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Summer is definitely heating up, and vacationers from all over the east and mid-eastern states are congregating in North Myrtle Beach. This year, more guests than ever are coming to Ocean Drive Beach Rentals for an unforgettable vacation. We value our guests and place them first in our business, but we also love the opportunity to serve another kind of customer; the homeowner.

We understand that our business would not be possible without all the great homeowners we have on our rental program. Their properties serve as the home away from home to countless guests throughout the summer. Our inventory is filled with extraordinary and unique homes and condos, thanks to the homeowners that allow us to rent and maintain their property. And just as we want to reach out to potential guests, we also try to reach out to homeowners to invite them to try our property management services.

We are so confident in our property management that we are offering North Myrtle Beach homeowners the opportunity to sign a rental contract with us, with a low 5% commission rate. This rate is good for a full year from the contract signing, if they join our program before the end of 2012. We have had a great deal of success with our properties in the area, and we hope to expand even more by next season. If you or someone you know owns property in North Myrtle Beach, call us today for a consultation. Don’t let this opportunity slip away!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Main Street: The Center of Small-Town North Myrtle Beach

If you’ve never been to North Myrtle Beach, you’re missing out on one of the best vacation spots in the country. While Myrtle Beach is more famous for its many attractions, North Myrtle Beach offers close proximity to the same attractions, but with more of a small-town feel. Once you turn off Highway 17 and head away from all the traffic, quiet neighborhoods, shops and restaurants, smaller resorts, and beach houses make up North Myrtle Beach. At the center of it all is Main Street.

Main Street runs from Highway 17 to Ocean Boulevard and is the major throughway from the larger resorts in Ocean Drive out to the Highway. But it’s more than just a road. It captures the nostalgic feeling of a small town square in a classic American vacation town. Tourists and locals alike love to browse the specialty shops, eat at the famous cafes, and hang out on the beach beyond Ocean Blvd. In the summer, the “horseshoe” area at the end of Main Street is alive with live music and vacationers enjoying the nightlife. On special holidays, the street is closed to traffic, and extravagant parades make their way through town. There are also festivals in Main Street throughout the year, like the Endless Summer Festival in October. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals enthusiastically participates in several of these activities.

Ocean Drive Resort, the Ashworth, the Avista, and Ocean Bay Club are just a few resorts within walking distance of Main Street. These are popular vacation destinations, and you can conceivably park your car at your condo and never use it while you’re here. Entertainment, restaurants, and grocery stores are all conveniently located on Main Street, so walk or rent a bike to save money on vacation! We rent units at all the major Ocean Drive area resorts, so be part of the action and explore Main Street this summer!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

New Beach Regulations for North Myrtle Beach

The time has come for summer vacation, and soon tourists from all over the country will be flocking to North Myrtle Beach to take advantage of our world-famous beaches. Millions of people will head out to the beach to soak up the sun, play in the water, and enjoy relaxing walks down the coastline. While city officials want every family to have a great beach vacation and come back next year, they also want to ensure that certain rules are followed so that everyone is safe and each person remains considerate of the people around them.

The new beach regulations for 2012 are mostly unchanged from last year. They include rules on beach umbrellas and chairs, digging holes in the sand, and other safety guidelines. Perhaps the most welcomed new rule concerns laser pointers. In the past, young vacationers would sometimes bring high-powered colored laser pointers to the beach and shine them on beach combers at night. Also, some beach-goers used them to light up resort walls and point them into condos on the oceanfront. Understandably, some Myrtle Beach guests were upset that their vacation nights were imposed upon by distracting lasers bouncing all over the beach. The new ordinance will prohibit the use of laser pointers on the beach, putting an end to the pesky problem.

The new regulations are already in effect and are being enforced on the beach now. A complete list of these rules can be found here. Though regulated, the use of beach equipment is still permitted and welcome. Guests often ask us where they can rent beach chairs and umbrellas. To rent these items, call (843) 280-5684. Remember to follow beach regulations, and have a great summer out on the Grand Strand!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

How to Save Big in North Myrtle Beach

At Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, we’re always thinking of new ways to bring families to the beach for the lowest price possible. We have put together some awesome specials for May and early June, and we want to invite all our blog readers to get in on the savings! Right now, we’re offering up to 40% off houses and condos with a 5 night minimum, and 25% off weekend stays of 3-4 nights. Vacation rental prices are rarely this low, and we won’t be able to offer deep discounts like this for long. If you’re looking for a bottom-dollar vacation, it’s a great idea to take advantage of this special and book a 2nd or 3rd row property. Though the beach is usually not visible from these homes, it is very close and easily accessible. We have several beautiful properties in our inventory that fit in this category, and we’d love to have you as our guest this spring.

