Back from a one week vacation from work (and the computer).
This picture was taken on Tybee Island, GA (outside Savannah). The colorful pole warns residents and visitors of the potential flood level associated with a hurricane. Even a moderate category 2 hurricane showed a flood surge over my head! Yikes.
On to unusual real estate (of course I have to study the market in other beach communities): on Hilton Head Island, there is a small bridge to Deer Island- with free standing “Sea Lofts” along the marsh. Very different!
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Hilton Head Island is beautiful.  Bike riding is the preferred means of transportation (including along the hard sand on the beach- a real treat with the wind at your back!)
The homes are built to complement the wooded environment- earth tones and natural building materials.Â
Driving to work today, I realized the biggest difference between Avalon/ Stone Harbor and Hilton Head Island – the sky. The trees on HHI block the hot summer sun, but also make it darker on a cloudy day. I really appreciated the open feel as I drove along Dune Drive this morning. Good to be back!
 The strong winds are blowing the white blooms off of the Bradford Pear trees lining Dune Drive in Avalon– it looks like snow flakes swirling around!
It looks like a summer day with the sun reflecting off of the ocean.
Renting a Beach House
We had a positive experience renting a condo for our recent vacation in South Carolina. Interesting to compare the differences in procedures in other beach areas:
1) Linens and bath towels were supplied by the rental management company- very helpful since we were flying to our destination.  This extra perk explains the additional change over time needed (10am check out/ 4 pm check in- we are 10am/2pm).
2) Clutter versus supplies- I’ve seen rental homes here with kitchen drawers and cabinets filled with “stuff”. This rental was the opposite- a well equipped kitchen, but no sandwich bags, foil, spices, laundry detergent, etc.  Guessing that the cleaning service removes all of the extras between each tenant (we put the almost full bottle of laundry detergent on a closet shelf- hoping the next guest can use it).  I understand the policy, but it’s nice to have a few basics on hand to start (and replace as needed).
3) Properties offered by this management company are all smoke free…and offer wireless Internet service.  Most of our rental homes are smoke free (owner’s choice) and at least 50% have Internet access- a popular amenity with tenants.
It’s important for rental property owners to understand the competition for a tenant’s hard earned vacation dollar- in the immediate area, and other beach destinations as well.  When I am on the “other side”, I have a new appreciation for the service expected by tenants and owners- it’s a great learning experience.