Built on decades of experience managing premier vacation homes exclusively on Hatteras Island, Surf or Sound Realty has long been committed to supporting our clients' investments.
At Surf or Sound Realty, we truly believe it's not about what we do, it's how we do it. Our owner-centric management approach is built on a 44-year legacy of serving Hatteras Island homeowners exclusively & and not for sale.
Our dedicated leadership team is comprised of experienced marketing, operations, and customer service professionals with more than 70 years of experience in the vacation rental market. We are committed to serving as a true partner in achieving maximum rental revenue, providing excellent housekeeping and maintenance services, and offering great homeowner and guest experiences.
Why choose us?
Who We AreRental PerformanceOwner ExperienceHousekeeping & Maintenance
Guest
Experience
What Sets Us Apart
Unlike large, national vacation home rental companies, Surf or Sound Realty is your local Hatteras Island experts who are your dedicated partners and neighbors. With the largest inventory of premier homes on Hatteras Island, our commitment to our homeowners includes:
A personal management touch led by Danny Register, a fellow Hatteras Island homeowner and Avon resident with a passion, understanding and respect for the area
The expertise of top-tier hospitality industry talent
State-of-the-art customer relationship management (CRM) system to maximize reservation lead conversion
Consistency in outperforming competitors in homeowner ROI and overall client satisfaction, with a market-leading 99% retention history
A legacy of generating the highest net income to homeowners while offering some of the lowest fees among Hatteras Island vacation rental companies
Reputation Management
Vrbo: Achieved Premier Host Status for all our homes in part to excellent guest reviews
Google: 8 times more 5-star Google reviews than our next closest competitor*
For 16 of the last 17 years, Surf or Sound Realty has led Hatteras Island in rental
performance. As one of the last locally owned and operated property management
companies serving Hatteras Island, our extensive experience in this rental market is
supported by:
Precise rate optimization for maximum income generation based on the company's deep knowledge of the Hatteras Island rental market with rates personally reviewed by the owner of Surf or Sound Realty
Dynamic pricing to maximize revenue potential
State-of-the-art customer relationship management (CRM) system to maximize reservation lead conversion
User-friendly website making it easy for the 20,000+ weekly visitors to search, share, book, sign a lease, and make payments
Our relationship with our clients is first and foremost a partnership. We adapt our management program to fit your ownership goals and objectives. We believe in 24/7 responsiveness and transparency from the moment you sign with us. Our owners appreciate the following benefits of partnering with Surf or Sound Realty which are offered at no charge:
Keyless electronic door lock entry for security and ease
Professional photography including drone images and complimentary virtual floorplans
Custom property description of your home by a top industry professional
A private owner portal that allows you to check on your reservations and rental performance, book owner stays, and download statements and tax documents at your convenience
Absolutely zero cost to get started
Transparent and simple accounting for both homeowners and guests
A revenue and profit projection for your home and its specific set of amenities, adjusted appropriately for location and season
Sharing your home with rental guests is a balancing act, one that requires a personal touch and attention to every detail. We care for your home as if it were our own. Homeowner and guest satisfaction are elevated by:
Maximizing cleanliness & We employ six sigma principles to maximize cleaning results. More than 55% of our 2022 housekeeping surveys are 5-star reviews and almost 90% are 5-and 4-star reviews
Our best-in-class housekeeping and maintenance operations, along with our customer service, has garnered more than 8 times more Google 5-star reviews than our next closest competitor and achieved Vrbo Premier Host status for all of our homes
Our in-house linen operation ensures maximum quality and cost efficiency, an offering unmatched by our local competitors
We employ strategic management techniques to maximize maintenance efficiency
All incoming maintenance issues are addressed within 24 hours & a standard unmatched on Hatteras Island
Surf or Sound Realty is the only company on Hatteras Island offering accidental damage insurance to guests that is secured by a licensed insurance underwriter. Our guests are required to purchase $3,000 in accidental rental damage insurance or pay a $3,000 cash security deposit. This coverage provides peace of mind for you and protection for your home. If a guest damages something at your home, we handle the claim process and post the insurance reimbursement to your account, as well as coordinate any repairs
Guest Experience
We know guests make an informed choice to select a vacation rental home over a hotel or resort lodging. We position our homes as an optimum alternative where guests can enjoy the comfort and amenities of a superior house along with the privacy they seek. Guests will experience:
24/7 guest support
Local and friendly vacation specialists available for guest inquiries and
knowledgeable about Hatteras Island and our premier homes
Efficient check-in and check-out procedures, including electronic keyless entry
A guest welcome bag to provide renters with the necessities to settle in on the first day
Immediate maintenance service if needed
We manage the entire guest experience
Our homeowners say it best...
Surf of Sound Realty is a true partner in managing our oceanfront investment property in Hatteras Village.
They work collaboratively with us
to ensure that we maximize our return on investment
In addition, their cleaning and maintenance staff takes great care of our property.
-- Kay, Owner, Hatteras Grander #836
We have purchased two homes on Hatteras Island strictly for investment purposes and have both in the Surf or Sound Realty program.
We would definitely
recommend them to anyone
- the property management services from Surf or Sound Realty are dedicated to exceeding homeowner expectations in rental performance and caring for our home!
