We just returned from our trip to Rodanthe. We had a great family vacation in the outer banks…read more Surf or Sound Realty was phenomenal to work with. We were able to check in to our Condo earlier than expected so that was very nice. Ally with Surf or Sound texted us almost immediately to see if we needed anything. The condo was very clean and had everything that we needed. The ocean views and distance to the beach were amazing. I got up early almost every morning to have my cup of coffee and watch the sun come up over the ocean from our deck. Will definitely be back.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU, Surf or Sound. We…read morerecently rented through Surf or Sound while vacationing on Hatteras Island, and what started as a wonderful vacation quickly turned into an incredibly stressful and uncertain situation when the storm caused damage and flooding along NC-12, leaving us stranded on the island. During a time of pure chaos--both around us and, honestly, internally--Lucas and the entire Surf or Sound team showed us an extraordinary amount of kindness, compassion, and understanding. They allowed us to remain in our rental and, more importantly, reassured us that we had a roof over our heads and a safe place to stay for as long as necessary until we could safely get off the island. When the emergency ferry finally opened, the lines were absolutely out of this world, with reports of 30+ hour waits sitting in cars just to get on a ferry. Once again, Surf or Sound stepped up. They could have easily told us, "The emergency ferry is running, so you need to leave the home." Many companies--or individual vacation rentals--might have done exactly that. But Surf or Sound didn't. Instead, they reassured us again that we could stay in our rental until the temporary road was open and we could safely make our way off the island. That kind of compassion means so much more than simply providing a vacation rental. In a moment when we felt completely out of control, their kindness gave us something incredibly important: peace of mind. There really is something special about working with a company that feels like a family. And that is exactly how Surf or Sound made us feel. We weren't just renters or a reservation number--we felt genuinely cared for. Lucas, and everyone at Surf or Sound, you have no idea how much your kindness and hospitality meant to us. You brought a sense of calm to an incredibly stressful situation, and we will never forget that. We will exclusively rent with Surf or Sound every time we return to the Outer Banks, and we will rave about you to every friend and family member who tells us they're planning a trip to this beautiful part of the world. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of us when we needed it most. With gratitude,Ana & family

Dolphin Realty runs the Hatteras Cabanas, a group of 40 privately owned one-room cabanas only steps…read moreaway from the beach. Everything from the process of selecting a cabana and checking on availability to arriving, staying, and checking out was smooth, simple as pie, and budget-friendly. We had our vacation dates picked out first and checked the website to see what would be available during the September 17-24 (Saturday to Saturday) week. There were plenty of options when we booked in July, but by September there were no vacancies listed on the website (though there was a sign at the cabanas themselves that said "Vacancy," so something might have opened up). The first half of the fee was due immediately, and the second half was due a month before arrival. The rates vary widely depending on the season. Ours came to about $570 for a week's stay after tax, fees, and trip insurance were all figured in, but "off season" begins in early September, thanks to potential hurricane threats. Prime season is listed in the brochure as $820.37 per week and may be more after fees. The cabanas are a mix of uniform and highly individualized. They're single-room affairs (plus a bathroom with a door, of course) on stilts -- you park underneath. They have no fewer than three decks: both front and back decks on the living floor and a third one at roof level. They all have air conditioning, a TV, and kitchen areas including a fridge and oven. They're all built of the gray, salt-blown wood that is popular all over the island. The best way to visualize the size is to think of a medium-sized dorm room with a kitchen. Beyond these details, they all have their separate personalities. The one we stayed in, Ocean's Door East (#27), had a rare two-bed setup, one of them loft-style. Most others appear to have one bed, some of them full-size and some of them queen. It was decorated with a beautiful array of beach-inspired wall knickknacks, many of which said "Welcome" on them -- and welcome we felt! The kitchen had lots of dishes and pots (but not all of the cabanas necessarily will, so come prepared!), and we were pleased to find beach chairs we could borrow. There were also a lot of children's beach toys, but again, that will vary from cabana to cabana, so don't count on it. This one allows pets, both dogs and cats, but not all of them do. We chose our cabana based on its proximity to the beach -- it was the closest one available when we booked. There is a wooden walkway that takes you over the dune, and there you are! There was always a smattering -- but not a crowd -- of people lounging, reading, fishing, beachcombing, or throwing balls for their dog. The waves were medium-height while we were there, but of course that can be variable. A convenient hose is located at the cabana end of the walkway for cleaning off sandy feet. About halfway through the week, we realized there was a hose under our cabana, too. Additional tips: Be aware that weather in this area is volatile. We had the pleasure of partly cloudy 88-degree days and rainy nights during our week, but it could just as easily storm, or a hurricane might blow through. Hatteras Island gets completely evacuated at such times, so get trip insurance. Also note that you will need to bring your own sheets, towels, and paper goods. This isn't a hotel, it's someone's beach home, so there will be imperfections in the accommodations, and you're cleaning up after yourself, ESPECIALLY right before you leave. Also, bring bug spray. Even though the cabana has an owner, it's through Dolphin Realty that you'll be paying your fee and signing your lease agreement. I did this all by email with them. They responded within a business day or so of any inquiry I made. It was all so easy and reasonably priced that we'll consider coming back to Hatteras Cabanas for future trips here!

