Margaret Rudd & Associates - Vacation Rental Management

5 Ways to Prepare Your Rental

jill — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 17:34:18 +0000

5 Updates to Consider for Your Rental Property

Spring has sprung, and rental property owners all over Brunswick County are preparing their homes to welcome summer vacationers. If you are looking for easy, cost-effective ways to prepare your property this season, we've got you covered!

Stock the Kitchen

Access to a kitchen sets vacation rentals apart from hotels. When traveling, “the more the merrier” does not apply to luggage or items you must pack. Guests want to pack light, and they expect to have everything they will need at the property they’ve rented. While many choose homes that come with fully stocked kitchens, all they want is enough to accommodate them during their stay. In other words, if your property advertises an occupancy of 12, ensure you have enough plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery, etc. for at least that same number of guests. Provide additional items in case something accidentally breaks or becomes unusable due to wear and tear.

Pro Tip: Provide your guests with the tools they may need during their stay. These tools can include can openers, wine bottle openers, specialty knives, larger pots, and pans to accommodate the number of servings someone may cook in your home. Consider providing updated smaller appliances like an air fryer, blender, or smoothie maker.

Spa-like Bathrooms

Bathrooms tend to be one of the “make it or break it” aspects of a rental property. Generally smaller in size, these high-traffic areas of a beach rental can get overwhelmed by products, wet beach towels and so much more. De-clutter your countertops, shelves, and cabinets to streamline the space and eliminate the chaos.

Pro Tip: Alternatively, you should provide smaller storage options. Mount hooks for hanging towels, bring in baskets and install small, open shelving options.

Bright & Airy Spaces

Lighting can completely transform the feel of a room. Properties that lack sufficient lighting can look smaller in size or feel cramped. Brighten your rental by adding lamps at different levels throughout. Give guests the option of an overhead light or a bedside lamp.

Pro Tip: Add reflective surfaces around your property. Additional mirrors or reflective fixtures amplify the light in a room, making it feel larger and brighter. Consider adding dimmers or mood lighting for added effect.

Get Outside

Prospective guests often form their first impression of a home within a few seconds of seeing pictures of the property's exterior. Make your property more appealing with simple landscaping actions. Sign-up for regular lawn maintenance like MRA’s Lawn Maintenance Program and trim any bushes or branches. Feel free to plant beautiful flowers and put down fresh mulch.

Go beyond the yard by taking a look at your property’s exterior, porches, and decks. Consider pressure washing to remove any build-up or dirt, refinishing your decks, and painting older furniture for a fresh look!

Pro Tip: Just like the plates in the kitchen, provide enough outdoor seating for the advertised occupancy of the property. If your property welcomes eight guests, assume that all 8 will want to sit outside together at some point during their stay.

Surprise, Surprise

There’s nothing better than walking into your beach rental for a week away to find unexpected amenity items. Again, no one wants to go on vacation having to pack pool or beach supplies or rent them when they arrive. Providing your guests with items like bicycles, kayaks, beach toys, and boogie boards will be a welcomed surprise.

Pro Tip: For areas like Oak Island, North Carolina that have implemented paid parking, consider providing your guests with items like beach carts, rollable coolers, and large beach totes that can make a walk to the beach access a bit easier.

Prepare Your Property for Summer

While many consider home improvement projects a hassle, they don’t have to be. Oftentimes, property owners can implement simple, cost-effective changes that will make their vacation rentals feel brand new to guests. Remember, you don’t have to break the bank to wow your guests.

Are You Ready for A Change

If you’re looking for yet another way to wow your guests this summer, hiring a professional property manager like Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is the way to go. Our story is one of award-winning customer service and unparalleled attention. We provide our property owners with valuable annual programs and services to keep your vacationers happy and your property top of mind.

Are you a property owner looking for a fresh start with a new property manager? Or, are you considering renting your property on a short-term, Oak Island, NC vacation rental, or long-term rental basis? If so, we’re only an email or phone call away.

