How to Find the Best Vacation Home Rental
Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of renting a private residence for their vacation, although with a little help they could and should be. Here are a few tips on how to over come some concerns about how and why renting private homes in tropical vacation areas is the best way to insure a "perfect" vacation.There are literally thousands of homes available for vacation rentals. Trying to find the one that fits your needs can be threatening, but really doesn't have to be. Obviously you have to start by knowing where you hope to vacation. With this destination in mind searching the internet to find sites that advertise these accommodations is easy. Once you have surfed a while and made yourself familiar with a few rental sites you can start to notice a few things.
First, pictures are king! Home owners who have a place they are proud of will have as many photos as they are allowed to have, and will have photos of as much as they can. If you have a home to be proud of you show pictures. So always be suspicious of sites that do not have a LOT of pictures.
Secondly, pay close attention to the description of the property. Again, proud home owners are not being boastful when they describe their home in colorful, expressive ways. They talk about their vacation home the way anybody talks about anything they are very proud of and want to share with others. So ads that are short, curt and devoid of description should be avoided.
Thirdly notice who you will be dealing with. If it's a management company or another 3rd party source, that just takes you one step further away from the REAL decision maker. The real decision maker is the homeowner, the one that has cared for, maintained and created a slice of paradise that they are making available to you. When you deal with the actual home owner, there can be a bond created that becomes your MAIN source of confidence that you are getting the best vacation home rental you can. I liken it to the difference between buying a car from a used car lot verses the previous owner. Why do people get rid of their cars via dealers? They KNOW selling it themselves will be a tough sell. But if you have a quality car you are looking to replace, selling it yourself presents no problem. Quality sells itself.
If the sterile, impersonal environment found in most hotels and resorts is what you want, then vacation home rentals may not be right for you. On the other hand, now that you know what to look for, you may find that once you experience vacation home rentals for your family, you will never take any other type of vacation again.
What Should We Do If We Want to Stay at a Private Home Rental?
Renting a private home rental for your vacation in Florida can be a very pleasant experience and is a growing trend in Florida vacations. Why stay at a hotel, when you can stay at a vacation home rental for practically the same price or less?!
With a little home work you can assure your vacation is as relaxing and enjoyable as your expectations. Before makeing your decision there are a few things you will want to keep in mind when considering a privately owned home for your vacation.
First you will want to check out the numerous online vacation home websites. Most of these sites do not charge the renter for the use of their site. They also have in place some checks and balances. If the vacation home rental receives complaints, that home owner is banned from the website.
Deciding whether you want your private home rental to be oceanfront, ocean view or to be close enough to walk to the beach will dramatically influence the price you will have to pay. Obviously, an oceanfront property can and will charge a considerable premium for that location! Always confirm price! Does the price include all fees and if not what are the fees and how much are they? Are all the features indicated on the website - bedding, cookware, etc, included in the price?
Once you have decided on a rental, you can expect to pay a non-refundable deposit, and in most cases the balance will be due on or before your arrival. Understandably, homeowners will not allow you access to their home until they have full payment.
It's a good idea to inquire about the location, as well. Often you can use a satellite imaging service to locate the property and get a good idea of the area. Don't forget to find out how far it is from the airport! Who wants to drive two hours after getting off the plane - ugh!
Remember price reflects amenities as well as location. So, if you find a really great deal - well, it may or may not be... You know, if it sounds too good to be true, well maybe it is too good to be true!
Keep in mind when comparing private home rentals that you are comparing "apples to apples," to determine which is the best value for you. Comparing a condo to a house, or a beach front house to a home a mile away will provide very different experiences, and can affect the pricing considerably.
If you're going to be on a tight travel schedule during a holiday, you may wish to consider making your reservation as much as a year and no less than six months in advance. That's not to say you won't be able to secure a good private home rental for your vacation, but your choices will be substantially reduced.
Well, we hope this helps a bit and that you have a very enjoyable vacation. Remember you will be staying in and enjoying a privately owned home, so please, take care of it so that the next guests will enjoy their visit as much as you enjoy yours!
Colleen DeLisle leased private homes for several years prior to buying her own property and making it available to others for their vacations.
For more information on her home in SW Florida, please click on the following website: Best Florida Vacation Rentals
Content copyright . Steve Robbins. All rights reserved.
