Vacation Rental Scams – Another Reason to Book Direct


Booking direct with us via our website or a phone call can not only save money from extra booking fees, but also keeps you safe from vacation rental scams.


You’re probably familiar with the term ‘phishing’. You might even know someone who has been a victim of such scams or worse, been a victim yourself.

 

In the real estate industry, phishing scams are very common. Property management companies like Sea Scape Properties and property owners alike have little to no recourse in stopping scammers from using their properties to scam unsuspecting guests like yourself.

Some scammers use real listings by copying photos and descriptions from legitimate vacation rental management websites and simply change the contact information. Some don’t even bother with actual rentals. Fake listings are created for homes that might not even exist. Then, fake ads are made with enticingly low prices to get you to act fast. The goal is to get your money before you find out the truth, leaving you to show up for your vacation, with no place to stay and your money gone.

 

To help avoid being scammed, the Federal Trade Commission recommends following this guidelines:

  • Don’t wire money or pay with a prepaid or gift card for a vacation rental. Once the scammer collects the money, it is almost impossible to get it back.
  • Don’t be rushed into a decision. If you receive an email pressuring you to make a decision on the spot for a rental, ignore it and move on.
  • Look out for super cheap rates for premium vacation properties. Below-market rent can be a sign of a scam. Do some extra research to confirm the deal is legitimate before jumping in.
  • Get a copy of the contract before you send any deposit money. Check that the address of the property really exists. If the property is managed by a Property Management Company like Sea Scape, call them first and confirm the location of the property and other details on the contract.

So, as you search for your perfect vacation spot this summer, beware! Scammers are ready and waiting to get your booking and take your money.

Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Book direct and save –  in more ways than one!

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It Takes a Village: Giving Thanks to Great Community Businesses

Those who have ever started or run a small business know how important other businesses can be to your success. The businesses that support your work, that refer customers to you, that speak kindly of your, and even partner with you on promotions, are gold.

During the height of the COVID pandemic, businesses were facing a drop in patronage. Especially tourism-related companies. In the hopes of supporting our local businesses, Sea Scape decided to try and partner with a few to help promote each other via social media. What we received was a very warm welcome and great success for all involved!

Being it is the month of ‘Thanks’, we felt it was the perfect time to highlight a few of the businesses that partnered with us. Besides helping our guests have a great experience, these folks helped to make a real difference in the success of our business, Sea Scape Properties.

Here’s an old-fashioned ‘attaboy’ for the following companies that made Shop Local really work:

Wrightsville SUP: Going to the beach is so much more than just walking or sitting on the beach. That’s why we love all that’s offered by Wrightsville SUP and you can find them right across Banks Channel in Wrightsville. These guys not only offer rentals, but SUP lessons, yoga, bike rentals, kayak trips – any kind of water or coastal adventure you can think of, it seems, is available through Wrightsville SUP. Thanks, Wrightsville SUP!

Things to do in Wilmington via Instagram: Talk about promoting local! If you want to know about activites, eateries and places to stay – like Sea Scape Properties – give these guys a follow. You won’t regret it. Thank you, Things to Do in Wilmington! Life on Wrightsville via Instagram: Want to know what it’s like to live in Wrightsville Beach all year round? Follow Life on Wrightsville on IG. They feature daily stories with locals and tourists doing the things we love to do in our area. Thank you, Life on Wrightsville!

Redix: Need something for your beach trip? Because when you go to Redix, you can probably get it there. This beloved store has served the Wrightsville Beach area since 1969, and even opened a downtown Wilmington location within the past few years because it seems everyone needs a new Yeti. Or new bathing suit. Or flipflops. Quite honestly, we’re proud to partner up with this legendary retailer. Thanks for all you do, Redix!

Watermans Brewery: So many of our guests find that getting out of the beach rental and heading over to Waterman’s just adds another layer of fun to their vacation. Incredible food and tasty local brews. Well, it’s not just their food and beer that’s good. These are good people. And they’ve been kind enough to help us grow in so many ways. Cheers, Waterman’s Brewery!