EMAIL MRA CALL MRA

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Margaret Rudd Wins Marketing Awards

jessica — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 16:22:20 +0000

For Immediate Release

Southport, NC – Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® (MRA) is pleased to announce that it received marketing and referral performance awards from the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), a global network of 550 independent real estate firms. The awards were presented during the LeadingRE Annual Conference, which took place March 28th through 30th at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Company Brand and Property Advertising

The award-winning entries in the Company Brand and Property Advertising category were selected for superior creativity, quality, overall presentation, and effectiveness in conveying the company’s affiliation with LeadingRE. MRA received the award for Company Brand and Property Advertising in recognition of the firm’s advertisements in external media to promote the company brand and/or showcase its listing inventory. MRA’s entries featured the network benefits of its affiliation with LeadingRE and promoted brand messaging in quarterly publications provided by the local newspaper, The State Port Pilot.

“Our Marketing Contest spotlights the creative ways our members promote their brands, engage with their communities, and highlight their global relationships through LeadingRE. Our winners inspire us with unique designs, compelling content, and strategic delivery,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma.

Momentum Club

MRA also received the Momentum Club Award which recognized notable achievements and improvements in the firm’s broker-to-broker referral production in 2022.

“Our Referral Performance Award winners set the standard for excellence when it comes to delivering quality service to relocating clients. Celebrating their achievements and contributions is a true high point of our annual conference,” added Boomsma.

MRA's Global Network

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is the Brunswick County representative of LeadingRE. With a membership that spans 6 continents, LeadingRE connects more than 550 firms and 136,000 sales associates who produce over 1.2 million real estate transactions each year. As a member of LeadingRE, MRA combines authentic local market leadership with top-ranked resources and relationships with other premier real estate firms across the country and around the world.

ͨɱţţ Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® (MRA) is a second-generation, family-run business offering a full range of real estate services including sales, property management, Oak Island vacation rentals, development, land sales, commercial properties, relocation services and long term rentals. With a reputation for exceptional customer service and dedication to strong professional ethics and integrity, MRA is the most respected full-service firm in Brunswick County with three offices to service your property management and real estate needs. Interested parties or those looking for real estate assistance may visit www.margaretrudd.com and/or www.rudd.com to learn more about the real estate sales and property management services the company offers its clientele.

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6th Annual Vacation Rental Week

jessica — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:52:30 +0000

Value in Professional Property Management

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is thrilled to participate in the sixth annual Vacation Rental Week! During this week-long event, we encourage guests of rentals, property managers, vendors, and property owners to work together to spread awareness about the positive impact that professionally-managed vacation rentals offer guests, property owners, and local economies.

For property owners, safely renting your second property or residence through a professional manager can be an easy and reliable revenue source, transforming it into an asset that offers a significant return on your investment. You’ll also be able to use the property when you choose, spending your own vacations there with family or friends while renting it to guests the rest of the year.

Benefits of Professional Vacation Rental Management

As your professional Southport and Oak Island vacation rental manager, Margaret Rudd & Associates will handle many of the tasks facing property owners who wish to rent a secondary residence, including but not limited to securing responsible guests and maximizing your return through an expert understanding of the industry and in-depth knowledge of the local community/market.

We’ll also manage the following so you can sit back and enjoy the Rudd property management experience.

Advertise the property
Handle inquiries
Collect deposits and balances
Generate rental agreements
Follow-up with guests post-rental
Assist in the maintenance and upkeep of your property

Oak Island Property Management Experts

If you find yourself ready to discuss professional property management for your vacation rental or second property in the Southport or Oak Island area, Margaret Rudd & Associates is ready to make your life a bit easier. With decades of experience in rental management, we are well-known for our pairing of exceptional customer service and a dedication to strong professional ethics and integrity.

Visit the Owners area of our website for additional information on property management with our agency, or submit an online inquiry form and a member of our team will be in contact with you shortly. We’re also available seven days per week to answer any property management questions you may have.

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The Key to Success May Be Going Keyless

jessica — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:11:28 +0000

The pandemic certainly created a new normal for everyone across the country. For property management companies, specifically those in the vacation rental industry, the health and well-being of rental guests, property owners, and their employees became an even higher priority than what it has been in the past.

A Face & A Name

Margaret Rudd & Associates has long valued and enjoyed welcoming our guests in person at check-in. It has allowed us to develop long standing relationships with our loyal, returning guests and to solidify the new relationships with those visiting the Southport and Oak Island area for the very first time.

