Top Ten Things Vacation Home Owners Won't Tell You

1. It's a renter's market, so you can get a really good deal. The number of vacation rentals in Florida and other resort areas doubled in the last six months of 2008. When owners can't sell or rent their properties they look for quick cash from a vacation rental. Whith the supply exceeding demand you can not only get better rates off-season, you can negotiate perks in-season. Ask the owner to pick up the bed tax or cleaning fee. Or see if they'll have a bottle of wine or supplies for you at check in. Ask questions to be sure you'll be booking with experienced owners. No point in taking a break from work just to break in a new owner.

2. You Can Get a Guarantee for Your Vacation, Free. HomeAway offers a gaurantee for properties listed on their website. Amateur owners won't stay in business for long if they can't meet tough standards that guarantees like HomeAway demands.

3. A Picture Isn't Always Worth A Thousand Words. Photographs can be copied and some owners won't tell you that their photo is from the Chamber of Commerce, not the view from the property, others show the view that makes the town famous, but it isn't the view from the vacation rental.  Ask where the photograph was taken and by whom.

4. "Sleeps Four, Must Eat Out." You can't save money eating-in if the vacation home is furnished with a cafe table that seats two. New owners often focus on getting beds and sofas and skimp on the dining.  Find out how many people you can seat for dining.

5. Good Rate, Lot's of Extra Fees. Owners sometimes lower the rent and add fees: a key fee, a parking permit fee, bed tax, security deposit, or processing fees. Stick with owners who disclose fees upfront or better yet, book with owners who include fees in the rent.

6. Extra Paperwork. Do you really need a complicated lease, more forms for key pick up, and an extra stop at the management office when you want to relax? Make sure the hours for key pickup aren't limited, you may not want to rush your drive just to make the office hours. Look for rentals where you don't have to deal with a third party and the owners keep things simple by handling paperwork online. New laws mean you don't have to use fax or mail for signatures and credit card payments mean you have added security from your financial institution if something should go wrong.

7. Great Views, And Road Construction. Always ask owners about nearby construction.  While USA Today rated Sedona the most beautiful vacation spot in the US, Highway 89A in Sedona, AZ will be under construction until 2010. The heavy equipment, trucks, and traffic jams echo in the canyon walls, amplifying already ear crushing noise. Add a house on the hill with a view and you've got round the clock headaches and dust.

 8. What's an Air Filter? Indoor air is usually more polluted than outdoor air according to the EPA.  It is worse in homes where the heating and air conditioning filter isn't changed regularly. Manufacturers recommend changing standard air filters every 30 days, but many vacation owners forget to change them or think they're cutting costs by stretching the life of cheap filters. Ask that the filter be changed for your arrival and support owners who spend the extra for permanent or HEPA filters changed on a regular basis. Who needs to go on vacation and get sick?

9. We Spray. You get respiratory problems. Bug spray or pest control may get rid of roaches, but it also aggravates allergies, asthma, and can weaken your immune system.  Find out where spray is applied and how often before you book.

10. Lots of tennis courts, pools, and golf--NO ACCESS. Make sure you don't have to wait for play time. Find out how crowded the pool gets and what availability is like for recreation sites.

Seed Newsvine

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