Shepard Home Rental Policies
Before your trip:
- Please indicate clearly on all checks that you're renting the"Shepard Home"
- We do our best to provide you with an enjoyable stay. We cannot; however, control Mother Nature. Rent is not refundable for any reason including lack of snow, too much snow, ice, rain, etc., unless we are able to re-rent the home for the time period you wish to cancel; in which case a $100 administrative fee will be charged. During rain days, ski surfaces are soft; with correct choice of clothing the skiing can be very enjoyable and comfortable as well. (I'm told that golf can also be played in the rain.)
- There is no phone in the home. AT&T Cellular has the best reception. Verizon is pretty good. T-Mobile, I'm told, also works. And; remember, "friends don't let friends use Nextel" (no coverage outside of major cities!)
- Internet Access: Free high-speed wireless Internet is available at the Schuss and Summit Lobbies.
- All bedding, linens, and towels are provided at the home. The resort provides towels at the pool, so please don't take our towels down to the resort pool; please use the resort provided towels at the pool.
- Check out: Noon; Check in: 6pm
- Late checkout (if available) 6pm: $75.00
- Early check in (if available) noon: $75.00
- Unauthorized Late check out will be charged at $100/hour and the cleaning crew may begin cleaning for the next guest at noon. It takes from four to six hours to thoroughly clean this large log home; please be courteous of our next guest and our cleaning crew
- Early check in may be available; contact us during the last week before your trip. We make every effort to have the home prepared for your arrival; however, it's possible that the home may not be 100% complete upon your arrival. In the event of a late check in it is not our policy to refund any monies.
- Quiet Enjoyment: Please remember that this is a high-end home in a quiet residential area and you must be courteous of the neighbors by not making excessive noise at any time, and no noise whatsoever after 11 p.m.
- Prices and terms are subject to change until confirmed.
- Information on this site is deemed accurate, but not guaranteed. If you require some special accommodation you must confirm before making a reservation.
- BYO Soap & Shampoo.
At arrival:
Please treat our home like it is your own luxury retreat.
- Please no shoes or boots inside: there is a large mud room just off the garage entry for all your gear.
- Air Conditioning: Turn main-level thermostat to room temperature.
During your stay:
- Quiet Enjoyment: Please remember that this is a high-end home in a quiet residential area and you must be courteous of the neighbors by not making excessive noise at any time, and no noise whatsoever after 11 p.m. THANKS.
- The $100 cleaning fee you paid covers "Normal" cleaning at the end of your stay. Any cleaning charges in excess of $100 (pet hair, excessive dirt, a weeks worth of dishes, etc.) will be passed on to the guest by way of a deduct from your security deposit. Our policy on accidents and your security deposit is that "accidents do happen" and we will not hit you for every little thing as long as the "little things" are isolated cases, are incidents that could happen to anyone, and you let us know of the broken item, small problem, etc. However, if you don't let us know of small problems then we can't fix them on our schedule and they can become big issues. So, tell us of small problems and your security deposit won't be affected; hide the truth from us and you will be charged. We've only had to use a security deposit once in over 300 guests... let's keep it that way!
- Mid-stay cleaning may be available for a fee; if interested please contact Rick via Email.
- Fire Safety: there are fire extinguishers under the kitchen sink.
- Please don't play "amateur interior decorator" and move the furniture all around. Thanks!
- Outside Grill: Please remember to shut off propane at tank after EACH use or you may not have propane for your next use
- Fireplace: please make sure the flue is open before lighting. To get the fireplace to draft properly please first burn two pieces of crumpled-up newspaper. Then make and start your actual fire. There may or may not be some firewood at the house; Firewood is available in Mancelona at the BP Amoco station.
- Garbage must be placed in the two large garbage cans in the garage.
- TV/SAT/VCR/DVD/CD: Please bring DVDs for your enjoyment on the several flat screen TVs; there is no cable or satellite service at this home.
- Video Rentals:
- Movie Gallery, next to Glen's Mancelona 231-587-1281
Mon-Thurs 10a-10p; Fri, Sat 10a-11p; Sun noon-10p- Sunset Video
110 East State Street, Mancelona, MI 49659
(231) 587-8799- Sunset Video
116 South Bridge Street, Bellaire, MI 49615
(231) 533-5918- Maintenance Problems: For any problems at the home please contact Rick Schoonover at 248-202-5104 (cell). If you have a plumbing emergency (a stopped up toilet is not an emergency... it's cause for you to use a plunger) or a heating emergency and Rick is unreachable please call Dean at D&M Service 231-676-0687(cell) or 231-544-2507(office).
- Toilet Etiquette: We are on a septic system; please do not flush antiseptic wipes down the toilet... they do not break down in the septic tank, and can get caught up in the pipes. Also, regardless of what the package says, please do not flush any sort of feminine hygiene products down the toilet. They WILL expand (as they are intended to do) in the drain lines and cause back-up problems. THANKS.
At departure:
- On your last morning, please don't make up the beds you used so that our cleaning crew knows which beds to strip down and clean for next guests.
- Please make sure that the fireplace is completely out.
- Summer Cooling Season: Thermostat to 80°.
- There will be a $100 deduct taken from your security deposit if the thermostat is not set appropriately upon your departure.
- Please fill out guest book.
When you get home:
Prices and specifications subject to change. Check back for latest revisions and corrections. Thanks.
