Vacation Rentals 101

If you own property and live anywhere that accommodates tourists your property can be used to make extra money. Whether it is a house, an estate, a condo, villa or an apartment or townhouse, as long as it is furnished, clean and very habitable, there are undoubtedly many people who would be interested in renting it by the day, by the week, or by the month for their vacations. In some parts of the world vacation rentals are known as villa rentals, or self-catering rentals and in Europe it is common to see them advertised as holiday rentals.

No matter if it is a 10-bedroom mansion or a 2-bedroom apartment, the point is that it comes fully equipped for use. This means that there are pots and pans in the kitchen, cooking equipment, and that the linens are supplied. In addition, if the owner of the location lives there part of the time, the location may include games, books and other pastimes, though that is often not the case as many tenants do not wish to feel as if they are in a rental but that it is “their” home, their pied-à-terre.

However part of what has made vacation rentals become so popular was begun by the timeshare industry, for with a time share one could purchase a fully equipped apartment with bedrooms, bathrooms, and fully outfitted kitchens. In addition they were located in places where people went for vacations. Also, the properties themselves had swimming pools, and tons of other recreational pastimes. The catch however, was that they were expensive, and one had to purchase them by the week besides having to pay taxes and maintenance on them. Also, because they were in use 52 weeks per year, there was often the cost of furniture and equipment replacement. Occasionally, the owner could rent out his week to a lucky vacationer and actually retain income from the apartment. In essence the real winner in that case was the renter and not the owner. However, word spread about the tenants’ good fortune, and thus vacation rentals became the vogue.

Some owners can ask higher prices of course if the property is in an ideal location such as oceanfront, lakefront, or has a spectacular view, but there are times when special events can also raise the income you can make off a property, for instance in Daytona Beach when the Daytona 500 races are in town! Each city in the United States, and elsewhere, seems to have their special times such as that one. Thus properties that are close to skiing slopes in wintertime will rent for more than during the warmer summer months. However, when compared with rising hotel rates for special events and other special times, there is no comparison!

Looking at it from the vacationer’s side it enables a tenant to come to a locale that would be perhaps unaffordable if high hotel and motel bills were encountered. Vacationers also encounter no service charges, taxes, and tips. Also having to deal with a single room is but a memory as they find whole living rooms, individual bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms at their disposal. The fact that there is a kitchen for cooking is exceedingly important to families who are either trying to cut down on the high cost of eating out, or who wish to perhaps take the opportunity of making their own regional specialties with regional foods.

The chance for privacy alone is considered one of the tremendous advantages of vacation rentals, especially when entire families are involved. Mom and Dad get their own bedrooms, as do the kids, yet they can get together as a family in the living room and dining room and so everyone is happy.

Most of the sites offered for vacation rentals follow a definitive range in basic costs, enabling those who wish to participate in a higher lifestyle the opportunity to do so, as some vacation rentals come with a full staff of servants, so that the renter need not lift a finger to do anything. These luxury accommodations frequently come with boats, cooking lessons, chefs and of course private beaches. Entire office or work groups have been known to rent these luxury locations for a weeklong vacation that is unmatched by any hotel stay.

It is common for both owners and renters to utilize management companies, the owner to advertise their vacation rentals on the Internet, however there are many listings available that are not connected with management companies, though if you prefer, it’s relatively easy to deal through one. This applies to both renter and owner. Some renters will only rent if they can make their deposits and payments online, and that is where some management companies become almost a necessity.

You will find however, that it is much easier to deal with properties that have user reviews attached to them. What this means is that the user can rely on the promises made on the Web without having to deal with leaky roofs, non-functioning equipment, or strange smells in the neighborhood, for instance, all of which can ruin a vacation. User reviews will also clue you into the cleanliness of the rental, a factor that is of supreme importance to guarantee a good vacation.

Ever so slight negatives about a site are of interest too, and actually create a feeling of trust. For instance the wheelchair user who said that the second bedroom was too tight to turn the wheelchair around but that there was plenty of room to do so in the Master bedroom where he was sleeping said something negative that would not necessarily influence other tenants. The owner of that particular house left that negative there, and found that it helped in renting the apartment rather than hindered it.

Renters often report that they are assimilated into the neighborhood, and made friends with the neighbors enabling them to feel as if they “really” got to know a particular country much better than if they had only visited and used hotels. Eating the foods of the region will also make a renter feel as if they have lived in the country if only for a week. In addition, if there is a “kid’s TV” as well as Internet connections, your children will be much happier in such a rental as opposed to a dreary hotel room. Internet connections are always listed as one of the amenities; you just have to look for them, if that’s important.

Often too, by moving into a “neighborhood” your kids can make friends with other “kids” in the neighborhood giving them the opportunity to share in the highlights of the neighborhood rather than the possible pre-arranged tours given by a hotel. Kids and adults alike have created some lifelong friendships by being in a vacation rental.

As in anything on the Web, the more pictures the better, and they should be good pictures too. Of course with today’s digital cameras getting a good picture is so much easier than before. Renters want to see all bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms in order to properly judge if they wish to rent the property. Pictures also can substantiate the claim that everything is exceedingly neat and orderly. Those with the property like pictures too, as they emphasize how the property looked before “so and so” came, if there are to be any damages claimed.

Other than clean bathrooms, it’s the little things that impress, such as a couple of extra light bulbs, a list of frequently used repair people, a list of emergency services, perhaps a few local area maps even. In addition, extra pillows and blankets are always appreciated too. A list of your favorite restaurants, what is served and perhaps menus will be heartily welcomed. Sports enthusiasts like a listing of the nearby golf courses, for example.

Pre-arrival instructions are important for both the tenant and the owner, as is taking inventory of the site, as well as getting keys to the rental and to other things that may be included in the rental. Most owners, if possible, like to welcome the tenant in person, which helps cement the trust between both. In other countries it is considered good manners to have neighbors come and introduce themselves to the tenants so that a good warm relationship is formed between all.

In some parts of the world it is often an accepted practice to list the children in the neighborhood with email addresses or phone number provided in the age bracket that the visiting children are in. Making the tenant feel welcome is of the utmost importance, of course.

Thus if you are looking for a high end luxury home, or a small cozy apartment for two anywhere in the world, you are encouraged to look at vacation rentals to see what’s on the market that fits your needs. It’s guaranteed that you will be pleasantly surprised, and who knows you may permanently scratch off hotels and motels desiring instead to move up to vacation rentals for your vacations. After all you will find that the majority of vacation rentals have lots of photos available to help you make you choice, as well as comprehensive descriptions of each property. If you are seeking a specific activity, it’s easier to stay in a vacation rental close to that activity with all the comforts of home too.

Combined with availability calendars, you can make the easiest and cleanest plans possible getting the perfect accommodations that will cater to your specific needs.