THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702210684
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 36 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHRIS KIDDER
LENGTH: 35 lines
How to find an Outer Banks vacation cottage
The best place to start your search for a vacation rental is with the Outer Banks Vacation Guide, published each January by the Dare County Tourist Bureau and Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. You can request a free copy by calling 800-446-6262.
In addition to listing hotels, motels, cottage courts, campgrounds, the guide includes all the real estate companies, the geographic area they cover, their e-mail and Internet addresses, toll-free phone numbers and other useful information.
Most agencies also have ads providing additional information.
Rental companies distribute free catalogs of their own properties. Most give a detailed description of every property including rents by season and show one or more photos of the property.
Catalogs explain how to make reservations, provide information about other services available, and outline company policies and occupancy rules.
If you have Internet access, many companies now have home pages and listings from their rental brochures on-line with search capability by location, number of bedrooms, rent and special features like swimming pools.
Rental agents say they always have something available - even during prime time in July and August - but to find the best accommodations to fit your lifestyle and budget, you need to plan ahead and make your reservations early.
Oceanfront properties, typically, book first and will be the hardest to find in-season. MEMO: [For a related story, see page 30 of The Real Estate Weekly for
this date.]