With every obstacle comes an opportunity, an opportunity to do more, provide more and be even more of a resource for our property owners and guests. Given the pandemic and the knowledge that smart homes and automated security systems are the way of the vacation rental industry future, Margaret Rudd & Associates made the very important decision to partner with PointCentral to provide keyless entry locks on our vacation rental properties in 2021.

Key(less) Benefits for Property Owners

Additional Security Measures: In our area specifically, we experience increased break-ins and theft during the off season due to vacation rental homes being unoccupied. In the past the vacation rental management agencies on the island have discovered that a number of break-ins were committed by previous employees or past employees of third-party vendors. With traditional keys, it is difficult to reliably ensure that keys issued to guests, staff and/or vendors are returned. Not only does keyless entry allow for specific access codes, it also allows the addition or deletion of codes in addition to the limiting of access time frames for specific codes - ensuring that only approved individuals are permitted in your home during appropriate time frames.
Lower Liability Exposure: In addition to limiting property access to unauthorized individuals, owners may consult with property managers to determine who has been in the home and when. With PointCentral, property access is trackable with a 60-day history to determine who was in a home if/when a damage occurred. Additionally, when access is no longer needed, codes can be deleted to prevent unauthorized access.
Cost-Efficiency: With Margaret Rudd & Associates, the keyless entry system is not a cost for our property owners. The locks and hubs are the property of the agency with installation handled by our maintenance department. Labor and material charges involved with the installation are absorbed by the agency.

Key(less) Benefits for Vacation Rental Guests

Supplemental Layers of Safety: Guests are able to access the home quickly and more safely with keypads that illuminate day or night. In addition, in times of unrest due to pandemics or health concerns a keyless entry means limited in-person interaction as well as limited exposure.
Fumble No More: Guests, especially those vacationing in a coastal location where they tend to wear a little less clothing, hate having to fumble to find their keys. With keyless entry, gone are the days of dropping the beach chairs and the cooler to find those darned house keys. Additionally, guests on a multi-family vacation no longer have to rely on one set of keys to get them all through an entire week. Uncle Lou can still enjoy his few hours of fishing without having to leave early to let the teens into the rental property when they are officially "over" the beach.
Living Up to Expectations: With the prevelance of home automation within the vacation rental industry, travelers are experiencing and accustomed to amenities like keyless and/or remote entry access. When a guest stays in a home with keyless entry, the last thing he/she will want to do is return to renting a home that requires traditional keys and the process of keeping up with them.

The transition from a physical key system to keyless entry can be uncomfortable for property owners who are a bit more traditional or who are uneasy when it comes to change; however, a new, automated system and the comforts provided by it will most likely (and hopefully) smooth any concerns with time.

Property Management to Serve You

If you're looking for a reputable agency that never ceases to improve upon the way in which it serves its property owners, guests, long term tenants and community, Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS would appreciate the opportunity to present you with the "hands down" best property management team in the area. Simply complete our Property Management Inquiry form online, email us at information@rudd.com or give us a call at (800) 486-5441.

Property Management Inquiry Email Us

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The Top 6 Reasons Why MRA Should Manage Your Long Term Rental Property

jessica — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:11:11 +0000

With over 40 years of experience in coastal property management and long term rentals, Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS (“MRA”) knows how to add value to your real estate investment while reducing the stress, time and money involved when property owners attempt to manage their properties themselves. Below you’ll find 6 great reasons to consider it for your property management needs.

Tenant Screening = Quality Tenants
One of the most important things to keep in mind when renting your property is the fact that a higher quality tenant usually means less hassle for you as the property owner. The MRA property management team conducts a thorough tenant screening process resulting in those tenants who are more likely to pay rent on time, for a longer term and who take better care of our rental properties. Our experience in screening thousands of applicants allows us to quickly notice potential red flags that result in aggravation. MRA protects landlords from potential discrimination lawsuits that can result from inconsistent screenings. Potential long term rental tenants undergo an application process that includes income verification, criminal background check, credit history review, and research into rental and/or ownership history.

