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Outer Banks Vacation Frequently Asked Questions

 

Back to TopWhat is Trip Insurance ?

Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates offers the option of purchasing a trip insurance policy with each vacation rental. Most guests think vacation rental insurance is just for hurricane evacuations, but it really covers much more. "Trip Preserver" from Red Sky Travel Insurance provides valuable coverage, benefits and 24-hour emergency assistance services to take care of you while traveling to and from your vacation destination and protects your hard-earned vacation investment. The trip cancellation and trip interruption component includes coverage for sickness, injury and death; extension of school year; armed services leave revocation; hurricane evacuations and much more.  

Please keep in mind that payment for the plan must be received prior to or with your final vacation rental payment, and there are terms and conditions that apply. For complete details, you should reference the Trip Preserver Policy Details.

Back to TopWhen is my first payment due? 

Once a reservation request is received a signed Vacation Rental Agreement and Advance Rent Payment must be received in our office within three (3) days.

Back to TopDo you send a reminder for the unpaid balance due?

We do send payment reminders to all guests who provide an e-mail address. A final payment is due no later than thirty (30) days prior to your check-in date. 

Back to TopWhere do I pick up my keys?

Our office is located at Milepost 2.7 in Kitty Hawk, NC at 4607 Croatan Highway which is the same as US Highway 158. This is where you will check-in and get the keys for your vacation rental home. We will have directions ready for you. Some homeowners have keyless entry. You will be given the instructions via e-mail for a keyless entry arrival.

Back to TopWhat if I arrive after your office closes at 5:00 PM?

If you arrive after hours the keys or key code and directions to your vacation home will be put in the after hours box. Our office has a drop box just to the left of the front door. Your check-in package will be clearly marked with your last name and Joe Lamb rental unit number on the outside of the package.

Back to TopCan we check-in earlier than 4pm?

We set our check-in time at 4:00pm so that service providers such as housekeepers, inspection crews and maintenance vendors have time to do their jobs. Most every home has new guests arriving each week. With just a short time between check-out time and check-in time, we have to allow enough time to get your vacation home ready for you and your family. We will make every attempt to let you into the home earlier but only if it has been released for occupancy. Please do not park at the home and ask the service vendors if the home is ready for you to go into. We have specific processes in place to ensure that everything is ready for you. We do not have a pay to check-in early program.

Back to TopWhat is the phone number to my vacation home?

You can contact us to get the phone number on the Monday prior to your arrival day. It will be listed on your check-in package information. Phones are for local calls only and there is no charge.

Back to TopWhat do I need to bring?

All Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates vacation properties are equipped with standard kitchen amenities such as cooking pots and pans, dishes, silverware, basic cooking utensils and glassware. You will need to bring paper products like toilet tissue, paper towels, as well as garbage bags, hand soap, dish and laundry detergent. You might want to pack any items that you use regularly at home that the homeowner may not provide like crock pots, salad spinners or your favorite chef knife. The things we find most guests forget are spices, coffee filters, aluminum foil, dish towels, sponges and dish cloths. Even if you do forget something you can easily pick it up at a nearby grocery or retail store. Beach chairs, coolers and umbrellas can be rented locally.

Back to TopI see on your property descriptions that you quote the rates for Bed Linens and Towels, how does that work?

You can rent these items, just let us know when we review your rental agreement with you or make a request when booking online. Add the rate quoted (plus tax) into your reservation total amount due. The bed linens and towels are provided by an independent company that delivers directly to your vacation home. Their service makes the beds for you (except for trundles, tops of bunks, sleep sofas, futons and rollways) and leaves the towels. When renting towels you will receive a bath towel, a hand towel and a wash cloth for every person that the house sleeps. You will also be provided with bath mats for the full baths only and two (2) kitchen towels.

The house I want to rent says Bed Linens Provided (Beds Made), Optional Towels. What does that mean? Back to Top

Some owners provide linens and/or towels. Some do not. You can refer to the individual description of the property you want to rent. When renting a home that provides bed linens the independent service will make the beds, except sleep sofas, futons, trundles, and top bunks but the sheets will be provided. If your property of choice says Optional Towels followed by a price then you can rent towels for that rate plus tax or bring your own. We can add the rental of towels to your reservation. It is preferred that you order them prior to sending in your final payment that is due no later than 30 days prior to your arrival date.

Back to TopWhat do I have to do when I check-out?

Please be considerate and leave the home in a neat and clean condition. You will need to wash and put away all of the dishes. Wipe off counters and empty the refrigerator and cabinets. If the owner provides linens leave the beds made at the end of your stay. Otherwise, strip the beds, leave the mattress pads, comforters and pillows on the beds. Make the beds. Deposit dirty linens according to the instructions of the provider. Take out the trash and roll the containers to the street. Do not leave anything outside of the trash container. Set the air conditioner to 75 degrees if it is during the summer; set the heat to 60 degrees if it is winter or the heat is needed. Lock all doors and windows. You will need to vacate your vacation home no later than 10:00 am. Feel free to have breakfast and enjoy your last day here. Just remember to bring the keys, and your advance reservation form to our office before you leave town. Please don't leave the keys inside the home.

Back to TopWhat if we are planning to leave the Outer Banks area before your office opens in the morning?

If you plan on getting  an early start on your trip back home, feel free to drop your keys, and advance reservation form in the after-hours box. Our office has a big drop box just to the left of the front door. If you are in a keyless entry home your code will stop working at 10:00 am.

Back to TopWe had a great time and would love to stay in this Outer Banks vacation home again next year. How do we make an advance reservation for the same week in the same house for next year?

You have a special request form in your Beach Bulletin newsletter in your check-in package. Please fill it out and turn it in with your keys when you check-out. If you are in a keyless entry home call us before you leave or e-mail us at info@joelambjr.com to reserve for next year. Keep in mind the owners of the Vacation Home always have the first choice of weeks. As the repeat guest of the house you have first right to reserve the same rental week for the next year by submitting the request form at check-out. It is best to contact us within a week of departure to verify the receipt of your request. Remember the calendar is always changing. Certain holiday weeks change, as a repeat guest your are given the right to request the same dates as you are staying in the home. You are not guaranteed the holiday will be included in your repeat week.

All advanced reservations are tentative and subject to change. They are not guaranteed. We will send you notification when your reservation request is approved by the homeowner. Once you receive the approval notification you will be directed to Guest Web to e-sign your rental agreement. Your deposit is requested at this time. Look on your rental agreement for the advance deposit amount due.

Back to TopWhat if we are planning to come the Outer Banks area for the first time and we are planning our vacation well in advance of our travel date?

You can call us at 800-552-6257 as early as one year in advance. You can also book online. Weekly Rental rates will not show online until the homeowners have approved the weekly rental rate and released the weeks for the upcoming year. An advance reservation request is subject to an Owner's return of the property to our program as well as the Owner's choice of weeks, change in amenities, and rates.

 

Address: 4607 N. Croatan Hwy | P.O. Box 1030/ Mile Post 2.7 | Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 27949
252-261-4444 / 800-JLambJR / 252-261-3270 (Fax) / info@joelambjr.com
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