| So you're planning the holidays, you fancy something | | | | frame for fixing any major problems. You don't want |
| in the sun, but where to go? Who is coming? How | | | | to rent a home and have the hot water heater conk |
| many? | | | | out and end up with cold showers for two week. |
| Will we rent a luxury condo or house instead of | | | | The information should also be posted in a contact |
| staying in a hotel? Well you can make big savings by | | | | book inside the property. Make sure you have a |
| taking a Villa. Plus, you'll have more space and privacy | | | | phone number and email address of the contact and |
| to relax and enjoy your home away from home. | | | | if possible get a second person as a backup. |
| Renting a vacation home is an especially smart choice | | | | 6. Is the home family friendly? |
| if you're traveling with a group of friend or with kids. | | | | If you're traveling with kids, make sure the property |
| Here are some tips to help you get the biggest bang | | | | you rental is family friendly. Check the bed |
| for your buck. | | | | configurations. If you have three kids and the guest |
| 1. Once you choose a destination. | | | | room only has a king-sized bed you could be in |
| If you're looking for sensational savings your best bet | | | | trouble. Does the pool have an alarm? (Toddler |
| is to choose a destination where there are a lot of | | | | safety) |
| holiday rentals on the market, keeping prices | | | | Also make sure you see lots pictures of the home. |
| competitive. You can find some of the best bargains | | | | Do you really want to rent a place with a white |
| on vacation home rentals online if you know what to | | | | couch and fancy décor if your 3-year-old still |
| ask about and how to protect yourself as a renter. | | | | thinks it is fun to color on everything in sight? Make |
| Don't be shy contact the owner and ask for a deal. | | | | sure the home you're renting fits your family's needs |
| 2. Comparison sites- way to go! | | | | so you're all comfortable. What about the location? |
| Now it's easier than ever to comparison shop when | | | | Where is the house what are the local amenities? Is |
| you're looking to save on a vacation home rental. | | | | it close to the attractions? |
| You can find some of the best rental home listings | | | | 7. Can you bring a pet? |
| the net has to offer on sites like holiday121 and other | | | | Some vacation rentals accept pets, but they may |
| consolidator sites like these. These are referral sites | | | | have a size limit. Some folks would not like to rent a |
| not booking site and you can check out many homes | | | | property for their family that had the possibility of a |
| at the same time to get the best prices and most | | | | pet staying in with previous guests in the home, |
| suitable dates and keep a record of sites visited. | | | | unhygienic, so if that may be a problem eliminate pet |
| 3. Don't send money. | | | | friendly from your search. |
| When renting a vacation home, never send anyone | | | | 8. Is a refund available if you leave early? |
| money it's a bad idea. Pay by credit card or PayPal | | | | If you think you may want or need to leave early, |
| where you have some come back. | | | | check your contract to see if you're eligible for a |
| Ask for references, and check out their Web site | | | | partial refund. Most vacation rentals are for a specific |
| and their track record. Read their reviews! Read the | | | | time period and don't offer refunds because that |
| fine print. Is there a cancellation policy? What if you | | | | leaves the homeowner in a lurch with no time to rent |
| have to leave early? Does it stipulate when you will | | | | to someone else. Know going in what the rules are |
| get your breakage deposit back? Spend the time up | | | | so there are no unpleasant surprises. |
| front checking things out so you won't have any | | | | 9. Pick a house that most suits your needs. |
| hassles later. | | | | Keep in mind when you're renting a vacation home |
| 4. Know exactly what's included. | | | | you're renting a property that's individually owned. |
| When you book a rental home for your holidays it's a | | | | This isn't a hotel where if you don't like what you |
| short term rental and everything should be included, if | | | | have you can get something else. Once you book |
| there are extras like pool heat, these will be | | | | and pay your deposit for a specific property, that's |
| stipulated on the invoice. | | | | the property you're getting, so make sure it's exactly |
| Most rental homes will say "everything's included," but | | | | what you want. Ask if reviews from other renters |
| you want to double-check to be sure that there are | | | | are available; also remember you get what you pay |
| no hidden surcharges there should not be any. | | | | for so contact the owner. While scoring a good deal |
| If utilities, Internet and cable are included, does this | | | | is the goal, if it's too cheap there's probably a reason |
| mean the property has Wi-Fi and high-speed | | | | check it out. Sometimes the cheapest price is not the |
| Internet? Is it basic cable or premium? If electricity is | | | | best value. |
| paid is there a cap? Many properties will say they | | | | 10. Book early. |
| include utilities, electricity and gas and then the fine | | | | Avoid disappointment; there are certain times of the |
| print says it's included, up to the first $200. | | | | year when the villa rentals are on fire, so book early. |
| Recommendation; don't touch a short term rental | | | | Also you might look at the availability on the owners |
| that is not all inclusive. | | | | web site and pick a slightly out of season time, which |
| 5. Who is the local management company? | | | | brings me back to point one, don't be shy contact |
| Ask who has the local management of the property | | | | the owner and ask for a deal. A last point to help is a |
| these are a very important part of the service and | | | | lot of vacation rental owners have links to car rental |
| backup. Your rental contract should include who to | | | | and cheap flights sites or attraction ticket sites. Try |
| call if your dishwasher breaks or there's some other | | | | and do a package deal for all three or four services. |
| problem with the property. It should also state a time | | | | Good luck!! |