First-timers are oftentimes surprised at the number and variety of short-term properties available in the Beaufort, NC area. Vacation home accommodations have gained in popularity with the rise of global search sites like Homeaway and VRBO.
Vacation rentals are often owner operated or managed by property management companies. Property management companies leverage scale, technology and expertise to provide simple and easy operational management on behalf of the homeowner..
Seasoned Beaufort, NC vacationers have identified a number of tips and tricks over the years when it comes to renting rental properties, however most newcomers will be happy to discover that several "methods" are in plain sight, if you know where they should look.
Before you book "Atlantic Beach Getaway", read through our short checklist of considerations.
Beaufort, NC rental homes are reserved many months (and up to a year) in advance. To get the best selection, start your planning and search Six-12 months in advance of your vacation. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years are excellent times to plan and reserve your rental home..
Quite often, the toughest part of planning your trip is deciding where to go, and when. When the big decisions are resolved, the rest is much easier.
Establish who is traveling, and just how many/what particular bedroom arrangement you should have. Be aware that most homes list maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds in the home's living room. It is important to determine what is most appropriate for your group. Specific descriptions of bedrooms and beds are usually available online. If not, email or call the property owner before you reserve the home.
Check to make sure "Atlantic Beach Getaway" satisfies your budget *during your desired week*. Make sure to get cost-sharing commitments from loved ones prior to reserving a costly rental property. Typically, just one person in the group will be responsible for making the full reservation and collecting each person's share.
What amenities is the family interested in? Is a screened-in porch a necessity? Do you want to be away from it all, or close to a city setting? Are extras like beach chairs, barbecue grills, beach umbrellas, beach carts or coolers available and included in your rental home rate? Make a list of prioritized "necessities and preferences" from your group to help narrow your search to the most suitable home.
Oftentimes the older generation has problems with stairways. If wheel chair access, elevators, pool lifts or other specialized devices are required, factor that into your search. Nearly all rental home listings will include a list of amenities.
Be sure to include your best friend! While many vacation homes allow pets, rules and costs fluctuate per property. Many limitations could dismiss a prospective vacation property. Be sure you read agreements and contracts carefully. Additional fees or deposits may be applied to your agreement.
Several internet resources exist to match visitors with rental owners.. In combination with Homeaway, VRBO and Tripadvisor, we recommend searching Google for "Beaufort, NC local rentals" for local vacation rental management companies. Local agencies usually have an exclusive collection of rentals daily and weekly.
Re-read the description to confirm the home has everything that you need. If something is missing, the vacation rental management company may know of very similar homes that fit your wishes and budget..
Although not true for all properties, many property owners and property managers will negotiate rates. If the rate isn't negotiable, the number of nights might be. Your best opportunity for a lower rate will be shifting to an off-season week.
You'll want to know which services are included:
Get a total that incorporates state taxes, pet and other extra fees.
Cancellation policies vary with each vacation rental. Rental home management companies and individual home owners often offer their clients the option to purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance, which commonly costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of your base rental home cost, provides guests with reimbursement of their vacation costs (and subsequent rental costs) for any nights missed as a consequence of personal medical related emergencies or weather, as well as hurricane evacuation costs, such as a unforeseen hotel stay or additional gas.
When you think you've found "the one", start the reservation process. You'll likely have to submit a security deposit at time of reservation.
Make sure to get the manager's contact phone number and entry/exit procedures for your rental property. We recommend keeping the contact's information in your smartphone and wallet.
Congratulations on reserving your rental home! You're on the way to a fantastic vacation!
Hold a meeting with your family. Does everybody want to re-book next year? Maybe everything ended up being exceptional and you're excited to reserve the rental home for next season. If the property wasn't quite right, and you will better know how to improve your search next time.
