in place that store the findings of specific details discovered about our homes.  In other words, the answer is “yes”, now what’s the question!

Although our Outer Banks vacation rental homes are fully equipped, we are often asked, “What should we bring?”  Here’s a handy checklist for your convenience:

What’s Inside Your Vacation Rental Home:
All of our Outer Banks Vacation Rental Homes include:
- Broadband Internet Access
- Fully-Equipped Kitchen
- Dishwasher
- Outdoor Grill
- Telephone
- Central Air
- Color Cable TV
- Outdoor Shower

We also include a starter supply of:
- Fresh Roasted Coffee
- Dishwashing Detergent
- 2 Dish Cloths, 2 Dish Towels, 1 Pot Holder
- Bath Soap
- Toilet Tissue
- Laundry Detergent
- Paper Towels
- Freshly-Made Beds

“Sea Supplies” to Bring for Your Vacation Home
- Beach Chairs
- Umbrellas
- Beach towels
- Garbage bags
- Crib sheets
- Salt & Pepper
- Spices
- Pot holders
- Cleaning supplies
- Bug spray
- Suntan lotion
- Toilet tissue
- Bath towels (unless you plan to rent them from Carolina Designs Realty)

Grocery Shopping
There are three large grocery store chains on the Outer Banks; Harris Teeter, Seamark Foods and Food Lion.  Each of these grocery stores will have everything you need for your stay. Outer Banks stores can be very crowded on Saturdays and Sundays so we recommend planning your grocery shopping trip accordingly.

Carolina Designs Realty is pleased to announce that we will periodically contact all past guests and prospects via electronic mail informing them of current specials on discounted weekly rental rates.

For all weeks are still available within a ninety day period before the arrival date, we recommend that our owners discount those rates by 20% in 2008.  To be included on the Specials Page of our web site, a minimum discounted rate of 10% is required.

Following last year’s success in great recreational program, The Town of Duck once again offers an entire summer long program of special events.  Within the new Municipal Town Park, residents and visitors may enjoy the natural beauty of this 10.33-acre sound side maritime forest and willow swamp with parking areas, driveway, and walkways a public kayak/canoe launch, a sound side boardwalk, nature trails, playground, picnic pavilion, and gazebo built with a environmentally friendly materials to stress focus on preserving the natural environment. 

Recently, the completion of a small amphitheater, situated on the southern edge of the park, will help to facilitate the many programs and special events planned throughout the season:

Beginning in April, enjoy direction in Tai Chi on the park lawn on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m.  Beginning in May, enjoy Pilates on Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.

Beginning in July, there will be children’s story time on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and the “Summer Music Series” on Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 8 – Greg Shelton Trio (Acoustic Rock)
  Thursday, July 10 – Sue Artz (From Bach to Rock)
  Tuesday, July 15 – Laura Martier Trio (Jazz)
  Wednesday, July 16 – The Wells Family Band (Acoustic Pop/Bluegrass/Country)
  Thursday, July 17 – Sandy Mountain Boys (Bluegrass)
  Tuesday, July 22 – The Wilder Brothers (Acoustic Classic Rock/Blues)
  Thursday, July 24 – Watson and Calhoun (Acoustic Rock)
  Tuesday, July 29 – Ruth Wyand (Folk/Blues/Country/Americana)
  Thursday, July 31 – The Crowd (Rock/Pop)
  Tuesday, August 5 – Kim Kalman (Acoustic Guitar/Vocals)
  Thursday, August 7 – Cristina Garey, Joe Mapp, & Stephen Carbocci Jazz/Latin/Fusion/Alternative Rock)
  Tuesday, August 12 – First Flight Jazz Hawks (Jazz)
  Wednesday, August 13 – The Fuzz Band (Funk, Jazz, Pop)
  Thursday, August 14 – The Little Kings (Dance Rock-n-Roll)
  The Lost Colony Musical Theater in the Park also begins on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

4^th of July Parade and after party on Friday, July 4^th beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The Wells Family Banks on Wednesday, July 16^th at 6:00 p.m.

The Fuzz Band on Wednesday, August 13^th at 6:00 p.m.

2^nd Annual Duck Jazz Festival on Sunday, October 12^th

More information to follow…  For up-to-the minute coverage on all Duck events call the events hotline at 252.255.1286.

Carolina Designs Realty was founded in 1988.  From day one, the company has focused on providing only the finest vacation homes that the Outer Banks has to offer.  We have been able to attract these properties because of our commitment to extremely high standards of customer service and operational innovation:  

Since 1988, we lead the way….

We were the first Outer Banks rental company to provide linens (beds made) as a standard amenity.

We were one of the first Outer Banks rental companies to offer a full color brochure. 

We were the first Outer Banks rental company to offer floor plans for all of our homes.

We became the first Outer Banks rental company (and one of the first in the United States) to offer real time availability and reservations via the Internet.

We deployed wireless Internet access in our homes.

This year, we provided our field maintenance staff with personal digital assistants for real time work order management.