Unit 27 - Ocean's Door East. Fall 2020. Maggots in the refrigerator that migrated into…read moredining/living/sleeping area. Dangerous wiring and extension cords hanging off of TV. Stale, rotting food and exposed wiring under stove burners that didn't work. Filthy, thread-bare curtains that partially covered non-functioning windows and sliding door. Urine and miscellaneous stains on sofa upholstery and bedding. Doors hanging off of rusty hinges. Broken and leaking hose outside for rinsing off after the beach. ZERO Covid-19 protocol or cleaning. Disrespectful and rude Dolphin Realty employee named Suzanne. Protect the health and safety - not to mention your "relaxing" vacation and search for accommodations elsewhere.

We were guests in Flight of Fansea this month. Our leaseholder were my parents. We, ourselves,…read moreusually rent up in Corolla every year and we spent one week there before joining my parents in Frisco. I have to say, never renting a property through Midgett before, I was pleasantly surprised. The house was VERY clean and so well stocked with anything we could possibly need. The pool was definitely a HUGE plus of this house as well. We spent hot mornings at the beach and came back and spent a lot of time at the pool. We loved our stay at Flight of Fansea and I know my parents have already booked again for 2022!

We stayed at Southern Cross in Hatteras - prior to booking, we did our homework - all reviews on…read moreMidgett's website were 4-5 Stars - We even drove by and saw the outside which look clean and well cared for... We booked 2 weeks - Below are the conditions we walked into- Southern Cross 58901 South Beach Dr Hatteras, NC 27943 United States Checked in today (8/23) - pungent odor of mold/mildew throughout the house- first floor kitchen cabinets above the stove were filled with mold - rental agency immediately came and cleaned. There is mold on the all sliders to decks, , "soft wall" with obvious water damage in bedrooms on the 2nd floor. Prominent odor on lowest level - Lower level bedroom (closest to the pool) the slider is nailed shut. 3 lounge broken lounge chairs at the pool. Outdoor shower filled with inflatables. Upper level, esp kitchen was not clean- floors with crumbs & countertops dirty- the renters cleaned upon arrival. Very disappointing entrance to the house - it needs assessed for water damage, mold & mildew! WiFi is slow & spotty - requires rebooting - and 3 visitors have WFH obligations Toaster is filled with rust and the drip Coffee pot - coffee pot has a rusty warmer as well as the spring under the basket is malfunctioning and kicks off when brewing Both of these are "everyday" comforts and advertised for the home in "amenities" that we would appreciate replacements for Rain concerns- Thursday- Sat the forecast calls for rain, the all sliding glass doors on the top & second floor will require some type of mats to catch the leaking. We used beach towels yesterday (8/24) during the rain to control the river of water that was produced as it rained but will expect an alternative method now that you are aware of the problem - Photos- I am including a few photos of the top floor mold & water damage as described - All sliding doors are leaking when it rains and have water damage Sliding (all) doors have mold at the base The front sliding door (facing the sound) when raining leaks profusely into the house Master bath (2nd floor to the right facing ocean) sink to the right drains extremely slow Shower head need cleaned to open the spouts Master bath (to the left) bath jets are moldy (we cleaned) Microwave was rusty and unusable Coffee machine (drip pot) was broken - unusable Pool lights do not function Pool table felt is unusable Game room fridge is rusted inside and out General cleaning - walls are dirty, kitchen & bathrooms require a "deep clean" TV in bunk bed room was cracked and unusable Electricity in half the kitchen blew - and was fixed when called in We contacted Midgett and they stated "we have told the owner, but she doesn't do anything" I find this less than satisfactory, as Midgett employees housekeepers, inspectors and even made a comment " I knew it was empty last week so I went over and turned the fans on to help eliminate the mildew order" but yet - the house has 4-5 star rating? This is false advertising! And unacceptable to push all ownership on the owner when Midgett is renting - Very disappointing This house is a health hazard- If I could give "0" stars I would -

