ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604230011
SECTION: TRAVEL PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
One of the best ways to enjoy a beach vacation is by staying in a house where you have all the comforts that help a family or friends deal with weather and mood changes.
A television and VCR, even a coffee pot, can be dear possessions when you don't want to dress and go out to eat or do anything. But the best reason to want a house at the beach is so you can do some of your own meal preparation, including meals that feature fresh catches. Even if you never toss a line in the water, the availability of seafood at the beach will encourage you to go the kitchen.
Anyone who has rented a vacation house knows the rules, or learned them the hard way, but if you haven't tried cottage rentals you might be apprehensive about tromping into a stranger's quarters. Don't be.
Rental houses are someone's home part of the year, and rental companies, who are hired to look after these places, are generally careful to inspect and clean. If they haven't done either sufficiently, the rental offices have generous hours so you can call and request that the shortcomings be eliminated.
The biggest chore and the greatest fun in renting is selecting the place. Get brochures from as many companies as you can find in the area where you want to rent. Then study them to learn the jargon of the industry.
Prices for beach units are generally broken down by "in season," "preseason," "off season," and "post season." Anything other than "in season" will be less expensive, but could also be an excellent time to rent. I usually go to Nags Head at least once during off-season, which ends this year on May 25 in the Outer Banks. During off-season, a five-bedroom, three-bath oceanfront house that rents for $1,350 in the height of the beach vacation time can be rented for $595.
When choosing a place, make certain you understand where it is located. If the brochure says the property is "between the roads," ask how busy the roads are and how close you are to them. You could find yourself sitting on a deck looking at bumper-to-bumper, horn-blowing traffic. However, the same cottage that would be subject to that during the main beach season can be quite peaceful during off-season.
If the description is "oceanside," ask how far away is the ocean. Oceanfront is generally self-explanatory, but make sure you can easily access the beach from your place.
When renting, make certain, too, that you understand all the sleeping accommodations, especially if you have to please a variety of co-vacationers. A four-bedroom cottage that I once rented consisted of one room upstairs with double bed and access to a private bath, and one room with a single bed, one with four beds and one with two single beds all of which were downstairs and had to share a small bath.
The other caution is to remember to take all the sheets and towels you will need, keeping in mind that you will have access to laundry facilities. If you forget the linens, consider buying some rather than renting. Most rental companies charge dearly for linen service, and you'll be unhappy that you spent money that way.
Other tips for renting:
Expect to pay a deposit that you won't get back for up to 30 days after the vacation ends.
Ask about local taxes on rentals, so you won't be surprised at the final bill, payable upon arrival, and have cash or traveler's checks to pay with because most places don't accept personal checks unless received 30 days before your rental date.
If you plan to take a pet, get a cottage that allows them and expect to pay an extra fee;
Also, be prepared to clean up outdoors after your pet, which is a good-neighbor thing to do at home or on vacation.
Don't expect a rental house to routinely stock everything. Ask the rental agency if the place has some of the items important to your group, such as a blender, and if it doesn't take one with you.
Expect to do your own cleaning while you stay in a rental unit and before you leave. Carry out the trash, clean the refrigerator, and turn off the heat or air conditioning.
Finally, if you end up buying some little item for the place, such as a corkscrew or a new dish cloth, leave it for the next visitor. Some of the fun of renting is knowing that you are sharing experiences. I always like to check out the shells left on deck rails by the previous visitors.
Maybe the next renter also looks for clues about me.
LENGTH: Medium: 82 linesby CNB