Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions about both the rental process, and St. Augustine in general . If you have any questions we have not covered, please feel free to contact us.

How do we book a vacation rental?

All of the properties shown on our website are available for booking. You can sort them by different factors, such as location and area of St. Augustine. When you find a home you’d like to rent for your vacation, you’ll find a Reserve Now button on the web page. Once you press that, you will be presented with a calendar, where you can choose your dates. Online checkout is processed with a Visa or MasterCard, through a secure connection with our processing site, Lodgix. We can also assist you in reserving your rental by telephone. Call our Booking line at 904-429-7373. For additional convenience, you can also book through Lodgix via our Facebook page at Facebook.com/FlVacationBeach.Rentals.
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How about Pet Friendly vacation rentals?

We know that bringing the entire family is important sometimes, and we also know there are concerns. Our basic pet policy is as follows:

  • The pet fee is $200 for the first pet and $50 for an additional, with a 10.5% tax. This cleaning fee is non-refundable.
  • Maximum two (2) pets
  • Acceptance is based on size, breed, and age
  • Cleaning up for your pet is your responsibility, both indoors and out.
  • Dogs should always be leashed when outside the rental unit.
  • Pets should not be allowed on the furniture, including beds.
  • Dogs prone to long periods of barking cannot be accepted.
  • Any complaints will require your pet to be boarded for the remainder of your stay.

If you agree to these simple rules, you can find our list of available units at this page – Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals. The pet deposit covers the cleaning of the home after the pets have left. Our cleaning service is sure to remove all traces of the pets visit, to make the home friendly for renters who do not have pets.
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What amenities does the rental home offer?

Each of our properties are unique with what is offered. We have tried to be thorough in the descriptions on the property information page, and we have added as many pictures as we could. Please do carefully review the information before committing to a rental unit.

Our homes do have basic essentials – bed and bath linens, working appliances in the kitchen, and everything you need for dining. Trash cans are provided at each home. The homes will have additional items such as trash bags, dish soap, bathroom tissue, and paper towels.

All of our homes are individually owned, and anything extra is provided at the owners will. You’ll find home with beach chairs or umbrellas, bikes, fishing poles, boogie boards, additional small kitchen appliances, DVD, Blu-ray or even VHS players, and more. Some homes have ‘Visitor Pantries’, where you can take something or leave something.
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Do you offer long term beach rentals?

Some of our homes are available for longer stays, though none of them will offer year round housing. Feel free to call the office and check availability at 904-429-7373. For longer term rentals, we work with Ocean Breeze Property Management to find St. Augustine rentals that will accommodate your needs.
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Can you help us with St. Augustine Real Estate?

First Choice Florida Vacation Rentals has an exclusive partnership with Ocean Breeze Property Management of St. Augustine. The full service realtors of Ocean Breeze are well-versed in all aspects of St. Johns County, FL real estate services. You can direct questions to them by phone at 904-794-9697, or stop by the First Choice office to arrange an appointment. Once you’ve made your investment, we can help you turn it into a rental property. Ocean Breeze handles long term rental homes, while First Choice manages short term vacation rentals.
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Do we handle investment property management?

We do handle property management. First Choice and Ocean Breeze agents have been involved in local property management for more than 20 years. Our agents have a firm understanding of the St. Augustine market. This gives us an advantage because we can make things happen faster than any other management team in town. We know the cleaning companies, the air conditioner repair folks, the lawn companies, and we can handle everything that comes along. We offer guests a seamless experience from our extensive web presence to the ease of getting into their rentals. You can just sit back and let us handle everything your home needs. Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding our property management services.
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What are the general rules for the beaches?

All of our homes are in St. Johns County, Florida. This is separated into x beach areas – Ponte Vedra Beach, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, and Summerhaven Beach. Each area will differ depending on many circumstances. For example, some beaches allow vehicle access, but only weather permitting, and seasonally due to sea turtle nesting.

All beaches have the same basic rules:

  • No Alcoholic Beverages
  • No Glass Containers
  • Do Not Disturb Sand Dunes
  • No Open Fires
  • No Overnight Camping
  • Pets Must Be Leashed
  • No Loud Music
  • No Commercial Activity
  • Do Not Touch Wildlife
  • No Littering
  • No Fireworks

There are signs posted at each public entry point to the beach, please familiarize yourself with the rules for that particular stretch of beach.
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Why should we visit St. Augustine?

St. Augustine has something for everyone in your family. We are famous for being the nations oldest city, but we’re so much more than that. St. Augustine area provides world class golf, fresh and salt water fishing, antique shopping, nationally touring concerts and shows, surfing, nature, serenity, NFL Football, and miles of white sand beaches. We have museums and zoos and pirates walking our streets. Every day is an adventure in St. Augustine.
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What are some of your favorite attractions or things to do?

Probably the most frequently asked of all the questions. There are just so many options. First, it’s easy to day trip from St. Augustine to many destinations around central and north Florida. You can easily get out to Orlando for a day, or spend an afternoon at the Kennedy Space Center. Get lost in the Ocala National Forest, or catch a Florida Gators football game in Gainesville.

But St. Augustine, there’s just no need for anything else. Right here you’ll find great places to visit, like the Castillo de San Marcos. This massive structure has been the focus of St. Augustine for hundreds of years, and no vacation here is complete without seeing it.

The Alligator Farm is amazing. You’ll see many species beyond Alligators. For the more adventurous, there is even a zip line over the gators!

Ripleys Believe It Or Not is not to be missed either. Start in the parking lot, where you can see a few oddities, and then head inside the coolest castle you’ve ever seen for the rest of the collection. You can also jump aboard the Ripleys Red Train here, and ride all around St. Augustine on a 3 hour tour.

And of course, the most important attraction – our beaches. It’s an amazing place, day or night. Take some time to explore the walkways between the dunes, watch a gopher turtle dig a nest, or a sun rise with the sea oats in the foreground. You’ll cherish these moments forever.
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Even More

St. Augustine has something for everyone. Even for those of us who’ve lived here forever, the magic never goes away. Come down and spend some time in a nice oceanfront rental, and take in the views that can only be uniquely St. Augustine.

If you have any questions we haven’t covered, please feel free to email us at info@vacationbeach.rentals, or call us at 904-429-7373

First Choice Florida Frequently Asked Questions

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