![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Vacation Rentals Information |
|
![]() |
What You Need to Know about Vacation Rentals before You Go
That time of the year is finally here. You know what I'm talking about, the one or two weeks you get every year to escape from "real life" and just be you. Relax, eat and drink well, enjoy your family, catch up on some much needed sleep. But, before you pack up and head out, rethink the all-too-normal hotel stay. Believe it or not, you have options, one of which is the vacation rental. Wouldn't it be nice to leave your own home, arrive in your destination city and settle into a "home away from home" for your next vacation? That's what vacation rentals are all about. These are homes waiting to be rented out by people on vacation. Each vacation rental owner will have different criteria in what type of renter they are looking for, each vacation rental house will vary in amenities, and each price will be dependant on the time of year and the length of stay. So, it sounds like a great idea, but how do you figure out how to make it all happen? Not a problem. Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions regarding vacation rentals. Read on, my friend, your next "home away from home" vacation rental is right around the corner. Frequently Asked Questions on Vacation Rentals What are the advantages of a vacation rental? Do you ever wish your hotel room had just a little more personality? Yeah, I thought so. Well, renting someone else's home for your vacation might just be the thing you're looking for. Usually offering larger living spaces than hotel rooms, these vacation rentals are all about living like you were in your own home. They offer greater privacy than hotel rooms and most rentals have a kitchen area for cooking, which in the end will save you money if you prepare some of your own meals. You'll enjoy several rooms, and maybe even different levels, instead of one big room where the whole family sleeps. Many owners will leave information on things to do and see in the local area. Vacation rental homes are clean, friendly, comfortable and inviting. This is because many of them aren't just rental homes, but also function as the owner's own residence for part of the year. A majority of vacation rentals tend to be cheaper on a per night basis than their hotel counterpart. By renting directly from the owner you will avoid taxes, tips and other extraneous charges. However, there is a wide variation among costs based on a number of factors (see How Much Should I Expect to Pay below) What are the drawbacks of a vacation rental? Of course, there's always the other side of the coin. As vacation rentals are not usually monitored by a central managing company, you'll only know what you're getting yourself into when you actually arrive to your rental. Many owners require pre-payment, or at least a large deposit fee, before arriving. Therefore, if things aren't the way you anticipated after arriving, or if you find your dwelling unacceptable and decide to head to a local hotel, you may lose any money you prepaid. This is also true for last minute cancellations. There isn't usually a refund. You always run the risk of getting less than you expected, but, it's rare. Most times, vacation rentals tend to be cheaper than an average hotel room per night. But, not always, so make sure you are comfortable with the price you will be asked to pay. Another disadvantage to vacation rentals is the lack of a managing member on site to deal with any problems that you may encounter with the home or during your stay in general. Most owners get around this by having a list of emergency numbers, utility companies and other such items available to the renter should they need anything. What amenities are included in a vacation rental? Since every rental is owned by a different owner, each will include different amenities. Some come with swimming pools, hot tubs, others with golf packages, and horse stable privileges. In cities with tourist attractions, some owners include tickets to local attractions. Most vacation rentals come with the essentials: TV, equipped kitchen, towels, linen, and everyday appliances, but it never hurts to ask these questions when searching for the perfect place. Be sure to understand exactly what you are paying for before sending in the payment. What types of rentals are available? Pretty much any type of dwelling that you would want to live in during your vacation is available somewhere. From studios in downtown Manhattan to a villa in the south of Spain, you'll be able to find what you're looking for. The range of available options is mind boggling. Additionally, each week, month and year there are new possibilities as owners put their homes up for only certain weeks or months of the year, the choices are constantly changing. Are vacation rentals only available in the US? Vacation rentals are available worldwide. They can be found in every state of the US and almost every country in the world. Don't be fooled by their different names, though. Vacation rentals are also known as holiday cottages, tourist rentals and holiday rentals. If you are looking for one in Europe, the Italians call them agriturismi, while the French say gites. If