How to search online for vacation rental property
The internet is a marvelous tool for finding vacation
properties. But the uninitiated may not realize that there are
many types of rental property provider out there, and they don't
all offer equal levels of value and service.
The first type is the general vacation rental website. There
are many of these available, and they are perhaps most suitable
when you haven't decided where you want to go. You can browse
these sites for ideas on where to go and the larger sites may
well have a reasonable choice of homes in certain destinations,
particularly the most popular ones. These homes may be
advertised by the individual owner, or by companies who manage
multiple rental properties.
However, these sites have their limitations. You will rarely
find any information about each destination, since these sites
typically cover the globe, albeit with varying levels of
inventory available in any one resort or location. Also, the
site is really nothing but an advertising venue; it takes no
responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information posted
by the owners who use it, and you will have no comeback to the
operator of the website if it turns out that the property is
misrepresented, is not available when you turn up even though
you have paid or, in the worst but by no means unknown case,
does not even exist.
The second type of site is often advertised as 'by owner'.
These sites may be global, or they may be destination-specific.
Such sites frequently claim that by dealing directly with owners
they are cutting out the middleman and saving you money, and in
certain areas owners who market their properties directly can
escape some types of tax. However, these sites also have
drawbacks. As with global vacation rental sites, 'by owner'
sites provide no guarantees about your holiday; they are just a
way of putting you in touch with the owner. Furthermore, the
owner is not worried about the credibility and reputation of the
site as a whole; their main concern is to promote their own
property. Finally, if the property becomes unavailable for any
reason, the owner may be restricted in their ability to provide
an alternative. So be cautious with these sites.
The third type of site belongs to a property manager with an
inventory of homes in a individual destination. He does not
usually own the homes but rents them out on behalf of the
owners. He does not mind which home you choose, so his incentive
is only to find the property most suitable for your group. If,
exceptionally, your property becomes unavailable for your dates,
he will be able to find you an alternative from other properties
he manages. Finally he will have consistent quality systems in
place to ensure that your place is in perfect condition for your
stay. So if you want to be sure of the quality of your vacation
rental, choose a property management company which specializes
in the resort of your choice.