Visited by thousands of NC bound vacationers and the permanent home to many, the Crystal Coast is situated along North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks. Comprised of the mainland communities of Beaufort, Morehead City to the east and Cape Carteret, and Swansboro to the west, the Bogue Banks barrier island towns of Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach, Salter Path, and Emerald Isle are sandwiched in between. If you’re seeking the ultimate NC beach vacation escape, it’s here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina!

NC Crystal Coast Vacation Tools

1. Beach Access Points and Maps
2. Beach Condo Developments
3. Golf Courses
4. Restaurants
5. Attractions
6. Fishing Piers
7. Things To Do
8. Annual Events
9. Shopping
10. Crystal Coast Photos
11. Emerald Isle Boat Ramps

The NC Crystal Coast – What’s Not to Love!

Comprised of pristine NC Crystal Coast beaches, historical landmarks, abundant wildlife, fabulous shopping, sumptuous local restaurants, fun-filled attractions, memorable events and awesome natural wonders, the Crystal Coast is all of this and so much more! Before you plan your NC Crystal Coast vacation trip you’ll need to search for your perfect Crystal Coast rental property. The Crystal Coast Blog is loaded with great Crystal Coast vacation resources and condo information.

Need Help Locating That Perfect Crystal Coast Rental Property?

With so many NC Crystal Coast visitors traveling from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, South and North Carolina, you need all the help you can get to plan your perfect Crystal Coast vacation. Always mindful to protect your private information, feel free to contact the Crystal Coast Blog today! Your Crystal Coast Blogger and this resource is here to help you with planning your NC beach vacation. No strings – no pressure and completely free, email today if you need assistance!

I have received many calls and questions emailed to me from readers wanting information about Crystal Coast homes and specifically about Emerald Isle condos for rent and for sale. Most of these questions center around the local Emerald Isle real estate market, and questions about things to do in Emerald Isle.

My Personal Favorite Entries From the Crystal Coast Blog

To help provide the answers many visitors to this blog have asked, here are some of my personal favorite past Crystal Coast Blog post.

Which Type of Emerald Isle Real Estate Agent Should You Select? One Who Blogs or One Who Doesn’t?

Internet Connectivity High on the List of Crystal Coast Hotel Guest

Questions for Crystal Coast Home Buyers

Factors that Impact the Success of Selling Your Emerald Isle Property

Is There Such a Thing as a Long-term Emerald Isle Rental?

The Cool Things You Can Do With Your iPhone on Emerald Isle!

Great Coffee on Emerald Isle – Beans-N-Screens

I hope you enjoy reading these post as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know which one was your “personal fav”!
Bobby Carroll – Your Crystal Coast Blogger

I often receive phone calls from renters seeking a long-term Emerald Isle beach front home or condo. I’ve found most of these inquiries come from younger couples especially military couples stationed at Camp LeJeune who are looking for a long-term rental. A few of things occur during these calls.

Educating the Emerald Isle Renter

I feel it is my first responsibility is to help educate those who call about locating a rental property on Emerald Isle. Many renters are unaware of the higher costs associated with renting property on Emerald Isle. Emerald Isle’s location is far more desirable than a rental property located on the mainland in Jacksonville, Cape Carteret or Swansboro. Second, many callers have a dream of finding a long-term condo or single-family property rental right on the oceanfront never giving thought those situations are so few (if not impossible to find). Why? Let me explain.

Emerald Isle Property Investors Really Want Higher Rental Rates

For an Emerald Isle property owner, they prefer to have their vacation property rented for short-term rentals driving higher rental rates. Obviously, higher rentals rates occur during the desirable peak summer months. It’s a simple matter of economics. This is especially true for those properties located on or near the oceanfront or along the Bogue Sound. Move slightly away from the beach or sound and the likelihood an Emerald Isle property can be rented for a year or longer becomes more economically feasible for both the property owner and the potential renter.

Desirability and Emerald Isle Property Values Increase Rental Rates

Just keep in mind, long-term Emerald Isle rental units will always incur higher rental rates than rental properties located on the mainland. It’s all because of the law of the supply and demand, desirability and higher property values. And property on Emerald Isle is very desirable!

What has been your experience renting long-term rental property on Emerald Isle? Be the first to leave a comment.