you are in Germany you will be looking for ferienwohnungen (yep, try to say that three times fast with a bratwurst in your mouth!) Regardless of what you call it, though, a vacation rental is a great option for those getting ready to take a few weeks off from reality and enjoy the good life a bit. How do I find a property? There are several ways to go about finding the perfect vacation rental for your next trip. Check with your local travel agent to find someone in your area that specializes in finding owners and renters and getting them together. Another option is the yellow pages. Finally, there is a wealth of information on the Internet. Type in a search for "vacation rentals" and over 13,300,000 websites can be found just on www.google.com alone. Some websites only list vacation rentals in the United States while others specialize in vacation rentals worldwide. There are some sites that will allow the potential renter to look for a residence by specific search criteria such as a particular destination, certain number of bedrooms and types of amenities that are included in the property. Most of the vacation rental services on the internet are only the "go-between" or the "classified" section of the newspaper. They take no responsibility for the truth or correctness of the ads that are listed on their sites. So, do your homework by making phone calls, speaking with the owner and asking specific questions. Make sure you feel comfortable with the answers, if not, move on to the next rental, there are plenty. If you're not comfortable with the whole renter/owner thing, there is another way to rent a vacation home. Some companies exist that strictly buy and rent out homes to vacationers. They offer a bit more security so that you feel you are truly getting what you bargained for (although nothing is ever 100% fool proof). Additionally, sometimes these agencies will give you cancellation insurance. In other words, if you cancel before arriving, they may be able to refund a portion of your deposit or payment instead of keeping it as most owners do if a cancellation occurs. With some agencies you'll find that you pay a higher price than going directly to an owner. This is how the agencies make their profits. There are always pros and cons to each scenario. Ensure you know which one works best for you. How much should I expect to pay? This is a tough question to answer. The amount you pay will depend on what country or state you are visiting, number of days you are staying, and type of house you are renting. Some owners offer package deals including tickets or sightseeing events along with the rental, others include bonus days if you stay for a certain length of time. There are other owners who may offer free or add-on house cleaning service with your stay while some go to great efforts to ensure you have everything you need, even additional items such as a crib, highchair or wheelchair. Each vacation rental will be entirely different than the next. Your best bet after deciding on your destination is to review multiple rentals to determine which is better suited to your needs and overall budget. Are there any hidden fees? Hidden fees usually only emerge after you have arrived. These may include extra for phone calls, house cleaning service, extra person fees, excess heat and air-conditioning bills, pet deposit, computer access... etc. Again, be extremely thorough when interviewing the owner of your prospective vacation rental. Ask about any "extra" fees, or if the house is "all-inclusive". Do you have free access to all the pantry and food items? How about the laundry supplies? All utilities? It never hurts to ask! Vacation Rentals In summary, cover all bases by asking lots of questions. Getting your agreement in writing is also a very smart idea. After these basics are out of the way you will be ready to take off for your home-away-from-home vacation rental. Try one this year and see for yourself that vacation rentals can be a fantastic means to really getting the full enjoyment out of your next vacation. Barbara Pfieffer lives in Oregon and loves it. She shares her information about things to do on an Oregon vacation. Visit her website, Vacation-In-Oregon.com for more information.
MORE RESOURCES: Chattanooga will hear vacation rental violations under stricter ... Chattanooga Times Free Press 11 Lovely Lighthouse Vacation Rentals TravelAwaits Florida’s Short-Term Rental Squeeze Skift Travel News Gettysburg planners recommend against vacation rental | Local ... Gettysburg Times Proposed Amendments Related to Short-Term Dwelling and ... Boulder County (.gov) Chattanooga City Council to consider rezoning request for vacation ... Chattanooga Times Free Press Phoenix vacation rental law is tougher but still toothless The Arizona Republic Hotels Are Actually Cheaper Than Vacation Rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo, According to a New Report Yahoo Life The vacation rentals allow travelers to meet their expectations with ... TravelDailyNews International Vacation Rentals closing HSV office effective Nov. 1 Hot Springs Village Voice Better Business Bureau warns of vacation rental scams Spectrum News Can I Still Book an Airbnb in New York City? AFAR Media Low demand results in more