An Effortless Vacation “Experience”

I guess Bob Dylan was right, “The Times They Are A Changin”. Topsail Island is certainly seeing rapid change! The rapid growth in real estate both residential and retail is astounding. Just a few years ago we thought that Harris Teeter was a big deal. Now we have a Walmart and a new Publix. The boom in new construction on the island is certainly creating more competition in the vacation rental business.

To be successful we have to embrace change and try to stay ahead of the trends in the vacation rental market. At Topsail Realty we pride ourselves on doing one thing well. We only do vacation rentals.

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Operations Corner – What’s New!

I would like to personally thank you for giving Topsail Realty the opportunity to manage your vacation rental home!

As always, we continue to invest time, energy, and funds in ways to ensure that our website and other chosen advertising venues present your homes in an engaging way while providing premier exposure of your homes and the amenities offered for vacation goers hoping for a holiday in an idyllic beach setting!

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Four Easy Ways to Have Your Vacation Rental Guests Return

Topsail-Island-Sunset

Pleasing your guests and offering more than the competition doesn’t take a whole lot of time or money. Far too many companies only focus on the bottom line. The personal touch makes a big impression on guests. Moving the personal touch up the priority list and making more of an effort to make sure their every stay is a great one, will set you ahead of the pack.
 

Here are some tips on how you can help your guests have a thrilling time with you and have them coming back for years to come.
 

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Which Vacation Rental Amenity Matters the Most?

While today’s vacation rentals are well above competing with hotels, they are very much in competition with other vacation rental homes in the area. The more amenities your property has the better the experience for the traveler and the more repeat guests you will have.
 
It’s important to know which amenities matter the most to your vacationers to ensure returning visitors and to maximize profit.
 
When Tripping.com did a survey asking what vacation rental amenities matter the most to U.S. consumers, at the top of the list was Internet/Wifi with 38 percent of consumers listing it as their number one most amenity.
 
Top-Amenity-at-Topsail-Realty
 
In this day and age it’s important for guests to stay connected to the internet while away. The internet is critical to find local restaurants, plan a trip, do business as well as to stay in touch with those back home. The internet is a must-have for most travelers.
 
When comparing vacation rentals to hotels, some luxury hotels still do not offer this most valued amenity free of charge. Hotel guests paying up to $500 dollars and above a night for a room still have to pay an extra fee to use the Internet/Wifi during their stay. When you compare that to vacation rentals, a majority of properties offer Internet/Wifi included in the price.
 
 

How to Appeal to the Eco-Friendly Vacationer

How to Appeal to the Eco-Friendly Vacationer


Environmentally friendly or eco-friendly are sustainability terms referring to goods and services that claim reduced, minimal, or no harm done to ecosystems or the environment. In recent years, terms like “going green” and “eco-friendly” are words you hear a lot on talk shows, commercials and product packaging. So it comes as no surprise that a good number of your potential vacationers care about the environment. Taking the initiative to market your vacation rentals to them will pay out big rewards.

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Topsail Realty Vacations to Take Over Operations of the Historic Loggerhead Inn in Surf City, NC

Surf City, North Carolina – Carolina Retreats, a specialty lodging and vacation rental management company, has taken over management and operations of the historic Loggerhead Inn, a boutique 36-room ocean view motel, located in downtown Surf City on Topsail Island, North Carolina, from Loggerhead Holdings LLC. The inn will be managed through Carolina Retreat’s affiliate, Topsail Realty Vacations. Mike Harrington, Carolina Retreats CEO, made the announcement.

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When It Comes To Vacation Homes, Technology Matters A Lot

When it Comes to Vacation Homes, Technology Matters a Lot

While not all travelers completely unplug on vacation, respondents to a recent survey say they browse the web and check email less frequently (62%) while on vacation and more than half (54%) would not give up their cell phone for a week in exchange for an extra week of vacation! Their needs go far beyond a strong Wi-Fi connection though.
 

Jen O’Neal from Tripping.com had this to say about technology in vacation homes — “Wi-Fi is a necessity! Considering how many people need to work while traveling, or even just want to share their latest vacation photos to friends and family at home, Wi-Fi is definitely a key amenity for vacation rentals to offer.”
 

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Vacation Home Interior & Exterior Checklists

When it comes to what matters most in the interior of a vacation home, kitchens are at the top of the list! Vacationers want the ability to make their own meals and list it as a major factor in choosing a vacation home over any hotel or motel. In fact, 67% said they averaged two or three meals a day at their vacation rental, and only 8% admit to eating every meal out in area restaurants.

Vacation Home Interior & Exterior Checklists
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