Bobby Carroll – Your Crystal Coast Blogger

10 Tips to Making Your Crystal Coast Vacation More Affordable

If you have a job and your finances are such that you can afford a vacation to Emerald Isle (or any of our other beautiful NC beach towns), how can you make your trip to the NC coast more affordable? Here are a few tips to help make your Crystal Coast vacation go easier on your wallet:

1. Stay Away From the Ocean: As in oceanfront rentals. Many vacationers love renting NC beach homes on the oceanfront. Opt for more affordable rentals on the second row or maybe even several streets off the oceanfront and you’ll realize significant savings. Plus, beach access points are conveniently located all along the Crystal Coast and make it easy to reach the beach from almost anywhere on the island.
2. Shorten Your Stay: Instead of a two week vacation, make it for one week.
3. Dine in More Often: When you do come, be frugal and eat in more often. Now this doesn’t have to mean more time in the kitchen for the family chef. Many Crystal Coast rental properties provide a grill and many of the Emerald Isle condos offer picnic and grilling stations. Then plan one or two special “go out to eat nights” to spice up your stay. Don’t forget to grab any of the many local magazines that offer discount coupons for eats and activities. You’ll find them everywhere on the Crystal Coast.
4. Be Free: As in come to the Crystal Coast when special “FREE” local events are scheduled making your trip more affordable.
5. Maximize Your NC Beach Trip: Make it a real family affair. Hang out more at your rental and play board games, have special craft times using our local resources like shells and sand. Plan fewer costly activities that can ding the pocketbook.
6. Downsize: Select a smaller Emerald Isle beach house or Emerald isle condo for your stay.
7. GO BIG: Invite many friends and relatives to come stay and share the cost.
8. The Beach Layaway Plan: Well that might be a stretch but some Crystal Coast vacation rental agencies are allowing their renters to set up a payment plan for deposits and rentals.
9. Fall Back or Spring Ahead: Instead of paying for the peak summer rental season, maybe consider scheduling your Emerald Isle vacation for the spring or the fall months. These rental seasons are called ‘the shoulder months” and they offer consider savings over the prime summer months.
10. Do It Yourself Vacation: Instead of splurging on options like renting sheets, towels, and beach chairs, bring your own. Another popular option is to bring your bikes. With the great bike paths in Emerald Isle, you and your family can easily reach almost any short distance destination people could normally reach by car.

These money saving tips are sure to make a big impact on your vacation budget. Let me know which one you think is your favorite. If I missed a money saving tip, feel free to add yours to the list.

Helping you save more on your Crystal Coast vacation,

Bobby Carroll – Your Crystal Coast Blogger

Related Crystal Coast Blog Post

Are You Waiting for Sweeter Deals to Book Your Crystal Coast Vacation? It’s been 9 months since I originally asked this question in a post I wrote May 18th 2008. The problem is we are still asking the same question in 2009.

Based on current projections issued by the National Hurricane Center, it appears Tropical Storm Hanna will intensify into a hurricane before making landfall along the South Carolina/North Carolina border. NOAA’s website also indicates the developing tropical storm will make landfall shortly after midnight Saturday morning. Because major damage can occur especially on the east side of a hurricane, all precautions should be made to protect life and property along the Southern Outer Banks.

Listen to Local Crystal Coast Authorities

If you reside along the Crystal Coast towns of Emerald Isle, Salter Path, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach it is strongly recommended you be attentive to any and all announcements by local authorities as this storm approaches the east coast of the US. If orders are given to evacuate the barrier island of Bogue Banks, do so. If you have rented a beach cottage or condo on the Crystal Coast and plan to arrive this weekend, it is recommended you contact your Crystal Coast real estate agency for information about your rental prior to your arrival date.

It is obviously our prayers this storm stay far out in the Atlantic away from the coast of the US.

Do You Think the TBJ Reads the Crystal Coast Blog?

If you’re like me, I like to read my area’s local Biz Journal. In fact, even in this day and age of RSS feeds, Google Reader and news aggregators, yes I still read the paper. Archaic isn’t it. Because I have a subscription to the TBJ, I receive their daily email updates on “breaking news stories.” Well I received an email today from TBJ and it included a story entitled “Study: Few execs leave the office behind while on vacation“. Wouldn’t you know I had to go leave a comment and gloat a bit. You see, I wrote (dare I say scooped!) a post on a similar topic entitled  “Wireless Web the Most Requested Amenity for Hotel Guest“. Me thinks the writers of the TBJ are reading my Crystal Coast Blog!