Review for the Waves office…read more.. Since 2003 we have been visiting OBX. First couple of years with that s or s place but for the last 13 years with Outer Beaches Realty. But switched to Outer Beaches because they had a better internet site in the mid 2000s and remained loyal because... The best office staff, friendly on the phone and in person. The price is the final prices no add ons. (Yes i know it is all built in) but it is just easier with final number. Again did I mention, the friendly people.

Renting "breakers" We were told to expect a 5pm check in due to "enhanced cleaning". Well that's…read morehysterical that they consider this enhanced cleaning. Have called multiple times about the crappy cleaning job in the rental and they've done nothing. Dead bugs, human hair, rings from glasses on Unwiped granite. Absolutely disgusting and I had to clean it. There were also dozens of flies in the house, flying around in the kitchen and bedrooms. Also our door code was wrong. We had to call and get bounced around "after hours" (it was 5:45) to get in the house. They have no information about the advertised pool that's "a few streets away" but actually a mile away. No hours or opening times. I called about this and the woman gave me the address to the pool. Unhelpful. And the photos on the website are photoshopped. They make the queen bed look like a king so they can make that bedrooms larger bath look like the master. The actual master bathroom is tiny. Huge rips in the screen doors so we can't have the patio door open.

Feat in the Sand #975 - Avon, NC…read more We will start with the good: Great location! Very nice home with a lots of bedrooms, bathrooms, two refrigerators, a nice washer and driver, a nice hot tub and a large pool. We loved the gates for the steps, the high chair, games/puzzles, and a large selection of books. Lots of silverware, dishes, and pots and pans. The arcade games were also a big hit. Now the bad: COCKROACHES! Dirty upon arrival. Screened in porch had cans and cigarette butts left behind. The home looked like it had been tidied but not cleaned. It smelled bad. We spent the first hour of our vacation cleaning. We bought febreeze and Lysol spray/wipes. We swept and vacuumed. (We had to clean the vacuum as there was something nasty and sticky in it.) Ceiling fans were dirty and there was mold in multiple areas of the home. Screws sticking up out of the deck. One chair was broken and whoever had placed it like it was fine until someone sat in it. Grass at volleyball court wasn't mowed until Thursday so we didn't get to use it. Beds (all of them) were terribly uncomfortable. Sheets were cheap and felt like a paper towel from a gas station. Comforters were dirty, food stuck to them. Couch was disgusting with crumbs all over. The Keurig was broken and we were told that it would be replaced the following day. That day came and went. After asking, we were told that the owners did not want to pay to replace it. I would NOT recommend Surf or Sound. The house itself overall has a lot of amenities but would not stay again because of the cockroaches and terrible beds.

Completely unacceptable condition for an $8,000/ "week" vacation rental…read more I am a licensed home inspector and home builder and I can tell you that the condition of Feat in the sand #975 was completely unacceptable. We paid approximately $8,000 for this rental and expected a clean, properly maintained home. Instead, we arrived to sand in the bedding, body hair and dust from previous guests, extremely overgrown grass, and numerous maintenance issues. That level of cleanliness is unacceptable at any price, let alone an $8,000 rental. More concerning is the visible mold/microbial growth around the HVAC register and on the ceilings, along with apparent condensation/moisture at the vent. As someone who works in construction and understands building conditions, this is not something I would expect to see in a professionally managed vacation property. We also reported the overgrown grass, which was approximately a foot and a half tall, and it remained that way three days later. With young children staying at the property, leaving the grounds in that condition was unacceptable. The biggest issue isn't that a rental property can have an occasional maintenance problem. Problems happen. The problem is that this property was turned over to paying guests in this condition in the first place, and the response after we reported the issues was inadequate. For $8,000, I expect the house to be clean, inspected, maintained, and ready for guests when we arrive. Sand, body hair, dust from previous guests, overgrown grounds, and visible moisture/microbial growth around an HVAC system are nowhere near that standard. I would strongly recommend that anyone considering renting through Surf or Sound Realty inspect the property carefully upon arrival and thoroughly document any problems immediately. Based on our experience, we did not receive the quality or value we paid $8,000 for, and I would not rent from this company again. The pictures below are a small sample of what our home's condition was

