IMPORTANT
Please take the time to carefully
read the following information, including the sample lease found by clicking
the sample lease link from our home page. It is important that you fully
understand your obligations prior to making a commitment. Before signing the
rental contract and sending your money, read and understand your contractual
obligation as written on the lease agreement. A well-informed guest is a happy
guest. Please call us if you have any
questions. After you make a reservation, a contract will be sent to you for
signature and a deposit. This deposit will be one-half of the total rent, plus a
registration fee and optional travel insurance. If you elect not to take trip
insurance you must indicate that on the contract by initialing in the space
provided and subtracting the premium from your initial payment. Initial payment and signed lease must be
returned within 10 business days. Under North Carolina law, this lease is a
binding contract. Please remember to
keep a copy of the contract for your records. All reservations must have a
signed lease and deposit money to be processed by Karichele Realty. Please be
prompt or your reservation will be canceled.
Make check payable to Karichele Realty and include your reservation number on
your check. Or, if you prefer, you may make payment using your credit card
(Visa or Master Card only) by clicking the following link:
Make
Payment using VacationRentPayment
Please have your Reservation Number and
amount of payment available. PLEASE NOTE a $39.95 convenience fee will be
charged by VacationRentPayment for using their service and Security Deposits
CANNOT be paid by credit card. Please send your Security Deposit Payment
separately via check and remember to include your Reservation Number on your
check payment.
Please note that all rates including
rental rates and tax rates are subject to change.
CHECK-IN
Check-in is 4:00 PM. Everyone wants to
get to the beach early and start their vacation. However, due to the size of
our homes and the turnover volume, our housekeepers need from 10 AM until 4 PM
to properly prepare your vacation home. Under
no circumstances are you to enter the house, place anything in the house or use
private pools or hot tubs prior to check-in. No keys will be given out
prior to 4 PM. A limited number of early check-ins (1 PM) are available upon approved request. The fee for early
check-in is $50 plus tax. Once approved, this fee applies whether or not you
arrive by the designated time. Certain services and maintenance items may not
be completed prior to early check-in (pools and spas, bed making etc.) and will
be completed during the afternoon. Early check-in is not available at all times
or on all properties. Please do not purchase groceries until after check-in.
Every effort is made to have your home cleaned and ready by 4:00 p.m. Sometimes
there are circumstances beyond our control which may delay your check-in.
Check-in days are Saturday unless
otherwise specified in the description of the home. See inside back cover for
calendar and season dates.
SAVINGS
Several
of our homes offer discounted rates for specified weeks, check rates on
individual homes for this information. You may also wish to check our
"Specials" link from our home page for last minute discounts. Check
availability and take advantage of these savings. Off Season is the best kept
secret! Quite a few homes offer a discount off their already low prices if you
book the same house in season and then again in the off season (call to find
out more).
MINI VACATIONS
Mini
vacations are wonderful…everyone deserves at least one during the year! Mini
vacations are not offered during the in season or on all homes. Three night
minimums are required and reservations are not taken until one week prior to
check-in. The rate for mini vacation is the current weekly rate divided by 6
(with a minimum of $100 per night), plus cleaning fee, registration fee, taxes
and appropriate security deposit. There is also an additional fee for the use
of Pools or Hot Tubs. Linens are not provided for mini vacations. Call for more
information.
PRE-RESERVATIONS
Pre-reservations
are easy. You will find the form in your check-in packet. Houses are held for
one week after check out, so please return your form as soon as possible to
ensure the same great vacation next year. Pre-reservations require a $50
refundable (until December 31st) deposit. Pre-reservations are not guarantees,
but every effort will be taken to secure this reservation for you (homeowners
have first priority until leases are accepted).
POOLS
Many
of our homes offer a private swimming pool. This information is indicated with
a pool scan and noted in the description. Off-season rates are listed with pool
and without pool. Pools are open May 3rd
to October 10th and corresponding rates apply. This is not an optional policy.
Pools are not heated unless indicated in the description. Pools that are heated
require an additional $395 per week heating charge (charges vary, check
individual property description). We cannot guarante pool temperatures even in
heated pools and no pool can be heated to a temperature higher than 80 degrees.
Private pools are cleaned and serviced on turnover day and chemicals checked
mid-week. Karichele will be happy to arrange a mid-week clean of your pool or
hot tub at your expense. Pool/Hot Tub
rules and regulations are posted at each property and need to be adhered to.
Pools are not to be used prior to 4:00 p.m. on check-in day. For further
information, please read the book in your home. We cannot be responsible for
opening and closing dates for subdivision pools.
HOT
TUBS
Hot
tubs add pleasure and relaxation to your vacation. Be mindful of safety and do
not leave children unattended. Before using hot tubs be sure to rinse
thoroughly to remove sun tan and other lotions and body oils. Do not use glass
utensils in or near the tub. Hot tubs are cleaned and serviced on a weekly
basis and chemicals checked mid-week. A mid-week service can be arranged at
your expense. Guests are not to use Hot
Tubs prior to 4 PM on check-in day. For further information, please read
the book in your home. Homes with Hot Tubs incur an additional $100 plus tax
($120 plus tax for 4X4 homes) charge for use in the months of December through
March.
FIREPLACES
Many
homes include fireplaces that are a wonderful addition to off season rentals.