Tenant Retention = ROI Growth
A seasoned property management team helps keep tenants happy and loving their rental experience in your property, making it a “no-brainer” for them to renew your lease agreement. Tenant retention saves you from lost rental income suffered when your property is unoccupied. Not to mention, it saves you from the turnover process experienced when tenants move out. Turnover involves time-consuming and expensive aspects like thorough property cleanings, performing painting and repairs, changing the locks, marketing, screening potential tenants, and property showings. MRA prides itself on providing excellent customer service, your tenants are treated like loyal customers. Our team responds timely to issues and/or needed repairs, makes the rental process easier and communicates often with your tenants to make sure all is well.

Just Say “No” to Legal & Financial Hassles
Are you well versed in North Carolina landlord-tenant laws? If not, you open yourself up to potential lawsuits in a variety of areas: tenant screening, property safety, evictions, lease terminations, security deposits, rent collection and inspections to name just a few. Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS’ property management team stays abreast of landlord-tenant laws in North Carolina. As a company, MRA has carefully developed procedures throughout the process that save you from significant legal and financial headaches.

No Vacancy
An empty property hemorrhages money and resources. Sometimes it gets hard “to see the forest for the trees” when it comes to managing your own property. MRA considers itself an expert at three key areas necessary when filling those vacancies faster.

Help landlords identify cosmetic improvements that maximize revenue potential.
Determine an optimal rental rate for the local market.
Market the property effectively through traditional and online methods viewed by thousands.

Maintenance Made Easy
Margaret Rudd & Associates’ in-house maintenance department is skilled at fixing or repairing most of your day-to-day issues. Department response to tenants is quick and efficient, making them happier. To handle larger projects such as problems with plumbing or electrical systems, MRA has a strong network of licensed, bonded and insured contractors and third-party vendors who do quality work and repairs at great prices.

Enforcement Made Easy
If you’ve handled property management on your own for longer than few months, you’ve probably already heard your fair share of reasons for why rent is late. Collecting rent on-time and maintaining cash flow is a big sticking point for landlords. MRA’s property management team provides landlords with a buffer between them and their tenants. Most tenants understand a property manager’s obligation to enforce the terms of a lease to collect rent on time. Tenants realize that it is the job and duty of a property manager so they are less likely to present excuses in the first place. Not to mention, Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS understands the strict laws involved with lease termination and the eviction process. In the unfortunate event that an eviction is required, the property management team will handle the rough patch on your behalf.

If you would like more information on how Margaret Rudd’s property management team can help maximize your long term rental investment, simply email longtermrentals@rudd.com or call our Long Term Coordinator at (800) 486-5441. To find out more about the rental process or to complete a potential tenant application, visit the Potential Tenant Information page of our website.

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Give Guests an Endless Summer

jessica — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:10:17 +0000

Bruce Brown's infamous movie, "The Endless Summer" depicted the goal of most vacationers: to experience the feeling of a never ending summer.

While the movie's characters focused primarily on chasing the perfect wave, your guests long for the feelings and memories that come with a summer vacation. Before taking the plunge and completely renovating your entire home, let Margaret Rudd & Associates suggest a few easy and inexpensive ways you can put your guests in a vacation state of mind no matter the time of year.

Tropical Trimmings

Take bedrooms and common areas to the islands with coastal-inspired paint colors, bedding and blankets or throws, or nautical-themed decor and accessories. Take baby steps. Start with a new paint color on just one accent wall, add a simple ocean-themed piece of art to a bedroom or bathroom wall, offer a few additional blankets in cool colors, or decorate with a coastal rug and lamp.

MRA Faves

Test one (or more) cool coastal colors on an accent wall in your living area, kitchen or master bedroom.
Add a seahorse print to a simple frame and hang in a smaller bedroom with coordinated bedding.
Try a cozy blanket to give your guests an extra bit of comfort on a cool summer night or during your off-season rental periods.
Kids will get a kick out of cute coral night lights and other nautically inspired decorations found in their vacation digs.

Summer Settings

Rather than undertaking an extravagant remodel or addition, a few manageable additions to the exterior of your home can help ease guests into being vacation ready. These effortless enhancements are just simple items that can set your vacation rental apart from others in the same market.