We have used Cove Reality for several years now. We have been going to S. Nags Head for about 40…read moreyears and used a few different realtors. The one we had before Cove sent us searching because care of the place had slide down hill for several years. Now, after 2 years with Cove we could not be happier! The place has always been clean and well maintained. I have to admit, being old folk, we needed help with the TV system. Cove had someone out within a few hours. What more can you ask for than great customer service!

Cove Realty is the 3rd property management company that I have had in OBX. I signed up with them as…read moretheir fees were low and I was putting my home up for sale. Promises were made before signing the contract that weren't kept. For example, I have a Guest Book in my home. I was told that Guest reviews could be posted on my Cove home website. This never happened in the 6 months that I was with the company even though I pointed out to them twice that they had reneged on an agreement. My home is a luxury home much larger than any that Cove Realty manages. Cove set rental rates too high - I had Iower income than with the previous 2 property management companies. This resulted in receiving a much lower offer price for my home (according to my RE Agent). I had to adjust prices by running a "sale" and reducing the price back to prices 2 years ago. (Cove will tell you that they only "suggest" prices - that the owner has the final say. I agree with this; however, home owners rely on the experience of the property management company to set fees. Cove obviously did not have this experience). In addition, cosmetic work needed to be done on my home at the request of my RE Agent (fence and rusted "nail pops" needed to be painted). Cove took my home (without my permission) off the rental market for January and February so this could be done. I did not notice this until February (?) when the damage was done (lost rent plus Cove did not take into consideration that this outdoor work could not be done during the winter). (Cove will tell you that sections of my home did not have electricity - due most likely to a lighting strike - which happened later in the year, but not in January and February. Cove Realty removed my homes from their rental site for 2 months for cosmetic repair that could not be done during the winter months without my permission or knowledge.) I could go on about the disrespectful behavior of one of the employees (my "property manager"), but I think that I have written enough. My experience is for your consideration if you are currently with Cove or are considering them as your property management company for your OBX home, especially if you have a luxury home. Not only are they not familiar with this market, they will make unilateral decisions that make no sense. They are a property management company that will only give you frustration and headaches plus much lower rental income and an offer price.

My experience is this. Promises were made in the beginning that UNSAFE conditions were to be fixed…read moreIN THE SPRING (Be careful of clause 32 in the lease...it states that if something is promised, but you did not get it written down in this lease...then you are screwed, LOL A lawyer pointed this out to me when I asked about promises made by Ms. Head). This did not happen and we complained numerous times. Our rent was on time always and many times early. Every inspection was EXCELLENT. We had no stereo and zero visitors. We were ignored the first two times we asked about repairs and then were given a snide, smartass response designed to make us feel bad for asking the third time we asked. A week after asking the 4th time, the 20 year old living below us called the police saying he smelled marijuana (a Friday evening). On Monday morning, Colony Realty terminated our lease for this minor misdemeanor. THE JUDGE IN THE CASE THOUGHT I DESERVED A $25 FINE. THE COURT OF COLONY REALTY, ie. JULIA HEAD, THOUGHT WE SHOULD LOSE OUR DREAM RETIREMENT HOME, SPEND HUNDREDs ON MOTEL ROOMS and moving expenses as we were afraid to go home because of this young man below us and were given 15 days to vacate the property. That is our experience with this Head woman. WE FEEL WE WERE TERMINATED IN RETALIATION FOR COMPLAINING THAT WE COULD NOT USE THIS PROPERTY AS ADVERTISED BECAUSE OF UNSAFE CONDITIONS. WE EVEN COULD SAFELY USE WHAT WAS SUPOSED TO BE OUR FRONT DOOR.

From the owner: The best selection of long-term rental homes on Hatteras Island!read more