Monday, November 27, 2017

Popular sites like HomeAway and Airbnb have made renting a home an increasingly attractive alternative for vacationers. Usually offering more space along with the comforts of home—i.e., a kitchen, a yard, a washer and dryer—choosing a house, apartment or condo over a hotel or resort definitely has its advantages, especially for families and large groups.

But landing the right vacation rental takes skill. Here are some pointers for making the right choice:

Start your search well in advance. This sounds obvious, but it cannot be overlooked, especially when you’re looking to rent a home. The best choices in the best locations with the highest ratings go quickly, so the further out you start looking, the better options you will have.

Search across a variety of sites and save your favorites. You might think one site is just as good as another, but they’re all slightly different, and pricing can vary a lot depending on the fees the owner is charged. Be sure to save searches of any properties you’re even slightly interested in. You may think you will remember, but the process gets confusing...and so will you!

Dig deep on location. Don’t take the description at face value. Does “Great Property Near the Water” mean near the ocean or the bay? On the water, across the street from the water or half a mile from the water? Look at the map feature and read the reviews with each listing to get a clear understanding of exactly where the property is situated.

Read reviews thoroughly and don’t be immediately turned off by a bad review. One or two bad reviews among mostly great reviews usually means a vacationer who had an unusual problem or one who didn’t do their research in the first place. Take your time and see exactly what their gripe was and how the owner responded.

Communicate with the owner. Ask as many questions as you want before you book. Not only will this help you uncover all the details you need, it will also give you a great feel for the style and responsiveness of the owner, which could become important when you’re in town.

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