Palm Tree Island: One of Wrightsville Beach’s most iconic locations is a little-known but much-loved little palm tree island. This manmade “island” boasts a fake palm tree and a real parking meter and was created by the residents of Wrightsville Beach as a sort of homage to the location. It’s a favorite gathering place for boaters and SUPers and is all over Instagram for that reason. So, what could possibly be a better name for a T shirt company that offers location memories? We love Palm Tree Island products and people. Not just because the shirts are cool, but because in addition to helping us at every turn, they help the entire community. A portion of proceeds from shirt sales goes to maintaining Palm Tree Island and supporting the Wrightsville Beach Museum.  Plus, PTI is a sponsor and active supporter of Lump to Laughter, The Carousel Center and The Melanoma Foundation. Thanks a million Palm Tree Island!

Pine Valley Market:  How do you describe a restaurant/deli/takeout/shop when they offer so much? Their website lists them simultaneously as a Café, a Catering Company, a Prepared Foods store, a Butcher, a Wine shop, and a Gourmet food store. We make it simple: Delicious! This year they partnered with us to offer all the Sea Scape Properties guests a shopping-free vacation, where our guests were able to order ahead and have food waiting for them when they arrived. We received grand reviews on the food and service and hope to provide this amenity again next season. This past summer, PVM participated in our grand giveaway where one of our lucky IG followers won a stay at one of our beachfront properties and PVM provided breakfast AND dinner for four – prepared and delivered. Amazing!! You are the absolute best, Pine Valley Market!

Prana Salt Cave: Sometimes when you go on vacation you want to experience a complete rejuvenation. Often, you want to thoroughly cleanse yourself of the stress and negativity. This is when you add Prana Salt Cave to your visit to the beach. Prana is not far away from Wrightsville Beach and offers a very different kind of salt experience… one without water. A complete relaxation room, where your toes are nestled in the sand and the Himalayan Salt walls seem to speak to you, saying calm, clean, rested. Prana has been a great cheerleader for our work, and we for theirs. We love you, Prana!

Ceviche: Doesn’t the word just make you hungry? This now iconic restaurant on the mainland, but just across the Wrightsville Beach bridge, has proven over and over that not only do they know great food, but they know the people they serve and the community in which they live and work. Their staff was kind enough to recommend us as “the best rental management company on the island.” Thanks, Ceviche!

Salty Dog and Island Wellness: Vacationing is all about relaxation and Salty Dog offers just that with a laid-back island vibe. They are all about connecting with and inspiring the community that surrounds their Carolina Beach studio. Pilates, barre, yoga, unique workshops – in studio and outdoors! They also offer Get Salty TV so you can take Salty Dog Island and Wellness home with you. Salty Dog has been an incredible partner and we thank you!

Good Hops Brewery: Looking for a tasty brew in a comfortable neighborhood setting? This is the place! Good Hops fashions beer as unique as the island they call home with fresh new brews month after month. The folks at Good Hops are all about family and LOCAL thinking! They strive every day to strengthen their connection with each other and their community and it shows! We are so very honored Good Hops Brewery chose to partner with us – thank you!

Rounds Golf: In the off chance you’ve had a bit too much sun or the weather decides to not cooperate while visiting our island, a little indoor fun may be required. How about playing a round at Rounds Golf? Located just across the bridge in Mayfair Town Center is Rounds Golf & Ledo Pizza – Wilmington’s premiere indoor golf and games venue. Great food, great staff and great fun. Thanks Rounds!!

Boombalattis Ice Cream: Homemade ice cream? Yes, please! Just minutes from Wrightsville is the ice cream lover’s dream, Boombalattis. Family owned and operated; these folks churn out premium, homemade ice cream using only dairy from grass-fed North Carolina cows and staying away from artificial flavors or colors. They’ve been named Best Ice Cream in Wilmington by StarNews and Encore readers. We also name you the best, Boombalattis! Thanks for partnering with us!

South End Surf Shop: At the far South end of Wrightsville is a well known surf shop called, you guessed it, South End Surf Shop. Owner Jeff DeGroote grew up surfing Wrightsville Beach and opened South End to continue to be part of the surfing community and support surfers and non-surfers alike. Rent, buy, schedule lessons or hang out and chat with Jeff. The building itself was built in 1941 – it’s certainly a unique surf shop experience with historic appeal. Thank you, Jeff and South End Surf Shop, for your support!

