Back in the day, one or two vacation rental management companies usually ruled the business in each community; i.e. Sand N Sea and Gary Greene on the west end of Galveston.

It was easier back then to police renters and maintain rules about things like parking and noise. The owners and employees of those companies were locals and cared about how they were perceived. And they knew that upsetting the full-time residents could lead to trouble.

Today it's a free-for-all. Not only are there a lot more management companies -- including the big national names like Vacasa with no local ties -- but most homes are rented by individual owners via AirBnB and VRBO. It's a lot tougher to pin everyone down to the same rules.

So I could see how some full-time residents might perceive that the situation is worse today, because it probably is. But I can also see how some STR owners would get caught off guard if the full-time residents rise up via an HOA and vote to ban them.

That would be an interesting move. Many owners would immediately sell. On top of that, Crystal Beach is about the most pro-Trump place on earth. You can probably buy a Trump 2028 flag if you want. Maybe even Don, Jr, for 2032 and 2036.

Would be quite the ironic move for a bunch of allegedly laissez-faire capitalists to restrict what property owners can do with their property. But alas, consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
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Shameless plug: I still have this weekend available. Rates will be heading up in March, but this full weekend, even adding a 3rd night is highly affordable.

94chem said:

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That would be an interesting move.

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It happened in Pirates Cove on the west end of Galveston, and it darn near happened in Pirates Beach. That was a year or two ago.

There weren't a lot of rentals in Pirates Cove, so it was an easier sell. But there are definitely some homeowners in Pirates Beach who would love to end STRs there. I don't think Pirates Beach had the votes so they pulled the referendum, but if the ratio of full-time/absentee owners shifts further, it could happen.

Would be interesting to see if any homeowners in Pirates Cove sold once that passed. I don't think they grandfathered anybody in.

Another hood where they are fighting STRs is bayou Vista up on 45. Those homes would kill it as STRs. The hood is nothing but drunks anyways so I'm not sure why they are so against it.

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Edit - nevermind - emailed.

Some of the houses with lower pilings did survive in tact. In-laws had their first row house have nothing but twisted i beams left, but had a last row rental (beach side) that they gutted. But walls and roof survived.

Thanks for the history. I heard that the east end of the peninsula fared worse...pretty much wiped clean.

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my coworker is looking for Galveston/beach on mothers day weekend preferably no more than 400 per night.. 4 people but also prob dogs? anyone gotta thing? I didn't see any prices.

A buddy of mine has a huge one that sleeps 16 in Crystal Beach. Dog friendly as well.

Bump. A couple of folks have come down to enjoy the "other world" of Bolivar, and a few more are booked. See the above post if you have any ability to get away during the week.

Incoming!

Can you send me details? Link and price? Username at gmail

careful on and around the dunes

Chewy said:

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Strange looking pelican that grabbed that snake. Didn't realize they're a predator/prey thing.

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its called a purpled beaked poonanny

Diamondbacks are not uncommon in those dunes. I nearly lost my life when I was 5 years old in the backcountry at Terlingua. Came within inches of planting my foot in the middle of one coiled up. My grandpa took it out with a .22, and I still have the rattles.

94chem said:

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Nights of June 7 - 9 are available. $780 total if I book you directly. Email listed near top of thread.

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Can you post a link to an online listing?

airbnb.com/h/seahorse-ranch-crystal-beach-tx

atm94unc98 at the google

Any of yall ever stay at the Kettle house?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/34602890?source_impression_id=p3_1654662671_WikKonvAS%2BBZwGJE

Harry Lime said:

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Any of yall ever stay at the Kettle house?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/34602890?source_impression_id=p3_1654662671_WikKonvAS%2BBZwGJE

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1 bath? no thanks

hey...it's a bargain at $500/night.