Making a Case for Providing Internet Access

In my previous post I recommended Crystal Coast vacation property owners provide the “wired generation” their Internet “tether” or chance losing precious Emerald Isle rental revenue. It seems my TBJ friends were “tuned in” to my wave length as their article indicated C-level corporate types and mid-level managers surveyed stated wired vacations were a must.

Luxury Emerald Isle Vacation Rental Properties – Go Wireless or Miss the (Gravy) Boat!

The evidence is pretty compelling, either add Internet connectivity (of the wireless variety) or possibly lose rental revenue from the very target audience (corporate executives) you are trying to attract to your Emerald Isle luxury beach rental home. It’s as simple as that.

I look forward to your feedback.

Helping you “connect” with more Emerald Isle real estate rental opportunities,

Bobby

Lately I have been thinking about the direction of topics and information provided in this blog. One key element I teach every blogger is you must know who your audience is and then provide “high-value” content to your audience in your blog. That way, loyal readers will return time and again to read your fresh content.

The SEO Benefits to a “Themed Blog”

Another important element is to make sure a blog has a central theme for search engines. Random thoughts across a broad spectrum of topics can confuse the likes of Google and Yahoo, not to mention my readers.

Real Estate Agents and Brokers Read the Crystal Coast Blog

Because of my activities as a real estate marketing coach, I advise my real estate agent clients and other real estate related professionals the best practices related to real estate web sites, blog sites, blogging and search engine optimization. And yes, I have used this portal to occasionally speak to that audience. I’m confident my clients and other industry friends who hang out at online social media sites read this blog too. My site stats and the comments left by real estate agents bare this out.

Speaking to Crystal Coast Consumers

Then again, consumers who visit the Crystal Coast for their vacation, and others who are thinking about buying and selling a home on the Southern Outer Banks of NC read this portal. It was and still is my mission to provide meaningful travel and vacation tips mixed with real estate buying and selling strategies so you will make the absolute best decisions about your Emerald Isle real estate transaction or vacation trip.

Slight Topical Shift Ahead

Going forward, each new post added to the Crystal Coast Blog will be 100% focused to you, the consumers. If you are seeking information on vacations on the Crystal Coast as well as those families and individuals seeking to buy and sell property in Emerald Isle and all along the Crystal Coast, this blog is for you!

Plenty of Resources for the Real Estate Crowd

If you’re a real estate agent or broker and you were expecting to find articles to help you  better understand the dynamics of real estate marketing, I will be featuring those articles on several blog portals including the blog at dakno.com, at BloggingBootCamp.com and the Bloggerlounge.com blog.

Please let me know how you feel about this slight change in topical direction.

Bobby Carroll – The Crystal Coast Blogger

But What About Vacation Rentals?

According to a recent survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), hotel guest believe a wireless Internet connection is the most important technology amenity when selecting a hotel. Here is a quick breakdown of leading technology amenities hotel guest rank for importance:

1. 82% of guests rank wireless Internet as their most preferred hotel amenity
2. 48% requested In-room entertainment systems
3. 38% thought airline check-in kiosks would be the highest ranking hotel amenity

How is the Hotel Industry Different From the Vacation Rental Business?

They are totally different animals. That’s a no-brainer! While those on vacation might select a hotel as a place for short-term lodging based more on creature comforts and location, by and large, business travelers are the hotel’s “bread and butter” and generate the most revenue. Those traveling for business purposes need all the relevant technology tools available to remain “connected and productive”.

Crystal Coast Beach Cottage Rentals

Those on a Crystal Coast vacation typically desire to “disconnect” and relax. The problem is, many in our society refuse to be breakaway from the technology we demand and use each day of our lives. It’s like the “Crackberry” addiction! We must stay on top of our emails, instant messages, Tweets from our Tweeter followers, and communications from our online social network “buddies“. That’s why I believe Crystal Coast vacation rental property owners can cash in on this “need” to be constantly connected by offering your guest the highly sought-after wireless connectivity.

What Can Emerald Isle Vacation Property Owners Learn From the Hotel Industry?