Avista 209

It’s also the best time of year for a couple’s weekend getaway. Browse our one bedroom oceanfront properties and call us for a romantic weekend trip you’ll never forget. Or, bring another couple and rent a two bedroom unit to save even more! Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to answer your questions and get to work creating a customized vacation for you. Give us a call or visit our website to find out more, and we hope to see you soon!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

We Have More Than Just a Great Beach!

There’s no doubt that the ocean draws thousands of vacationers to the Grand Strand every year. When summer comes, we have a natural urge to cool off in the water, whether that be in a pool or on the beach. When you come to North Myrtle Beach, you come for everything the beach has to offer; especially our warm water, mild surf, and endless miles of soft sand. We’ve written in the past about our favorite places to hang out on the beach, but there’s more to the South Carolina coast than just the ocean.

The Intracoastal Waterway runs right through North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach, and offers calm waters for small to mid-size boats to cruise anywhere along the east coast of the US. Vacationers use the waterway for sailing, fishing, kayaking, and jet skiing, and there are plenty of businesses that rent the appropriate equipment. You can rent the watercraft of your choice and float down the waterway as long or short as you’d like, and even stop to see the many Grand Strand attractions along the way. If you don’t want to get in the water, you can arrange to eat at one of the waterside restaurants that feature decks. You won’t soon forget sitting down to a plate of your favorite seafood while watching the sunset and the boats sailing by.

If you come here to fish in the ocean, or if you just want to cruise in the open sea, you can access it through the Little River Inlet, just north of North Myrtle Beach. If you don’t have your own boat, just join a charter group at Hurricane Fleet and fish off their boat or sign up for their scenic Dolphin Cruise. There are also several lakes and rivers to fish, canoe, or kayak in within a few hours’ drive.

Whether you want to take full advantage of all the water-based activities in North Myrtle Beach, or just lay out on the beach and relax with a book, it’s all here. Start planning your vacation now and contact us for accommodations!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

A Winter Monthly Residence in North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach is a prime spot for summer vacations, but many visitors from the northern United States and Canada choose to stay on the Grand Strand all winter long. Condos with sprawling ocean views and fresh sea air offer a haven from the bitter cold and heavy snow up North. Snowbirds are a vital part of the community and enjoy calling the beach home from November - April.

A Winter Beach. Photo By: Laura Hartman

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals welcomes these half-year residents with special packages. Spend your days golfing, exploring the coast, or just un-winding on your balcony. Some winter guests are becoming so attached to their second home that they are already jumping at the chance to secure their reservations for 2013! Make your North Myrtle Beach winter plans now, and you’ll get exactly the place you want for a great price.

All our North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals are close to hot shopping, entertainment, grocery stores, and hundreds of golf courses. Most Resorts have their own pools and hot tubs, restaurants, spas, and beach access. On-site gyms are perfect if you’re trying to stay in shape away from home. Save money on entertainment and food with our Endless Fun Club partners. Let Ocean Drive Beach Rentals help plan your next long-term stay for the winter of 2013.

Written By: Brandon Moss, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals 2012

Channel Homes in North Myrtle Beach

An important decision when searching for North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals is location. Where do you want to stay when you vacation at the beach? The most popular locations are oceanfront and 2nd row. There are other great alternatives if you can’t commit the money that these premium properties cost.

The channel, or canal front, properties of Cherry Grove Beach are great alternatives to vacationing on the oceanfront. Not only are you saving hundreds of vacation dollars by re-locating your North Myrtle Beach lodging preferences, but you’ll have awesome waterfront views and more space than you would have by staying in a Channel House. These properties are located just a short walk from the beach! All Channel Homes at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals come with a free golf cart rental to make it easier to haul your beach equipment to the shore. A golf cart also comes in handy when visiting the grocery store to stock up on last minute ingredients and beverages.

