'WHERE GREAT HARBOR COUNTRY VACATIONS BEGIN' - SINCE 1988
'WHERE GREAT HARBOR COUNTRY VACATIONS BEGIN' -
SINCE 1988
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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1. Where are you located ?
Our
office is in Union Pier, Michigan, approximately one hour and 15 minutes from
downtown Chicago, 45 minutes east of South Bend, Indiana and 20 minutes south of
St Joseph, Michigan. You may use the link below to go to a mapping company that will allow you to print out a map from your location to ours. Also see below.
2. How do I get there ? FROM CHICAGO:
Take I-94 North/East towards Detroit. If you use the Skyway/Indiana Toll Road don't forget to exit # 21 (Lake Station) which will put you back on I-94. Exit in Michigan at Exit #6 - Union Pier. At the end of the ramp turn
right
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Drive approximately 1 mile to your first stop at the intersection with Red Arrow Hwy. We are the first drive way on your left, after you cross Red Arrow Hwy. Our office address is 9934 Townline Rd. We are a small blue house set back off the road, white picket fence. Back to Top
3. Is there train service to your area ?Amtrak
- 1-800-872-7245 or www.amtrak.com makes stops in New Buffalo twice daily. The #371, "Pierre Marquette", leaves New Buffalo for Chicago at 10:02 am EDT and arrives in Chicago's Union Station at 10:30 am CDT (a 1 hour 28 minute trip). The #370, "Pierre Marquette" leaves Chicago at 5:20 pm CDT and arrives in New Buffalo at 7:38 pm EDT. The cost is approximately $16.50 one way. Back to Top
4.What does RSVP do ?We represent private homeowners who have generously allowed us to rent out their second homes for them. We are contracted with the Owners to provide services for them in return for a commission - primarily by renting out their vacation homes to considerate, responsible people like yourselves. We are licensed Real Estate agents in the state of Michigan and also do home and vacant land sales. We have a fiduciary responsibility to the Owners while trying to look out for your interests as well. We also have a great housekeeping service, rent out baby cribs to our renters, and try to help people with questions about Harbor Country, where to find good tradesmen, babysitters and other service related services! Back to Top
5. Are all your homes on the lake?While we only rent homes along Lake Michigan (at the moment), most of the homes are not Lakefronts. (See our Lakefronts Page for a definition of what constitutes a Lakefront home ). 99% of our vacation rentals are with-in a short distance to an available beach - 3/10s of a mile (1500 feet) or less. Our individual property listing on this web site list the 'Distance to Beach ' in 10ths of a mile, unless stated otherwise. The house must be great for us to take it, if they are further to a beach. There are 3 basic beach types in Harbor Country: Private, Association and Public . Private beaches are usually associated with Lakefront homes, (but not all Lakefronts have private beaches), Association beaches are deeded by an area or association of homeowners - this is the most common type of beach up here, and there are numerous Public Beaches - the largest is in New Buffalo and Warren Dunes State Park. Many smaller ones exist and some are more hidden and therefore less populated. Most of all the beaches are sandy and compared to Chicago, empty! Back to Top
6. Do all your homes have lake access ?Yes, but see above for a detailed explanation. Back to Top
7. What amenities do all your homes have ?They all have TV's and VCR's, full kitchens with Microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, all utensils, knives pots and pans, and washer and dryers. Some homes have more things than others and there should be adequate essentials for the number of people allowed in your rental - if not please give us a call. Many homes have dishwashers. Most of these amenities are listed for each property on their individual page on this web site. See the Properties page to access these. All homes have beach access, usually association. See #5 Above . Sheets and towels are provided but soap (other than dish detergent) is not . All homes have either gas or charcoal grills. We provide the gas but not the charcoal. We get you started with a roll of toilet paper for each bathroom and a roll of paper towels, garbage bags and general cleaning supplies (Windex, dish soap, scrub cleanser, a broom, dustpan, mop and bucket and a vacuum cleaner). Many supplies are left by previous renters, that we don't supply, like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, charcoal, etc. we recommend you check out the house after you check in before going out and buying everything you think you might need. It is probably cheaper in Chicago, though. Back to Top
8. How do I go about renting a vacation home ?Well you are in the right place! Basically you view the properties on our web site, usually we don't start renting to new renters until the first week in March (sign up for the Email Updates and we will notify you when we are taking reservations), or approximately first week in February if you are a former, (within the previous 3 years), returning renter. Select a few of your favorites then give us a call at (269) 469-0012 to check on availability. If we are able match you up with a suitable house, we put your personal information into our computer along with a credit card number. Upon booking your reservation we will email you a Confirmation Letter that you must sign and fax back On the Confirmation Letter you fill in whether you are paying by Credit Card or Check, sign and fax back to us to reserve your dates. Without a signed Confirmation Letter your reservation will be automatically cancelled within 7 days! You must also download the Rental Agreement from the property page of your rental home, sign and fax or mail back to us before your arrival. Back to Top
9. How do you determine your rates?We try and 'comp' the homes mostly based on their proximity to the beach, amount of people they sleep and amenities they have, more or less in that order. Sometime the owners insist on a particular price, and often, especially as it concerns Lakefronts, the price is based on the fine capitalist tradition of supply and demand. As the supply dwindles and demand increases, prices skyrocket. We prefer a long term approach, to pricing and generally raise prices on an annual basis on the 3 - 5 % range unless the owners have made significant changes. Back to Top
