Sharing vacation house with friends?

[bigmama67]

Hi,

OK, so we are really interested in going to the Outer Banks this summer but the house rentals are more pricey than I had hoped...we will be going later in August when the rates go down a bit but I think we will have a better chance of finding something we can afford if our friends come with us (mom, dad, daughter). They are considering it but won't know for a while yet as they have their own business and don't know what their summer looks like yet.

So, do I need to worry that EVERYTHING will book up or should I try to be more "Zen" about it? I am not married to a particular area or even a particular type of property, though we would prefer to bring our two dogs (but even that is negotiable). I only don't want to tent-camp because I'll be it's very buggy at that time of year. I just would hate to get to the point where they maybe decided they wouldn't or couldn't come along, and then have no options left, KWIM? How long would/should we wait? I'd love any thoughts on this. We've never done something like it before, but it may be our best chance to make this trip.

Thanks!

 

[azdizzymom]

Don't have advice on rental BUT really think about renting with friends. We went to Florida and a 3 bedroom condo with friends last year. We had 3 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms but shared the living room and kitchen. We had a nice time BUT I can tell you by day 2-3-4-5, etc. we were all getting tired of each other even though we had our own space to go to. There were 2 washers and dryers so we weren't competing for those either. We did one big grocery run and shared the food cost. It was difficult....they did things that drove us crazy and I know we did things that drove them crazy. I have even rented with my sister and nephew and that is the same way. Think about how it is when you have company visiting you or when you go to grandparents for Xmas, etc.

If that doesn't bother you I'd go for it! You might be able to 'negotiate' with the owners if there aren't many rentals for the summer. I have had luck getting a couple hundred at the least (one time almost $500) for rentals. The biggest amount was a couple years ago when gas was high....would imagine more staycations this year and less vacations so you might ask. I always say what is your best rate and then even ask for lower if they don't take anything off.....

Good luck!

 

[walkdmc]

I would want a commitment from them really soon. If they can't commit, IMO, they probably don't want to come.

We've stayed at the OBX twice. I'm very picky (Corolla or Duck, must be no more than 2 blocks to beach and sleep 12-16 and has certain ammenities). Both trips have been booked by February, for one July and one August stay. All of the cheaper weeks were booked in both homes by the time I booked in February. Of course, that was 2 years ago. I don't know what it's been like recently.

 

[mward73]

We went with friends a few years ago - 4 familes (8 adults and 5 kids). We booked in January or February for September. We had a HUGE house, so we weren't really under each other's feet much, but we did have dinners together and most days did things with each other. We all had a great time and are talking about doing it again next year (adding 2 more kids into the picture. lol)

I would start looking now. Get a committment (and money) from them soon. I would also have a backup plan so you don't get your hopes up and have them not be able to go - maybe get a house a few rows from the beach - price goes down considerably. Maybe a different area - Corolla, Duck, Nags Head... all are different prices. If you have 4wd, that area is less expensive as well.

 

[tipsytrtle]

the homes are big enough that being with friends should be OK
but get a commitment from them soon, give them a deadline, say a week or so and if they dont commit take it as a hint that maybe they arent interested...

we went last year family and friends totaling 26people, right on the beach it was amazing and everything we hoped it would be

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I agree with the advice to be sure you can share living quarters with your friend. You'd be surprised how it can tax a friendship!

I rented a cabin with a friend and her family once. We've been friends since high school, we always got along, always had fun together. I was shocked by how difficult it was. It turned out to be a nightmare. Learned things about my friend I never knew before. Like she is a complete control freak! And a total cheapskate! We couldn't watch TV, or even speak loudly once her baby fell asleep every night, and that was as early as 8pm some nights. She kept the temperature of the cabin a roasting 86 degrees when it was 90 plus degrees with 100% humidity outside. She literally labelled "their" food and would not agree to a shared grocery shop with split costs cuz we might want to buy something they didn't like and she didn't want to pay half of something "they wouldn't even eat." They constantly cleaned up after us, meaning we couldn't leave anything out, even my purse on a chair by the door, or a Coke can I was still drinking on a table. It was a nightmare. I'll never do that again. Not ever.

 

[juliebean]

We share a house with friends every summer and have more fun with them than we would alone. They have a teenage boy and little girl too - the boys hang out and attempt to surf, the girls play and play. We split the chores - I like to cook, someone else cleans - and the costs.

