What to Expect When Booking a Vacation Rental

HomeWhat to Expect When Booking a Vacation Rental

Over the past few years many people in the U.S. changed their travel habits, and in many cases, vacation rentals have become viewed as the “safer” way to travel, compared to hotels, cruises, traveling abroad, etc. And even though Midgett Realty is lucky to have a very loyal group of repeat guests who visit our homes on Hatteras Island year after year, we welcome a large number of first-time vacation rental guests as well.

If you are new to vacation rentals, and considering this wonderful type of accommodation for the first time, we hope that this guide gives you the confidence you need to plan a Hatteras getaway with Midgett Realty!

What's Provided and What to Bring

It's important to remember that vacation rentals are usually stocked with only the most basic household items, so you will still want to bring many of the daily necessities along with you.

WHAT'S PROVIDED

Standard amenities (unless otherwise stated in the property description), which include central air conditioning/heat, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and wireless internet
Basic dinnerware, drinkware, flatware and serveware for the occupancy of the home
Basic cookware such as pots and pans, ovenware, and casserole dishes
Cleaning tools such as a vacuum, broom, mop, and plunger
Blankets and pillows for each bed (check your lease agreement to determine if your house offers a linens package with sheets and towels). All homes will provide sheets that will be left on the bed. No towels are provided. Upgrades to the linen package can be made after booking via phone or through our app.
TV with live broadcasting (cable, satellite, or live streaming)

Don't feel like packing everything else? No sweat, we offer linen rentals. Beach and baby equipment rentals and more can be found at local rental shops!

WHAT TO BRING

Paper products such as paper towels, toilet paper, disposables
Cleaning products such as laundry supplies, dish detergent, and sponges
All food products including condiments and spices
Towels (unless your rental includes towels in your linen package--check your lease agreement for details)
Specialty cookware. Crockpots, electric griddles, woks, and other specialty cookware is recommended in some cases, but not required. Should a non-required item break prior to arrival or during your stay, it will not be replaced unless the homeowner chooses to do so.
Charcoal and other supplies for outdoor grilling
Beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, and toys are not provided unless they are listed under the amenities section on the property page. Baby equipment such as highchairs, baby gates, and pack ‘n’ plays are not provided unless they are listed under the amenities section on the property page.
Flashlights and batteries
Chargers for electronic devices
Toiletries, medicines, sunscreen
Puzzles and games

LINEN RENTALS

While planning for your Hatteras Island beach vacation, be sure to consult your lease agreement (or property page) to confirm what linen package your property provides. Blankets, pillows and sheets are provided for all rentals. All homes will provide sheets that will be left on the bed. No towels are provided outside of the Gold packages. We know how quickly the car can fill up when packing for a week-long beach vacation, so we also offer an a la carte linens rental service to make your trip hassle-free, and to prevent your car from becoming a game of Tetris!

LEARN MORE

TRIP PLANNING

Often when you stay at a hotel, there are daily activities to keep the group busy, and a concierge to help plan adventures. Midgett Realty is family-owned and operated by locals who have lived on Hatteras Island for generations. We know and love this beautiful island, and there's nothing we like more than sharing it with our guests! Our Hatteras Guide offers everything from recommended activites, to an event calendar, a blog, and top things to do on Hatteras Island.

HATTERAS GUIDE

Trash & Departure Responsibilities

TRASH COLLECTION SCHEDULE

Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo: Tuesday, Friday
Avon: Tuesday, Friday
Buxton: Monday, Thursday
Frisco: Monday, Thursday
Hatteras: Monday, Thursday
* Place trash can out the night before with lid opening toward road

RECYCLING INFORMATION

DEPARTURE RESPONSIBILITIES

Staying at a vacation rental is a bit different from a hotel, in that there are some extra responsibilities when you check-out. Cleaning an entire home and prepping it for the next guests can be a lot of work, and it is customary with all vacation rentals to tidy up a bit at check-out and help with some small tasks. These required responsibilities include:

Sweep all flooring
Clean out refrigerator(s)
Wash and put away all dishes
Take out all trash (take can to street, lid opening facing highway)
Tidy up pool area, decks, and yard (clean up all pet waste)
Do not strip any beds. However, for any rented bath towels, hand towels, bath mats or washcloths, place in one lower-level bathroom.
Remove all personal electronics, charging devices, medications, etc.
Lock all windows and doors

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Frequently Asked Questions

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you still have questions about Vacation Rentals or about staying with Midgett Realty, our FAQs page is a good resource. This will provide additional info about arriving after our office has closed, what the homes are equipped with, parking and pet policies, fishing licenses, and more. Our Vacation Rental Policies also provides a great deal of information, and will set you up for success in staying with us for the first time.