MRA Faves

Atmosphere is everything. Create a beachy-themed outdoor experience for guests with a string of outdoor lights. Just one strand in the backyard, along a fence, or inside a screened-in porch provides a bit more allure. If running a strand of lights is not feasible, you can always add a few tiki torches for a similar effect.
Kids (and those of us who are still kids at heart) enjoy a great yard game during any outdoor picnic or family event. From the ever-popular game of corn hole to traditional horseshoes, businesses have jumped on the bandwagon and now offer adult-sized yard games like Giant 4-In-A-Row or Giant Jenga for your guests' playing pleasure.
Add coastal charm to your outdoor furniture. Grab some exterior paint in a lovely blue or green and give your rockers, swing or side tables a fresh look with a new coat. For increased flair factor, throw some bright outdoor pillows in the mix.
For those who don't mind investing a bit more, try adding a hammock or swing to your ocean side porch. Guests who stay in properties that offer these items consistently comment and praise them in reviews as an additional place to relax, read a book or take in a gentle ocean breeze.

Elevate the Experience

In addition to those previously mentioned, there are other simple items you can place within your home to enhance the guest experience.

MRA Faves

At almost any point during the season, you can pass one of the local ice cream shops and see a line out the door or a crowd gathered inside. Why not give your guests relief from the crowd by supplying them with their very own homemade ice cream maker with instructions and a few recipes?
Greenery and plants (despite the fact that they may be artificial) provide a natural feeling in the home. Add to the tropical atmosphere of your beach vacation rental by adding a few artificial plants to your home. Give your entryway, living area or kitchen counters a bit of flair with an artificial palm, bamboo or banana plant. (Keeping them sparse is key, they do collect dust and you want to keep them looking as natural as possible.)
Here at MRA, we're no stranger to needing that cup of coffee to get us through the day and we know our guests feel the same! You'd be surprised at just how many maintenance calls we receive for coffee makers and/or their accessories. With the rage of coffee drinks, it may be beneficial to offer your guests an alternative to the traditional cup of Joe. Give your guests a spin on their initial glass of "get up and go" juice with any of the variety of coffee, iced coffee and lattee makers on the market.

Creating lasting memories is what a family vacation is all about. The feelings created during the week(s) your guests are in your property set the stage for them wanting to return year after year. Giving them a comfortable place to lay their heads where they also feel ultimately relaxed and at peace, goes a long way in creating a loyal relationship.

Suggestions for Your Property

For advice on how to incorporate simple items that will make long lasting impacts for your rental property, please contact your property management experts. After all, we're here to help you provide that endless summer feeling for every guest that calls your property "home".

Contact MRA Property Management

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Embrace Fall & Winter with Trusted Management

jessica — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:44:06 +0000

The Invaluable Role of Your Property Manager in the Off Season

As summer ends and the cooler months of fall and winter approach, coastal vacation rental property owners face unique challenges and opportunities. The serenity of the end of the year can bring about joy with its festivals and holidays. However, the end of the year also causes concern for owners looking to safeguard their investment properties from the elements. Here, we'll explore some of the essential services provided by professional property managers during the fall and winter seasons.

Maintenance & Upkeep

The transition from summer to the fall and winter presents a range of maintenance challenges. Professional property managers like Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® (MRA) play a crucial role in ensuring that properties remain in top condition, despite the change in temperatures, conditions, and seasonal demands. They accomplish this by offering key maintenance programs and services.

Landscaping

Fall and winter call for different landscaping needs like leaf removal, pruning, and preparing any outdoor plants for colder temperatures. While landscapers will not necessarily need to mow your lawn on a regular basis, consistent landscaping is vital in maintaining your lawn through the off season. Not only will you benefit from a well-manicured appearance all year long, preparations for the following spring and summer will be easier and hopefully more cost-effective in the long run.

Storm Preparedness

Unlike other areas of the state, the coastal region of North Carolina is highly prone to severe weather during the fall and winter seasons. Most notably, hurricane season extends through November 30; yet, Brunswick County sees its fair share of heavy rains and high winds even outside of a tropical storm or hurricane situation. Property managers are well versed in storm preparedness to include securing outdoor furniture, windows, and doors, and collaborating with in-house maintenance staff and a network of outside vendors to assess and repair any potential vulnerabilities or damages.

