Rental Periods: During the Value, Summer and Prime seasons, reservations are for full weeks only, Saturday to Saturday. There are four properties that are Sunday to Sunday. Since Memorial Day and Labor Day fall into Value season, most properties will allow a partial stay. During the Spring/Fall and Off seasons, partial stays are also allowed.
Rental Seasons for 2010:
OFF SEASON
runs from
Jan 1
thru
March 31
SPRING SEASON
runs from
Apr 1
thru
May 14
VALUE SEASON
runs from
May 15
thru
Jun 11
SUMMER SEASON
runs from
Jun 12
thru
Jun 18
PRIME SEASON
runs from
June 19
thru
Aug 6
SUMMER SEASON
runs from
Aug 7
thru
Aug 13
VALUE SEASON
runs from
Aug 14
thru
Sep 10
FALL SEASON
runs from
Sep 11
thru
Sep 24
OFF SEASON
runs from
Sept 25
thru
Dec 31
Reservations may be made by phone, e-mail or in person. After a reservation has been made, we will send a rental agreement to the person who made the reservation. All further transactions will be made with that person only. If you have any special requirements or a particular quality in mind, we strongly suggest you thoroughly discuss your needs with Ward Realty prior to confirming your reservation.
Total Rent Price: The total price for a vacation rental with Ward Realty is comprised of the following items: base rent, taxes (NC sales tax + local accommodations tax) + Travel Insurance (optional) + Property Protection Plan OR security deposit + processing fee.
Property Protection Plan: In lieu of a Security Deposit, you may choose to accept the Property Protection Plan for your vacation. This plan covers up to $3,000 of accidental damages. Click on the following link for more information: Property Protection Plan
Reservations/Cancellations: Please note our cancellation policy before submitting any money towards your vacation as described by #9 of the 2010 Rental Contract. 2010 Rental Contract
What is Provided in our Rental Properties:Our properties are individually furnished and equipped by the homeowners. All of our cottages feature standard items such as TV's, pillows, comforters or bedspreads, microwaves, coffee makers, pots and pans, dishes, utensils and glassware. Air conditioning, additional TVs, DVD players, telephones, porch and deck furniture, grills, games and other equipment may be furnished as a courtesy and are not guaranteed to be at the property or in proper working condition. Refunds will not be given due to the breakdown of these items. Please note that linens and paper products are not included.
Rental Items: We have a limited supply of linens and beach umbrellas for rent. Please call to reserve them well in advance. These items will be delivered to your property by the end of the day of your arrival. A $25.00 restocking fee will be applied for rental item cancellations made less than 30 days. Please click on our list of Topsail Island rental items for prices and more information.
Pets: Ward Realty has many homes that are pet-friendly. After all, pets need a vacation, too! There is a pet fee added to your cost if you choose to bring your pet to one of the pet friendly vacation rentals. Please note that if you have allergies to pets that you should search for "Pet-Free" cottages - properties where pets are not allowed, even for the homeowners.
Island Locations:
Oceanfront: Property located on the Atlantic Ocean
Ocean View:
Property located on Second or Third Row or Interior with a view of the ocean
Second Row:
Property located across street from ocean
Interior:
Property located in the interior/middle of the island
Soundview:
Property located on the sound/marsh side with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway
Soundfront:
Property located on the open sound waters
Canalfront:
Property located on a soundside finger canal
Mainland:
Property located just across the sound on the mainland
Office Hours
8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM on Sundays during the PRIME, SUMMER and VALUE SEASONS.
Check-in: Check-In is between 3:00pm and 5:30pm at our office in Surf City. Our office is located one block south of the traffic light, and we are on the left-hand side of South Topsail Drive. You may check-in after 3:00pm, provided that your property is ready for occupancy. Do not go to the property prior to checking in at our office, because this will delay your check-in. If a property is occupied or if there are cars in the driveway, the cleaners and inspectors will skip this property and move on to the next. Furthermore, if you occupy the property before it has been inspected, Ward Realty may be unable to provide you with a clean and properly maintained home at the beginning of your vacation.
Please plan your day of arrival accordingly. Every effort is made to ensure that all properties are clean and ready, but in some instances it may be necessary to delay occupancy for repairs or extra cleaning. There are no rebates for late occupancy. If you want to arrive early and will be comfortable hanging out on the beach all day, shopping or visiting the sites, then it may make your first day more fun. However, if you have infants, elderly family members, pets, or anyone with special needs, you need to plan for a later arrival. Two final notes: The swing bridge opens on the hour, every hour, for recreational boats so plan to travel on and off the island on the half-hour (bridge opens at any time for commercial vessels) as traffic can be heavy due to bridge openings. And, please do not go grocery shopping until you have checked-in to avoid spoiled food. Soupy ice cream is not fun!
Late Arrival: You can check-in after our office closes if your rental agreement has been signed and your reservation has been paid in full. Please call us if you think you will be arriving past 5:30pm to make arrangements for your check-in.
Departure Time: We know it will be difficult leaving Topsail, but Check-out time is 10:00 a.m. PROMPT. Please return your 2 sets of keys, any pool and parking passes to our office. Do not go back to the property after you have turned in your keys. You are responsible for completion of the items on the check-out procedures list that is included in your check-in packet. If you plan to leave earlier than 8:30am, please leave the keys and passes in the drop box to the right of the rental office door. Please drive carefully.
Parking: Parking varies greatly between properties. Please plan for the least number of vehicles possible. Most Condo complexes limit parking to two vehicles and unfortunately there are a couple of single family homes and duplexes that have very limited parking. You may wish to check with our office to make sure prior to your arrival.
Mail/Messages: Mail, faxes & packages sent to you in care of Ward Realty may be picked up at our office during regular business hours. Please remember to put the name of the property where you are staying on anthing that is sent to you. We will not forward mail, etc. that was not picked up or arrived late. ONLY TRUE EMERGENCY MESSAGES WILL BE DELIEVERED. All others will be posted on the bulletin board in the rental office.
What to Bring: You must furnish sheets, pillow cases, blankets, towels, paper products, non-abrasive cleaning supplies and beach furniture. Most kitchens are well equipped, but if you have a favorite kitchen item, you may wish to bring it with you. Though the appliances may vary, each property is furnished with cooking utensils and dining service for the number it accommodates. An expanded checklist of what to bring.
We close our office at 5:00 PM during the SPRING/FALL SEASON and the OFF SEASONS.
During the month of December, our office is closed on Sundays.
In observance of the Christmas season and New Year's holiday, our office will be closed for the last half of December and will reopen after New Year's Day in January, 2011.
