Vacation Rentals by Owner

Sunlit House by the Bay [#364674] | View Property

Eastham
House, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 8)
$1820-$2700/wk
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Traveler Reviews (14)

• Just Lovely

  Just Lovely

  • Guest User
  • Date of stay 10/01/11
  • Review Submitted 05/20/12
  We came in October to see the area for the first time and also watch the changing leaves. The house was the perfect size for us (we were two couples and their four children). The Outer Cape is glorious in the Fall, and the house looks out over a beautiful meadow. Deer and rabbits and raccoons and about a million birds hang out in the yard every day. We have already arranged to come back for a week this summer (2012).

  Owner response: I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I'm really happy you've decided to come back. Thanks!

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• Big problems and a huge disappointment

  Big problems and a huge disappointment

  • Guest J l.
  • Date of stay 08/29/11
  • Review Submitted 03/15/12
  We arrived on Aug 29th a little late as Tropical Storm Irene had come and gone and the power was out. When it came back on we drove to the house. Upon entering the house we immediatley noticed a very strong odor. Possibly perfume,spray or cleaning supplies. The house was very hot and stuffy and the smell was not dissipating. We decided to open the windows leave the house for a while and also see if there would be another option for us to stay b/c at this point I was getting a bad headache from the odor. We looked at a few cottages, with the hopes that we could still enjoy our stay but it was not possible especially b/c we were not sure if our money would be returned. I left a voice mail for the owner- and an email. We didnt hear back before we decided to get on the road and drive home. Besides the smell of the house, the house was not how the pictures made it out to be. The yard was over grown and the house was on a VERY bust street. Pictures made it seem like it was located in a nice Cape neighborhood near the water. Nan said she has a realtor go to the house and check out the smell. She told me my excuses were "Lame" and there was nothing wrong. The following AM or maybe the next day I decided that if I could find someone to rent the house I would be able to get my money or some of it back. I told Nan that I had posted something on Craigslist, hoping to sublet. After recieving several responses and several serious interests, Nan was getting frustrated with all the back and forth and I dont blame her. She did not accept 1 family as they had 1 child over the limit for guests allowed and the other people were inersted but not in the entire time. I asked Nan to try to find a soft spot in her heart so we could make it work for us all. I was working very hard on trying to resolve the issue and make it a win win for all. She was offeneded by what I said thinking I was implying she was a mean person. That is not what I was saying, at all. At this point she threatened to forward all emails to her attorney! (Why?) Although I was beyond upset, I decided to let it go as I relaized she was not going to work with me. She later accused me of of depositing the security check when indeed I had not received it yet! Maybe a mix up of her bank, but her accusatory demenor had really upset me once again.The check came in the mail the next day and on it she wrote next to account info- "SHE'S THE WEIRDO LIAR." Not a very professional person to rent from! BEWARE of her!!

  Owner response: It’s hard to know how to respond to this, except to say I investigated all of her complaints, and none were true. I had a realtor go to the house that same day to see what the odor was. There was no odor. I sent my handyman to the house immediately, to remove the “smashed” deck furniture that she said was making the deck too dangerous to use. He found nothing broken except an umbrella. The yard has a landscaper. The road is not a main street. And on and on and on. Her emails and phone calls to me were relentless and abusive; finally I told her I was going to forward her emails to my lawyer. Her efforts to find a subtenant (advertising it as a wonderful house, by the way) were unsuccessful: the tenants she came up with did not meet the requirements I clearly state in my listing. In retrospect, I think 90 percent of what she said was a lie, including her claim to me that this was to be her honeymoon. (I fell for that and gave her a hugely discounted rate.) It was all so irrational; she seems to like making stuff up without any apparent motive. The only explanation I can think of is that the way this woman gets attention is by creating dramas around herself. For prospective renters who are concerned about her “review,” I urge you to read the numerous glowing reviews the house has received.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A Lovely, Spacious, Clean Vacation Rental

  A Lovely, Spacious, Clean Vacation Rental

  • Guest Jason B.
  • Date of stay 08/25/11
  • Review Submitted 04/13/12
  We (family of four) stayed at this property with another family (family of five) last summer, and had an absolute blast. Would definitely recommend it to friends. It was clean, sunny, bright, and homey, and had plenty of space for four adults and five young children (ages 2-4 at the time). The rear deck is lovely and has a swing that we all enjoyed. Perfectly located close to several beaches, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. The owner was very helpful and highly conscientious down to the last detail, and helped to make our visit (our first to the Cape) memorable and fun.

