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Outer Banks Vacation Planner > Frequently Asked Questions |
- Why is the chat function not working for me?
- What do all the different locations mean?
- Is paying with a credit card online safe?
- What are options you offer on security deposits?
- Do you offer any travel insurance?
- Do I have to pay any taxes on my vacation home?
- Does Seaside Vacations provide any baby equipment?
- What are your policies on bringing a pet?
- Our vacation home has a pool, can we have the pool heated?
- What are the check-in times?
- What are your check-out cleaning requirements?
Why is the chat function not working for me? back to top
For the chat function to work properly, you have to have Java installed on your computer. Not all computers will have this installed by default. You can download the Java install file here.
What do all the different locations mean? back to top
Oceanfront:
An oceanfront home has no homes or buildable lots located between it and the ocean. The distance between the home and the ocean may vary.
Semi-Oceanfront:
Semi-Oceanfront homes are located one lot back from the ocean and may or may not require crossing the road. Children always will need assistance to cross any road. The distance to the water, beach accesses, and views vary.
Oceanside:
These homes are located EAST of the beach road (Route 12)……….and there are no primary roads to cross. These homes have two or more homes between it and the ocean. These homes may or may not have an ocean view and the distance to the ocean varies.
Fronts the Beach Road:
The beach road is the two lane road that runs parallel to the ocean. The speed limit is 35 MPH on the beach road. From Kitty Hawk thru South Nags Head, these properties are located on the WEST side of the beach road. There are no homes between the property and the beach road. These homes may or may not have direct beach access.
Between the Roads:
There are two roads running north and south on the Outer Banks……the beach road (NC 12), and what is know as the by-pass (US 158). These properties are located in the wide area between these two roads. Access to the beach is via a public beach access. Some properties are within walking distance to the beach, others will require a very short drive.
Soundside:
These homes are located West of Highway 158 from Southern Shores to Nags Head and West of Highway 12 from Southern Shores to Corolla. The distance to the Sound and views vary. Homes may not have direct access to the Sound.
Soundfront:
These properties front the Sound with no homes or lots in between. The distance to the sound, access to the sound and the view vary. Sunsets can be gorgeous!
Fronts the Bypass:
These properties are located next to the bypass (US 158). They provide great value and are very convenient to shopping and restaurants. They are typically just a short drive or walk to both the ocean and the sound.
Is paying with a credit card online safe? back to top
Our credit card transactions are processed by a third party provider. Rent Payment, Inc. provides a safe, secure way to manage credit card transactions.
What are options you offer on security deposits? back to top
Every rental must choose between the refundable Security Deposit or the non-refundable Security Deposit Waiver.
The security deposit amount varies by home, and is returned within 45 days, provided there is no damage to the home.
The $55.00 Security Deposit Waiver Fee is non-refundable and covers up to $2,500.00 in unintentional damages, provided the damage is reported to our office. An example would be, if you knock over a lamp and accidentally break it or you spill something on the carpet, you would just call and let us know right away and we would take care of it for you.
Gross negligence and intentional acts, theft, and damages caused by a pet, regardless if a pet fee was collected, are not covered by the security deposit waiver fee.Do you offer any travel insurance? back to top
We offer travel insurance through Travel Guard. We highly recommend travel insurance, especially since we are so prone to hurricanes. Travel insurance is charged at a rate of 6.9% of the base rent plus tax. Trip insurance covers a variety of issues that could impact your vacation and save you a lot of heart ache, should unforeseen circumstances occur. As they say on TV, “Life comes at you fast.” Most notably would be a mandatory evacuation due to a hurricane. To name a few, here are a few other things covered by trip insurance: sickness, injury or death of an immediate family member, business partner, or traveling companion, the insured’s principal residence being made uninhabitable by fire, flood vandalism, or burglary, termination of employment, military duty, etc.
Keep in mind; this is private insurance, a service we make available to our guests. If you would like to have specific questions answered, please call Travel Guard at 888-409-7749. We can also send you a small brochure.
Remember, travel insurance can not be added after a weather event becomes a “named event”. The insurance has exclusions and special conditions that apply when coverage is purchased after the first payment has been made. I tell you this because it can be very costly to wait. You would have to contact Travel Guard for specific details.
Helpful Vacation Insurance Links:
- Travel Guard's All Seasons Travel Plan
- Travel Guard's All Seasons Travel Plan FAQ
- Travel Guard's Hurricane Information
Do I have to pay any taxes on my vacation home? back to top
Unfortunately the tax man doesn’t take vacations. Obviously, we do not set the tax rates and we only collect the taxes for the county. If your rental home is in Currituck County (Corolla and 4 wheel drive), the tax is 12.75%. If your home is in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, or Nags Head, the tax is 11.75%.
Does Seaside Vacations provide any baby equipment? back to top
Some homes provide baby equipment. The age and quality of play pens, high chairs, etc. varies from house to house. Our experience shows us that most owners provide clean, quality baby equipment.
Baby equipment usually includes a port-a-crib, high chair and a baby gate.
Our vacation home has a pool, can we have the pool heated? back to top
Pool heat is available with some of our homes typically between April, May, and June and September and October. There is an additional charge for pool heat and this charge varies by home.
Please remember that most pool heaters will only heat the water 5 to 8 degrees above the outside air temperatures. For example, if the air temperature is only 60 degrees, the pool water will likely be no warmer than 68 degrees. Pool heat does not give a “hot tub” effect, it merely prolongs the pool swimming season. If you really want warm water, jump in the hot tub.
What are the check-in times? back to top
Please know that we want to get all of our guests into their vacation home just as soon as we can. Our normal check in time is between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, as the houses become available and are released by Housekeeping and Maintenance. Some will be available before 3:00 PM, and we will check you in just as soon as the cleaners give us the OK. Again, please know that our goal is to get you on your way, enjoying your vacation, just as soon as we can.
What are your check-out cleaning requirements? back to top
We ask that you leave your rental home in “respectable” condition. If you leave the home close to the way you found it, you will be fine. Here are the things that you must do:
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Remove all food from the cabinets and refrigerator.
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Check closets, drawers & under the beds for personal items.
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Put all dishes in the dishwasher and run the dishwasher. Place trash in bags and dispose of bags in cans provided outside of the home. MOVE THE TRASH CANS TO STREET THE NIGHT BEFORE DEPARTURE.
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Lock all doors and windows and return keys to office unless you are using the early check out number (866-283-5439).
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Remove toys and trash from pool area (if applicable) and make sure hot tub cover is secure (if applicable).
While we would appreciate any help you can give us…….you don’t have to,
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Vacuum and clean
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Remove linens from beds
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Clean bathrooms or kitchen counters
We do offer a Check out Clean, whereby you can just grab your stuff and leave. The only thing we ask is that you take your garbage out.
We charge $95.00 for a 1-4 bedroom home or $150.00 for a 5-6 bedroom.