“All of the businesses on our Thank You list have participated in an Instagram giveaway with us,” said Jessica Elliott, Marketing Director at Sea Scape Properties. “They all donated prizes, and reshared our post to their followers. Each giveaway saw amazing success and interaction. More importantly, we feel we have created lasting relationships with our local business community. That’s priceless. It truly makes all the difference when we join together to help each other succeed.”

So, during November, we wanted to send a special Thank You to all the above partners that have helped make our guests trips ever-so-special, and help our business be the best community partner we can be.

Note: be on the lookout for our next IG giveaway…. highly sought after Enchanted Airlie tickets and dinner at Bluewater! Be sure to keep checking our IG feed @seascapeproperties for dates and instructions.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Runners Flock to Wrightsville Beach in February

People who love the outdoors have always loved Wrightsville Beach. But people who love to run, well, they really love Wrightsville Beach.

Wrightsville Beach has some of the best beach running opportunities in the southeast. It’s not just the four miles of sand that’s so wonderful. No, runners enjoy taking in the whole of what Wrightsville Beach has to offer on the John Nesbitt Loop, better known as The Loop. This 2.45-mile loop around the heart of Wrightsville beach is a sidewalk trail that offers scenic views. It also has restrooms, water fountains, pet water fountains and pet waste bags (and disposal), in case you have a running buddy.

But if you are taking a winter holiday at the beach, you have even more to choose from. February has two big, organized running events in which you can participate.

Wrightsville Beach Valentine Run

If you’ve been thinking about getting a beach vacation rental, the Valentine’s Day weekend is a great time to go. For runners, you can start your Valentines’ Day celebration off with a heart-themed race on Saturday, February 12th, 2022. Runners often wear red or pink as they enjoy the flat and fast course.

A 5K starts at 8am, leaving from Wrightsville Beach Town Hall, and runs an extended version of The Loop. The 10K starts at 9:15am, also starting at Town Hall but running a different course that takes you to the ICW and then almost to the south end of the beach before heading back.

Up for a challenge? Run both! It’s called the Double Trouble, and that could be apt for the start of a Valentine’s weekend.

Because it’s a flat surface, it’s stroller friendly. Dogs, however, should stay home from this one.

If you’re interested in the run, you can register here .

Run Wilmington Marathon

If you are a serious runner, you might consider the Novant Run Wilmington Marathon . The half and full marathon courses are both certified and sanctioned by USATF . In fact, the Wilmington Marathon has become one of the top races in the country used to qualify for the Boston Marathon .

  • Like teamwork? Try the 26.2 relay. It starts at Johnny Mercer Pier , along with the marathoners.

  • Prefer a 5K? With this option, your run will take you through Historic Downtown Wilmington .

  • Kids ready for a fun run? There’s a 1-mile Glow Run – a timed race where every child running gets a race t-shirt and free waffles from Waffle House when they finish.

About the 2022 race course: From the race’s website :

The 2022 course will start at Johnny Mercer Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise. The half, full and relay will take off and head west toward downtown Wilmington. The 5K and 1 mile will start and finish downtown Wilmington at the Live Oak Bank Pavilion.

The first 5 miles will be on flat main roads. Spectators can watch along this portion and can head downtown for the finish. Roads will be open for traffic at all times with a few detours. Once the runners hit mile 6.5, they will turn onto US 74 and head downtown. This will be a quiet portion of the event, as spectators will not be allowed here, but we will have aid stations, signage, and music. By mile 9, US 74 raises up over the marsh land of Wilmington and runners will be elevated over land for 1.5 miles until the half splits from the full. The half marathon runs through Historic Downtown Wilmington to the River Front finish. The full marathon will continue to beautiful Greenfield Lake and back to the finish. From there, the rest of the course is mostly flat as the full marathon travels around Greenfield Lake trail as an out and back. The finish is located at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in beautiful Historic Downtown Wilmington.

The race is fun to watch, too! You’ll find that Wilmingtonians often sit on their front porches and cheer on the runners. With so many elite runners competing from all over the world, people enjoy doing what they can to help support these amazing athletes.

Stay with Sea Scape

We still have vacation homes available to rent during the 2022 marathon weekend dates. Give yourself all the comforts and privacy of home when you come to run. And bring your family and friends along with you! It’s so much more fun to celebrate your race accomplishment with those you love.

Visit our website to see what is available during your preferred dates. And don’t hesitate to call us at 910-332-7284 or email if you find you still have questions.

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