Question 1

1. Commission & Costs: Please explain your commission structure and any additional costs a homeowner might incur.

Accepted Answer

Southern Shores Realty's commission rates are based on an adjusted scale where higher projected income units result in a lower commission rate. Other costs include an annual maintenance plan, which covers basic unit maintenance, such as air filter changes and replacing smoke detector batteries.

Question 2

2. Marketing: Please detail the strategies you utilize to market properties to guests.

Accepted Answer

Our in-house marketing team has over 30 years of experience connecting guests with the perfect rental home. Southern Shores Realty utilizes creative strategies to promote your property to potential guests to maximize exposure and secure reservations. Not only do we generate over half of our bookings through our website, but we also use social media, email marketing, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and print advertising to broadcast your unit to a wide audience to increase rental income.

Question 3

3. Cleaning & Maintenance: Please outline your property management services, including but not limited to cleaning, inspections and maintenance.

Accepted Answer

Backed by our Standard Property Appearance Initiative, Southern Shores Realty's housekeeping and maintenance program provides exceptional attention to detail. Our housekeeping and maintenance crews work diligently with careful attention to detail to ensure the best possible guest experience. For a single annual fee, Southern Shores Realty’s Standard Maintenance Plan provides comprehensive coverage for your property, which includes security checks, air filter changes and vendor coordination among many others. This proactive approach ensures that any issues or concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently, giving you peace of mind while your property is in our care. Our team of cleaners and inspectors receives meticulous annual training to ensure that your property is well-maintained throughout the year.

Question 4

4. Communication & Reporting: How do you communicate with homeowners and what types of reports do you provide? Who will I be working with on your team? Will I have a dedicated representative or a team approach?

Accepted Answer

Southern Shores Realty's dedicated team of professionals is committed to working with you to achieve your objectives. Our user-friendly Owner Portal provides around-the-clock access to essential information and reports. However, if you require further assistance, our team is readily available and more than happy to address your specific needs. We value flexibility and offer a range of communication channels to cater to what works best for you.

Question 5

5. Financial Management: Please discuss how you handle financial management for the properties you manage. Do you follow trust accounting principles?

Accepted Answer

Before beginning on our partnership, we seek to understand your goals for your vacation home. Whether it’s solely an investment property or a second home for personal use, we want to help you feel satisfied through our partnershipInvestment Property: Are you seeking a specific monetary return on your investment? We’ll work with you to establish rental rates to help reach your financial objectives.Second Home with Rental Potential: Do you plan to enjoy your home but seek rental income during non-usage periods? We’ll develop a strategy that balances personal usage with rental revenue.Customized Rental Rates for Your SuccessWe begin by recommending rental rates based on market analysis and comparable properties. However, these rates simply serve as a starting point, and we will work to tailor rates to help achieve your specific goals.Transparency and Financial ManagementSouthern Shores Realty adheres to the highest standards of transparency and financial management. We follow all trust accounting guidelines set forth by the NC Real Estate Commission and comply with the NC Vacation Rental Act.Monthly Owner Statements: You will receive detailed monthly statements outlining rental income, expenses, and net proceeds so you are always in the know about your property.Direct Deposit and Bill Paying Services: Enjoy the simplicity and convenience of direct deposit for rental income and bill-paying services at no additional cost to you.End-of-Year Statements and 1099s: We promptly provide end-of-year statements and 1099s for accurate tax reporting.Partnering for Your SuccessOur goal is to help you achieve your vacation rental goals, whether you’re seeking to maximize financial returns, balance personal usage with rental income or simply enjoy a hassle-free property management experience. We are committed to providing transparent communication, comprehensive financial management and customized strategies tailored to your unique needs.

Question 6

6. Technology: What kind of technology do you employ and how does this technology provide benefits to both homeowners and guests?

