deep creek vacation rentals – Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales Blog

The Perfect Deep Creek Lake Memorial Day Getaway

Plan the perfect Deep Creek Lake Memorial Day getaway for your crew! The holiday weekend is the ideal time to enjoy a little R&R at the lake. You can kick-off the unofficial start to summer making fun memories with family and friends.

Relaxation Starts at DCL

Treat yourself to some rest and relaxation with your feet up as you enjoy views of Deep Creek Lake. We have the best selection of homes with top-of-the-line amenities and convenient locations. It is easy to de-stress at one of our beautiful Deep Creek Lake vacation rentals.

Smaller groups might want to consider staying in a townhome community. Many of them have shared amenities like indoor pools, tennis courts and lake access areas.

deep creek lake memorial day getaway

If you are looking for something on a larger scale, we have that too. Our homes range from 1-10 bedrooms. There are options that meet just about every need so that you are completely comfortable. Continue reading The Perfect Deep Creek Lake Memorial Day Getaway

Budget Design Tips for Vacation Rental Owners

This blog post on budget design tips was written by a special guest contributor. Kristina Dorville and her family recently purchased The Quarterdeck. They gave this lake access chalet a complete makeover with stunning results. She offered some great budget design tips for making updates that are easy on your wallet.

Kristina’s Tips

If I could start over in my professional career, I’d like to decorate homes. But not the normal way. Anyone can go to a store, spend a ton of money and have a good looking house. MY favorite part of decorating… finding the ‘treasure’ – you know, that one chair, pillow, or rug that fits with your design idea but doesn’t break the bank. I love a treasure hunt. I love a good sale. But best of all, I love making my house feel like a well-decorated, stylish home for as little money as possible!

If you’re looking for a refresh of your space, there are some easy ways to find the treasures that work for you without the hefty price tag.

Shop Around & Wait for Sales

First and foremost, you must be patient. Don’t buy the first thing you see that you like. Look around and shop around. Wait for sales, if you know they are coming (around the holidays is a great time). I got some great, after Christmas deals on things that had nothing to do with the holiday. Swing through the same store multiple times and also go to the nearby, same stores. Every store – even the same ones in various locations around town – have different stuff and different prices. Continue reading Budget Design Tips for Vacation Rental Owners

What’s New at Deep Creek Lake – 2018 Edition

Discover what’s new at Deep Creek Lake! We have started compiling our 2018 list of new activities, eateries and events in the Deep Creek Lake area. Check back often for updates!

The next time you are in town, stop by one of these fine establishments:

monkey business adventure park

Monkey Business Adventure Park – 1-866-DCL-SOAR
This aerial adventure park opened last fall and has had folks monkeying around ever since! Their ziplines offer amazing lake views, and they have something for almost every age and ability level. They recently added an arcade too!

The Rolling Pin Bakery – 301-746-8500
From delicious deli sandwiches to amazing baked goods, The Rolling Pin in Accident is quickly becoming a local favorite. Be sure to try their donuts!

Sacred Ground Gem Mining

Sacred Ground Mining Company
Mine for “gems” in Sacred Grounds lake front sluice. This is a fun family activity that is perfect for the little ones in your group. Plus, you can browse for jewelry and Deep Creek souvenirs next store or grab some ice cream at the Lakeside Creamery.

Escape Games at Wisp Resort – 301-387-4911
The theme for their summer game is “Detention Breakout”! This is a reality game where you are put in a room and must use team work and problem solving to complete puzzles with clues, hints and strategy to ‘escape’ the room in a set amount of time.

The Manor Steakhouse
Opening in late spring 2018, this Oakland landmark is under new ownership. Serving lunch, dinner, drinks and Sunday brunch, their menu is yet to be unveiled but will feature the freshest of ingredients.

sang_run_state_park

Sang Run State Park
Deep Creek’s seventh state park opened last fall. Formerly a farm, there are 77 acres to explore that include an old-fashioned general store and access to the Youghiogheny River. Volunteers open the Friend’s Store each Monday in July and August to sell locally hand made crafts and food snacks reminiscent of country living and trade stories of the history of the area. There are also guided hikes that are led by naturalists from DCL State Park. Check the Discover Center website for more details.

The Casselman Bakery & Cafe – 301-895-5055
Enjoy a wide variety of fresh homemade breads and desserts along with hearty breakfast & lunch options, and a salad and homemade soup bar. Continue reading What’s New at Deep Creek Lake – 2018 Edition

10 Years of Deep Creek Vacations!

We are celebrating 10 years of Deep Creek vacations! There have been many changes in the past decade, but our commitment to our guests, home owners and the community remains steadfast.

the beginning

Jodi Taylor Refosco, her husband, Joe Refosco, and her brother, Chad Taylor, started Taylor-Made in April of 2008. Each had many years of experience in the vacation rental and hospitality industries. Chad and Jodi were continuing a tradition that was started by their parents, Zachary and Linda Taylor, who previously owned a vacation rental firm.

With only one home and no employees, Jodi, Joe and Chad did everything themselves. From lawn care and maintenance to reservations and housekeeping, the trio built the company from the ground up.

They started with the mission statement “Creating Memories & Exceeding Expecations”. Their goal was to help both guests and owners create lasting memories in a place that they love while providing exceptional customer service. That is still the philosophy of the company today. Continue reading 10 Years of Deep Creek Vacations!