available vacation rentals Hawaii Tribune-Herald What are the best and worst cities to own an Airbnb? Deseret News How rural Airbnbs stay booked Marketplace Let’s Focus on Property Tax Solutions, Not Political Soundbites Flathead Beacon Vacation rentals on Sept. 15 council agenda The Catalina Inslader 6 Vacation Rentals Designed by Famous Architects - TOMORROW'S ... Tomorrow's World Today 13 Houseboats You Can Rent On Vrbo TravelAwaits Why this Gorge vacation spot can't staff its restaurants anymore The Seattle Times Surprise Colorado city dubbed best spot to own 'vacation rental' The Denver Gazette Buying a second home first could be the answer The Washington Post U.S. Travel Tips: Rugged, Remote to Chic at Tierra Del Mar on ... Oregon Coast Beach Connection How To Transform Your Vacation Rental Property Into a Home Away ... Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 3 Bedroom Home in Red Lodge - $749,900 Billings Gazette RentalReady unveils fresh brand identity Short Term Rentalz Letters to the Editor: published Sept. 22, 2023 The Catalina Inslader Nocturne Luxury Villas appoints new Vice President of Sales and ... TravelDailyNews International The Number One Reason Some Cancun Tourists Are Choosing ... The Cancun Sun Office of the Governor – News Release – Gov. Green Announces ... David Y. Ige | Newsroom Updated rules for Airbnb-style rentals head to City Council RichmondBizSense Lakeshore neighborhood group lobbies to reverse short-term rental ... Crain's Grand Rapids Business Mount Pleasant of Edinboro to Host Open House for Renovated ... erienewsnow.com California’s Hotel and Short-Term Rental Junk Fee Crack Down Skift Travel News HomeToGo reveals its 2023-2024 Autumn Winter travel forecast TravelDailyNews International Bar Harbor considers banning new hotels Bangor Daily News Jarnecke: VSBM will be innovative in bringing visitors to our region South Bend Tribune Demand for Vacation Homes in U.S. Hit 7-Year Low in August The World Property Journal Tips For Finding Short-Term Living Options Overseas Travel Noire This Is the Best Way to Measure Travel Performance Skift Travel News U.S. Housing Crisis Thwarts Recruitment for Nature-Based ... InsideClimate News Vrbo Will Penalize Hosts Who Cancel Bookings Skift Travel News Expedia Group’ EG Labs Will Let You Test New AI Products Skift Travel News East Texas couple adds waterfront cottage to vacation rental properties honoring late mother Tyler Morning Telegraph 5 Kentucky Destinations to Visit This Season StyleBlueprint Dennis House Fire Under Investigation Cape Cod Daily News Chip and Joanna Gaines' Gorgeous Magnolia House is For Sale Wide Open Country Five Trends Shaping the Hospitality Landscape in 2024 Hospitality Net A children's librarian on why book bans are wrongheaded Los Angeles Times Mānoa: Wildfires deliver heavy blow to Maui economy in new ... University of Hawaii Cape Cod National Seashore Starting Improvement Projects Cape Cod Daily News Bourne Families Encouraged To Attend Second Annual Community ... Cape Cod Daily News Commuter Rail Extension to Cape A Challenge Cape Cod Daily News Vehicle rolls on roof in Dennis Cape Cod Daily News Vacation rentals: Explosive growth brings jobs, money, but some say ... Smoky Mountain News Santa Barbara Vows to Take On Illegal Vacation Rentals Santa Barbara Independent Why vacation rentals are the next big designer side hustle Business of Home Time to Book a Trip: Vacation Rental Prices Are Dropping Kiplinger's Personal Finance Hotel-Quality Vacation Rentals, Without the Hotel - WSJ The Wall Street Journal 100+ Best Summer Vacation Rentals to Book Now Condé Nast Traveler 26 Common Vacation Rental Challenges & Solutions Redfin Blog Vineyard Vacation Rental Market Comes Down From Pandemic Peak The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News Vacation Rentals Are In The Hawaii Legislature's Crosshairs Honolulu Civil Beat Board of Supervisors votes to change vacation rental regulations ... County of Sonoma |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Sussex County Delaware Beach Area Towns and Villages Are Unique and Historic I love Sussex County Delaware. I am native born, multigenerational and proud to be one of those who, as they say; "are from here". All Inclusive Resorts - Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana is located on the north east coast of the Dominican Republic & 50 minutes from Punta Cana airport. With one of the finest oceanfront location on the Caribbean island and protected by a coral reef, the all-inclusive Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana provides the perfect escape to turquoise blue water, white sand, and a forest of palm trees. A Review of Popular Punta Cana Hotels Punta Cana is an affordable destination in a magnificent tropical setting. There are hotels that range from moderate to the luxurious. Home Exchange Have you ever wanted to travel to far away places and live like a native but somehow there never seems to be quite enough money to get you there?Well have you ever thought of Home or House exchange holidays?It's the vacation with a difference, because you find the dream destination and all you have to book is your flight. You stay in the house exchange family house and usually have the use of