Renting an apartment, condo, home, cabin, or lodge can be a great solution for a fun family or extended family getaway. It can definitely be more affordable than a collection of hotel rooms. Staying in this kind of rental means that you have much more flexibility regarding cooking and sleeping arrangements, not to mention you can enjoy a homey feel when you retire each night.
Although a home, apartment, or condo rental is a fabulous way to spend your vacation, it is also a little risky. Many of these rental homes are marketed by the owner instead of a reputable agency, meaning you might be unsure that you are getting what you paid for. However, if you are prepared, there’s nothing to worry about! Here are a few tips to remember when searching out your perfect rental.
Know What You Want
The best way to prepare for your perfect vacation rental is to write out a list of your must-haves and your wants and find a place in your budget that has those things. Also, remember that you pay for what you get, so if you absolutely need a place on the beach, you are going to have to pay more for less space than if you find a place further inland. Even if you have to pay a little more, try not to settle on your most important needs, as you are likely to regret the sacrifice.
Consider who you are traveling with (children, pets, elderly), what amenities you must have, (cookware, pool, washer, and dryer, etc.). Carefully consider the quality you need to have a successful stay.
Book as Soon as Possible
For the best deals, book as soon as you possibly can, so begin looking today! Many of the greatest rental places are booked months in advance, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find what you’re looking for in a fabulous vacation rental if you start searching now.
Thoroughly Evaluate Your Rental
Remember that many of the rental sites you will be looking at will not be fraud-proof. Make sure you are going to get exactly what you were promised at the time of booking. For example, a property’s website may claim that it is beachfront, but that doesn’t mean that it is right on the beach. Don’t believe any claim without proof.
This is where your investigative skills will come in handy. Extensively research the property. Look for online reviews, social media postings, photos, documentation, and anything else that might give you a view of where you will be staying. Never book a vacation rental simply on the website’s word alone.
Likewise, research the owner of the property. If you aren’t booking through a reputable agency, make sure you know who you are renting from. Look up the owner’s name on the Internet. If the owner is heavily involved in the community and well-known, you are much less likely to be scammed. Be warier if the owner seems more reclusive. Also, don’t limit your contact to email. Talking to the owner over the phone can help reassure you that you are getting what you want. You can even ask them for references.
Ask the Right Questions
It will be extremely beneficial for you to make up a list of questions you can either research or ask the renter over the phone or by email. Consider these questions here:
- Is there on-call maintenance available?
- What additional charges are not included in the quoted price?
- How far is it from main attractions? (e.g. the beach, restaurants, shopping, museums)
- What do you supply? (e.g. toilet paper, dish soap, dishes, silverware, towels)
- Do you have a TV? Cable? DVD player?
- Do you allow smoking?
- Is there a washer and dryer?
- Do you have exercise equipment?
- What size are the beds? And do you provide extra linens?
- How do I check in?
You may have even more questions than that, so make sure you write them down and check them off as you find the answers.
Review the Contract
Renting an apartment, home, or condo is not like staying in a hotel. It comes with a binding contract, and you need to be aware of what you are agreeing to when you book. To make sure you aren’t going to be roped into any unexpected fees, review your contract thoroughly BEFORE signing. The contract may release the owner from any liability for any problems you encounter during your stay, meaning that if your air conditioning or heat malfunctions, you might be stuck with it for the duration of your stay.
Pay Safely
No matter which website you book with, pay with a credit card if possible. Your credit company has the power to protect you from fraudulent charges if your temporary landlord decides to take your card for a spree, while a direct deposit may give the owner unprotected access to your account. That’s a lot to risk for just a vacation.
Many owners, unfortunately, will not accept credit cards. If this is the case, and there is simply no other rental for you, look into insurance or protection for your transaction. It would be worth the small fee to have your account protected.
It’s true that the process of renting a vacation home can be much more tedious than simply booking a hotel. However, the reward for your hard work will be no small thing, and this could very well be your most relaxing holiday vacation yet!