Premium Price, Lacking the Premium ExperienceThis was our 5th summer in Carolina Beach, but our first booking with Network Real Estate (NRE). The guest experience fell way short of their premium price tag.Logistics felt outdated; NRE hit us with a surprise agreement to e-sign after our VRBO booking finalized and the cancellation window passed, plus a mistaken 150 pet fee. Instead of keyless entry, you must drive to their office for physical keys. They also charge a 100 cash lockout fee, claiming they need a locksmith, yet the door uses a Kwikset lock easily rekeyed with a 5 tool. This feels like a cash grab.Arrival was equally frustrating. 1/3 of the parking spaces are so tight my SUV got a scratched fender. Inside, linens were left in a duffel bag, forcing us to make our own beds. No trash bags were provided, and the pool code was weeks out of date, locking us out all weekend.Furthermore, rules state the AC must stay at 75, which is absurd. Housekeeping also failed: we found sand on furniture, stained carpets, and two pizza boxes left in the oven.They did handle a hot water outage quickly, but a premium price requires a premium experience. Unfortunately, we’ll look elsewhere next summer.