their car also and they in turn stay in your home and have the use of your facilities. Welcome to Floridas Emerald Coast! Stay a week or stay a lifetime, the Emerald Coast of the Florida Panhandle is hard to resist. You'll never forget how you relaxed on the sugar, white powder sands, listening to the blue green gulf water. Chiang Mai Guesthouses - What To Expect No visit to Thailand is complete without visiting the city of Chiang Mai. Located in the north of the country, Chiang Mai is considered the capital city of traditional Lanna Thai culture. The Lake Havasu RV Resort Lake Havasu, Arizona has become a treasured destination for tourists, campers, and RV enthusiasts.For those travelers who prefer to drive their home-away-from-home to Lake Havasu, the Lake Havasu RV Resort offers guests everything they could need. European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #6: Location Location Location For most of us, the basis of a car rental in Europe is the journey, not the destination. We spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars so that we can see everything that we want in the minimum amount of time available. Amazon Expeditions with Time Magazine "Hero of the Planet Year 2000" - Dr. Marc van Roosmalen The Amazonat Jungle Lodge is offering in addition to her standard programming combined land/water expeditions in which the guests will stay part of the time at the lodge and part of the time in a regional boat.In addition the Lodge is working exclusively with the worldwide re-known primatologist (Time Magazine; "Hero of the Planet Year 2000") Dr. How to Find Town Houses that Will Make Your Vacation to Orlando WONDERFUL How to find a Town Houses that will make your vacation to Orlando one you will never forget!So maybe you have done the Orlando thing before and are looking for something new.Or maybe you have never even been to Florida before and you don't know where to begin. How to Have 25+ Romantic Honeymoon Trips a Year, for a Lower Cost Than the Price of One As our wedding anniversary looms near.. Andalucia, a Wonderful Holiday Destination The Costa del Sol has long been one of the most popular holiday destinations in southern Europe, and quite rightly so as it has much to offer in the form of reliable sunshine, beautiful safe beaches, good restaurants and nightlife, good quality and affordable accommodation along with plentiful and cheap flights from a vast choice of airports. However The Costa del Sol is only a very small part of the wonderful Autonomous Region of Andalucia. Luxury Cairns / Port Douglas Hinterland Accommodation Will Take Your Breath Away Cairns Rainforest Retreat is ideally located for your unique rainforest hideaway experience.Nestled in the beautiful Julatten valley, just 100 km from the vibrant tropical city of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, it is part of the Cairns highlands and Port Douglas hinterland. Tranquil Setting for the Weary Traveler The DeLaunay House, located 185 N. Pioneer in Ashland is a wonderfully remodeled 1909 Craftsman style house just blocks from downtown Ashland and the Historic Railroad District. Summer Vacations: 7 Universal Laws for Survival Summer vacations - what better topic could there be for a mental health column than one so likely to separate you from your own mental health?With that notion in mind, here are 7 Universal Laws for Summer Vacations.The Law of Preparedness: It's been said that "prior planning prevents poor performance. A Guide to Cozumel Vacations What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything handled for you so all you have to do is arrive at the airport on time and everything else is already arranged? Or do you like to be a hands-on manager of your vacation planning? Do you want to arrive at your luxury hotel with your time scheduled out in advance - massage at 3, dinner at 6, dancing at 8 - or do you prefer to arrive at your efficiency suite, grab the local yellow pages and let the adventure begin? Whatever it is you want, however you like to travel, as long as you enjoy beautiful island paradises, great food, a choice of adventures to experience and friendly people, you'll find it on Cozumel. Start with a travel agent in the town or city where you live. Timeshares Vs. Condo Hotels For Vacation Home Ownership Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new concept in vacation home ownership. They allow individuals to own condos in luxury hotels and have access to all the amenities of that hotel. The Charm of Pigeon Forge Chalets A chalet is a traditional Swiss style house with a sloped roof and wide eaves. Chalets originated in Switzerland and regions near the Alps. Ten Reasons to Move to the Costa Brava After France, Spain is Europe's most popular holiday destination, and the apparent dominance of France is to a large extent due to visitors in transit elsewhere. In 1996 between 1. Vacational Rental Property Guide Once you make up your mind to on a vacation, the place to go, accommodation, your budget for these and other outlays are the significant questions that race up and down your mind. Just like there are numerous options to spend your holidays, there are several means to accommodation. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 |