Accepted Answer

We utilize the latest technology to enhance the homeowner and guest experience to optimize convenience. Our integrated tech suite seamlessly blends various tools and platforms, streamlining operations and enhancing satisfaction for everyone.Streamline: Streamline is our reservation management system that offers a seamless homeowner and guest experience to meet a variety of needs. For homeowners: Streamline efficiently directs property management tasks, from listing creation to guest communication and much more. The Owner Portal allows owners to effortlessly track revenue, expenses and payouts. For guests: guests benefit from a smooth booking process that includes a secure payment gateway, timely communication and real-time availability synchronized with our website. InterCoastalNet Designs: Not only do ICND websites make the reservation process efficient and simple, but they also give us the ability to run special promotions, collect website visitor data and keep guests informed about upcoming Outer Banks events.MailChimp: We leverage MailChimp's email marketing capabilities to deliver timely offers and important updates to guests, as well as to feature properties. This proactive, direct approach enhances booking and guest experiences by ensuring that guests are well-informed and engaged with the latest news and promotions from Southern Shores. RevMax: RevMax offers dynamic pricing that seeks to maximize returns relative to market demand. This system intelligently adjusts prices based on real-time market data, ensuring fair pricing for both homeowners and guests. RevMax analyzes market trends from competitor pricing and customers’ needs to effectively price your property to attract reservations, while simultaneously enhancing the return for the homeowner.dormakaba/Oracode: For weekly rental properties managed by Southern Shores Realty, we utilize Dormakaba's Oracode keyless access solution, which provides hassle-free entry. This innovative system eliminates the need for a physical key to enter a Southern Shores Realty managed property. Lost keys, late-night lock-out calls, re-keying and unauthorized key duplication are a thing of the past with Oracode’s keyless entry. Guests can proceed directly to the property on their arrival day, where the lock will be activated once the property is clean and ready for occupancy. Our technology-driven approach aims to simplify the check-in process and offer guests a hassle-free, enjoyable rental experience. We continuously evaluate and implement innovative solutions to ensure that the technology we use remains at the forefront of the industry, delivering exceptional value to guests and homeowners.

Question 7

7. Differentiators: What unique aspects set your company apart from other property management companies, especially in terms of advantages to homeowners?

Accepted Answer

With roots as the real estate arm of Kitty Hawk Land Company, Southern Shores Realty stands as one of the most established real estate and rental management firms on the Outer Banks. Our centrally located main office on the northern beaches serves as the hub for our operations, as we represent properties spanning from Corolla to South Nags Head. Our tight-knit, family-run company possesses a deep understanding of the Outer Banks market, with many of our employees having been part of our team for over 15 years. Entrusting Southern Shores Realty with your property brings you into the deep-rooted family, and your unit will be treated as such.

Question 8

8. Guest Damage: What is your approach to managing damages caused by guests? Do you require a security deposit or offer damage insurance? If you opt for insurance, how do you establish the coverage details?

Accepted Answer

Guests are financially responsible for any damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear. To safeguard against unintentional damage, guests can opt for Vacation Rental Damage Protection which provides coverage for accidental damage of up to $3,000.

Question 9

9. Revenue Management: Please explain your strategy for revenue management? How do you determine pricing to optimize earnings? Do you utilize dynamic pricing software, manage rates manually, or employ a combination of both methods?

Accepted Answer

Our revenue management team, with over 60 years of combined experience in the Outer Banks vacation rental market, reviews and recommends rates each year. We use dynamic pricing software to analyze market data and make real-time adjustments to your pricing to ensure that you maximize revenue for any open weeks. Due to the constantly changing vacation and travel market, we recommend participating in our dynamic pricing program to earn you the most return based on real-time metrics.

Question 10

10. Community Involvement and Reputation: Are you involved in the local community and do you support local initiatives?

Accepted Answer

Southern Shores Realty is a proud sponsor of many local community groups, including The Outer Banks Relief Foundation, Dare Education Foundation, Outer Banks Go Far, and The Lost Colony.

Southern Shores Realty

What We Offer

Property Manager Supplied Metrics

VRBO Metrics

Contact Manager

Nearby Property Managers

Beach Realty & Construction/Kitty Hawk Rentals

5 miles away

Atlantic Realty of the Outer Banks

5 miles away

Vivienda Getaways Inc.

5 miles away