| If you are going on an extended vacation then | | | | authority (middle man) to rent their property for |
| you may want something a bit more private or | | | | them. These types of rentals are very hard to |
| inexpensive than a hotel. If you look up vacation | | | | negotiate, they are sometimes working in |
| rentals by owner online then you may be able to | | | | commissions and don't have the authority to |
| skip the travel service or real estate agent and | | | | negotiate. This is another reason to inquire at |
| rent directly. | | | | multiple vacation rentals by owner. |
| You can find these properties in newspapers, | | | | You can find vacation rentals by owner in virtually |
| bulletin boards, word of mouth, and of course | | | | any location. Once you have picked a place to |
| online. These tend to be better especially for | | | | spend your vacation below is a list of ten things |
| extended stays, when you want more than just | | | | to inquire and check. This list is to just give you |
| a room. | | | | some ideas, check around the internet and you |
| Always get the address of the vacation rental | | | | will find plenty more. |
| and talk to the person not just use email, read | | | | 1) If possible get recommendations |
| my list of ten tips below. | | | | 2) Inside and outside pictures |
| Just recently a friend of mine found and rented a | | | | 3) Address of rental property |
| place that she found online at a very popular | | | | 4) Talk to the person, don't use just email |
| online vacation rental web site. When arrived at | | | | 5) For negotiation power find out availability |
| her vacation rental she was horrified because of | | | | 6) Inquire at several vacation rentals |
| the location, cleanliness, and most of all safety. | | | | 7) Cancellation policy, know the rules period. This |
| She did not end up staying at the place and did | | | | information should be on a signed lease |
| not get her prepaid money back. | | | | 8) Policy's - Number of occupants, children, pets, |
| These may even be homes they normally rent | | | | parking, trash, and any others |
| by the month and will make deals if the property | | | | 9) Check in and out dates and times |
| is sitting empty for long periods of time. | | | | 10) Keys - Believe it this can be a problem, make |
| Sometimes a hotels price per night can be | | | | sure you know where to get them when |
| negotiated, but a rental listing online can almost | | | | checking in and where to drop them off when |
| always be negotiated. Talk with the owner of the | | | | checking out |
| property they may give you a much better deal | | | | I lied 11 steps: Most of all have fun |
| especially if it's off season. If the rental is within | | | | If you are going on vacation then this may be |
| the next couple of months or even closer always | | | | definitely a way to go, but always be careful. It |
| check out a couple of places in the area to learn | | | | saves you money and allows you more privacy |
| the availability, if there's lots of availability then | | | | and the feeling of being in a home rather than an |
| there's lots of room for price negotiations. | | | | impersonal hotel. Check out all your options before |
| There are times when the actual owner will not | | | | you travel. |
| live in the area and give someone else the | | | | |