Vacation Rentals

Before the advent of apps and one-click vacation planning, if you wanted to rent a vacation property (beach villa, mountain condo, lake house, etc.), you enlisted the help of a real estate agency, but now, with websites/apps like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway and others, you can easily rent any property.

These websites offer the ability to stay in the comfort of a home, apartment, condo, or even treehouse (we’ll get to that later), rather than just staying in a hotel. In the past, “vacation rental” meant you were renting a property in a stereotypical vacation spot, but now you can rent a place in just about any city (or town) you visit.

Here are the basics you need to know when considering an online rental.

Not All Rentals are Created Equal

This isn’t a buyer-beware warning, it’s a note to say that if you are considering renting through Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO or others, you should do your due diligence. Just as you would read reviews or examine amenities for any hotel or resort you were booking, you should do the same with vacation rentals.

Not All Owners are Created Equal

Airbnb rentals can range from true rental (read: investment) properties to vacation houses that the owner uses a couple times a year to the everyday home that someone lives in. Some owners are more attentive than others, some are more conscientious than others, and some are downright great hosts. Before booking, if possible, exchange emails with the owner, make sure the amenities are clear and you know if all of the property is accessible and for your use. You don’t want to end up at a lake house that doesn’t allow for use of the dock!

The Benefits

The biggest benefit of renting a property from one of these sites is the price. Typically, Airbnb rentals are $50-$100 cheaper than booking a hotel. A lot of these rental properties offer similar amenities to what a hotel can offer and a lot of times offer more space and more amenities (like a stocked kitchen) than hotels do, so it works out to be a good deal. Another benefit is that you have the opportunity to work directly with the owner and sometimes, prices are even negotiable.

The “Outside-the-Box” Vacation

While sites like HomeAway started with the usual vacation rentals (houses, condos, apartments), the rental market has expanded and adapted to those who are looking for a truly unique or outlandish experience. Now these vacation rental sites offer things like a stay in igloos, treehouses, castles, converted mills, lighthouses, rail cars or planes, and themed locations. People that rent their properties on these sites see the potential in those that are looking for a vacation that their family will never, ever, fo