Dunes South, NC

[carcie]

We are thinking of purchase at Dunes South in Nags Head, and would love to hear any comments from more experienced Time Share owners. The bigger resort type places do not sound like our "cup of tea"--we are an older couple who like to walk on the beach, listen to the ocean and eat out. I understand they allow pets, which is desirable, as we have 2 small dogs. Thanks for any input!

 

[potchak]

Have you checked out the resort ratings and reviews? You have to be a Tug member to get to this, but they may be very helpful.

Although, I like to vacation in the Outerbanks all the time when I am living in NC, so I am curious about it too.

 

[Indea88]

This is the typical beach house that I remember as a kid, that my parents owned at the NJ shore. Beach worn exterior, large and roomy, nothing extravagant, the beach essentials. There are some buildings that are located directly on the beach the rest are behind without beach views. I have considered owning there. I wish they had these units here in NJ. I would jump on that in a minute!!! Andie cruisecrates.com

 

[pedro47]

Dunes South are houses built up on wood piling; not your typical t/s villas. The older unit are near the beach. Rooms are large, automobile parking is under your unit. OBX is a very hard trade from the end May unitl late September.

 

[Carolinian]

Dunes South has its pluses and minuses. Its management firm is not hitting on much and has been fired by two of the four timeshare resorts they formerly handled. Dunes South will not fire them because the management company handpicks the HOA board at Dunes South, and the management company hires a maintenance company owned by the husband of the owner of the management company. They have relatively hgh m/f's for the OBX and frequent special assessments.

It has large units, especially the 3BR's, which are well equipped. Most of the units close to the beach have been recently renovated with insurance money from natural disasters including hurricanes and a lightning strike and resulting fire. The units off the beach, however, are rather badly in need of updating.

Dunes South is on a nice stretch of beach and has a nice oceanfront pool.
Being able to park under the units is nice.

It could be a really nice resort with better management.

 

[caribbean]

You didn't say what time of year you are looking at. We were there for a getaway weekend in February a couple of years back. Problem was the thermostat was on the upper floor where the LR/Kit was. Bedrooms were on the floor below. We were not able to get the BRs up to any reasonable temperature. We had a fire in the FP during the evening so the LR was up to high 70s, but the BRs were 50 at most. Doubt this would be a problem during the summer. Just be aware.

 

[Egret1986]

Our family stayed at Dunes South on an Extra Vacation through RCI. It was a 2-BR oceanfront unit. We loved it. It wasn't anything fancy. Just like a basic beach cottage. It was great parking underneath, seeing the ocean from the unit and deck, being steps to the pool and the ocean access and being within a small resort. But with poor management and having the HOA in its pocket, that's a deal breaker there. Having owned a timeshare that was bought from the developer pre-construction, which ran through many management companies, had numerous special assessments, that had ever-increasing maintenance fees and loss of amenities; I say no way way! We ended up quit-claiming this timeshare back to the HOA after owning it and hoping for better for almost 20 years. High maintenance fees, special assessments and poor management can take your pleasure away, no matter how much you like the property.

 

[jphillips131]

Egret1986

Do you know the name of the management company?

 

[carcie]

name of management company, Dunes South

I don't know the name of the management company, but after October will--we are going down there, and plan to look over Dunes South, and talk to the management company representative.

In meantime, am thinking carefully about the suggestion to rent. Since we almost always travel in "off" seasons, this may be a better option for us, rather than being tied to a yearly maintenace fee. Certainly one option that we are considering strongly.

TUG has been invaluable to us, with suggestions etc. etc.--we entered into this, intending to purchase at Barrier Island Kitty Hawk--but probably, most likely, will not do so now. Too many negatives, both pointed out by others and our own thoughts.

 

[carcie]

Dunes South, for "Shorty"

I'll put in a report re: Dunes South when we return in Oct. for you and anyone else interested.

 

[Carolinian]

The management company is Cape Management. They previously managed Bodie Island Beach Club and Sea Ranch II timeshares, are were fired by the HOA boards at both. They also manage High Dunes which is directly across from their office, and therefore seems to have always gotten more of their attention.

 

[Indea88]

We own at High Dunes, and yes MF's have consistently risen in the last few years and we have been hit with two or three special assessments. We rent out the unit each year and barely make a profit. This year between MF of 400.00 and a special assessment of almost 200.00 we barely broke even with the rental. We havent been to the property in quite a few years, love OBX but we obtained the unit for <1,000.00 from Triwest.

 

[dougrm3]

We stayed there this past July and loved it. Our unit was a 3 bedroom that was right on the beach and had been renovated within the last 3 years. My understanding from talking to the owners (who were staying in the next unit) is that the other units have dark pine paneling and they are “slowly” being upgraded.

The section of the beach as mentioned by other posters is beautiful. Public access to the beach is limited and this keeps it peaceful. The resort does not offer any activities but it was just what we were looking for.

As far as buying we have been looking ourselves, as long it is the right unit. Unit 302 is currently on the market but is right by the dumpster and the old check in office. If possible it is worth a trip to walk the resort. Good luck. I have a map with the units marked by location. Email me if interested. Doug

 

[dougrm3]

BTW: The picture in my avatar was taken at Dunes South.

 

[Carolinian]

Most of the unit renovation has come from insurance proceeds from natural disasters. Hurricane Isabel provided some such money for damaged oceanfront units. An earlier hurricane had provided for a couple of others, as did a lightning strike and resulting fire. I believe all of the ocean front units have now been renovated in this manner, but not so the back units. They have done a good job on the renovations.