About this Property

Cozy getaway for a couple or modest family. This apartment is attached to our family holiday home in Ocracoke it is designed as a mother-in-law space for the previous owner. It has a queen size bed(sheets are not included) and a roll out single cot. Cable TV 32 inch flat screen and wireless internet in the master suite. Kitchen has a apartment size 4 Burner stove with oven. Microwave, coffee maker, modest (dorm size) refrigerator. Modest eating table on the enclosed porch. Ideal for a modest family or couple. We do not have a formal cleaning service, so we ask renters to leave it as they found it. Cleaning supplies are supplied. We do NOT post on Craigslist, so if you see it there it is not us renting it. We only go through Vacation Rental By Owner/Home Away. We will not be giving refunds during the hurricane season June 1st-November 30th. You will want to buy insurance during that rental time if you want to be refunded due to a natural disaster. Hurricane Dorian is the reason for this new policy.

How to Save Money on Your Rental

• Find the tourism bureau where you want to vacation. Many official tourism bureaus offer guide books with special packages for lodging, dining and tours. These guides can provide an excellent start to your vacation rental search.
• Just want to stay away from the crowds and save money? The off-peak seasons frequently offer great rates on daily rentals.
• Several property management companies and owners offer discount rates for active duty and veteran men and women of the US Armed forces, or returning travelers to the same vacation home. Be sure to confirm with property management company to see if your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction.
• Is there a specific experience you are most longing for during your stay? You'll receive the most value from a home which most directly matches your ideal trip setting, regardless if it costs a little more.
• Think about obtaining trip insurance with your rental contract. Trip insurance, which usually will cost you between 1% - 5% of the basic stay cost, offers vacationers reimbursement of their vacation expenses for any missed a result of health related emergencies or storms, in addition to ensuing extra hurricane evacuation costs or charges, like an unforeseen hotel room stay or additional gasoline. Trip insurance can be a bank account-saver if the unforseen occurs (heaven forbid!).

The Rental Process

You might be pleasantly surprised to learn how many rental properties are available at your destination. Rental home accommodations have gained in popularity with the rise of worldwide search sites like Homeaway and VRBO.

Nearly all vacation homes in Ocracoke are privately operated and many are represented by established local property management companies. For owners not directly involved with the management of their property, management companies are instrumental in assisting guests with making reservations, check-in, house cleaning services, and any routine maintenance issues that may arise.

We have put together a brief guide to help you get the most out of your rental experience.

How to find and reserve a great vacation rental:

Do you think "Ocracoke Retreat in the Heart of the Village. Efficiency for Rent" is the perfect rental property for your upcoming getaway? Browse through this guide to confirm it fits your preferences.

Start Your Search Early

Like many desirable vacation spots, In Ocracoke the best vacation homes are booked very early. To get the best selection, begin your planning and search Six-Twelve months before a trip. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years are excellent times to find and reserve your rental home..

Select your Area and Travel Week

Agreement can often be tricky between members of the family, but the moment this challenging part is finished everything will begin to drop in place.

Bedrooms and Bed Sizes Matter

How many family members are planning to share your getaway? Be mindful that most rental homes advertise maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds in the living room. It is important to determine what is most appropriate for your group. Generally vacation home listings will outline each one of the unit's specific bedrooms and beds.

Have a Spending Limit

Most rental homes are advertised with a cost range. Confirm the cost for your desired stay. It may be at the high end of the range. If several groups or families are sharing the cost, ensure each group understands their obligations and has agreed to a maximum they are willing to pay. One member of your company needs to be responsible for getting contributions and acknowledging responsibility for the complete rental price at time of reservation.

Make a List of "Wants" and "Necessities"

What amenities is your group searching for? Do you simply want a rental with a swimming pool, spa or beach volleyball court? Does the property need to be beachfront, in town, or in close proximity to restaurants? Are extras like beach chairs, barbecue grills, umbrellas, carts or coolers at your disposal and included with your rental home fee? Create a list of priority conveniences to facilitate filter your search.

