Five Most Important Tips When Reserving a Vacation Rental

Five Most Important Tips When Reserving a Vacation Rental
Posted by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals | Tuesday, August 17, 2010


Staying in a vacation rental home is becoming increasingly popular for families taking a vacation, couples on a romantic rendezvous, sports enthusiasts coming together for an event, family reunions and just about anything else you can think of that you do when you go on vacation.

Some of the benefits of staying in a vacation rental include having a lot more space for your family and friends, the use of a complete kitchen for preparing meals, enjoying all the modern amenities of home like flat screen TV’s with cable, high-speed Internet, phones and sometimes luxuries that you don’t have at home like a pool table, theatre room, outdoor swimming pool and private hot tub all in awesome locations with ocean, mountain, river, desert and lake views.

With the growth of the popularity and availability of vacation rentals, there are some important things you can do to insure your visit will be everything you hoped for and more.

1. Decide what is important to you in your vacation home accommodation.

Remember the more items you “need”, the higher the cost of your vacation. So if you are on a budget, pare down the list.

Location

Is oceanfront a necessity or are you ok with being a few blocks from the beach? Also, check out the community you will be staying in. Do you like places with lots of night life and activity or do you prefer a quiet, sleepy little town?

Size of Home

How much square footage do you need? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need to be comfortable? Do you want separate living spaces for the kids and the adults? Most vacation homes have occupancy limits for safety reasons, so don’t try to cram too many people into a home. With a vacation rental you can afford to spread out as the cost is typically much less per person than renting several hotel rooms would be.

Amenities

Which amenities are necessary and which would be nice? Many vacation homes come equipped with multiple TV’s and entertainment centers, game rooms, 2 kitchens, high-speed Internet, private swimming pools and hot tubs, access to recreation centers and more.

 

Pet-friendly

Do you want to bring along your family pet? Many vacation rentals are pet-friendly. Just make sure pets are allowed at the home you will be staying in and that you inform the vacation rental manager that Fido will be joining you. And of importance to your pet, be sure this is a vacation that you will be spending with your pet. If your pet is left alone in a strange home, he may cause damage and it really isn’t very fun for him either.

2. Check the website listing of the vacation rentals you are interested in for guest reviews and testimonials.

This is a great way to find out if other people who have stayed in the vacation rental had a good time and if they would rent it again. If the reviewers enjoyed some of the same activities you are planning on doing, it will help you to determine that this home will be a good fit for your vacation. And be wary of reviews that are over-glowing with positive remarks; if there are a couple of minor concerns with a home, then you know the reviews are honest.

3. Look for lots of good photos, virtual tours and videos.

These all give you a better sense of the feeling of the home and the surrounding area. The interior photos and tours will help you see how the floor plan flows and if the home has the style and space that you need. The exterior photos and tours will assure you that the home is really situated in the setting that you are looking for.  Take the Tour.

 

4. Connect with a real person via a phone call or email.

Ask important questions about the home and the rental process. Make sure the home has the amenities and characteristics that are listed on the website. Ask about the proximity to recreation and activities that you will be enjoying while on vacation. Your inquiries should be responded to in less than 24 hours and they should be thorough, professional and friendly.

5. Only do business with someone who treats the transaction professionally.

Internet Listing

First look for an Internet listing that has good descriptions and photos of the vacation rentals.

Valid & Reliable Company

There should be clear and specific contact information for the company you will be making your reservation with.

Rates & Policies

The rates, payment policies and rental policies should be posted online; they should also be in a written rental agreement that outlines your arrival and departure dates, the name of the home you have rented, the rent, taxes and other charges with a grand total as well as any other important information regarding the rental of the vacation home.

Professional Vacation Rental Manager

The best way to find a professional vacation rental manager is to make sure the organization you are working with is a member of the Vacation Rental Managers Association, http://www.vrma.com/, as well as other professional organizations such as local Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitor Bureaus, the Better Business Bureau and others.

For more information and useful tips to assist you in making the best choice when reserving a vacation rental this summer, visit www.mthoodrentals.com. This webpage includes:

• Vacation Rental Advantages over Hotels
• Travelers’ Testimonials
• Why a Vacation Home
• Vacation Rental Specials
• 10 Secrets to Saving on Travel with Vacation Rentals
• Top 8 Vacation Rental Myths, Debunked
• Vacation Rental FAQs
• Vacation Rental Planning Tips
• Choosing the Right Vacation Rental
• Listing of over 150,000 vacation rentals across the United States

Another great source of information is in this article by Pauline Frommer.

To reserve a Mt Hood Vacation Rental:
866.761.8029 or [email protected] or Book Online.



Mt Hood Vacation Planning



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