-- John, Owner, Dolphin View Hideaway #913 and Blue Ocean Views #881
Danny was so responsive to our needs, and very transparent and clear with all information about the program. After being part of the program for just one season, they really delivered on rental performance exceeding their own rental projection by 27%!
As your local Hatteras Island neighbor widely known for our homeowner-centric culture, robust marketing efforts, and best in class operations team, Surf or Sound Realty strives to provide the best experiences for both our homeowners and guests. Surf or Sound Realty has a proven track record of maximizing rental revenue, exceeding projections, and retaining 99% of homeowners from year-to-year. With an enviable portfolio of premier homes, we have consistently led Hatteras Island in rental performance 16 of the last 17 years.
We also take great pride in caring for your home as if it were our own. Our in-house teams -including accounting, marketing, housekeeping, maintenance, standards and design - are comprised of experienced and knowledgeable professionals who are transparent in their communications and responsive to your needs.
What is the process to transition my home to Surf or Sound Realty?
A:
We want to ensure our new homeowners experience an easy and seamless transition. First, reach out to Danny Register by calling or texting him at 252.996.0499 or emailing him at joinus@surforsound.com. Danny will provide a revenue and profit projection for your home, our commission rate, and other supporting documents for your review. When you're ready, we will ask you to sign an electronic management agreement that can be quickly and conveniently accomplished on your phone, tablet, or computer. Next, Wendy Hoekwater, our Vice President of Marketing and Reservations will personally reach out to you to learn about you and your home so that we can begin the marketing efforts. Scheduling photography, drone footage, drawing complimentary floor plans, and writing an enticing home description for your property page are all part of the marketing efforts.
How does Surf or Sound Realty protect my home from guest damage?
A:
We are the only home management company on Hatteras Island that has an actual damage insurance policy that is not an in-house, self-managed profit center. We require all guests to either purchase a damage insurance policy which covers up to $3,000 in accidental damage or leave a cash security deposit in the same amount. If a guest damages something at your home, we handle the claim process and post-insurance reimbursement to your account as well as coordinate any repairs or replacements.
Will Surf or Sound Realty manage an Airbnb listing of my home?
A:
No. Airbnb does not provide the opportunity for us to represent your property directly and therefore, we are not able to manage the guest experience. Airbnb also insists on being the "merchant of record" and holds all funds until the occupancy has occurred. This provides them with control over your money and any refunds/discounts they deem necessary.
Will Surf or Sound Realty showcase my home on Vrbo?
A:
Yes, we offer a complimentary parallel presence for your home on Vrbo. We achieved Vrbo Premier Host status for all our homes in part to receiving consistently outstanding reviews from our guests. Once a guest books a home, Vrbo allows us to immediately own the guest experience.
How much are Surf or Sound Realty fees?
A:
We charge a flat rate commission to our homeowners on all bookings that is inclusive of the vast majority of services for you and your home. These services include but are not limited to:
Marketing your home, including a descriptive write-up for your listing on our website, a parallel Vrbo listing, photography & drone photography, social media postings (Facebook, Instagram etc.), Google and other third-party advertising outlets
Coordination of all maintenance logistic activities to include guest related concerns, investigation of all reports regarding issues at the house, homeowner projects requiring bids/estimates, coordination with contractors, dispatching SOS technicians, as well as securing and dispatching outside vendors/contractors, etc.
Cleaning and inspecting of your home after every paid reservation. Our housekeeping managers and coordinators are at your service, restocking items such as coffee makers, toasters, blenders, mattress pads, pillows and pillow protectors as necessary, all sold at a modest mark-up and no charge to deliver. We'll also arrange vendor services like carpet cleaning, deep cleans, etc.
All accounting functions such as monthly disbursements, online owners' portal, monthly statements, year-end statement, 1099, etc.
What are the key benefits of Surf or Sound Realty property management versus competitors?
A:
We are locally owned and operated, with decades of direct local market knowledge and home management experience. We see every home as a distinct entity and personalize your plan accordingly. We do not utilize a national call center; we offer three office locations on Hatteras Island, staffed by a team of top-tier hospitality industry talent who make the Outer Banks their home and dedicate their unique skillsets to treat your home as if it were their own.
I'm going to build a home. How will Surf or Sound Realty help me market the home before its even ready to rent?
A:
There is no one better on Hatteras Island at marketing new construction homes than we are. At no extra cost we start reviewing, advising and supporting homeowners from the start of design all the way through to the Certificate of Occupancy. This includes:
Reviewing floorplans and elevation drawings and providing feedback to maximize the marketability and subsequent income and ROI on the home
Developing and customizing artist renderings, elevation drawings, complimentary floor plan drawings, similar to photos from comparable homes in our program, written description, and amenities list to make your home available for bookings on our website
Scheduling and taking periodic "progress photos" of the interior and exterior as the project moves along to update you and your home's listing on our website
Surf or Sound Realty is committed to nurturing your investment. If you are a homeowner interested in learning more about our property management company, contact Danny Register at joinus@surforsound.com or call/text Danny at 252.996.0499 for a no-obligation rental projection of your home today. As your neighbor, it would be my pleasure.
