Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Renting a vacation home on the Outer Banks may seem complicated, but we make it easy!!  Here's a list of some of the most frequently asked questions.  If you don't see the answer you need here, feel free to Contact Us at the number above or visit our Rental Policies Page. 

Can I rent for less than a full week?

Yes.  Many of our homes accept partial week rentals.  There is a 3 night minimum and no rental is less than $165 per night.  Properties that allow partial week rentals have nightly rates advertised in their description and partial week rentals are accepted within 14 days of arrival during the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), but can be reserved earlier in the Off Season.  At this time, partial week rentals cannot be made online.  You must call our office at the number above to book a partial week reservation. Partial week rentals may carry additional fees for Pets, Pool and Hot Tub Service. 

I've made a reservation, what happens next?

Once a reservation is made either online or over the phone, you will receive an email from us confirming receipt of your reservation and directing you to our Guest Web system where you can review your Vacation Rental Agreement, sign it, and make payment --all online!! 

How far in advance can I make reservations?

We accept reservations up to 12 months in advance.  These tentative reservations require a $20 fee (plus tax) which is non-refundable and non-applicable to the reservation.  Guests who occupied the property have first choice on the same week, same property for the following year.  If they have not reserved their time by the Monday following their stay, it is available on a first come, first serve basis.  Owner time takes precedence over Tentative Reservations and Tentative Reservations are confirmed in December for the following year. 

What is the Flexible Payment Plan?

With the Flexible Payment Plan, you can book your family's Outer Banks vacation home with as little as 25% down and make monthly payments up until 30 days before arrival!  Flexible Payment Plans are available on all of Atlantic Realty's properties and are a great way to budget for the family's vacation.  Payments are interest free and there is no additional fee to make payments by credit card. 

Can I have a check-in day other than that advertised?
Yes!  If the property is available you may either add on additional days to your vacation or change the turnover day.  For example a Sunday to Sunday reservation may elect to rent Friday to Friday or Wednesday to Wednesday.  These changes may only be made within a week of your arrival and is based on availability.

Where do I check-in?
For OBX vacation properties located in Duck and Corolla,  check in at the Duck Office 1180 Duck Road (across from Scarborough Faire) in Duck, NC.

For vacation properties located from Southern Shores south to Nags Head, check in at the Kitty Hawk Office 4729 N. Croatan Hwy (Milepost 2.5 on HWY 158 Bypass) Kitty Hawk, NC

Express Check In -- Homes that offer keyless entry do not require guests to check in at our office.  You will recieve your keycode and directions by email prior to arrival.  Proceed directly to the property to check in. 

What time is check-in?
After 4 pm

What time is check-out?
Promptly at 10 am

Can I get in earlier?
A limited number of 1pm Early Check-In’s (ECI), are available each week.  A $50 administrative fee is required for scheduling this service.  Should you request and receive ECI but fail to arrive by 1 pm, you will still  be charged the $50 fee as arrangements and services have been performed.  Early check in may not be available if the homeowner occupies the home the week prior to your arrival or if maintenance needs to be performed.

Can I check out later?
In the off-season a later check-out time may be available.   Consult with your check-in office for details. 

Where can I find the street address/phone number of my vacation rental property?

For security reasons, we do not advertise street adresses and phone numbers on our website.  Please Contact Us directly for this information.

What happens if I plan to arrive after your office is closed?
For arrivals after 6PM, there is a key drop box beside the front door of each rental office. Envelopes with keys, directions, and emergency numbers will be left out for all guests who have signed their leases and paid in full. Guests who have not paid in full or signed their lease prior to arrival must call the office to make arrangements before keys will be left out.  

Can another member of my party pick up the keys?
Yes. Please notify the check in office of that person's name and that they have permission to check in on your behalf.

