Surf or Sound Realty

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Sarah Anderson

I will never rent from Surf or Sound again. We have rented with multiple companies on Hatteras Island, and we had come to expect less from SOS but just dealt with it. However, they put the nail in the coffin when I tried to book a house for August in 2013 and found out we would not be allowed to do so, stemming from our 2011 week when we were evacuated due to Hurricane Irene (thankfully, we had travel insurance). SOS called and left a message in the late afternoon/early evening about the pending evacuation, but no mention of when exactly we had to be gone. Watching the weather, and knowing that the storm was still almost four days from landfall, we prepared to leave but didnt feel rushed. The next day two very nice gentleman came and knocked on the door and told us we had to leave. This was probably around 10am. We explained that we would be leaving that afternoon and needed a few hours to get everyone together. They said to be out by 2pm because that is when they would come and shut off the power. We got everyone/thing together and moved out. We even took care of all the pre-hurricane measures they ask you to do(furniture in pool, securing loose items, etc). We also left the place cleaner than we found it (tiki bar was a mess of graffiti). We were all on the road a little before 2pm. No problem, right? Well, in 2012 I rented from Outer Beaches(awesome, by the way), but this year we were trying to book another house offered by SOS. When I called to book the house, I was informed that I was no longer permitted to rent from them because their records stated that we had been unwilling to leave during Hurricane Irene. I was absolutely shocked. First, because we were very cooperative, and secondly because I feel if they had some issue with us, we should have been promptly informed (especially since we had been repeat customers). The lady that informed me of this situation and said she would have their manager (Sherry) call me--it has been four days and no call back. We have a large family and routinely book larger, premium properties. This year that money will go to another realty. SOS is making it clear that my business means nothing to them. Nor would I further entrust my vacation experience to their lack of business and service acumen.

Diane Massucci

BAIT AND SWITCH! STAY AWAY- #169 STORM’S END We have rented many homes in the OBX for the past 15 years- this is by far the absolute worst ever! Total Bait and Switch! The picture of the pool on the web site looks lovely, the actual pool is disgusting! Surf or Sound sent us an email ON THE DAY OF ARRIVAL saying that the pool is safe for swimming in spite of stains from a "recent hurricane.” There was no recent hurricane...but we were told by a local contractor that years ago there was a hurricane and sewage stained the pool. Obviously an ongoing issue but they continue to lie to potential customers with the photo of the pool. The house was not properly cleaned, the beds were not made (sheets were there so we had to make them ourselves- the sheets smelled awful so we had to first wash them ourselves!) The dirty sheets sat in bags next to the house all week never picked up- no wonder the “clean sheets” smell! I found a fingernail on my sink, all of the windowsills were full of dust. There is NO A/C in the Master bedroom on the third floor- no vents at all just a ceiling fan....and the windows leaked when it rained in a few of the rooms! The BBQ was unsafe and disgusting. All rotted - can’t even put the tank (which was empty by the way) in a safe position under the grill. We contacted the realty and they were blaming everything on the homeowner. There was only ONE housecleaner there - how can one person be expected to properly clean a 5 bedroom house in a few hours? I feel very bad for the housekeeper- she was very nice when we arrived and the house was not yet ready. The realtor said the homeowners won’t pay for better housekeeping. I have no idea who is responsible but in the end we paid a lot of $ for a house that wasn’t clean with a pool that looked disgusting and none of our family would use. No A/C in our bedroom was awful. The realtor didn’t want to talk to us about the issues or make any effort to resolve them. The small refund was a drop in the bucket for what we paid. She did pay for the refill on the propane tank- but we had to go and do that ourselves.. There are so many great houses to rent in the OBX- stay away from this house and from Surf or Sound!

Chris Van Voorhis

How do I start? Well surf and sound reality did a horrible job of cleaning our rental home. They actually left (dirty) toilet paper in the hallway after they "cleaned" our rental. There was a toilet that didnt s even have a tp holder in it. The oven was filthy with grease all over the outside. The propertys name is "Endless Summer Nights" the home isnt bad, but for the price youd at least think it would be clean with everything working, I do have pictures to prove all that Dana Wells, "the manager," accused me of being drunk (which I wasnt,) when I went to complain. I think they must have many problems with management. Also, We have no electricity at all in our lower level. We have rented through outer beaches reality for years and had 0 problems. This is the first and last time we will ever use this company. It was so bad we immediately asked for a refund and cancelled our vacation. They quickly told me there are no refunds regardless of their false advertising and I needed to leave before they called security. Two days into our rental and we still have no sheets and linens we paid for. Sad What a disgraceful company. Use Outer Beaches, there is no comparison.

Kyle Albrecht

This was our first year using Surf or Sound Realty. We stayed at the awesome "Sailors Landing" in Rodanthe. Everything was done over the internet and very much to our satisfaction. Check in and check out could not have been easier and more efficient. More than the realty company though was the beautiful house that we stayed in for our week in the OBX. "Sailors Landing" is the most awesome, unique, clean, home away from home, ideal vacation home we have ever experienced. This home and its location is a paradise. The owners have made this home very welcoming and friendly. All its amenities make it superb! We have already booked for next year. Thanks to Sailors Landing for a wonderful, memory making vacation. The Albrecht Family

Martha Clark

We arrived here a little before 4PM. We were able to enter the home because someone left one of the doors unlocked. Our entrance code finally worked at 10 PM. The more disturbing issue is that it is now after 2AM and we still have no sheets or towels. Multiple phone calls have been made to the answering service regarding our plight. Although sympathetic, those folks are unable to do anything but urgently notify Surf or Sound. All that we have heard is that the laundry service experienced a problem today, but the linen is on the truck. It is doubtful that we will receive any linen tonight. I will continue to call every hour for an update, but dont expect any miracles.