Orlando Villas - Questions and tips for first time rentors
As a first timer renter, you've probably got loads of questions
and maybe a couple of concerns that you would like to clear up
before you rent your first villa. Orlando villas come in many
shapes, sizes and locations. There are also many villa
communities to choose from. This article outlines a few tips for
choosing the perfect villa for you.
One of your main worries will probably be handing over a large
amount of rental cash to someone you have met over the internet.
Usually your first contact will bee via e-mail. I'd suggest
getting their phone number and giving them a call. This will
probably allay most of your fears. It's also nice to chat
directly with the owner so you can chat about the property and
make sure it is the right one for you.
What questions should I be asking the owners? You've
chosen a villa that is available for your vacation, so what
questions should you be asking the property owners. This all
depends on what your requirements for your vacation rental are,
and hopefully many of the questions you may have had have been
answered by the details of the property.
As a minimum I ask the following questions.
How easy is the property to find? After a long flight, I
like to know exactly where I'm going and lets face it, you've
had enough stress getting through the airport with the kids and
your other half. The owners usually supply you with a detailed
set of instructions for getting to the property.
How old is the property? Or more importantly, how well
maintained is the property. Orlando gets it fair share of
hurricane weather and the homes do take a battering.
Where/how do I get the keys? This can vary between
properties. Sometimes the keys are stored in a key-coded box
outside the property. Other times these are looked after by the
management company and you have to collect them from there. On
occasion, the owner may post them to your home address.
Where/who are the management company? Whilst on
vacation, if there are any problems at the vacation home, you
will want to know who to contact to get these rectified. You may
also want to ask about the security arrangements at the
property, such as does it have a safe and house alarm.
What stores/restaurants are nearby? This may be of
particular interest on your first night so you can get some
essential supplies for when you arrive. You may want to check if
the property has at least one roll of toilet paper for when you
arrive!
How secluded is the pool/Is it south facing? If the pool
at the property is a big thing for you then you may be looking
for a pool that is not overlooked, or for sun worshippers you'll
want to know if the pool is in the sun for large parts of the
day. You will also want to know how much pool heating costs (if
required) as this is usually an additional fee on top of the
rental costs.
What does the villa have for the kids? If travelling
with a toddler you'll require high-chair, crib and stroller. Ask
if they are included in the rental. On the entertainment front,
Playstation2 and Air-Hockey are common place in many villas.
How long does it take to get to the Theme Parks? This
will be your opportunity to confirm how long it takes to get to
the action, and find out any tips the owners may have for
by-passing the main traffic. Keep in mind that the time to
travel to the parks may be much longer in peak season.
This is obviously not an exhaustive list, but has hopefully
given you an idea of the sort of questions you may want to ask.