RSS
Home
How to find the right vacation rental
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
Last year I was tasked with finding not one, but three vacation rentals, on the Oregon Coast for a family reunion. It sounded like an easy enough project. But it was harder than I anticipated. First, I needed a ground level entry (or wheelchair ramp) and first-floor bedroom with its own bathroom for my 95-year old grandfather. Second, my son has major pet allergies and we didn't want to take a chance on a house that allowed pets for fear it wouldn't be cleaned well enough. And then there was trying to accomodate everyone's bed/bedroom preferences. It was insane.
So if you're anticipating a vacation rental for a small or large group, here are some tips for finding a great one:
1) If you know where you are going and when you're going, do an online search for that specific area. You might find some local property managers who will be able to help you find what you are looking for with a quick phone call or email. This can be the easiest when you aren't that flexible.
2) If your destination is relatively flexible, check out some of the bigger vacation rental sites. Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO.com) has a lot of listings. You can sort by number of bedrooms or the number it sleeps but not by price which can be frustrating. But since most of these have you contacting the owner directly for information, it is easier to attempt a little negotiation on price. Some other sites to check: Free-Rentals.com, Alwaysonvacation.com, HomeAway.com, and A1Vacations.com. There are endless more sites but these will give you a lot to work with.
3) If your timeframe is flexible and particularly if it close, check Craigslist.org for owners discounting on unreserved last minute dates. Sometimes owners will offer a discount up front but if nothing is mentioned and you are reserving in an off-season or within a month or two of your desired arrival date, ask for a discount. If you're really a last minute person, check LicketyTrip.com for deals on vacation rentals available within the next two weeks. Again, most won't offer you a discount, but if they are trying to get a booking on less than two weeks notice, you are in a great position to bargain.
Sadly, our family reunion was cancelled due to a family emergency, but we're trying again this spring.
