From their humble beginnings in 1978, Surf or Sound Realty has steadily grown into Hatteras Island’s premier property management company, leading the island in rental performance 19 years in a row.
“Hatteras Island is a special place,” says Vice President of Operations Morgan Veyna. “The natural beauty here is truly exceptional. Hatteras Island offers a serene alternative to the more crowded northern beaches. If your ideal day involves unwinding with some peaceful moments while still having the option to surf, fish and dine at top-notch restaurants, then this is absolutely the destination for you. We’re proud to offer the largest selection of premier properties on Hatteras Island. This means you can immerse yourself in the stunning scenery and also have access to the most beautiful homes designed for ultimate relaxation.”
In the past four decades, Surf or Sound’s repertoire has grown from less than 100 homes at the company’s advent to now managing more than 600, welcoming more than 100,000 guests and 12,000 reservations annually.
No matter your needs, you can find a home that fits the bill, with premier amenities like private heated pools, hot tubs, game rooms, elevators and home theaters plus dog-friendly accommodations.
Despite their growth from a small rental company to a market-dominating property management company, a deep love of the island is at the heart of everything the team at Surf or Sound Realty does.
“Everybody who works here has a love for the Outer Banks,” says Director of Marketing Erin Morgan. “This deep-rooted connection drives our commitment to providing exceptional service and contributing to the vibrant community we call home. That sets us apart from a national company.”
This commitment to the Outer Banks as a community is evident in Surf or Sound’s philanthropic footprint. The company invests in local charities and opportunities like Hatteras Meals on Wheels, Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation and the Hatteras Island Youth Fund.
“Our deep-rooted connection to Hatteras Island drives our commitment to community involvement,” Morgan says. “We actively seek opportunities to partner with local businesses, events, schools, and contribute to the community we call home.”
Right now, Surf or Sound Realty is the only locally owned and operated Vrbo Premier Partner on Hatteras Island, a status that is difficult to achieve and maintain.
“Our Vrbo Premier Host status is a direct reflection of our dedication to excellence,” Erin says. “Achieving this designation requires meeting stringent criteria, such as maintaining a 4.5-star rating, which we’ve surpassed with a 4.6-star average.”
Surf or Sound has 25 times more Google five-star reviews than the next closest competitor – a significant jump from this time last year when they had 14 times more five-star reviews.
For Surf or Sound, striking a delicate balance between their familiar, homegrown ethos and their aggressive-growth mindset is crucial in looking toward the future.
“Our team is driven by a relentless commitment to excellence in every aspect of our work,” Morgan explains. “Whether it’s sales, marketing, operations, maintenance or reservations, every member of our team is dedicated to being the best, and our performance metrics validate our success. What truly sets us apart is the exceptional talent and dedication of the people who make up our organization. That is our secret sauce.”
And those statistics speak for themselves. In recent years, Surf or Sound has been tracking organizational statistics to best determine what is working and what is not. The team sends out weekly surveys to all guests with over a 50% response rate, more than tripling the market average. Of those surveys returned, 95% of guests dole out a 5 or 4-star rating.
With this carefully crafted infrastructure behind them, Surf or Sound is primed to take on the ever-growing number of vacationers looking to make memories on Hatteras Island.
“Last year, we successfully integrated over 100 new properties into our program,” Morgan notes. “We expanded our operations teams and implemented a new organizational structure that enhances our focus on homeowners. This expansion has increased our presence on Hatteras Island and strengthened our ability to serve our guests and clients more effectively. We’re excited about the future and are committed to further expanding our capabilities in ways that meet the needs of our community.”
Part of this expansion includes a modern digital hub designed to seamlessly integrate every aspect of the online process for guests and clients.
“We rolled out our new, mobile-responsive website in October of last year that marked a significant milestone as part of our journey into a new era of hospitality management,” Erin says. “72% of our users are now using our website through their phones – that’s a shift we’ve seen in recent years, and so we rebuilt the website to be mobile-first.”
Looking ahead, Surf or Sound’s goal is ambitious: to manage as many premier properties on Hatteras Island as possible and provide a quintessential Outer Banks vacation to growing numbers of guests.
“There’s nobody that comes close to what we do here, and you see that in every aspect of our organization,” Morgan says. “We’re building a team to take on growth, and it’s very purposeful. Our goal is to continue growing in this market so that we can provide the same services and operational excellence to all the guests that want to come here.”
At the core of its operation, Surf or Sound Realty remains committed to the growth and success of Hatteras Island and invests in the people who make it great.
“Ultimately, it’s all about delivering a personal touch in everything we do,” Morgan explains. “After our guests have spent an entire year planning and saving for their vacation, we want to ensure they experience a memorable stay. We want them to fully enjoy their time with family, savor the beautiful weather, embrace the waves and explore all that Hatteras Island has to offer.”
Hatteras Office
(252) 996-0499
58079 NC Highway 12
Avon Office
(252) 995-5801
40974 NC Highway 12
Salvo Office
(252) 987-1444
26204 Rampart St.
SurforSound.com
About the Author Leah Wingenroth
Leah was born and raised on the Outer Banks and is an alumnus of Appalachian State University and King's College. She currently resides in England, writing and managing content in the lifestyle, education, travel and literary publishing sectors.