I would try to book something, perhaps something you can either afford alone or can cancel and get a refund. We'd love to stay at the outerbanks, we went for a couple of days and it was SO beautiful and relaxed.

 

[disykat]

What kind of house are you talking about?

When we went to OBX, we rented an older, classic vacation cabin/house that was two blocks for the beach for probably 1/4 of the cost of the large, fancier, beach front homes. Not only was it cheaper, I believe it felt more comfortable to us. It was still big enough that we had some family members come visit us for two days while we were there and had beds for everyone. (We're a family of four and so were they and it slept 8)

If you're looking at fancy, maybe consider a more old fashioned beach cabin?

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree that for that location you need to book SOON. Just tell them you really hope that they can come but you need to know ASAP.

We love to vacation with our best friends and renting a house works GREAT for us. We split everything 50/50 and have never once had an issue. I do agree to be sure that you have spent large blocks of time together and know you children click before booking together.

 

[IloveDisney77]

We live in NC, about 3 hours from OBX, and go many times throughout the year. Each year we usually do 2 week-long trips with one in June (not this year though as we will be in SoCal) and the other in September and at least 1 weekend trip in late July. I'm going to disagree with previous posters (sorry)because based on what you said, (no specific city/location) then you do have some time to find a rental. Over the years we have found our requirements met as little as 3/4 weeks in advance (Semi-Oceanfront, private pool, spa, and within 50-100 yards to beach access). For our June trips, we usually book in the late March/April timeframe as owners start dropping prices for their un-rented homes. We usually stay in Corolla area in June and then in September down in the Rodanthe to Salvo area.

With that said, the longer you wait the fewer options you will get. Many homes are booked a year in advance. We always stay in the same house for our September trips and rebook it on our check-out day (get a discount and lock in that years price). Also, you will have to be flexible on the specific week you want especially if you want July or the first 2 weeks in August. End of August when you mentioned ya'll were thinking of going will be a little better.

However with all of the rentals on OBX from Soundfront to Oceanfront and everything in between (and there is LOT in between), you 'should' always be able to find something. Homes with private pools do go quicker so if that is one amenity you really want (for us it is a must) then you should try to nail down your friends sooner.

If you have any additional questions PM me. Happy to help.

 

[bigmama67]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

We have gone away with these friends before but not for a while. My DS and their DD have known each other since they were infants (she is 8 months older than him). Once when we were away on a weekend, though, my friend's DH got really offended about something my DH said (and my DH was joking but he is very quiet and doesn't joke often so he was misconstrued). Then later that year, my friend's DH asked my DH out for a drink and basically said that he felt that they were pushed into spending time together because their wives were friendly, and he didn't necessarily want us to assume they were like "family" to us. That was over four years ago and since then myf riend's DH has acted like that conversation never happened - we don't see them every month or anything but we have had great meals together at each other's houses, they were INDISPENSABLE to us when I had my DD (they kept DS at their house two nights running and paid to rent a car so they could help us out)...that sort of thing. I think we would get along fine but we have never gone away together for that long, so we will have to think about it.

Also I saw a unit on VRBO today that is soundside in Corolla that looks very nice. Does anyone know Currituck Club? It's a little bit more than we were looking to spend but has everything we want - even a private hot tub which I really wanted, DH just wants to be sure there's a pool and the community has several. I e-mailed the owner with some questions so we'll see.

If we stayed down in, say, Rodanthe, wouldn't it take a LOOOONG time to get up to sights such as Kitty Hawk and the Aquarium? I don't mind driving but I don't want to spend half my vacation doing it either.

 

[IloveDisney77]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

We have gone away with these friends before but not for a while. My DS and their DD have known each other since they were infants (she is 8 months older than him). Once when we were away on a weekend, though, my friend's DH got really offended about something my DH said (and my DH was joking but he is very quiet and doesn't joke often so he was misconstrued). Then later that year, my friend's DH asked my DH out for a drink and basically said that he felt that they were pushed into spending time together because their wives were friendly, and he didn't necessarily want us to assume they were like "family" to us. That was over four years ago and since then myf riend's DH has acted like that conversation never happened - we don't see them every month or anything but we have had great meals together at each other's houses, they were INDISPENSABLE to us when I had my DD (they kept DS at their house two nights running and paid to rent a car so they could help us out)...that sort of thing. I think we would get along fine but we have never gone away together for that long, so we will have to think about it.

