| While there is a growing abundance of options | | | | Many vacation rental agencies are just big |
| when it comes to booking a vacation home, | | | | clearing-houses that list properties, sometimes all |
| many travelers still find the rental market to be | | | | over the world. They do not usually specialize in a |
| a little chaotic - at least in comparison to more | | | | region and offer no other services, aside from |
| traditional accommodations like hotels/motels. The | | | | rental matchmaking. They can't make guarantees |
| increasing popularity of vacation rentals as a | | | | about the Santa Barbara beach house rental |
| value-packed alternative to pricier hotels has led | | | | you've booked because their representatives |
| to an abundance of options that can be | | | | have never visited them, inspected them for |
| overwhelming. | | | | health and safety concerns, or even met the |
| Here are some tips for booking your vacation | | | | owners. They cannot vouch for the actual |
| rental to ensure that you are getting the most | | | | condition of the vacation rental property, the |
| bang for your buck, while protecting yourself | | | | advantages/disadvantages of the location, etc. |
| from scams or disappointment. | | | | Some agencies just want to book the beach |
| Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #1: Check out niche | | | | rental and collect their fee. They may not care |
| listers that focus on specific destinations. | | | | too much about what happens during your stay. |
| Whether you've rented a vacation villa before or | | | | If you've never visited the Santa Barbara beach |
| not, you'll want to work with a local company and | | | | rental house you're considering, or gotten a |
| representatives who know their stuff. | | | | firsthand report from a trusted friend, you have |
| If you're interested in a Santa Barbara beach | | | | no idea whether the photos you've seen on the |
| house rental, a qualified representative will earn | | | | web site are an accurate representation. They |
| their stripes by walking you through the suitable | | | | might be outdated, retouched or from an entirely |
| available properties based on your unique needs | | | | different place. (It goes without saying that you |
| and desires. For instance, if you're bringing your | | | | should never rent a vacation rental that |
| three Bernese mountain dogs, they'll recommend | | | | doesn't offer photos!) Beware of any site that |
| Santa Barbara beach rental locations that are both | | | | only offers view or exterior shots. If they're not |
| dog-friendly and bric-a-brac-free. | | | | willing to show you what the vacation house |
| Additionally, once you arrive, you'll want to enjoy | | | | rental looks like inside, you don't want to stay |
| concierge services to help you get reservations at | | | | there. |
| that trendy new restaurant, or simply | | | | With a professional vacation rental company, you |
| recommend a hike that overlooks the ocean. An | | | | can be assured that the quality you see is the |
| anonymous operator three states away won't be | | | | quality you will get. |
| able to deliver that level of local service. | | | | Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #5: Go with the |
| Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #2: Use a credit | | | | highest standards of quality. |
| card to protect yourself and minimize risks. | | | | Professional vacation rental agencies are held to |
| You want and expect every detail of your | | | | higher standards than private owners. Even if an |
| vacation to be perfect. But unfortunately that | | | | owner fervently believes that their Santa Barbara |
| won't always be the case. So you need to | | | | vacation rental is clean and up-to-date, their |
| protect yourself. | | | | standards might not match your own. One |
| Renting with your credit card through a Santa | | | | person's no-visible-dust-bunnies and hi-fi-system |
| Barbara vacation rental management company | | | | are another person's filthy and anachronistic. A |
| offers you that protection. If for some reason | | | | professionally managed Santa Barbara vacation |
| the property doesn't meet your expectations, and | | | | house rental will also be a professionally cleaned |
| the management won't do anything to fix it, you | | | | and maintained vacation house rental. |
| can keep a record of the problem and dispute the | | | | Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #6: Understand the |
| charge with your credit card company. | | | | risks of booking through free listing sites like |
| Property owners who rent person-to-person | | | | Craigslist. |
| usually insist on a cashier's check for 50 percent | | | | Listing on a free site is, well, free. No crime in that |
| of the vacation rental to reserve it, and then the | | | | (who doesn't love free?), but that might point |