Apparently, the hotel industry has listened to their customers and are quickly moving toward 100% of industry’s hotels offering wireless Internet connectivity. The current stat is at 91% of all hotels are now offering wireless access. That’s up 35% from four short years ago. As a Crystal Coast vacation property owner, you would do well to follow the lead of the hotels and provide “your guest” the same technology.

Want More Rental Income From the Gen Y Crowd?

This is especially true if you want to attract more of your business from the Gen Y crowd. Remember this fact, guys and gals of the Millennial Generation were raised on the Internet and they depend on it like we used to depend on our transistor radios. Oops, now I’m really showing my age.

Have a Different Opinion?

If you do, be sure to leave a comment.

Until next time,

Bobby

And I Did All the Work for You!

I realize some of you just don’t have the time to search for the spring rental and hotel deals on the Southern Outer Banks (or some are just to dang lazy to do it!), but I decided to see for myself if all this “talk” about NC Coast spring vacation rental and hotel discounts was just that – a lot of talk. Well guess what? There are spring beach deals out there but who knows how long they are going to last. Remember – it’s first come, first served!

Crystal Coast Beach Deals

With that said, I combed the web just for you to see what kind of Crystal Coast beach deals are out there. Remember, as true to the philosophy of the Crystal Coast Blog, these specials do not serve as an endorsement of goods or services provided by these suppliers. Once you have experienced the supplier’s services, why not email or comment on this blog and let me know the quality of the rental or hotel room and service you experienced. Don’t forget to tell me if the “deal” was for real.. an honest to goodness deal!

Atlantic Beach Hotel and Rental Specials

Sheraton Atlantic Beach Hotel Specials

Atlantic Beach Realty Spring Rental Specials

Cannon & Gruber Real Estate Rental Specials (Most are weekly specials)

Crystal Coast Beach Rental Specials by Spectrum Properties

Emerald Isle Rental Specials

Emerald Isle Realty Beach Rental Specials (Weekly only)

Emerald Isle Rental Specials (Weekly only)

Emerald Isle Rental Specials Offered by Century 21 Coastland Realty (Weekly only)

Disclaimers For All

Of course, I’d be stupid to omit this disclaimer. All Crystal Coast beach specials are subject to availability. I can not assume any responsibility for the quality (or lack thereof) of the goods and services you purchase. If I have omitted any information, it is totally by accident and I am not responsible for the accuracy of the information you find on this or any other website in the universe. Enough of the lawyer speak.

Come on Guys – Talk to Me!

Did I waste my time or is this information helpful to anybody out there? Don’t forget, please let me know if the deals represented on these links offer some decent discounts or if their a lot of “hot air’.

Geez… I hope somebody out there saves some money after all that hard work I went through. Ok, admittedly it only took me less than 20 minutes to perform a few searches, but I did it all for you!

Helping you save on your next Crystal Coast vacation,

Bobby :>)

I read an interesting article in the business section of the News and Observer this past Saturday. The article implied that people are waiting before they book their vacation rentals and make their hotel reservations for the Crystal Coast. It seems the primary reasons we are “sitting on our hands” is because of the economy, the gas prices and the elusive search to save a buck!

Teasing You to Come to the Beach

The reporter went on to say that in response to a lack of advanced bookings, real estate agencies and hotels are offering incentives.These inducements range from gas cards to discounts off the rate and sometimes both.

Not From Here?

In case you missed the N&O newspaper article, here are a few suggestions to help you in finding the best deals offered on the Crystal Coast.

1. Hit the Internet and save! I suggest you troll around the Crystal Coast rental agency and hotel websites for “web-only specials”
2. Pick up the phone and bargain with the representatives. Provided you have some good negotiating skills, it never hurts to ask for a discount
3. Wait to the “last minute” and see if the discounts get better. Remember, there are risk involved in waiting to the bitter end as your selection might be sacrificed or even exhausted leaving you “no room in the inn”

How About it Crystal Coast Real Estate Agencies?

If you represent a Crystal Coast real estate agency are your advanced bookings down? Are you offering discounts or incentives to book NOW? If so, what inducements are you offering?

Is it True?

Consumers, are you finding Crystal Coast hotels and real estate agencies are in fact offering big savings to come to the North Carolina coast?

Helping you save on your Crystal Coast vacation,

Bobby