So you’re going on vacation and you want to find the perfect vacation rental for you; there are a few things you need to consider if you want your vacation to go according to plan. First and foremost is the fact that each and every traveler is different. You and your travelling companions may not all be the same in terms of taste and budget and so communication is key.
Here are some of our top tips for finding the very best vacation rental for you…
Location
Narrowing your prospects ever farther is easy when you already know where it is you want to go; if you’ve been dreaming of a trip to a certain country or city for a while now consider this your chance! Are you travelling for a particular event or are you hot on a specific attraction; use these questions to narrow the locale even more.
Priorities
Research and communication are key in finding the best vacation rental for you, but they mean nothing if you don’t actually know what you need and want from your getaway base. Your rental will be the foundation upon which your vacation is built and so it is key that you get everything you need from it. Sit down and think about what your priorities are and what you really need from this space, and when you know what it is that you cannot compromise on it should be much easier to start finding potential rentals.
Internet
You can’t believe everything you read on the internet, that much is a given, but you certainly should consider it a useful tool. Sites like TripAdvisor and AirBnB can help you to get a better idea of what you can expect to find in the area you’re considering vacationing in.
Rental agents
Time and money are equally precious commodities in this day and age, and so you need to decide which you can spare; a DIY approach will save you money, but will cost time. Having an agent do all the legwork for you will cost money, but save time. Decide what you can afford to sacrifice.
Be selective
Narrow down your choices by creating a shortlist of the best properties you find in your chosen area. Then read reviews to get an idea of what previous travelers have experienced… both good and bad. This is a crucial step that you won’t regret taking.
Rental contracts
Read your contract thoroughly, don’t just skim and sign on the dotted line. Make sure you’re aware of all the nuances before you commit and/or pay a deposit.
Deposits
Once you’ve done all this and you find a place that really suits your needs you should secure your interests by setting down a deposit of some sort. If possible pay any deposit using a credit card as this will create a paper trail and offer you some kind of protection should there be any problems down the line.
Always avoid wiring or paying in cash where possible as this is a tactic used by those who intentionally double or even triple book. Some scammers even sell time in a property they don’t own!