If the house I want does not advertise pets, can I pay a fee or security deposit and bring my pet?
Sorry, but no.   If you need a pet-welcoming home, we have many from which to choose.  It is the decision of the home owner to permit pets to vacation in the home.  This may be for a variety of reasons but most importantly the health and medical needs of the owners’ or subsequent guest's family.  As allergies can be serious medical conditions, pets cannot be brought into non-pet homes.

If I book a house and later find one I prefer, can I transfer houses?
Once the deposit has been made, the reservation is confirmed. Any change or transfer would be considered a cancellation.  Please refer to our cancellation policy in the Vacation Rental Agreement

Why is Travel Insurance automatically added to my reservation?

The Vacation Rental Act requires that we make available travel insurance protection available to all guests.  To insure compliance, travel insurance is added requiring the guest to make an informed decision to decline the protection. 

We highly recommend Travel Insurance for your vacation investment.  Travel insurance covers an array of situations that can affect vacation plans including natural disasters, medical situations, illness, injury, job loss, etc.  For more information on travel insurance coverage visit http://www.trippreserver.com/. 

If I initially cancel travel insurance, can I add it later?
You are allowed to add travel insurance prior to the payment of the vacation balance.  Certain restrictions do apply, visit http://www.trippreserver.com/.

How much are taxes for my vacation?
All Outer Banks vacation home rentals are subject to a State Sales and County Occupancy Tax. As of 2012 the NC State Sales tax rate is 6.75%. Dare County Occupancy Tax is 5% and Currituck County Occupance Tax is 6%. Taxes are subject to change at any time without notice. Any additional balance on the vacation rental amount because of a tax increase will be the responsibility of the guest.

Can I pay the balance at check-in?
Balances are due 30 days before check-in. We take payment by Visa, Mastercard, and Discover for NO ADDITIONAL FEE. If payment is made upon arrival, a $20 service charge will apply and payment must be made by certified funds, ie cash, traveler's checks, money order, cashier's check or credit card. After hours check-ins will not be permitted for Guests who are not paid in full. 

How do I rent linens?

Linens are not provided in most homes.  Guests may choose to bring linens or rent them.  Please View our Linen Rental Page for pricing and ordering instructions. Linen and Towel Package Rates are advertised on each individual property description page and included with your reservation.  Initial to decline this charge and bring your own linens. 

Where will my linens be located when I arrive?
Rental linens will be delivered to the property and left in large plastic rubbermaid bins beside the entry door. Guests to who elect to have the beds made will find the linens already on the beds.

When are the lifeguards on duty?
Lifeguards are generally on duty Memorial Day to Labor Day.   Lifeguards are employed by the towns/municipalities, therefore, depending on the beach location (Corolla, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and etc.),  lifeguarded beaches may differ in coverage dates and hours. 

Can I take my dog to the beach?
Leash laws differ depending on the town/municipality.  For specific leash laws you will need to review the ordinances of the individual towns

Is there public parking at the beach?
Free and public parking is available on the beaches from Kitty Hawk south to Nags Head.  The Town of Southern Shores required parking passes to park at the beach access and the Town of Duck has no public parking available.

Can I ship my luggage or packages directly to my house?
No, all packages must be shipped to the check-in office.

What do I need to pack/bring?
Please visit our What to Bring page for complete details.  

Can we drive on the beach?

Driving is permitted year round in the areas of Corolla (where the paved road ends) and Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands--look for the signs posted at the beach access ramps for areas where driving is permitted.  Driving on the beach is permitted in the Off Season (October 1 - April 30) only in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.  Driving is NOT permitted on the beaches in Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores or Duck. 

Can we build a bonfire on the beach?

Bonfires are NOT ALLOWED in the towns of Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills.  They are, however, permitted in the Town of Nags Head provided that a bonfire permit is obtained from the office of the Fire Marshall.  Fires are not permitted to be within 50 feet of any combustible material including beach grass and sea oats and must be built in a pit no larger than 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep.  All fires must be attended to by a competant adult at all times.  Cape Hatteras National Seashore allows bonfires below the high tide provided they are attended to by an adult and extinguished entirely before leaving.