Monday, May 10, 2010

“Vacation rentals can benefit budget-minded but do research first” plus 2 more

“Vacation rentals can benefit budget-minded but do research first” plus 2 more

Vacation rentals can benefit budget-minded but do research first

Posted: 09 May 2010 10:22 PM PDT

Vacation rentals can be a great way to save money when traveling on a tight budget and many travelers are foregoing the mint on the pillow experience for more reasonable and less cushy accommodations. Better Business Bureau advises vacationers to do their research before booking rentals because sometimes the properties are not as advertised.

In a tough economy, a vacation rental is one way to save if you're willing to forgo some of the luxuries. According to a summer 2009 survey by TripAdvisor.com, 43 percent of respondents said that they were planning to stay at a vacation rental in the coming 12 months. On average, the price per square foot for a U.S. hotel is more than twice the price per square foot of a vacation rental according to a report by HomeAway, an online vacation rental company.

"Many travelers have shaved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their vacation costs by renting a house or condo instead of paying for a hotel or resort," said Alison Southwick, BBB spokesperson. "A vacation rental can seem riskier than booking a hotel, but if you do your research and pay attention to the fine print, it can be a safe way to save money."

There are many different Web sites that travelers can turn to for finding a vacation rental. Some companies specialize in connecting renters and vacationers -- and take a cut for their efforts -- while other sites cut out the middleman and potentially some consumer protections like money-back guarantees.

BBB offers the following advice to travelers looking to save money with a vacation rental:

- Start Planning Now. Rental properties in popular locations get snatched up quickly so start your search early before all of the best properties are booked.

- Do your Homework. If you plan on enlisting the help of a business, such as a third-party Web site or professional service, to connect you with a renter, always check them out with BBB first at bbb.org.

- Manage Your Expectations. A home rental is not a hotel so you can't necessarily expect the same level of professionalism, cleanliness or modernization. Some companies will guarantee that the property meets your expectations. If a guarantee isn't being offered, consider travel insurance.

- Take a Virtual Tour. Sometimes the pictures and descriptions of the property posted by the renter can be deceiving. Research the property on your own online and take a virtual tour of the surrounding area using Google Maps Street View. Don't be tentative about asking plenty of questions about the property.

- Get it all in Writing. Make sure that all of the verbal agreements are included in the rental contract including details on the deposit, rules on pets, refunds, and what is included in the cost of the rental such as utilities, internet, etc.

- Use a Secure Form of Payment. Do not send money until you've signed the rental agreement and never pay via money wire, such as through MoneyGram or Western Union. When possible, use a credit card which can provide some amount of consumer protection.

- Vacation Rentals By Owner. Take extra precautions when renting from an individual, particularly for international rentals. If possible, get references from previous renters and double-check the location of the property to avoid getting stuck in international waters.

More tips for the budget-savvy traveler can be found at http://www.bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-travel/.






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The Best Way to Arrange a Vacation Rental

Posted: 10 May 2010 08:45 AM PDT

Vacation rentals continue to be a popular and growing part of the accommodations spectrum. Compared with hotels, motels and resorts, they offer some combination of more room for the dollar, lower cost per person, often superior locations, and the ability to cut costs by preparing some of your own meals. Unlike hotels and motels, however, the vacation rental marketplace is chaotic, and you may well wonder how to approach it. A reader put the question succinctly:

"I want to stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel this summer. What's the best way to locate and arrange a rental?"

As is so often the case, "best" is a totally subjective concept:

  • To many of you, "best" means "least expensive." Whether you're looking for a rustic cottage, city apartment or luxurious beachfront villa, you want to get the best deal you can find.

  • To others, "best" means "minimal risk." When you arrange a rental sight unseen, and pay in advance, you want assurance that you'll get what you want and won't be disappointed in what you find after you arrive.

    • For More Information on This Topic and Other Travel News Visit Our Partner SmarterTravel

    Fortunately, you have plenty of ways to balance cost and risk.

    Direct—the Least Expensive

    Renting directly from a property owner, with no intermediaries at all, is clearly the least expensive way to go. And you have several options. Maybe you know somebody who has a cottage or condo that's available part-time. Or you can ask around your circle of friends. Beyond that, you can check popular no-fee sources such as Craigslist.

