What to Expect When You Arrive

All of our homes are individually owned. Therefore, the furnishings and equipment vary according to the tastes of the owner. However, we will try to provide you with all the equipment advertised for a comfortable stay.

Refrigerators

Prior to your arrival, the housekeepers have emptied and cleaned the refrigerator. Quite often it is open for a while during this process, and then you stock the refrigerator with warm food. It is of the utmost importance to keep the refrigerator and freezer on medium settings. Moving the dials to maximum settings will cause the unit to freeze up and not cool at all. It will take 12 to 24 hours for the refrigerator to cool completely after you check in.

Ranges and Stoves

Self-cleaning ovens are put through the clean cycle on change-over day. If your oven door is locked, make sure the cleaning cycle is finished and check for a release switch. The oven will not work if the door is locked.

Air Conditioning

During the summer months, it may take air conditioners 24 hours to cool a cottage properly. Our systems are heat pumps and function best if the thermostat is set at a constant temperature, not lower than 72 degrees. This will prevent the unit from freezing up. All windows and doors should be closed when the air conditioner is running. In very hot weather, the upper floors will not cool down until after the sunsets. It will help if you close the blinds. On cooler days, you may want to turn off the air conditioner and enjoy the ocean’s prevailing breezes.

Furnishings

Please do not rearrange the furniture, especially the beds. A security deposit deduction may be charged for our housekeepers to return furniture to its original location. Please do not move or rearrange TVs or other electronics.

Telephones (Local Area Code is 252)

The telephone is provided as a courtesy for your convenience. All Outer Banks calls are local and free, as are all 800 numbers; all long-distance calls must be charged to your credit card or made collect to another number. Most homes have a phone block for long-distance calls. You may place your long distance call by using your calling card or major credit card. If you experience difficulty with your AT&T credit card, call 1-800-321-0288 for assistance; for MCI or Sprint, call the 800 access number on the back of your card. Call 0 for the operator to place collect, third-party billing, or international calls. If, after you depart, it becomes necessary to bill you for long distance calls, a $10 surcharge will be added to the cost of the calls. If you are not sure what the phone number is at your location, simply press 311 and a recorded message will give you the number you are calling from.

Security Deposits

A Security Deposit may be required at Agent’s discretion. Tenant is responsible for damage due to willful negligence and/or pet damage if in a pet friendly home. Please report anything questionable immediately upon checking in. If you paid a security deposit by check or credit card, it is refunded within 45 days of check-out. If there are damage charges, you will be notified in writing.

When You First Arrive

Please walk through the cottage and check thoroughly to make sure it is clean and everything is in working order (appliances, doors, windows, etc.). It is imperative that you call our office immediately if you determine there is a problem. We will schedule service as soon as possible. If any appliance or electrical outlet does not work, please check the circuit breaker box and/or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) reset switch, usually located in a bathroom electrical outlet. Simply press the GFCI reset button. If power is not restored, then call our office.

We will email you a Guest Survey shortly after check out day. We appreciate your input and ask you to complete the electronic survey. Comments are welcome. Please note any names of staff members on your survey whom you feel deserve recognition.