Vacation Rental Bookings Up 50%

Book before it’s too late!

Up and down the east coast, people who are planning to rent a vacation home near the beach are not wasting any time. From Cape Cod to the Jersey Shore, nearly 100% of capacity for vacation rentals is booked.

If you’re looking for a North Carolina beach vacation, take a hint form the Northerners and get on the bandwagon!

Appetite for Travel Skyrocketing

As Americans continue to ache for some escape from the lockdowns we felt throughout the heights of the pandemic, getting away is top of the list for many. In fact, the recently released Expedia Travel Recovery Trend Report says that search for travel is up 70% year over year. Vacation rentals were up by 50%, with a big shift from hotels to vacation homes.

Lots of these searches are for those just trying to book a vacation for themselves or their families. Many more of the searches are being done by digital nomads who’ve learned that working a long stretch in a vacation rental was better for their mental health. With more companies embracing a hybrid work policy, more and more vacation homes are being booked not just for the week, but for the month. This decreases inventory, prompting those searching for a beach vacay to make some decisions earlier than had been required in years prior.

But it’s not just the competition for houses from digital nomads. There’s greater competition for available rentals from those who live nearby, especially those who are used to heading north for a summer vacation. Simply put, the cost of gas is impacting vacation rental availability.

Don’t Fear the Gas Hike

Current affairs are forcing up gas prices. It’s impacting everyone, with even Eastern North Carolina prices topping $4.00/gallon during the first week of March, 2022. There is no sign of the prices coming down anytime soon.

These rising gas prices impact people’s desire to drive long distances for their holiday escapes. Those who had thought of a National Park tour this summer, or escaping the heat to Maine or Canada, are now thinking it might be more realistic to stay close to home.

How close to home? Generally, people prefer to vacation at a location that takes just one tank of gas or less to get there. If your gas tank holds 15 gallons, paying $4.25/gallon at the pump means your transportation cost can be kept to about $60. At the national average of $24.9 miles per gallon, that would give the driver a budget of 370+ miles to drive.

Where does that leave us? Well, North Carolina’s beaches are so perfectly positioned that one tank of gas will get you to Wrightsville Beach from Asheville, NC, or Savannah, GA, or even Washington, DC.

Topsail. Wrightsville. Carolina. Kure.

We think it’s time to stop singing about “Aruba, Bahama, come on pretty mama…” because baby, why don’t you go to “Topsail, or Wrightsville, Carolina, Kure Beaches” are closer and nicer, and …
OK, you get the drift.

Southeastern North Carolina beaches are regularly mentioned as some of the nicest beaches in the country. And it’s not just because the water can look like you’re in the Caribbean, or that the sand goes on for what seems like forever.

No, it’s in part because there’s so much to do. Fishing, of course. But also, great restaurants that will serve you some of our freshest local foods.

Shopping is great. Hiking is excellent. Biking is a breeze. Paddleboarding, kayaking, jet skis and riverboat tours abound.

There’s history throughout – from tours in Wilmington to Fort Fisher near Kure Beach.

Coming by boat? Great! Some of our homes come with a boat slip like Aqua Vista or The Blue Pearl. Just head to the latitude and longitude settings 34.2085° N, 77.7964° W and that will put you about dead center to most of the homes we have available to rent in Wrightsville Beach.
Simply put, you want to be at one of our beaches this summer!

Weekly or Monthly, On or Near the Beach

At Sea Scape Properties we have a long list of homes available for you to rent. That’s what makes us the region’s number one property management firm for vacation rentals… that, and the fact that we take serious pride in your total relaxation. Clean homes, easy access to food, and on-point customer service are all hallmarks of our business.

Want a beach-front home to sleep 10? No problem – check out Surf N’ Dolphins. How about a cozy condo for just a few? Again – no problem, Wright By The Pier is a great choice! Bring the dog. You’ll have plenty of homes to choose from on our pet friendly list. If you hurry, that is.

Of course, we recommend you get on the (beach) ball and decide which home you like the best, which date range you’d like to come visit, and which amenities are most important to you.

Can’t decide?

Well, let’s talk! Our team is familiar with every home on our list. We’re happy to talk you through the decision-making process, or simply help you figure out which dates are going to be more open than booked. Just call us at (910) 332-7284 or drop an email if that’s easier: [email protected].

We hope to see you this summer!