Beach rentals are booming this summer as renters loosen their purse strings and flock to the North Carolina coast.

At New Hanover County beaches, Intracoastal Realty has sold out of its entire vacation rental inventory for July 4. Joy Donat, the Carolina Beach and Kure Beach rental manager for the company, said more of her clients are staying longer this summer, with many looking for monthly rental properties. People are also more willing to pay for the expensive features like an oceanfront location, she said.

Tom Johnson, Intracoastal Realty’s Wrightsville Beach rental manager, said his customers are also spending more on the vacation they might not have been able to take for the past two or three years.

In addition to location, amenities such as Internet access, televisions, electronic equipment and well-equipped kitchens attract renters, Johnson said.
   

United Beach Vacations / Sea Coast Properties vacation rentals in Carolina, Kure and Topsail beaches are also sold out for July 4 and most of the summer. Jim Clark, president of the company, noticed many clients staying longer and spending more, but said renters continue to look for the home that will best suit their vacation needs.

“It’s still very value driven,” Clark said.

With its New Hanover County rentals up 20 percent over 2011, Intracoastal Realty is now expanding into Brunswick County with a new property management division for Oak Island. The office will offer long-term and vacation rentals on the 12.6-long-mile island.

“We opened the Oak Island rental office to accommodate the growing demand for rental properties, both in long-term and vacation rentals,” JoAnne Fox, chief operating officer for Intracoastal Realty, said in a press release. “The demand for long-term rentals in coastal communities is skyrocketing.”