PROTECT YOUR STAY WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE

We’ve all learned the importance of preparing for the unexpected, especially when it comes to travel. Maintain your peace of mind by purchasing travel insurance when you book your vacation rental.

Midgett Realty offers Travel Insurance to our guests. Exclusions and limitations may apply if not purchased at the time of booking. As per the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act (NCVRA), if the insurance is waived, neither the property owner nor Midgett Realty is liable for refunds.

Midgett Realty, through InsureStays via RentalGuardian.com, is pleased to offer our guests Vacation Travel Insurance. These insurance plans are a great way to protect your family’s vacation investment in the event a covered unforeseen or emergency situation occurs. It may also offer coverage if you are required to leave due to mandatory hurricane evacuation. Cost for the Standard Travel Protection is 7% x trip cost. This policy is offered to all guests when they pay their rental deposit, but coverage is only in effect when we have received your premium. Standard Travel Protection is available for purchase up to 45 days prior to your arrival date for your trip, but no coverage is available for specific storms if they have already been named. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is available at a rate of 10.8% x trip cost. This policy will cover your trip costs for any of the 30+ covered reasons and will cover 60% of your trip costs for any reason not listed. If booking 30+ days from check in, CFAR is available for purchase within 14 days of booking your vacation. CFAR is not available if booking 30 days or less from check in.

Contact our offices for a complete Description of Coverage document. All declining of insurance policies must be done in writing. Standard Travel Protection insurance will be added to all reservations unless declined from guest in writing. If declined in writing, the amount will be deducted from your total amount due. Coverage goes into effect once the premium is paid. If travel insurance is not declined within 7 days of the first received premium payment, then it is considered accepted and is non-refundable.

For more Policy Information through InsureStays via RentalGuardian.com, please select the appropriate plan below and visit the plan details page for contact information:

STANDARD TRAVEL PROTECTION:
Play Travel Protection
Claims, Policy and Coverage questions:

Within U.S./Canada: (833) 610-0736, More Information
Outside U.S./Canada: (843) 494-5909

CANCEL FOR ANY REASON (CFAR) PROTECTION:
Play Travel Protection
Claims, Policy and Coverage questions:

Within U.S./Canada: (833) 610-0736, More Information
Outside U.S./Canada: (843) 494-5909

ADVANCE YEAR RESERVATIONS

Advance year reservations are booked as regular guest reservations and will be charged a 10% NON-REFUNDABLE advance fee of the reservation total (rent, extras and taxes) to be paid within three days of booking. Advanced reservations are not eligible for travel insurance. Travel insurance will be sold when the lease is sent in the fall. Advance reservation fees are NON-REFUNDABLE and will be applied to the total cost of the reservation. Cancellations or switching of homes will invoke the cancellation policy. Cancellations must be in writing and it is the tenant’s responsibility to confirm the cancellation has been completed. Once cancelled, if re-rented, the tenant shall receive a refund less any difference in rate paid by the new reservation, less $250.00 cancellation fee, and all applicable taxes within 45 days AFTER the property has re-rented and been secured by payment (regardless of initial method of payment). However, if the unit is not re-rented, there will not be a refund of the advance fee.
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THIS YEAR’S GUESTS HAVE PRIORITY TO RENT THE SAME HOUSE FOR THE SAME WEEK THE FOLLOWING YEAR. These priority reservations must be made by the close of business on Wednesday of the first week of your stay. Otherwise, properties are released for reservation on a first request basis. On-line reservations will also be taken, up to 51 weeks in advance.
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IMPORTANT – The week(s) the guest is booked in for this year is the numbered week they can reserve for the following year. We cannot shift their week regardless of corresponding arrival and departure dates for the following year. Exceptions are not granted for floating holidays.