By renting directly through the owner, you save 12% on realtor commission fees. Our rental procedure is pretty simple. Once you decide on your week(s), confirm availability with me (via e-mail or phone) and send me your mailing info and phone numbers. I'll then mail or e-mail to you our Rental Agreement. It is very straightforward. Just sign and mail to me with a check for 50% of the total rent. This will hold your week(s). One month prior to your move in date, the remaining 50% rent plus security deposit is due. Once final payment is received, I will mail or e-mail to you the 4 digit house entry code for your week (for our keyless door locks) along with useful information about the house, packing list, and local things to do.
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Yes. Beach Haven Gardens is a great place for families to vacation and we're fortunate to have so many cool things nearby. If you walk up our street toward the boulevard, you'll find Howard's Seafood Restaurant right on the bay. Also nearby is Woody's Burgers, WaWa, Terrace Tavern, California Grill & Pizza, Meltdown Ice Cream Parlor, Marvel's Bakery & Deli, a seafood market, liquor store, etc. One mile south is Fantasy Island Amusement park, arcade, water slides, miniature golf and Bay Village Shopping.
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No. Our house is on the oceanside of the island's main road, Long Beach Boulevard. We are 12 houses from the beach and you have to cross 2 small streets (Beach Avenue & Ocean Avenue) to get there.
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We collect a $300 security deposit per rental. This amount could be used to cover the cost of damages caused by you or your family to our property during your stay. But in our 10 years of renting our house, we've only had a few incidents that led us to deduct a portion of the deposit. We really don't want to keep anyone's deposit! We typically return security deposits within 7 - 10 days after you depart from our house.
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Yes. It surprised me that many rentals on the island do not provide a change-over cleaning service or charge tenants extra for this. I think arriving at a house that has been professionally cleaned is important and I wouldn't do it any other way. We have an excellent cleaning crew of 4 that arrive right after our tenants depart so that it is ready by the time the next family arrives. We do not charge extra for this--it is included in your rental price. We do ask that all tenants leave the house in good condition--make beds, empty dishwasher, clear out all food, take out garbage, etc--but no need to scrub toilets or vacuum. If the house is left in particularly bad shape, my cleaning crew will inform me and I will deduct a portion of your security deposit. Fortunately, we never had to deal with this problem.
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On the last morning of your vacation, you need to leave the house in good condition. I provide a brief check list of things you'll need to do: empty house of all food items and personal belongings, clear out garbage, leave beach badges on counter (*important*), make beds, etc. Our cleaners arrive promptly at your departure time to mop floors, scrub bathrooms, vacuum, clean counters, and get the house looking nice for the next tenants. We receive a call from our cleaners each week to let us know the condition your family left the house -- normally very good! We then return your security deposit.
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No. Just Families please.
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Sorry Fido. Pets are NOT permitted in our houses...not even as visitors.
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We work hard at preventative maintentance prior to each summer so that our tenants will not have any disruptions. Unfortunately, like any house, things sometimes need repair. Your first action is to call us and let us know the problem. We then contact our local handyman or appliance contractor to schedule repair. Our handyman is usually able to get to the house within 24 hours to assess the problem and repair as needed. We cannot guarantee immediate assistance but we will do our best.
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Sorry but no. Please provide us with the cell phone numbers you will have with you during your stay so if we need to reach you, we'll be able to do so. There is an internet cafe on the island, about 5 1/2 miles north of our house.
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We're fortunate to have so many terrific tenants -- and we will try to show our appreciation by giving them right of first refusal for their week(s) before opening our calendar to new tenants. This typically happens in October or November for the following summer.
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If you need to cancel your vacation for any reason, contact me right away--by e-mail and telephone please to ensure I am informed as quickly as possible. I will re-list the week on our rental websites and try to get someone to fill. If I can re-rent it for full price, you will get a full refund. If I need to discount (if the week is less than a month away) then you will get back whatever you paid less the amount of discount. If the week is not re-rented, you will not get any of your rent money back.
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Please contact me first to ensure availability of the week you want. I check e-mail frequently. Then provide your name, address, home and cell phone numbers. I will email you our Rental Agreement. Upon your review and approval, mail back to me signed with a check for 50% of total rent. This locks in your week. Other renters will be considered until we receive and clear your 1st payment. The balance is not due until one month prior to your move in date.
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We have Keyless Entry locks on the front doors of our house. Instead of using a key, you'll enter a 4-digit code to unlock house. Door will automatically lock when closed. This makes it easier for families to come and go without worrying about keys or leaving house unlocked for other family members. It also alleviates the need for sending and returning the key via mail. Once your final payment is received, I will e-mail you a specific 4-digit code for your family.
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