HVAC Systems

During the summer months, air conditioning units are functioning at an all-time high, especially when the summer features record-breaking heat waves like the one experienced in 2023. As temperatures drop, inspecting your HVAC system is vital in maintaining functionality and the system’s best health after a hard summer. Functional heating systems become essential for owners’ and guests’ comfort and safety during the fall and winter as the temperatures drop. Property managers arrange regular HVAC inspections to prevent unexpected breakdowns. In addition, at MRA, services like seasonal and year-round filter changes and smart thermostats also help monitor the status of your system on a consistent, regular basis to help pre-empt any potential issues or problems.

Winterization

While the southeast tends to avoid snowfall during the winter season, it does turn considerably colder in the fall and winter. Temperatures drop considerably and icy conditions are possible. Frozen pipes and water damage are considerable threats during this time. Professional managers provide owners with invaluable preventative maintenance services like routine winterization. At MRA, the property management department works closely with area plumbers to winterize properties and to address any plumbing issues on a proactive basis. Depending upon owner preference, the manager can provide full winterization, limited winterization (outside water shut-off), or no winterization at all.

Enhancement & Renovations

For coastal destinations like the Southport-Oak Island area, the fall and winter season present a unique opportunity for owners to start renovations and/or upgrades to their vacation homes. Rental traffic usually slows and many owners often limit the availability of their properties to the public. During this time, professional property managers can assist owners with the renovations process.

Identifying Improvement Areas

Many property owners rely on the “boots-on-the-ground” work of professional property managers for routine oversight of their properties. Owners rely on property managers to convey any issues that need to be addressed. Simultaneously, property managers help owners by identifying improvement opportunities which would boost the property’s value and make it more attractive to potential renters.

Project Management

Once improvement areas or problems are identified, professional property managers serve as an owner’s project manager. From obtaining quotes to overseeing the renovations process, property managers can manage the entire process to ensure that work is completed on time, within budget, and do not interfere with any guest bookings. In addition, the management team can then schedule any construction cleans to make sure the property is rental ready!

Decor & Furnishings

Some property managers will offer advice and assistance in redecorating or modifying the look of the decor/furnishings of a home with the purpose of providing a cozy ambiance for your Oak Island vacation rental guests. From limiting the number of knick knacks and novelties to make it an easier clean for housekeepers following guest stays to coordinating annual carpet and upholstery cleanings through an annual program, your professional property manager will help enhance your property to extend the life of your furnishings and the home, and to make it a more attractive option of the rental market.

Guest & Revenue Management

Demand for vacation rentals along the southeast coast shifts during the fall and winter months. Guests are looking for cozy getaways and holiday retreats, some often staying for months at a time. Property managers, accustomed to the seasonal trends of the market, continue to diligently handle bookings and guest management to maximize occupancy and revenue for property owners.

Pricing Strategy

Whether a static pricing table or a technology like dynamic pricing is used to establish rates, professional property managers analyze market data, historical trends, demand and other factors to devise competitive pricing strategies that attract guests in any season, including the off-peak seasons of fall and winter. As opposed to making risky decisions on the pricing of your home, a professional property manager will enact rates to optimize your bookings and will monitor and adjust them as needed to ride the wave of supply and demand.

Guest Support

Guests of your property expect seamless experiences, no matter the time of year. They expect someone to address issues, answer questions, and assist them as they navigate the booking process, through the entirety of their stay, and following departure. Property managers offer round-the-clock guest support, resolve issues promptly, and ensure that your guests have memorable stays. They encourage guest feedback to help inform owners, and they entice guest loyalty to your rental.

Marketing & Promotion

Through targeted marketing campaigns and outreach, property managers showcase the allure of the coastal destination during any season of the year. The vast network of potential guests reachable by the professional manager paired with the collective number of loyal guests returning each year then becomes the network of each individual property owner. Highlighting unique experiences like fishing in the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, attending the Southport or Oak Island fall markets, kayaking the Davis Canal, and more, attracts vacationers seeking the seasonal delight of the area.