10. What is your cancellation policy ?From the Rental Agreement:" 10. Cancellation Policy. Rental payments of cancelled reservations are non-refundable. Renter is not entitled to any refund unless reserved amount can be completely recovered, at which time 85% of the rental amount received shall be returned with any additional non-rental monies paid, excluding the POM Insurance." In other words, if you have made a reservation and sent in a payment it is non-refundable unless we can re-rent all of your reserved weeks. If you cancell after your final payment has been processed we will also return your tax and cleaning fee as soon as reasonably possible along with any additional charges, excluding your POM Security Deposit Waiver, which is non-refundable. We prefer your cancellation in writing, but need to know ASAP so that we may try to re-rent your week(s). Back to Top
11. Do you require a deposit ?Yes, typically half of your rental amount plus the POM (Peace of Mind) Security Deposit Waiver, which is due within 7 days of your reservation (see #9 above). Your second deposit, which includes the balance of your rent, the Lodging Tax, cleaning fee and any additional charges, (like crib rentals or internet service), are due 3 weeks before your arrival, as stated in the Confirmation Letter. If you paid by credit card we will charge your card at that time. Back to Top
12. Do you take credit cards ?We do now ! Visa, Mastercard, and Discover Card. Also personal checks with enough lead time (at least 10 days), cashiers checks, money orders and yes, cash! Back to Top
13. What is the shortest amount of time I can rent ? Longest ?During the Summer Season (see below), there is a week minimum, with multiple weeks possible in most homes. During the rest of the season there is a 2 night minimum, except for holidays which require a 3 night minimum. We have some year long rentals, but they are the exception rather than the norm. The owners can usually make in 10 weeks what 12 monthly rents garner. Back to Top
14. What do you consider Off-Season, Shoulder Season and Summer Season and why?Off-Season dates are November through the last week of April. Shoulder Season is all of May through the 1st week of June and Labor Day through the last week in October. Summer Season is July through Labor Day except for Lakefronts where the Summer Season rates apply June through Labor Day. Back to Top
15. What are check-in and check -out times ? How do I get into my rental home ?During the Summer season check-in time is 4PM EDT/Check-out time is 10 AM
EDT. During the Shoulder and Off-Season Check-in is at 12Noon EDT and checkout is at 4PM EDT. Call a few days before your arrival to arrange for key pick-up. Generally you will stop at our office to pick up a key. If you are arriving late we will make special arrangements. We worry if we haven't heard from you, so please call. Make a mother proud. Back to Top
16. Do you allow pets ? Smoking ?Our homes are no pets allowed by renters, in the home or on the property. Some owners have pets, so if you have severe allergies please let us know. Occasionally longer term (2 months or more) renters may have pets. Smoking is not permitted in any of the homes and if you smoke on a screened in porch or deck, please leave your butts outside in an ashtray and throw away in a trash bin, not the lawn or flower box. Back to Top
17. Do all your homes have phones ? Long Distance Service ?All of our vacation homes are equipped with phones. They all have long distance service with phone blocks that require the use of a phone card or credit card. You may use the phone block's 800 number but it is very expensive. Any operated assisted calls or numbers that you must first dial "1" are considered to be toll or long distance calls. The local call areas are Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and now also Sawyer. Those exchanges are 469, 756, 586 and 426. All other exchanges are long distance calls(if you are staying in one of those towns. P.S. Cell phones work most of the time. Our exchange for South west Michigan has changed to 269 from 616 ! Back to Top
18. Do you have cribs ? Roll-aways ?We do have cribs to rent. We have both full size and 3/4 size cribs. Full sized cribs rent for $15/day for up to 3 days or $12/day for 4 or more days ($84 for the week). We will set them up in a specified room and pick them up after your departure. We do not supply bumpers or sheets. We like to know at least 2 weeks before your arrival to coordinate pick up and delivery but may have them available if you call at the last minute. If you cancel a crib rental less than 1 week before your arrival you will be charge. Because our homes have a maximum allowance of people per home roll-away beds are not permitted. For additional prices please call us. Back to Top
19. How do I find the location of my vacation home?When you receive your confirmation letter it will have the address and phone number of the vacation home listed in the upper right corner, under your reservation
number. Most homes are easy to get to and we are happy to direct you from our office when you pick up the key. (see instructions #2 above about getting to our office)
You may also type in the address into the finder at the website listed below and it can create a map from your home to your rental. If all
else fails we can direct you over the phone.
20. What do we need to bring ?Your personal items, food, beverages, a flashlight can be handy, ATM card, bug spray, marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate ! Back to Top
21. Are there grocery stores near by ?Yes, New Buffalo (Exit #1) has a great vegetable/fruit market called Jackson's, and pretty good grocery store named Barney's (newly expanded), right next to the V&S Drugstore. There is another good sized grocery store in Sawyer (exit #12). Jackson's has opened a new market just north of Falatic's Meat Market - a great old world style butcher who also carries fish - 1 mile North of the light in Sawyer. There are a multitude of deli's, party stores and road side stands to keep you well fed, up and down Red Arrow Hwy, and in all the small towns. Prices are generally better and selection more varied in the larger Chicago Supermarkets, but why lug all that around? Shopping locally is practically a social sport all by itself. You never can tell who'll you'll run into ! Back to Top
22. Are there restaurants nearby ?Yes, but we could always use some more. The Harbor Country Guide (see #23 below) is a great source for names and addresses. So is the phone book. Both should be in your home upon check-in. If they are missing please call us and we will make sure you get a copy Back to Top
23. What is there to do ? For Kids ?
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