Community Property of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Enjoy your own private pier and floating dock at Community Property

Stay in a Channel House and enjoy water sports just a few feet away from your back deck. Channels are perfect for jet skis, kayaks, inflatable boats and rafts, and fishing boats. Guests love fishing off the floating boat docks and private piers. You can waste away your afternoons by watching abundant wildlife from the channel-facing back deck.

As you plan your family’s next North Myrtle Beach vacation, do keep the Channel Homes in mind. You may find that you enjoy the privacy and advantages more appealing than an oceanfront condo. Don’t forget your boat!

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

North Myrtle Beach an Affordable Family Destination

You want to take your family on vacation this year, but the money situation is still a little tight for 2012. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals believes everyone deserves a memorable family beach vacation. North Myrtle Beach is an awesome family-friendly destination with lots to do and see. Our beach won’t break your bank, and you’ll be traveling back home with more money than you can imagine by following a few simple money-saving tips.

Invite the whole family down to North Myrtle Beach to enjoy a vacation. How great would it be to share the experience with relatives? When was the last time your family shared a vacation rental home or condo with cousins? Family reunions are an extremely popular vacation trend, and it serves as a chance to catch up on all the current events in your extended family. Ask family members to chip in to the total cost of the vacation rental. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind donating a few extra dollars to have fun at the beach – miles away from home.

It's free to build sandcastles on the beach! Little goes a very long way...

One major advantage to vacationing in a vacation rental vs. a hotel or resort room is that you have a fully equipped kitchen to cook some great meals. Save vacation dollars by dining in more, and eating out only a couple nights in North Myrtle Beach. Get creative, research coastal recipes, and cook a new meal for the family! Prepare for your feast, and visit local fresh seafood markets for the daily catch and unique seasonings.

Another way to save big on your North Myrtle Beach vacation is to buy attraction tickets in advance on the internet. Most, if not all, popular attractions sell tickets through their websites. You may be able to save up to 15% off the gate or admission price just by buying your tickets in advance. Plus, you won’t have to waste time by standing in long lines at the ticketing booths on site at the attractions. It does make a difference on the cost of your vacation, especially for large family groups. Mix up the adventure on your vacation, and visit Ripley’s Aquarium or Myrtle Waves Water Park.

I have only touched on a few of the many ways you can save on your next North Myrtle Beach family vacation. Visit our Specials Page to view seasonal deals on our vacation rental properties, and check out our Endless Fun Club to save real vacation dollars at popular area attractions, shops, and restaurants! We all know how important vacations are; don’t let it slip by in 2012.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals' Newest Penthouse in North Myrtle Beach

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals just added a gorgeous penthouse to their vacation rental program, located in the Windy Hill section of North Myrtle Beach. Windy Hill Dunes 1603 lies on the oceanfront with stunning panoramic views of the wide, sandy beach below. This 5 bedroom and 4 bathroom penthouse features over 3,400 square feet of space for ultimate relaxation!

Wake up to gorgeous ocean views every morning!

Guests will enjoy large ocean-side balconies, of which are accessible from the master bedroom, dining area, and living room, and the comfortable outdoor furniture. Granite countertops and cool tile flooring compliment the spacious interior. A wet bar, with a complete set of glassware, and electronic fireplace add to the joy of entertaining at the beach. There are ocean views of North Myrtle Beach from most of the bedrooms.

Windy Hill Dunes provides lots of amenities for guests staying with Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. Adults and children alike will love the lazy river, swimming pool, and hot tub - all of which are located outside. There are multiple permanent grills located on property. Free parking, with an air-conditioned walk-over the boulevard, and glass elevators with views add to the comfort level for visitors. Guests staying at Windy Hill Dunes 1603 can take advantage of a private beach access to the beautiful wide, sandy beach of North Myrtle Beach.

Luxury accommodations with space and views!

Imagine napping in this bed

Large gourmet kitchen with granite counters

Take a moment to check out additional information on the online property profile page for Windy Hill Dunes 1603 at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. You’ll be able to view additional pictures, a detailed property description, and year round rental pricing. Would you love to reserve this property for vacation? You may book a reservation online, or give us a call directly at 877-287-2977.

See you at the beach!

Your beach awaits!

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Auto Care in North Myrtle Beach

Most of our guests opt to drive into town rather than fly. Usually, it costs less than a flight and you’re able to bring more luggage and beach gear on vacation. Just because your mind is on vacation once you leave home doesn’t mean that vehicle maintenance takes a vacation as well.

