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by Corolla Classic Vacations

Carolina by the Sea
Oceanfront: Pine Island
Bedrooms: 9 Sleeps: 22

A View to Sea
Oceanside: Ocean Sands
Bedrooms: 7 Sleeps: 18

Waverly
Semi-Oceanfront: Whalehead
Bedrooms: 9 Sleeps: 22

Dune Deck
Oceanside: Ocean Hill
Bedrooms: 7 Sleeps: 16

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Posted By: Windy City

Subject: When to make reservation

OK, we are newbies to the OBX and we have narrowed down our search in terms of location and houses. Since we are not planning our trip until early June 2007, what do you think about early booking? Should we wait, hoping there is a deal on one of the six that we like, or stick with the sure thing and pay the early reservation fee (which is annoying in the first place). Thanks!

Message Replies:

5973: RE: When to make reservation

6/27/2006 2:16:14 PM

Posted By: Danny

We are going next june if you want a good house book it now

5976: RE: When to make reservation

6/27/2006 2:37:37 PM

Posted By: Guest

Book it now. I have never seen prices go down with a RE/rental company, unless it's not rented close to the rental week. Then, you usually only have several weeks to plan your vacation. And honestly, the rate reduction isn't that great anyway. You can deal with may owners directly at obxby owner dot com. You usualy get a better deal there if you can find what you want, since there aren't any admin. fees and such. But if you see it now, and like it, grab it. 'Cause someone else will. Our first choice for next year was already booked 3 weeks ago. It wasn't when I looked at it but the very next day, it was gone.

5977: RE: When to make reservation

6/27/2006 2:38:35 PM

Posted By: Guest

Years ago we used to book for the next summer just after Christmas. We never rebooked the same house for the next year. We always had a mental list of the areas that were acceptable so we looked at the rental books when they arrived and tabbed 10 oceanfront houses or so in our price range. We'd rank them, and then call the rental companys till we got one.
These days lots of people use the rental company websites and wait a lot longer looking for bargains. If you aren't in love with a certain house or area, you can afford to wait. If a house you choose isn't rented within a week or two of your arrival, you can save a chunk of change. Here is what the Twiddy.com website has today at vacation specials

"Vacation Specials
These specials represent a discount of 20% or $500 off the original rental price. Specials are sorted by reduced price from lowest to most expensive. No tricks, gimmicks, coupons. Real Properties."
They list 6 houses available for next week; 22 for the week after.
Twiddy is one of a number of excellent companies down here, and most if not all have specials.
Early June is a good time to come because high season rates start after the fifteenth I think.

I'd wait.
Good luck.

5992: RE: When to make reservation

6/27/2006 5:49:43 PM

Posted By: Guest

I agree with the posts that say BOOK IT NOW. I just recently had to "settle" for an oceanfront home with the company I usually rent from.(for June 2007) The house we wanted was gone and there were only 5 others left in our price range when I called. I e-mailed those 5 houses to the family we usually go with and we made our choice that night. I called next morning and there were only 3 left! We were lucky and at least got one in the village we wanted.

5994: RE: When to make reservation

6/27/2006 5:56:02 PM

Posted By: Corey

I've done both - reserved in advance and book up to 2 weeks before.

I've saved up to $2500 (yes on an expensive house but still it was $2500) booking online "last minute" (that was last year, booking with 1 month to spare) which if you aren't terribly picky is a good way to go especially if you like the bigger houses but don't have the bucks to go with it!

If you are picky about location (and I mean that you want to be near this bar or that pier) then I'd book now or if you have a house in mind book now. Rarely do things become available again once they are booked. If you aren't serious yet or don't have the fundage yet the "typical" time is after Christmas I believe through March or so.

Good luck!

6005: RE: When to make reservation

6/27/2006 7:49:33 PM

Posted By: Guest

Book now

6006: RE: When to make reservation

6/27/2006 9:03:39 PM

Posted By: Guest

We booked in March for our vacation the 2nd week in July this year. We had our choice of several houses. If you have your heart set on something specific though you should book now.

6011: RE: When to make reservation

6/28/2006 8:38:39 AM

Posted By: Windy City

WOW - thanks for the information! I guess we probably should "book now". Thanks again!

See ya in 2007!

6024: RE: When to make reservation

6/28/2006 12:09:33 PM

Posted By: long time OBX'r

definitely book now

6039: RE: When to make reservation

6/28/2006 4:05:32 PM

Posted By: i know this year that there were lance

i know this year the 2 weeks of early june were just about 99 percent booked on hatteras island.. when you got to the last 2 weeks it was like 85 percent but the pickings were slim... so you can take your chances, or not worry about it, and book now... we book even before we leave the current years vacation, plus it is fun to know what house you are staying in and dream about it for the whole year....

you could get lucky, or you could get shut out and screwed.... i think it is better to be safe than sorry...

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