How to Choose a Vacation Rental
When looking for the perfect vacation property there are a lot of things to keep in mind. You not only have to consider the activities that you want to be able to do on your vacation, but also all of the amenities that you want your vacation home to include.
To help make this easier, here are the things that you should keep in mind so that you can find the perfect vacation rental home.
Why Choose a Vacation Rental?
Choosing a vacation rental can have many benefits compared to booking a hotel. Although some people think that they can be more expensive, rental homes can also be much more cost-effective if you know what you’re looking for. Some of the best reasons to choose a vacation rental instead of a hotel include the following.
1. Having Your Own Space
Hotels mean having to be quiet or having to deal with other guests who aren’t quiet. In addition to this, you’re confined to a single sleeping space and don’t have a lot of room to call your own.
A lot of people enjoy rental homes because they can have the place all to themselves, along with all of the amenities. This means that if your rental has a pool, you won’t have to worry about sharing it with other guests.
Similarly, because many rental homes offer the comforts of a full home, you’ll have access to a full kitchen which can help cut the cost of having to order out for the duration of your stay.
2. Fewer Hidden Fees
When renting a vacation home, you will usually be dealing directly with the owner as opposed to a corporation. Because of this, you can expect to have fewer — if any — hidden fees. Hotels can often add extra fees for things like water, internet, pool access, or access to the exercise equipment.
By dealing directly with the owner, you can ask outright about any of these costs, and you’re much less likely to have to worry about them than if you were to book a hotel.
How to Choose a Vacation Rental
When it comes to figuring out how to choose a vacation rental, there are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind before starting your search.
1. Make a List of What You Want
Make a list of the things that you want and what you want to do while at your vacation rental. For instance, are you looking for a rental that you can relax in and spend a lot of time in, or are you planning on only using it for sleeping? Will you be bringing pets, kids, or multiple friends or family members? How many cars will you be bringing or will you be bringing anything like a boat or jetski?
All of these things will factor into the vacation rental that you end up choosing because you will need different amenities for each of these situations.
Before looking for a vacation rental, sit down with everyone going with you and make a list of everything that each of you wants in a vacation home. While there will undoubtedly need to be compromises made, this is the best way to find a middle ground that everyone can enjoy.
2. Be Flexible
When looking into how to choose a vacation rental, it’s important to be flexible with your vacation dates. For instance, during certain months, especially during the summer, vacation properties can be in high demand. This can make finding the perfect vacation rental a bit trickier. However, if you are willing to be flexible and book in advance early enough, you’ll have a better chance of getting the rental that you want.
Similarly, if you know that there is only a specific timeframe that you can go, make sure that you either book early or are willing to make compromises. If possible, try to pick times that are off-season so that you’ll have less competition for these homes.
3. Avoid Tourist Hot-Spots
Figuring out how to choose a vacation rental in a tourist hotspot can make rentals much more costly. This is due to the popularity and demand for the location. Since more people want to stay in an area close to tourist activities, you’ll end up paying extra for the proximity.
While this can have benefits, if possible, you should try to book a vacation rental away from these areas so that you don’t end up paying hand over fist for the rental.
4. Look for Savings But Don’t Skimp On What You Want
While saving money is always a good thing to keep in mind, booking cheap can have its downsides. For instance, while a less costly rental may be appealing, you don’t want to spend a week in a broom closet with no amenities that you want.
Look for compromises when possible, but don’t pick the absolute cheapest option if you know that it’s going to be uncomfortable and unenjoyable.
5. Reviews
When looking into how to choose a vacation rental, you should always check the reviews of past tenants. This can help you understand more about the property as well as the people you’re renting it from.
For instance, if reviews say that the rental is good but the owners are difficult to deal with, you may want to look at other options before making a decision.
Additionally, it’s good to look at both the positive and negative reviews and weigh the pros and cons before deciding. Even the best rentals are bound to have some negative reviews. However, if a rental has more good reviews than bad, it’s more than likely a good place to stay.
6. Internet
Having the internet while traveling is important for many people today, and you’ll want to make sure that your vacation rental has internet connectivity. Whether you’re using it for streaming, staying connected on your phone, or need to have it for work, you’ll want to make sure it’s provided.