Accessibility and Special Considerations

Optimal access can make or ruin a trip for the less-mobile. Make sure you remember and ask about wheel chair access, pool lifts and special equipment requirements..

Paws-Friendly, Please

Are you or other people in the group travelling with a furry friend? Pets are welcome at many vacation rentals, but guidelines can vary. Read your agreement thoroughly! Extra charges may apply when pets are included.

Start the Search

When the area, dates and people are decided, search multiple resources for the very best vacation rental selection. Besides Homeaway, VRBO and Tripadvisor, we advise searching Google for "Ocracoke local rental properties" for local vacation rental management companies. Local agencies often times have an exclusive selection of vacation homes daily and weekly.

Negotiate

When you've located your dream rental, make sure your trip dates are available.

Although not true for all rental homes, many owners and property managers will negotiate rates. If the rate isn't negotiable, the number of nights might be. Off-peak season offers your best chance to make a deal for a lower rate.

Read the Agreement

Read through the entire contract and make certain you are aware who is liable for:

• Power bills
• Internet
• Long Distance Phone Service
• Hot Tub Heating
• Pay Per View Movies
• Cleaning services and housekeeping
• Trash collection
• Maintenance (get a phone number)
• Check in & Check Out Key Exchange
• Parking Space

In addition to the normal rate, visitors will have to pay local taxes when renting "Ocracoke Retreat in the Heart of the Village. Efficiency for Rent", along with various other additional fees which might be required based upon their situation, including a dog charge, earlier check-in or later check-out fee, or a pool heat fee for private pool usage during the fall or spring months.

Trip Insurance

Cancellation policies vary with each vacation rental. Many rental contracts include an option for trip insurance. Trip insurance, which normally costs somewhere between 1% - 5% of your base vacation rental cost, can provide guests with reimbursement of their vacation costs (and subsequent vacation property costs) for any nights missed a result of personal health care emergencies or weather, in addition to hurricane evacuation costs, such as a unexpected hotel stay or additional gas.

Book your Rental

When everything looks right, it's finally time for you to sign on the dotted line. You'll likely be required to submit a security deposit at time of reservation.

Know Who to Call

Make sure to get the manager's contact phone number and entry/exit procedures for your rental. We suggest saving the contact's information in your phone and wallet.

Good job on booking your vacation home! You're on the way to a fabulous vacation!

During your Stay

• Take notes of any damage right after you arrive. If you discover property damage, or if fixes are needed get in touch with the home manager immediately. If there is a disagreement about liability later, having the recorded problems and communication attempts should be valuable.
• Ask questions. If there is any ambiguity about parking, rules of the property, property access, swimming pool functions, etc... we advise you ask the rental home manager immediately. A phone call can save hours of difficulty.
• Don't forget to be a good next-door neighbor. Permanent residents invariably live within earshot. Remember the golden rule and treat others the same way you'd like to be treated by vacationers next to your primary residence.
• Ask a local. Local people can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to order the best pizza, have a great night out, or the best places for night life?
• Enjoy your stay! Make certain to protect the property owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the vacation rental secured while you are away, just like you would in your own home.

Leaving Paradise

• Double-check each space of the vacation property to ensure you've gathered all belongings.
• Make a point to walk through the rental one final time and check for property damage. We suggest walking through with the rental manager wherever possible (this isn't always the case).. If the property owner is not available, be sure to take photos of the property to record its condition.
• How was your vacation? Nearly all rental management company web sites ask for feedback after your stay is complete. Property owners and rental managers will thank you for positive critiques. If anything went wrong and they did not correct it in a acceptable manner, or when the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.

Learn and Improve

Hold a vacation recap meeting with the people in your group. Did they feel about the rental? We hope this guide helped you find a fantastic rental unit. Otherwise, you've gained invaluable rental search experience to aid with the next search.