Deep Creek Vacations – As Seen on HGTV!

Everyone at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales was excited to see two of our homes on HGTV recently!

The popular network launched a new series called “Lake House Hunters“. In the very first episode, the Deep Creek Lake area was featured. One of our agents and a co-owner of our real estate company, Jay Ferguson, helped the DuPlessis Family find their dream home.

About the Show

If you’re not familiar with the House Hunters format, buyers tour three properties and choose the right one for their needs and budget. A real estate agent guides them through the process.

The DuPlessis Family was looking for lakefront homes with great outdoor space. They also wanted something that would work well for their growing, active family.

About the Homes

The first home they toured was Lake Escape. Amazing lake and ski slope views are a highlight of this property and make it a popular spot for Deep Creek vacations.

It offers 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. The spacious interior gives families lots of room to spread out. Outside, you can grill on the expansive deck or lounge on the private dock. Check availability at Lake Escape. Continue reading Deep Creek Vacations – As Seen on HGTV!

Complete Schedule for A Great Small Town Christmas

A Great Small Town Christmas is underway now through December 16th in Oakland – just a short drive from the Deep Creek Lake area. You will find something for every member of the family!

The charming downtown will host horse drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa himself and lots of great deals at local shops.

Here’s the rundown for all of the fun events that are part of A Great Small Town Christmas:

The Joy of Christ: December 4 to December 8 at the Oakland Community Center (Oakland Armory), starting at 6:30PM. Food will be available for purchase. Free event.

Our Town Theatre’s Annual Christmas Market: Saturday, December 2 from 10-3 at Our Town Theatre. Browse gifts made by local artisans get some yummy treats at the bake sale!

ALL Saturday’s Nov 25 through Dec 16 – 11 am to 3 pm

-Soup and Santa (Non-profits serving soup throughout downtown)

-Elves

-Carolers caroling throughout the downtown

-Pictures with Santa Claus by Smoke N Mirrors in the grass lot beside Englander’s

December 8th & 9th: Continue reading Complete Schedule for A Great Small Town Christmas

Deep Creek Vacation Rental Market Update

Deep Creek Vacation Rental Market Update

For Taylor-Made owners, the Deep Creek Lake vacation rental market is experiencing an excellent first quarter for the 2018 fiscal year. It has been exciting to see the growth in the variety of vacation rentals available to vacationers in recent years.

Summer is always a popular time to visit, and our occupancy levels were 39% more than in 2016. Fall travel to the area is also on the rise. By mid summer, our September 2017 reservations were already 9% ahead of last year, and we finished that month with an overall 14% increase in stays.

Aggressive marketing, that includes distribution of Taylor-Made homes on Booking.com and Air BNB, coupled with the post-Labor Day start for Maryland schools contributed to driving more reservations during this time.

Because of the later start for MD schools, we tested out extending prime summer season rates by one week. There was no negative impact, so we will continue with this to maximize owner revenue.

Over the years, we have shifted our focus to more online channels. They are more easily trackable. That gives us a better idea of where marketing dollars are best spent in order to benefit our home owners.

“We appreciate all of your efforts to market our property Ski Shore. 2017 has had the highest rental income we have had in 19 years.” ~ Ski Shore Owners

Continue reading Deep Creek Vacation Rental Market Update

Deep Creek Lake Community Spotlight: Kendall Camp

Kendall Camp is a mountaintop community that is an ideal spot for your next getaway no matter what the season.

Highlighted by big timber construction with stone accents, these towhomes give a true alpine vibe as soon as you pull through the gate. They offer 4-5 bedrooms, open floor plans, fireplaces and plenty of square footage for your family and friends.

SUMMER
Within a short walk, whitewater thrills are waiting for you at the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI). The man-made recirculating course is the only one of its kind in the world. Guided rafting trips are available, and experienced paddlers with their own equipment can purchase passes to head out on their own. You can even try River Boarding – where, after a little instruction, you can swim in the rapids with a modified boogie board and fins.

Kendall Camp

Continue reading Deep Creek Lake Community Spotlight: Kendall Camp

Deep Creek Summer Vacations Under $1500

Deep Creek summer vacations are top of mind with many families now that spring has sprung. Daydreams are filled with thoughts of sunshine, flip flops, boat rides and bathing suits.

If you’re thinking that a Deep Creek summer getaway isn’t in your budget, take a look at these affordable vacation rentals with great amenities! Each one is under $1500 TOTAL for peak summer weeks.

BEAR PAWS

This charming Deep Creek Lake log cabin pairs total comfort with a convenient location! You can relax on the covered porch, take a dip in the hot tub or curl up by the cozy fireplace. Drive 5-10 minutes to swim at Deep Creek Lake State Park, listen to bands at the Honi-Honi, grab groceries at Arrowhead Market or take a kayak tour with High Mountain Sports. Continue reading Deep Creek Summer Vacations Under $1500

25 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Deep Creek this Summer

When you visit Deep Creek Lake, the scenic beauty and endless activities will draw you back year-after-year. Summer is one of the most popular times for families and friends to gather at a Deep Creek vacation rental to make “mountain memories”.

Here are a few of our favorite photos that we hope will inspire your first visit or a return trip to visit Deep Creek:

Continue reading 25 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Deep Creek this Summer