If the home you rent has a wood-burning fireplace, you will need to supply your
own wood. Fire bundles can be purchased at our local stores. Fireplaces are
permitted for use in the off season only (January 1-May 20 and September
17-December 31). This includes gas fireplaces.
STANDARD
FEATURES
PLEASE
BRING
Ø
Bed linens
Ø
Bath, beach, and dish
towels
Ø
Paper products
Ø
Laundry products
Ø
Bath soaps, etc.
Ø
Sunscreen
Ø
Medicines
Ø
Beach toys
Ø
Fishing poles
BEDS
MADE
Many
of our homes offer beds made upon
arrival. This is a one-time service that occurs only on the day of your
check-in and does not include towels. Arrangements can be made for the rental
of towels through Ocean Atlantic Rentals or Moneysworth. Sleep sofas and bunk
beds are not made, but sheets are provided. Cribs are not made up and sheets
are not provided. Arrangements can be made for crib sheet rental by calling
Karichele's office. Beds will be made by 6 p.m. The bed making service is for
full week rentals only. Information on the homes offering this service can be
found in the extras portions of the house description. Some homes offer this
service during the in-season only. Please read your description carefully. If
the house you choose does not offer beds made, or does not offer the service
during your stay-call us and we can help you make these arrangements.
WATER
Due
to our island location and the fact that many homes are supplied with water
through private well systems, the water is often salty, may be discolored or
contain an unpleasant taste of odor and pressure can be low. Every effort has
been made to produce the most pleasant water possible, however, in some cases,
nothing can be done to correct poor water situations. Although the water is
potable, you may wish to purchase bottled water for drinking from a local
grocery store. Karichele Realty will not provide your party with bottled water
regardless of its quality.
TRAVEL/LODGING
PROTECTION PLAN
An
optional travel/lodging protection
plan is automatically added to your reservation and a brochure describing the
insurance enclosed with your contract. Please read the brochure carefully. The
plan covers certain unexpected illnesses, injuries, and other unforeseen
reasons for trip interruption and/or cancellation. If you choose not to accept
the insurance, simply initial the space provided on the lease agreement and
strike through the amount. We encourage you to take the travel insurance for
protection against unforeseen circumstances and/or hurricane evacuation, as no
refunds will be made by Karichele Realty. Travel insurance is non-refundable,
even if you cancel your reservation.
PETS
Want
to take your best friend (dog) along on vacation? Please look for the pet
symbol, which indicate homes that will accept pets. The term "pet"
means a mature dog. Our pet homes do
not accept cats or pets other than dogs. Puppies are not permitted. There is a
$100 (plus tax) pet fee, unless otherwise noted in the description, and a limit
of two dogs less than 75 pounds each. If your pet is larger than 75 pounds,
specific permission must be obtained from the homeowner. A leash law is in
effect in Corolla and dogs are allowed on the beach. Dog owners are expected to
be considerate of others and bring along a "pooper scooper" to clean
up after walking their pet. Bringing your pet is a privilege; please be
respectful of the home in which you are staying; wash and dry your dog after
trips to the beach, and do not allow your dog on the furniture. Please note that pets are never permitted
in pools or hot tubs.
CONSTRUCTION
The
Outer Banks is a very popular area with numerous new homes being constructed.
Karichele cannot be responsible for noise or loss of view due to construction.
Nor do we always know when or where construction will be taking place. Homes
under construction are subject to change, (i.e., bed sizes, amenities, etc)
every effort will be made to notify you as soon as possible of any changes to
your rental property. Karichele cannot be held responsible for homes that are
not completed in a timely manner.
PARKING
Parking
at homes is limited, generally there is parking for on car per bedroom. Do not
park on the street in front of you house. Your car is subject to towing or
ticketing. Please do not park on the yard, most houses are on septic and or
wells which can be damaged due to parking on them.
TAX
RATE
The current tax rate is 6.75% State and 6% County lodging. Tax rates can change
without notice and Karichele is not responsible for any increases in the tax
rate, whether or not you already have signed a lease agreement.
REMOTE
ACCESS
The
remote access symbol indicates homes that are only accessible by four-wheel
drive vehicles. To reach these homes, you need to drive from 2-11 miles on the
beach (sand can be soft and the tidal level high), making it necessary to drive
a high clearance 4-WD vehicle such as a Jeep Cherokee, Ford Explorer, etc.
Since beach driving is sometimes affected by the tides, you will receive a tide
chart with confirmation of your final payment. You will want to bring along a
good tire gauge. Lowering tire pressure to 15-20 pounds makes driving in soft,
dry sand much easier. Karichele can not be responsible for getting you to or
from your remote access home. Locating a home after sunset may be very
difficult, we strongly advise arriving before sunset.
MAIL
& MESSAGES
Emergency
messages only will be taken through our office. The phone number for your
rental home is printed on your lease. Please be sure to give this number to
anyone who might want to contact you during your stay. We protect the privacy
of our guests and will not give out this information. Copy and fax services are
available at our office only during business hours (incoming faxes may be received
at any time and will be given to the tenant the next business day). There is a
nominal, per page charge for all copies, incoming, and outgoing faxes. Our fax
number is (252) 453-4279. If you need Federal Express or other services, use
the office street address (795 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II, Corolla, NC
27927). Be sure to include your name and house number and you will be contacted
upon package arrival.
Please make sure to read our
sample lease
