By MADDY VITALE
Excitement builds every year for suburban dwellers and city residents to head down to Ocean City for their dream summer vacation.
And this year, as more and more people are getting their COVID-19 vaccinations and the world begins to open up, more comfort and confidence in spending a getaway at a shore rental property is abundantly clear.
In fact, there are few rentals left to choose from because of increased consumer confidence.
Goldcoast Sotheby’s International Realty, with 50 agents at the 34th Street location in Ocean City, has a recipe for success to ensure repeat renters and newcomers to the agency get into a home, townhome, or condo that suits their needs when the beach, surf and Boardwalk are calling.
A new, easy to use portal features available rental properties at https://rentals.goldcoastsir.com/rentals/
“You want to get on our site and take a look. Just because you don’t see what you want on our site doesn’t mean we don’t have it or can’t get it. Reach out to us and we will be glad to help you find the perfect rental,” said General Manager and Broker/Owner Pete Madden at Goldcoast Sotheby’s International Realty in Ocean City.
He continued, “As time goes on, we are putting new rental properties in the system. Right now, the inventory is low for rentals all over the island.”
Madden offered a piece of advice to vacationers.
“People should have some flexibility on the dates so that we will be able to help you better,” he noted.
He also explained the main reason for a shortage in rental inventory.
Some vacationers postponed their 2020 trips amid the pandemic. While the majority of their postponed bookings were filled in 2020 by other renters, their booking carried over to 2021. That resulted in a severe shortage in available rentals for others in 2021, Madden pointed out.
Rentals offered by Goldcoast Sotheby’s International range from $1,000 a week for a condominium to $30,000 a week for a luxury Gold Coast or Gardens section getaway in Ocean City.
Another reason for limited rental housing stock is that some homeowners are choosing to live at the shore full time, especially now that virtual learning and working have become realities.
But some surprises are popping up in the real estate market, Madden noted. Homeowners are now deciding they feel comfortable to rent their homes again or for the first time.
The key, above all, Madden said, is to keep in contact with their realtor.
“To me, communicating with the realtors on a regular basis is so important. Things are opening up. The world is opening up. The weather is getting warmer and we started to heat up with activity,” Madden said. “The summer of 2021 will be a much better time in our town and we are ready to welcome back guests and offer them the rentals they are looking for.”