A few tips for your trip to the Grand Strand:

Make sure you do a thorough fluid check before leaving for North Myrtle Beach. Oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and transmission fluid are extremely important. If these aren’t at proper levels, your automobile can be in severe damage. Have a mechanic service your car before going on a long road trip.

Think fuel efficiency and don’t over pack your automobile. The heavier your car, or the most add-ons (trailer, luggage rack, bike rack, ect…), the less fuel efficient it is. Pack smart and economical to help you save money on your trip to North Myrtle Beach. Also, plan a route with plenty of gas stations. 10 hour trips require quite a few restroom breaks, and you’ll be assured of enough fuel for the trip. Running out of gas in the mountains of West Virginia is not an enjoyable experience.

1985 Volkswagen Vanagon GL

Visit a full service car wash when you’re in North Myrtle Beach. Many contaminants such as tar, oil, salt, and bugs can damage your automobile on the way to the beach – not to mention the misty salt air along the coastal Carolinas. Sparkle Car Wash is a great local full service wash that many of our guests have recommended. It’s important to the life of your car to have it washed regularly, especially while on vacation.

Follow the advice above, and your road trip to North Myrtle Beach will be more enjoyable. Don’t forget pillows or in-car entertainment, such as movies and games. They become necessities on the long drive to the beach.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

2nd Annual Endless Summer Photo Contest

It’s time for Ocean Drive Beach Rentals’ 2nd Annual Endless Summer Photo Contest! We want to see how much fun your family had in North Myrtle Beach this summer. While sunsets tend to be the most popular photographs, we are really searching for a picture that shows the whole family having a great time.

Winner of our 2010 Endless Summer Photo Contest - By Kelly Godden

Submit your photo(s) to our Facebook page for a chance to win cool prizes! The photos that you submit must be taken in North Myrtle Beach and not a professional photograph. Please mention by caption that the photo(s) are for our Endless Summer Photo Contest. The theme of this year's contest is "Family Fun." We'll pick three photos as winners on Saturday - September 17th, 2011. Winner will be contacted through Facebook. You must be a Fan of our Ocean Drive Beach Rentals Facebook page to be eligible for a prize.

Three Categories of Prizes are as Follows:

1st Place Grand Prize: $100 check and a free two-night stay in the off-season at our Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort **

2nd Place Prize: 1 North Myrtle Beach T-shirt.

3rd Place Prize: Gift bag from Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Get rolling! We want to see some great pictures from your vacation!

** The Grand Prize, Free Weekend at the Beach, is only good for the off-season months of September - May. It must be used my May 31st, 2012. Transportation and meals are not provided, however - we do offer a nice $100 check for you to use how you wish.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Pet Friendly Options in North Myrtle Beach

You don't have to leave home without your best friend. More vacation rental properties are accepting dogs in North Myrtle Beach. Most of the staff at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals own pets, and realize how difficult it is to find a house-sitter while on vacation. We believe that we have a solid selection of properties that can help in your dilemma.

As with most rental properties in North Myrtle Beach, some of our pet friendly rentals offer pools, lazy rivers, and other popular amenities. Click through on this link to view all our pet friendly offerings. All these rentals will be charged a pet fee - to make sure they are cleaned properly after departure. Follow up on our Pet Friendly Information page to view helpful tips if you're planning on bringing your dog(s) on vacation.

August is here, and you'll find the best prices of the summer! Book with Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, of North Myrtle Beach - where you won't have to sell an arm and a leg to bring your dog down on vacation with your family. Let us know how we can better accommodate that extra family member.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

David Robinson Joins Ocean Drive Beach Rentals of North Myrtle Beach

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals , of North Myrtle Beach, is proud to announce the addition of David Robinson to the team! David joined the staff mid-June and has already made tremendous strides. He comes aboard as controller (accounting) and property manager alongside Marlene Marcum.

David has enjoyed a successful career in hospitality for nearly 30 years, of which 14 years have been spent in management positions in the Myrtle Beach area. He’s taken positions with top hotel brands, condotels, and vacation rentals. The addition of David Robinson compliments our in-house staff of H.G. Worley, Jake Foutz, Marlene Marcum, and Kristen Leonard.