Reap the Benefits this Fall and Winter with MRA Management

As fall and winter embrace the coastal area, professional property managers play an invaluable role in ensuring that property owners reap the benefits of their investment while safeguarding their properties from seasonal challenges. From property maintenance and guest management to safety and security measures, these experts, like those at Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® streamline operations, enhance guest experiences, and contribute to the overall success of your rental property even during the colder months. Property owners who entrust their coastal retreats to professional property managers like MRA can rest assured that their investments are in capable hands while looking forward to the prosperous season ahead.

Contact MRA Property Management

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Simple Ideas for Decorating Your Beachfront Rental

jill — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 14:17:46 +0000

When it comes to designing your beautiful beachfront vacation rental, remember, you’re not just furnishing a property; you’re crafting a sanctuary where guests should feel immediately at ease. One of the standout advantages of choosing an Oak Island NC vacation rental over a hotel room is the warm, home-like atmosphere that allows visitors to truly unwind. And the good news? Elevating your beachfront rental to this level of comfort doesn’t have to break the bank! With a dash of creativity and strategic planning, you can design a space that’s both budget-friendly and irresistibly inviting, ultimately boosting your bookings. Read on for our expert tips on simple yet impactful design ideas that will turn your beachfront paradise into a guest favorite.

Keep It Light, Bright, and Airy

White serves as an excellent neutral backdrop for your interior design. It brightens up the space and sets a calming tone. Whether you opt for white walls or white shiplap, the color effortlessly harmonizes with vibrant accents, offering a modern and cohesive look. Consider white hardwood floors to further unify the design elements, making your beachfront rental feel both spacious and serene.

MRA FAVES:

White shiplap on one wall of a bedroom
White comfy couches
White fluffy area rug
White hardwood floors

Choose Natural Textures

Nothing screams "beach" more than natural wood furniture and driftwood accents! Adding natural pieces to the room brings the beach right into your rental and gives your guests an outdoor feel! The simplicity of wood coffee tables or even wool rugs can really bring a room together.

MRA FAVES:

Wooden artwork made by local artists
Wicker chairs
Wooden cup holders and place settings
Wooden headboards
Wooden oars

Take Advantage of Outdoor Living Areas

The beauty of a beachfront rental is your proximity to the best parts of any beach trip: basking in the warm sun, listening to the waves crash on the shore, and breathing in that fresh, salty air.

Enhance your guests' experience by upgrading your balcony or outdoor area with comfy seating, screened-in areas to protect from bugs, covered porches, and well-manicured garden areas. All of these will help your guests relax and enjoy your space even more. Nothing beats sipping your coffee or having a family meal in a beautifully decorated outdoor space while you watch the sunrise or look for dolphins playing in the distance.

MRA FAVES:

Covered porches
Enclosed deck
Screened in rooms
Garden areas

Pops of Color

Giving your beachfront rental property a bright, vibrant pop of color alongside a white neutral background can make your home stand out from all the others. Playing with colors and adding bright accents like throw pillows, artwork, couches, or chairs can not only tie the room to the beach but also make your property stand out in the minds of guests!

MRA FAVES:

Bright throw pillows
Large colorful rugs
Colorful artwork
Shades of blue

Bring In Unique Pieces

Small spaces can still make a big statement with the right design choices. Adding an accent wall or bright wallpaper can liven up a room and make for a bright inviting area. Incorporating colorful rugs or beach-inspired decorations in the living and kitchen areas can really bring those spaces to life.

MRA FAVES:

Papas chairs
Hanging planters
Round ottomans
Striped pillows or polka-dot accents

Honor Oak Island!

Make your beachfront rental property in Oak Island more appealing to guests by using locally sourced materials. Consider adding area maps, paintings of the beach, surfboards, and kites to give your rental a true beach house vibe.

MRA FAVES:

Oak Island area map
Paintings from local artists
Coasters
Prints

Ready to Spruce Up Your Beachfront Rental?

If you’re looking for another way to wow your guests this summer, hiring a professional property manager like Margaret Rudd is the way to go. Our story is one of award-winning customer service and unparalleled attention to detail. We provide our property owners with valuable annual programs and services to keep your vacationers happy and your property top of mind.

Are you a property owner looking for a fresh start with a new property manager? Or, are you considering renting your property on a short-term, vacation rental, or long-term rental basis? If so, we invite you to fill out of Property Management Inquiry form.

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