Outer Banks Real Estate
February 15, 2012 | 
Author Carolina Designs Realty is sponsoring a “horse” in the 3rd Annual Night at the Races benefit for the Corolla Wild Horses Foundation Saturday, march 17th from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For your ticket price you will receive $30.00 in play money to bet on six races, heavy hors d’oeuvres, participation in lady’s and gentlemen’s hat contest, and winners and losers prizes. There will be a cash bar, silent auction, etched wine glass sales, and raffles!
All proceeds go directly to benefit the Colonial Spanish Mustangs and help “Keep Them Wild and Free”! Visit www.corollawildhorses.org or call 252-453-8002 for more information.
The Housekeeping Department celebrated the season with their annual holiday gathering in Elizabeth City on December 3rd. During the celebration we expressed our gratitude to all of the cleaners and inspectors that have worked hard all year.
We are very fortunate to have Deborah Stone, Housekeeping Manager, and her very capable staff managing a team of over 300 housekeepers and inspectors to ensure extremely clean and well equipped vacation rental homes. General Manager Michelle Layne and Deborah Stone are certified Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP)., a professional association of vacation rental companies that strives to increase the quality, service level, and professionalism of housekeeping to both vacation rental homeowners and vacation rental guests.
The Daily Advance reported how the Outer Banks has become a magnet for second-home buyers attracted to low tax rates, pristine beaches and tourist attractions, according to a summary report by the Center for Sustainable Tourism at East Carolina University in Greenville. Nearly all of the county’s houses valued $600,000 and up are second homes. Overall, owners of second homes appeared more satisfied than their full-time counterparts with the economic, environmental and overall benefits from tourism, according to the survey of 618 property owners.
Most residents viewed tourism as important to the county. While nearly 95% of second home buyers thought tourism brings new income to Currituck, 83% of full-time residents thought the same.
A review of earlier studies indicates tourism and travel contributes significantly to the local economy. The tourism industry pumped $117 million into the local economy and created 1,380 jobs in 2010, the report said. Tourism, along with spin-off jobs in construction, retail, trade, real estate rentals and leasing, and food services, are estimated to generate 63% of the county’s employment.
That doesn’t include tax income and jobs created by the county government. Tourism contributed $21 million to the county payroll and generated $11 million in local and state tax revenue, according to the survey’s summary of findings.
“Tourism revenues in Currituck have more than tripled over the past 10 years and are predicted to increase in the future,” said the report, citing another 2008 study.
Posted in North Carolina Travel, Outer Banks, Outer Banks Real Estate | 
Tags: Corolla, Corolla Rentals, Outer Banks | 
No Comments »
During in-season on the Outer Banks, 44 full-time lifeguards stand watch over swimmers in Corolla, but having lifeguards available during off-hours requires affordable housing nearby, Barry Richmond of Corolla Fire and Rescue told Currituck commissioners last week. Using community contributions, Corolla Fire and Rescue is poised to purchase of a second house in Monterey Shores for lifeguards upon county approval to finance the purchase. In response to their request last week, commissioners unanimously granted that permission.
The current house next door to the station on Whalehead Drive has reached capacity. Richmond said the new purchase will put lifeguards within walking distance of the Whalehead Drive station and close to their duty stations should they be needed to respond to a call during off hours. In addition, the affordable housing will allow the squad to hire qualified personnel for the job, he said.
Source:
The Daily Advance
A guest vacationing in #292 A Lucky Duck, a six bedroom, oceanside home in Four Seasons Subdivision in Duck, NC wrote:
“We were really impressed with the service we received upon check in. We left our cell phone number with your staff and as soon as our house was cleaned and ready, they called to let us know. It allowed us to get an early start to our much anticipated vacation. Keep up the great customer service! We will definitely rent through Carolina Designs Realty again and again.”
On behalf of all of us here at Carolina Designs Realty, we would like to thank everyone on The Captain’s Crew for their leadership, organization and implementation of our Outer Banks Relay for Life fundraising events this past weekend. Our yard sale this weekend raised over $1100, and together with our other events, we achieved our goal of raising over $10,000.
Congratulations to all of you for your participation and hard work which was vital to our success!
Posted in OBX Rental Blog Posts, Outer Banks, Outer Banks Activities, Outer Banks Real Estate | Tags: Outer Banks Activities | No Comments »
Carolina Designs Realty at Travel & Adventure Show in DC
Carolina Designs Realty was a featured vendor at the Travel & Adventure Show on March 12th and 13th, 2011 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, showcasing our great selection of vacation homes. Monica Thibodeau and Jean Sherwood greeted more than 8,000 potential guests during the event and offered a chance to win a Vacation Giveaway at #023, Sea Hawk, a great home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
This two-day travel extravaganza presented opportunities for authentic travel experiences, deals and giveaways, travel tips from experts and much more on travel destinations from around the world. Participants enjoyed zip lining, diving, and cultural performances. We sparked some great interest in the Outer Banks and Carolina Designs Realty.
Michelle Layne, our General Manager, Deborah Stone, our Housekeeping Manager, and Toni Sawyer, our Housekeeping Coordinator attended the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP) Regional Seminar today; held at Captain George’s Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills, NC.
We are very fortunate to have Deborah Stone, Toni Sawyer, and Rico Young, our Housekeeping Technician, working hard to manage the 300+ housekeepers and inspectors that we have on staff to ensure clean and well equipped vacation rental homes.
Michelle and Deborah, are both certified Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP). VRHP is a professional association of vacation rental companies that strives to increase the quality, service level, and professionalism of housekeeping to both vacation rental homeowners and vacation rental guests. We commend our staff for their exceptional service as they work together to bring the highest level of satisfaction to our guests and homeowners alike.
In honor of the spirit of giving, instead of exchanging gifts, we contributed pounds of dog and cat food, as well as leashes, collars, cat litter, blankets and towels for a newly opened Elizabeth City SPCA. The best way to spread holiday cheer was donating to a worthy cause!
Kudos to Our Exceptional Staff
“Eric Scott stopped by to address issues from your inspector to replace a few deck balusters. While he was there, his attention to detail exceeded all expectations! Eric replaced the exterior shower that had been rusted and unable to be properly used. When I noticed a wasp nest, he went above and beyond by walking the entire exterior to spray. We had a wonderful time, and having staff like Eric is a compliment to himself and Carolina Designs Realty.”
Thank you,
The Macri Family