| There are huge amounts of vacation homes for | | | | do not have completed community facilities as |
| sale in the USA. Demand appears to be | | | | many developers ran out of money so be careful. |
| significantly less than supply. Many such vacation | | | | 6. Ask what percentage of homes in the rental |
| homes are now in some stage of foreclosure and | | | | community have overgrown lawns. You don't |
| or bank owned, so before reserving a home you | | | | want to be spending your dream vacation in a |
| may want to ask some questions and do a little | | | | substandard community. Many vacation home |
| research: | | | | developments now suffer from overgrown yards |
| 1. Ask how close you can book the vacation | | | | as a result of all the foreclosed homes. |
| home to your travel date, don't book a year plus | | | | 7. Ask to pay by credit card. If there is a problem |
| out unless you have to. The market is changing | | | | you can get your money back |
| rapidly in the area. | | | | 8. Ask if the persons renting are a management |
| 2. Ask if the vacation home you are reserving is | | | | company and are based locally. Ask how many |
| behind on its mortgage, this could be the first sign | | | | homes they manage in the area, how long they |
| it is about to be foreclosed on. | | | | have been in business, how many staff they |
| 3. Ask how many homes in the vacation rental | | | | have, if they are licensed and insured etc... |
| subdivision have been abandoned. You don't want | | | | 9. If booking direct from an owner you must be |
| to be staying on a wasteland type subdivision and | | | | able to verify the home will not be reposed by |
| these now abound in the area. | | | | the bank at the time your stay comes around. |
| 4. Ask what percentage of the rental | | | | Most vacation homes in the area are owned by |
| development you are staying in is vacant lots. | | | | people outside the state. |
| Unfinished developments look like building sites. | | | | 10. If in doubt keep asking questions. There are |
| Stay in a finished complex that is well maintained. | | | | hundreds of management companies in Orlando |
| 5. Ask if the vacation rental community facilities | | | | so pick a good one. |
| have been completed. Yes - some communities | | | | |