Outer Banks Short Term Rental Ownership?

[Neil Roy]

Hello All! I'm reading long distance real estate - and was wondering what peoples experiences have been with the outer banks?  

Questions: 

Any pitfalls with having properties so close to the water? A lot of these houses have septic tanks, and are there any special rules with regards to proximity to water?

Any concerns with water damage with being a long distance investor in a vacation area (I'm in the DC area). 

Has anyone gone through a property management company they liked? There seem to be a bunch of them out there. 

Did they use the property management company to also find the properties? 

Any deal finders recommended by the group that have been consistent?

Thanks in advance and sorry if I posed in the wrong spot!