Vacation Home Rentals - Why Do Some Swear by Them?

Ken Kurse of ivacatononline.com writes: "You can go to the mountains, the beach or to any major city and find a vacation home rental these days. Deciding if this relatively new way to spend your few weeks of time off each year is right for you depends on what your needs are. Many people swear by what is often called VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) and rely on this for all their vacations.

Vacation Home Rentals are usually set up by the week. You rent a home that is privately owned directly from the homeowner and have the right to stay in it and use all of the amenities for the duration of your stay. VRBO’s vary in size from nice-sized condominiums to spacious homes that can comfortably fit up to twenty people. Why are so many people turning to vacation home rentals?" To see the entirearticlee got to: Is Vacation Home Rental Right For You? where Mr. Kurse lay out some very good points about how a vacation rental by owner can be an excellent choice and value.

I'd like to add a little perspective however:
Although renting direct from owner can ensure more personalized service, and a special attention to detail, don't assume that is the case. It can also mean a thrifty owner who will put you in grandma's old bed! Just as there are great owners, there are also great property managers. I know, I hope I'm both, and I know others... and I've seen bad ones of both too.

In addition to the authors fine points look for lots of revealing photos, ask lots of questions, pay with a credit card if you can (though seasonal owners won't likely accept them as they are too expensive) and DO NOT expect a rental direct from owner to cost less than from an agency: most owners charge the same, and put the extra money back into the place, not their pockets!

CNN Article Exposes Benefits to Both Guest and Owner with Vacation Rentals

Although this article makes using your vacation home as a vacation rental seem a lot simpler than it really is, the article is an excellent primer for both vacation guest and vacation homeowner alike.How I rent my summer vacation home - Dec. 22, 2006: "Hundreds of thousands of vacation properties are available for short-term rentals. HomeAway, alone has more than 70,000 properties available worldwide. These often are bargains for cost-conscious consumers."

I personally list all of my vacation homes on the homeaway network, and when I've rented other's vacation homes I've turned to their sites: www.greatrentals.com and www.cyberrentals.com for my own vacation stays. I've had excellent stays in New York City, Lake Tahoe, and Maui using these.

If you are planning on a stay of a week or more at any of the most popular spring break and summer destinations, it is not too early nor quite to late to do so. Don't hesitate though, as most of the best (or at least those from seasoned owners) fill up in January, February, and March for the following summer.