If internet connectivity isn’t included in the home’s list of amenities, don’t hesitate to contact the owner and ask if they provide internet.
Amenities to Look For In a Vacation Rental
Choosing the perfect vacation rental means considering numerous factors. You don’t want to just pick a vacation rental without looking at the features, amenities, and location. However, there are also numerous other features that you should also consider. These are the most significant.
1. Comfort
Firstly, when considering how to choose a vacation rental, you’ll want to make sure that the home is comfortable.
There are many different features that contribute to this, and they are all equally important. For instance, you’ll want to make sure that the rental home has enough beds for everyone in your vacation party, and that they are comfortable enough to spend multiple nights in. To do this, you can read reviews from past tenants to learn more about how comfortable the home’s sleeping situation is.
Similarly, you’ll want to check for air conditioners if you’re vacationing during the summer, and heating solutions if you are staying there during the winter. You don’t want to stay in a vacation rental with no temperature control, as this can make your stay very uncomfortable.
2. Good Condition
Another thing that you’ll need to consider when thinking about how to choose a vacation rental is the condition of the home. If the home is not in good condition, not only can your stay be uncomfortable, but it could be hazardous.
Make sure to take in every aspect of the property, including the roofing, the exterior, and the interior conditions. If you notice any broken shingles, rusting on metal roofing, peeling paint, or broken siding, you should probably consider other rentals.
3. No Pests
When checking the listing and the reviews, you’ll also want to make sure that the rental is pest-free. This doesn’t just apply to rodents, but also to insects that could make your stay uncomfortable. Rental homes that have mosquito control, such as tree and shrub spraying and window screens. This can help ensure that your vacation rental is comfortable and free of any biting bugs that could put a damper on your good time.
Similarly, if you’re planning on spending time outside, you may want to opt for a vacation rental with a screened-in porch. This can give you extra protection against mosquitos and other bugs, even if the area has been previously sprayed to keep them at bay. Porches like this area are also a good option in case of rain, as you can spend time outside without worrying about getting wet.
4. Fencing
If you’re going to be bringing your dog along on your vacation, you’ll want to look for a vacation rental that has backyard fences so that your four-legged friend can run around without the risk of getting loose. This can also prevent them from having to be holed up in the house all day, which can make the vacation more enjoyable for them as well.
Similarly, if you have small children coming along, they can also benefit from having a fenced-in backyard, and it can give them their own little area to play.
5. Boating
When considering how to choose a vacation rental, you’ll want to ensure that the home has amenities for any activities that you want to do. For instance, if you’re going to be bringing a boat, you’ll want to make sure the home has a dock installation that you can launch your boat from safely.
If you’re going to be boating in the early hours or later in the evening, you’ll also want to make sure that the dock and exterior of the home have ample lighting fixtures to ensure that you can safely dock your boat and get back to the house.
6. Vehicle Storage
If you’re going to be driving your own vehicle to your vacation rental, you’ll also want to take a look at if the home has storage for your vehicles. For instance, if the home has a garage, you’ll want to note if it’s large enough for your needs and in good condition. Some vacation rentals may even have custom garage flooring, which may be worth looking for if you’re going to be bringing a more expensive sports car to enjoy on your vacation.
Finding The Best Vacation Rental
Everything mentioned above should be considered when figuring out how to choose a vacation rental that’s perfect for your needs. Although it might sound like a lot to remember, the main thing to keep in mind is what you’re looking to get out of your rental.
For instance, if you’re looking to spend a lot of time relaxing in your rental, comfort will be a major requirement that you’ll need to carefully consider. However, if you’re planning on only using your rental as a home base while enjoying activities outside, you will need fewer amenities than if you were spending more time there.
Additionally, if you have anyone coming with you, what they want should also be considered. As should any small kids or pets that you’re going to be bringing along. While kids may be able to have fun indoors, pets like dogs will enjoy being able to run around in a fenced yard, so that is something to keep an eye out for.
When considering how to choose a vacation rental, keep all of this in mind and consider writing out a list to give yourself something to reference while searching. You can even compare rentals across different sites to ensure that you find both what you need and the best value.
With all of this in mind, you can get started finding the best vacation rental home for your next time, no matter where or when you are planning on going.