| other 50 percent in cash upon your arrival. If you | | | | toward a general laissez-faire attitude the owner |
| later discover roaches scuttling through the | | | | has toward his property and tenants. |
| kitchen of your vacation home, or other elements | | | | The owners who are willing to pay a fee to keep |
| of the property that were grossly | | | | their vacation houses booked and in first-class |
| misrepresented, you will have no leverage | | | | condition have already demonstrated their care |
| because you will have already paid in full in cash. | | | | and commitment to a working relationship that is |
| Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #3: Get the most | | | | beneficial to all parties. The management |
| bang for your buck. | | | | companies they work with are companies you |
| Dollar for dollar, a vacation rental gives you so | | | | can rent from worry-free. |
| much more than a luxury hotel. You get | | | | Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #7: Don't be afraid |
| exponentially more space (both indoors and | | | | to negotiate. |
| outdoors). You get a host of amenities from | | | | The more often these vacation rentals are |
| private pools to high end kitchens to top flight | | | | occupied, the happier the owners are, so if you |
| entertainment systems, all for your exclusive use. | | | | are planning a last-minute or a long-term stay or if |
| Unlike an anonymous hotel room off a crowded | | | | you are a frequent visitor, there is often room to |
| corridor, you have a serene home away from | | | | negotiate on the price of your vacation rental. |
| home to call your own. | | | | Sometimes the discount might be as much as 30 |
| But there are a host of priceless intangible | | | | percent. |
| benefits you get when you book your vacation | | | | Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #8: Do your |
| rental through a professional management | | | | research and compare rates, amenities, and |
| company. Working with a premier management | | | | conditions before entering into a rental agreement. |
| company to find your ideal vacation home gives | | | | When you're trying to narrow down your choice |
| you a whole new level of service. A professional | | | | of a Santa Barbara vacation rental, be sure you're |
| company has skin in the game. They are working | | | | comparing apples to apples. A smaller house on |
| to establish a good reputation and a list of return | | | | the beach will likely cost more than a larger one in |
| clientele, rather than just trying to make fast | | | | the hills. Know what you're getting from each |
| money. | | | | property, and from each management company. |
| In the-best-surprise-is-no-surprise category, unlike | | | | Follow your gut and go with the company that will |
| an absentee owner off Craigslist, a professional | | | | cheerfully show up in the middle of the night to |
| Santa Barbara rental company has someone who | | | | snake the sink. |
| is troubleshooting issues 24/7, working hard to | | | | Another benefit to working with a Santa Barbara |
| keep both the renters and the owners happy. | | | | vacation rental professional management |
| The most underused amenity is the professional | | | | company is that it's so easy to do a background |
| staff. Once you arrive at your rental villa in Santa | | | | check on them. Call or visit the Better Business |
| Barbara, they are at your beck and call. | | | | Bureau or a vacation rental site like Has the firm |
| Concierge and housekeeping services are a mere | | | | had any reasonable complaints lodged against |
| button-touch away. The staff's local Santa | | | | them? How were they resolved? Type the name |
| Barbara knowledge and connections can turn an | | | | of the Santa Barbara vacation rental firm and its |
| average vacation into something amazing. There is | | | | owner into Google and you'll get a wealth of |
| no extra cost, and the return is priceless. | | | | informative opinions. |
| Booking a Vacation Rental Tip #4: Book with | | | | The increasing popularity of Santa Barbara |
| confidence. | | | | vacation rentals has led to an abundance of online |
| There's a HUGE difference between someone | | | | resources. Your best bet is to do due diligence |
| who just wants to sell you a room, and a | | | | and compare rates, amenities, reputations, views, |
| professional vacation rental company that wants | | | | and conditions before entering into a rental |
| to make sure that you enjoy your ultimate Santa | | | | agreement. It's your vacation and booking the |
| Barbara vacation so much that you return again | | | | right accommodations will help you ensure that |
| and again. The key to that difference is delivering | | | | your holiday will meet and exceed your |
| on what is promised. | | | | expectations. |