VACATION ESCAPES Vacation Home Rentals: Tips For First-Timers

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Renting a vacation home can be a lot less expensive and much more fun than many people realize.
Renting a vacation home can be a lot less expensive and much more fun than many people realize.

(NAPSI)—According to a survey by HomeAway®, the world leader in vacation rentals, more than 90 percent of people say that vacation is very important to them. Yet half of leisure travelers who wanted to take a trip in 2017 did not, primarily because they didn’t think they could afford it.

Costs can add up quickly, especially for big families and other large groups that book multiple hotel rooms. Savvy travelers are finding other ways to stay, from rediscovering the great outdoors through camping to renting cabins, beach houses and even boat houses. Vacation homes offer the gamut of options that won’t break the bank, while providing amenities that hotels and other types of lodging often can’t, from private pools to bikes in the garage.

“The perception that renting a home is expensive is one of the top reasons people don’t do it,” said Melanie Fish, travel expert for HomeAway, referencing findings by Phocuswright, a leading travel research firm. “However, renting a vacation home can often be more affordable per person than booking multiple hotel rooms. Plus, you get more space and privacy.”

Phocuswright’s research also revealed that only one-third of Americans have stayed in a vacation rental. “There are still so many people who haven’t experienced all the joy and benefits of renting a home for vacation, for many of whom it will become a habit, based on our data,” added Fish. She offers these tips for first-timers:

  • From beach houses to cabins to condos, there are millions of homes to choose from—start with a trusted site like VRBO.com and take full advantage of the search filters to narrow results to custom-tailor your experience.
  • Each vacation home is unique, so find one that fits the needs of your family. Fancy kitchen or BBQ grill? Big-screen TV or a pool? Bunk beds or a crib? There’s something for everyone.
  • Get the best booking experience—look for listings with the Premier Partner badge to ensure a quick response, competitive rates, great photos of the listing and more.
  • Know what you’re getting into—read the vacation rental contract before submitting payment to understand cancellation policies, occupancy limits, pet restrictions, etc.
  • Protect yourself—book with sites that offer protections and guarantees to guard against something unexpected happening before or during your vacation.

““Renting a vacation home can often be more affordable per person than booking multiple hotel rooms. Plus, you get more space and privacy,” said travel expert Melanie Fish. http://bit.ly/2Fg0paq”