Our Story
How It All Began
We had a dream to create beautiful, thoughtfully designed spaces where our guests could feel at home and enjoy a relaxing beach vacation while creating memories that would last a lifetime—so we came up with a plan.
Our story started one Saturday afternoon, sitting at Betty’s kitchen counter. We believed that our focus on quality over quantity could set us apart. All we needed was a solid plan and the determination to bring it to life.
That dream became a reality when Saltwater Grande opened in June of 2019.
Growing Through Challenge
At first, Saltwater Grande consisted of just two companies: a real estate brokerage and a vacation rental business committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences in a market that had long followed the same patterns. We saw an opportunity to do things differently—leveraging technology and innovation to create a more streamlined and efficient way of doing business.
Those early months were filled with challenges—navigating red tape, obtaining licenses, building an office, forming vendor relationships, and diving deep into industry learning. By October, we had our website live and our vacation rental property management system in place. Then came the big task: earning the trust of property owners and bringing their homes into our program.
We began with just 4 properties. By the following spring, we had grown to 14—and momentum was building. Then the world came to a halt: COVID. The vacation rental industry paused overnight, and the uncertainty was overwhelming. We processed cancellations, refunded bookings, and faced weeks of unknowns. But we persevered.
Expanding Our Vision
By mid-May, the world began to open back up—and suddenly, bookings returned. We saw a surge in interest from property owners, and as we reviewed their homes, we realized some needed a little help to meet evolving guest expectations. That’s when Saltwater Grande Design was born. We began helping owners refresh, update, and elevate their spaces to make them more appealing and competitive—whether cozy or luxurious.
COVID also taught us the value of diversification. We launched Saltwater Grande Properties, our long-term rental property management division, to build a year-round revenue stream. Over time, that branch has grown to include housekeeping and maintenance services for homeowners not currently in rental programs, including estate properties that rely on us for day-to-day oversight.
A Diverse and Dedicated Team
Today, we manage nearly 90 properties and have built a team of about 30 dedicated professionals—cleaners, inspectors, maintenance technicians, Realtors, and support staff—each playing a vital role in delivering the standard of excellence we set for ourselves and our properties.
From charming beach condos to elegant estate homes, we welcome a diverse range of properties and owners. If you’re committed to providing guests with a high-quality experience, we’re here to help you succeed.
Looking Ahead
We don’t know exactly where the future will lead, but one thing is certain: Saltwater Grande will continue to grow, evolve, and serve our community and customers with care and integrity.