Also I saw a unit on VRBO today that is soundside in Corolla that looks very nice. Does anyone know Currituck Club? It's a little bit more than we were looking to spend but has everything we want - even a private hot tub which I really wanted, DH just wants to be sure there's a pool and the community has several. I e-mailed the owner with some questions so we'll see.

If we stayed down in, say, Rodanthe, wouldn't it take a LOOOONG time to get up to sights such as Kitty Hawk and the Aquarium? I don't mind driving but I don't want to spend half my vacation doing it either.

Currituck Club is nice but I believe you have shared pools as I recall. There are lots of rental companies out there you can leverage but make sure you look at their extra fees...they can really add up quickly (Surf or Sound, Midgett, Outer Beaches Realty, Sun Realty, etc.). You should look at a map though to determine how close you are to the Sound and the Ocean. Soundside simply means on the West side of the main road. You could be many homes back from the sound and right on a busy road. Also I highly recommend doing a google map to check.

To answer your other question, to get from Rodanthe to Kitty Hawk is about 30 to 45 minutes dependant on traffic. The Aquarium it is anywhere for 1 to 1.5 hours. The question you need to determine is what type of beach vacation you want to have. Do you want to just veg on the beach/pool? do you want to tour the lighthouses? Spend the day in Ocracoke(highly recommended)? Wright Memorial, golf, Roanoke Island, etc... Once you determine what you want to do, that will help you decide an area you might want to stay.

 

[idtwinsmom]

Hi,
but I think we will have a better chance of finding something we can afford if our friends come with us (mom, dad, daughter).

If this were the reason a friend "invited" me on vacation I'd be angry. Perhaps the solution is to just look in a cheaper area?

 

[shortbun]

Hi,

OK, so we are really interested in going to the Outer Banks this summer but the house rentals are more pricey than I had hoped...we will be going later in August when the rates go down a bit but I think we will have a better chance of finding something we can afford if our friends come with us (mom, dad, daughter). They are considering it but won't know for a while yet as they have their own business and don't know what their summer looks like yet.

So, do I need to worry that EVERYTHING will book up or should I try to be more "Zen" about it? I am not married to a particular area or even a particular type of property, though we would prefer to bring our two dogs (but even that is negotiable). I only don't want to tent-camp because I'll be it's very buggy at that time of year. I just would hate to get to the point where they maybe decided they wouldn't or couldn't come along, and then have no options left, KWIM? How long would/should we wait? I'd love any thoughts on this. We've never done something like it before, but it may be our best chance to make this trip. How do you vacation? Do you have to stay busy every day or can you actually relax? THAT is probably the single most important thing you need to acknowledge about yourself before you choose the location. For instance, if you NEED, really have to have, shopping- don't go to Hatteras. Hatteras is windswept, gorgeous, family oriented, laid back. There IS lots of activity on Hatteras but it's not necessarily stuctured. The National Park Service has loads of cool programs, there is great fishing, surfing, kayaking, beaching, shelling, a few cool shops, marvelous seafood, one movie theatre, a native American museum, hiking trails, the ferry to Ocracoke, an hour to Kitty Hawk's Wright Bros area, less than an hour to Manteo where you'll find the Aquarium(but seriously, it's much cooler to seine the sound and view your own ecosystem) and about an hour to Roanoke for the outdoor play on the Lost Colony. Personally, if I was going to spend time sightseeing, I'd be going to Paris but I know some people can not go to sleep at night unless they have every minute of the next day planned. My plan is-relax until I'm so bored I fall asleep or get up and take a walk down the beach to look for shells then reapply sun block and read some more of my book.

Thanks!

We go there every year. There are so many places/areas that you have good choices in types of accomodations. We love Rodanthe which is on Hatteras Island. We stay in a 3 bdrm/2 bath condo that is right on the sound/water and has some oceanviews. It's an easy 5 minute walk to a really great beach area with an easy dune to cross. End of August, these beautifully done condos are pretty inexpensive. pm me if you are interested and I'll bore you with delightful details about the condos and the area.