Surf or Sound Realty review: Extremely disappointing experience – think twice before booking with surf or sound realty!

Our annual family vacation to the Outer Banks is something we look forward to all year. After our experience with Surf or Sound Realty at Hatteras Comfort #1070 (September 19–26, 2026), I can honestly say this was one of the most disappointing and upsetting vacation experiences our family has ever had.
The condition of this rental was unacceptable, and the company's lack of attention to these issues made a terrible situation worse. Here is what our family endured:
• Broken Central Air Conditioning: We were never notified before arrival that the central AC was completely broken.
• Dangerously Hot Bunk Room: Our young children slept in a bunk room where temperatures climbed above 100 degrees.
• Malfunctioning Window AC & Electrical Issues: The backup window AC in the king bedroom repeatedly tripped the circuit breaker every few minutes. My husband had to continually go downstairs to reset the breaker just to keep it running.
• Roach Infestation: Roaches were present throughout the property, including areas where we were supposed to eat and relax.
• Pigeons Nesting in the Attic: Pigeons nested above us, making noise all night. Their droppings heavily covered the balconies, making outdoor spaces unsanitary and unusable.
• Excessive Dust: The return air vent was caked in thick dust, triggering severe seasonal allergies and leaving us feeling sick.
These were not minor inconveniences; they were serious maintenance, cleanliness, and safety failures.
What makes this worse is Surf or Sound Realty’s completely inadequate response. After bringing all of this to their attention, they offered a refund of only $163.
We paid thousands for a relaxing family vacation, yet we spent our week dealing with extreme indoor heat, electrical issues, pests, and unsanitary conditions. For the company to decide that $163 is an acceptable resolution is insulting. A vacation rental company has a responsibility to provide a property that is safe, clean, and properly maintained.
Our annual family vacation was ruined by problems that should have been addressed before we checked in. Based on this experience and the dismissive customer service, I cannot recommend Surf or Sound Realty. Think twice before booking with them.