  Owner response: Thank you. It was a pleasure talking to you and I'm pleased that I could help you have a great time. Please come back!

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• An unforgettable stay

  An unforgettable stay

  • Guest Jim B.
  • Date of stay 08/14/11
  • Review Submitted 10/04/11
  We rented for a week in August 2011 - and it worked out perfectly for us. The home is on a quiet, secluded street, a short drive to shops for groceries and other necessities, and an easy walk to a pretty bay-side beach. The nearby beach was an important feature for us, as our grandkids stayed with us for part of the week - and it was simple to hit the beach with no fuss. The place is charming and comfortable and has plenty of sleeping accommodations. Lots of windows kept the place sunny and bright during the day and let Cape Cod breezes cool the place easily. Eastham is a great location to be based at for a Cape vacation. Easy access to activities - the Cape Cod Bike Trail - First Encounter Beach, a sprawling bay-side beach, is a very short drive away - and Eastham is the start of the National Seashore, with it's many fabulous ocean beaches. The property was well-maintained with all the amenities - and the owner was helpful and prompt with the few questions we had about the place before we rented. We had a few guests stay with us a couple of nights there - one couple came with their dog. The place is very pet-friendly. We, our guests, and the pooch all had a great time and would happily return. It all made for a vacation we are not likely to forget!

  Owner response: Thanks so much, and you are welcome to come back any time!

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• Perfectly charming for a family gathering

  Perfectly charming for a family gathering

  • Guest John D.
  • Date of stay 07/30/11
  • Review Submitted 04/03/12
  This is a first-rate home, and it feels like a home, not a "rental." We came for a week in August in preparation for our son's wedding in Truro. The rooms were roomy, clean, well-lit, but most of all welcoming. The common spaces are even better, with sun poring in most of the day into the living room, with a spacious deck just beyond. Nan was very accommodating and a pleasure to work with. We've stayed in more than a dozen places on the Cape over the years. This is one of the very few to which we would definitely return.

  Owner response: I'm so happy you feel that way, and would welcome you back any time!

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• Perfect vacation

  Perfect vacation

  • Guest User
  • Date of stay 06/18/11
  • Review Submitted 05/21/12
  We had an excellent time!! The house was five minutes from a gorgeous beach. It was a very large space so even though there were eight of us, we never felt crowded. The rooms were roomy and layed out beautifully. The kitchen had all the pots, pans, dishes, flatware, and extras we could possibly have wished for. The bedrooms, living room, dining room, and family room were charming. There were toys for the children--everything from croquette to building blocks, books and puzzles, sand toys. The owner provided gave us any information we needed, and also made sure we had the equipment we needed (high chair, etc., for the baby). We loved it!

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• A Perfect Sanctuary for Kids and Grown-Ups

  A Perfect Sanctuary for Kids and Grown-Ups

  • Guest CapeLover
  • Date of stay 06/18/11
  • Review Submitted 05/20/12
  We had a truly hectic year and were really looking forward to this time to bond with our kids and each other. And that's exactly what we got. The house is lovely, both roomy and cozy somehow. The sun shines in like a great big smile all day. We walked to the bay in five minutes. Every possible cooking pot and utensil is provided. Our kids were 12, 8, and 5, and all of them found things to do that were already provided for us, from cards and checkers to croquette to building blocks to badminton, to the wonderful 4-person manmade swing outside on the deck, which we all took turns on. (It was very popular.) From the deck, you look out on what looks like miles of greenery and small creatures, and you hear birds singing all day every day. We had a perfect vacation and hope to come back for two weeks next time.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Do come back; you're welcome to any time!

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• Eastham Vacation

  Eastham Vacation

  • Guest Gregg B.
  • Date of stay 08/14/10
  • Review Submitted 04/02/12
  The house was accurately described. Several Eastham beaches are within a short drive. Bike trail is a short bike ride away though it is on a fairly well traveled road. The house has a nice open floor plan. Skylights allow for a lot of natural light, but can get a bit warm in the non-air conditioned rooms on hot days.

  Owner response: Thank you. Come back any time.

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• Great location, Great vacation

  Great location, Great vacation

  • Guest GL
  • Date of stay 08/07/10
  • Review Submitted 08/27/10
  The home is bright and spacious and accommodated the eight of us very comfortably. The beds were comfortable and the house was nicely decorated. The bathrooms looked newly renovated with enough hot water for all to shower (the water pressure did drop when other water was being used, but not to the point that it was a problem). The view off the deck in the mornings gave the first cup of coffee a true vacation flare. For the family members that needed to keep in touch, the internet access made it very easy. The best part of all was the location. Not even ¼ mile walk from the house was Boat Meadow Beach, one of the nicest local bay beaches that we have been to. It was beyond perfect for our grandson and made the adult stay very relaxing as well. We lucked out with the weather the week that we were up, so with the fans and the cross ventilation the house was very comfortable. We have been coming up to the cape for many years and this was really one of our nicest stays.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

  Owner response: I'm so glad you had a relaxing, happy vacation. Your whole family (and dogs) are welcome back any time.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Very Nice Stay!

  Very Nice Stay!

  • Guest Greg
  • Date of stay 07/24/10
  • Review Submitted 08/05/10
  This house is properly described in the listing and was clean and well-maintained. The owner provided excellent customer service. We are a family of four and were on our summer vacation. The house was pleasant, comfortable and offered easy access to many activities. We traveled with our dog so the nice yard was a big plus. We spent time at beaches, rode go-karts, played mini-golf, and rode bicycles. We visited Plymouth and ate a lot of good meals at the area restaurants. We would have liked to have seen an Orleans Firebirds Cape Cod League baseball game but weren't able due to the schedule. The daytime temperatures were quite high all week but the breeze through the house was usually excellent. Late afternoon could be a little hot in the main room but the house cooled nicely as the sun went down. It was quite comfortable every night for sleeping. There is a bedroom with a window air conditioner in case the temperatures go way up and stay there. The ceiling fans are effective to make the bedrooms comfortable too. Sometimes water pressure would drop in the shower but it was always sufficient. The wireless network allowed us to use our computer to easily research activities and check e-mail. We did a lot and the week went by quickly, but there is plenty remaining to enjoy. I hope to return and would recommend this property to a friend or relative.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thanks so much, and you're all welcome back!

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• Prospective renters beware

  Prospective renters beware

  • Guest mel
  • Date of stay 07/03/10
  • Review Submitted 08/24/10
  We rented this home for 2 different weeks in July. First, prospective renters should be advised that the statement in the description of the property stating it is air conditioned is inaccurate. The house is not air conditioned, rather there is one window unit in one of the upstairs bedrooms. That was an issue this summer as July was very warm and the house is not shaded by trees. During the afternoon and early evening the first floor living area was very uncomfortable. In addition, although the house is advertised as pet friendly, we were charged an extra $100.00 for our dog. (We have rented other homes on the Cape and have brought our dog and have not been charged extra for our dog). The issue, however, is that it is not advertised; I saw it for the first time when I received the lease). Last, 2 1/2 weeks after we had vacated the property, we received an email from the owner indicating she was keeping $100.00 of our security deposit because she allegedly found a stain on the old white cotton chenille bedspread in one of the upstairs bedrooms and she had purchased a new one. We were unaware of the stain and felt the owner overreacted to what may have been just normal wear and tear expected when weekly renters use a home. The owner did not notify us in a timely manner and the stain on the bedspread could have happened after we left.

  Owner response: I am sorry you feel that way. But most people, I believe, would feel some responsibility for the damage they did, and would not be angry about replacing what got ruined. I wasn't angry or nasty with you; I simply told you I was going to take $100 from your security deposit and use it to replace the bedspread. I even sent you the link to the bedspread I ordered as the replacement. And I sent you four photos of the damaged bedspread (ruined by several very large wine-colored stains). Finally, I said I would be happy to have you back, because apart from the ruined bedspread you took very good care of the house. The delay in letting you know about it was because, although I was informed by the cleaning people immediately after you left, I asked them to send me photographs of the damage, in order to to see for myself that the bedspread was indeed ruined. The cleaner had to wait a week to get back in the house and take the photographs. In my description of my house, I wrote that there is one room with a window air conditioner. However, I also checked off "air conditioning" on one of the checklists, because there is no way to explain that it's only one room; you either have to check off "air conditioning" or not. There are blinds on all the windows, which sometimes need to be used to shade the living room during the heat of the day. I hope you tried that. Unfortunately, this summer was one of the hottest in recorded history, and was uncomfortable for everyone. Apart from requesting that some trees near the road be trimmed to improve visibility, you had no complaints at all during your entire two weeks, so I imagine you must have had a pretty decent time. There was no reason to be vindictive.

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• We're going back this year!

  We're going back this year!

  • Guest CapeCodLovers
  • Date of stay 06/13/09
  • Review Submitted 03/20/10
  We rented for a week in June 2009 and we can't wait to get back there this summer. The weather is wonderful at that time of the year, and the house shines with sunlight. The house in on one of the prettiest streets in Eastham, and Boat Meadow beach is a very short walk away. The bedrooms are all large, with furniture that's comfortable, charming, and practical. (It seemed like some of the furniture in the photos had been replaced with nicer things, so actually it was prettier than the photos showed it to be.) When we arrived, the place was spotless. It even smelled good! Beautiful art on the walls. Bookcases line the walls, and the book collection is as good as a local library. The deck is huge, and the view is lovely. There is complete quiet and privacy, and yet you're only two minutes' drive to town with all its conveniences. We were a little concerned about the fact that it's a duplex. The owner told us that the other home is rented to a very quiet older woman who works full-time, and assured that we would have complete privacy. It was true. We never saw or heard anything from the other house, except a car coming and going once in a while. Nor did she ever complain about us, even though we were probably pretty noisy. There was a problem with the first-floor shower when we got there. We called the owner, and she had a handyman out to fix it that same day. We couldn't believe our luck, having been disappointed in the past with other rentals. This one was definitely a winner.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thanks so much, and I look forward to your next visit.

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• Great vacation house

  Great vacation house

  • Guest Lauren K.
  • Date of stay 08/30/08
  • Review Submitted 02/21/09
  If you like light, it doesn't really get better than this - we woke up each day to sunshine streaming in to all of the rooms. The house is large, with soaring ceilings in the living room, an open floor plan and lots of room on three levels for spreading out. At the same time, it's very homey - not like one of those places you start to feel lost in. Lots of pretty details, an ample kitchen and two spacious bathrooms. A nice yard, and two great decks, including an area that's covered for shade. Located on a pretty street, a short walk down the road from a beautiful beach. And a two minute drive from the village of Orleans, which has lots of great shops and restaurants. All in all, a lovely house for a Cape Cod vacation. Would highly recommend, and will return when our schedules permit.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thanks! You're welcome back any time!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Spacious and bright and near the beach

  Spacious and bright and near the beach

  • Guest lovemykids2468
  • Date of stay 07/06/08
  • Review Submitted 10/18/08
  We absolutely loved this beautiful setting near the beach. The outside doesn't look like much, but when you get inside, the sunlight streaming in to the open plan of the house is dazzling - both spacious and cozy. We'll definitely be coming back. Great for kids, dogs, beach walks, and family bonding.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: Thanks! It was great to have you. Please come again!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6