    The risk can also be low if you know or trust the owner, or if you can rent a facility that someone you know has previously rented. If not, you can ask the owner to give you some references, although recognize that you'll get a carefully screened list.

    Listing Mega-Sites—the Widest Choice

    The Internet has made matching buyers and sellers ridiculously easy in many markets, and, with vacation rentals, dozens—maybe hundreds—of listing websites (sometimes called aggregation portals) take and post rental offers submitted by property owners. The largest sites provide worldwide coverage and list more than a hundred thousand properties; smaller ones may list only a handful of rentals in just a single community or destination area.

    The 800-pound gorilla in the vacation rental marketplace is HomeAway, which supports more than a dozen different individual sites, in several different languages, and with an aggregate of more than 400,000 properties around the world. For most rentals, you can probably stick with the three biggest:

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    7 tips for villa rentals

    Posted: 10 May 2010 10:09 AM PDT

    (Travel + Leisure) -- Thinking of renting a villa for your next vacation? There are seven things you should consider before booking your vacation spot.

    Run the numbers

    Renting a villa is a terrific value proposition right now. Given the current economy, many second-home owners are offering their properties for the first time, and the increased supply means better deals. A large family can stay in a beautifully restored Tuscan farmhouse for less than the cost of an equivalent number of hotel rooms. According to homeaway.com, which rents more than 185,000 accommodations online, 55 percent of all owners intend to give discounts and other perks this year, including free nights and relaxed minimum-stay requirements. You can get a sense of the market by doing a preliminary search on one of the multi-destination villa agencies' websites.

    Know what you want

    Determine what kind of experience you're after --particularly if you're vacationing with a group. Do you require housekeeping every day, or are you willing to do your own dishes (even if there's no dishwasher)? Would you prefer being more isolated, or within steps of town? If you're considering extras -- guided trips; an evening at the opera -- confirm in advance your willingness to pay additional fees.

    Travel + Leisure: Best villa rental agencies

    Get on the phone

    Pictures on websites certainly help, but it's always best to speak to an agent by telephone. (Some companies won't even work with clients they haven't vetted themselves.) Those we recommend here have firsthand knowledge of the properties and can answer questions you might not have thought of: How far away is the grocery store? Is emergency help nearby? Does the local host speak English? How new are the appliances? Many agents also have access to more rentals -- either in a private portfolio or through other contacts -- that they can offer once you've outlined your needs.

    Travel + Leisure: Tuscan villa hotels

    Take advantage of extras

    Rental owners are staying competitive by offering such perks as free housekeeping, the use of a car, or a private chef. When inquiring about a property, it's entirely permissible -- and not at all uncouth -- to ask an agent if the owner is willing to throw in anything else. The best agencies leverage their industry contacts and relationships with property owners to organize things you couldn't arrange yourself, be it a tasting in a noble family's wine cellar or a hot-air balloon ride over the countryside. (Remember to confirm all related fees up front.)

    Put it in writing

    Signing a contract is standard when renting a villa. Like any agreement, this protects you, the owner, and the agent. Make sure it specifies which expenses are not included in the base price, such as taxes, air-conditioning, or the cost of heating the pool. A basic contract will also clearly outline policies regarding property damage, as well as what would constitute an unsatisfactory stay.

    Travel + Leisure: World's strangest places

    Consider buying insurance

    Renting a villa is a large investment. Insurance can cover you in the event of a medical evacuation or an unforeseen conflict; it can also protect you from bad weather delays or errors made by the rental agency. Some policies will let you cancel if you've recently been laid off from your job, while others will permit you to cancel for no reason at all. Expect to pay a premium of 5 to 11 percent of the trip's prepaid, nonrefundable cost; cost may depend on the ages of the travelers in your group. Compare a broad range of policies on insuremytrip.com or use one of the five companies listed on tripinsurancestore.com.

    Try an emerging destination

    Travelers willing to move beyond blue-chip destinations can find incredible value in lesser-known regions. Carolyn Grote of Ville et Village recommends Île de Ré, an island off France's west coast where more properties are becoming available. Other markets to consider are the Azores, Madeira, Malta, and the Italian regions of Puglia and Montepulciano. You'll also find a growing number of attractive deals in Bosnia, Montenegro, and Slovenia.

    Planning a beach getaway? Don't miss Travel + Leisure's guide to Affordable Beach Resorts.

    Copyright 2010 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.

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