“I look forward to using my experience in fulfilling the fiduciary responsibilities to both the enterprise and the clients/owners. It is a challenging opportunity to work with this team and I’m always looking to what the next day brings and how we can have a positive impact.”

- David Robinson

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals has the Value

Along with extremely comfortable weather, springtime in North Myrtle Beach brings a high rate of reservations for the coming summer season. Our Family Vacation Awareness Month during March reminded people that it is time to plan ahead for their family vacation. At the beginning of next month (April), we’ll announce another great promotion that will help families save this year.

North Myrtle Beach beautiful

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals typically have the most competitive rental rates in North Myrtle Beach. Our Endless Fun Club value program saves guests 10% - 15% at area attractions, restaurants, services, and shops. Add in our seasonal promotions and specials from our website, and people can expect to save up to $500 or more on their beach vacation! We remain committed to giving our guests the best in customer service and value.

Become a fan of our Facebook page, or fill out our online contact form to stay up-to-date on the various vacation promotions at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to get away from home and spend some quality time with your family. Our inventory of vacation rentals are priced with all budgets in mind. Plan your North Myrtle Beach vacation today to take advantage of super savings!

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

North Myrtle Beach Shopping

North Myrtle Beach keeps you busy with clean beaches, thrilling attractions, challenging golf, and some of the best seafood restaurants along the East Coast. Shopping is also very popular along the Grand Strand. Several malls, outdoor shopping complexes, and specialty shops attract millions of customers every season.

The beach’s newest shopping mall, Coastal Grand Mall, is located by the Myrtle Beach airport and is just a short drive south of Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. The modern, well-decorated atmosphere and name-brand retailers is sure to impress. Myrtle Beach Mall offers a similar assortment of shops and includes an on-site Bass Pro Shops store. It’s located south of Main Street, after Barefoot Landing as your driving south on Highway 17 from North Myrtle Beach. Both of these malls offer movie theaters and are a great place to visit on rainy, cloudy days.

Outdoor shopping complexes, such as the Tanger Outlets and Myrtle Beach’s Market Common, are popular in the spring, summer, and fall months. Over 100 name-brand stores, including Old Navy, Izod, Polo, and Reebok, can be found at the Tanger Outlets. The Market Common features popular brands and specialty shops in a unique urban setting just south of Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach. It also hosts one of the best movie theaters along the Grand Strand. Visit one of these outdoor shopping complexes after a day on the beach. You’ll find excellent dining options within walking distance.

Visit this cool sculpture at the Tanger Outlets in North Myrtle Beach!

If you find that you forgot your bathing suit or beach towel when you left for vacation, don’t worry! There are lots of beachwear stores that crowd North Myrtle Beach. Here is a good spot to find souvenirs of your vacation or a t-shirt for a friend back home. Beachwear stores are also a great place to find beach-related toys, frisbees, and rafts for use while you’re at the beach. They aren’t hard to find and are most likely walking distance from your beach house or condo.

Remember to save up a little money before your vacation if you plan to do some shopping. With exception of the beachwear stores, retail prices tend to be very competitive in town. Due to the spring and summer beach crowds, we advise you to do some research before hand, to see which shopping destination fits your desires better. Use the links throughout this blog post to visit a particular shopping center.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Marketing Director, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Family Vacation Awareness Month at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals!

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals has made March the annual Family Vacation Awareness Month. We understand and appreciate the value of an annual family vacation and want to make it easier for your family to come stay in North Myrtle Beach. It’s important that families get away and enjoy quality time together. Take advantage of three huge savings by making your vacation plans during the month of March.

There isn’t a better place to unite with friends and family than North Myrtle Beach! By booking your 2011 vacation in March, not only do you get a better selection of vacation rentals to choose from, but you’ll also qualify for an immediate $100 OFF your vacation with Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. You’ll also secure the same published rate for a North Myrtle Beach vacation in 2012 (normally prices increase 5% - 8% year to year). All guests that book their vacation in March will also be entered into a drawing for a return weekend at our Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort in the off-season. Your vacation can take place anytime this year. Just make your plans and reserve your vacation rental during March, and take advantage of these great deals!

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals is the only vacation rental company in North Myrtle Beach that is celebrating a Family Vacation Awareness Month. We created this holiday to give something back to those families that frequent the Grand Strand. Don’t delay - March just became the BEST time to book your next family vacation!

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals