cactushugger

Have you had experience renting from these or other agencies? Our future plans include renting homes for a month at a time in interesting locations. I would love to hear of your experiences: both the good and the bad. Are the houses usually as nice as claimed? Clean? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

DebitNM

Type in VILLA RENTAL in the search box and read some of the postings. I have one in there about a magazine article I read with some problems that were happening with rentals in the Carribbean.

Not sure where you are looking to rent, but it's worth reading the article for some good points.

But do that search and see what other experiences others have had -- both good and bad-- and get an idea of the feelings of posters on here.

Hope this helps...
Debi

cactushugger

Hi DebitNM!
Your input is appreciated. However, our rentals will be limited to free standing houses in the USA.,, no villas. We're not into resorts. The places we'll be looking for will be near areas for outdoor recreation: National parks and forests, wildlife refuges, remote beaches, lakes etc. So, I'm specifically looking for information about these agencies. I've rented from private realestate firms with good results in the past. But, they don't always have homes in the places we want to go. But, thanks for trying to help. Folks like you make this site GREAT!

AustinTraveler

Did you mean to write VRBO? If so, there have been many posts about renting from that site, most very positive.

DebitNM

cactushugger -- I figured you were looking for rentals in continental US but thought it might be informative for you re that magazine article none the less.

And the term "villa" in the story does not mean luxury or resort but rather any rental of a private home through a agency or owner. It has some good old common sense pointers to keep you safe; things that somehow we forget about because we are on vacation that we would never do at home.

There was just a thread on here about someone who had paid in full before arrival, only to find the house very different than in pictures.

Buyer/renter beware, I guess is all I am suggesting.

Debi

jtrandolph

We have used both VRBO and Cyberrentals. It seems like with VRBO you are dealing directly with the owner of the property, but that Cyberrentals may be an agency representing them.

I have many other websites for condos and apartments because we choose these over hotels whenever possible...for a three-day stay or longer.

I always either go back to the agencies in my file, depending upon where we will be, and see what is available.

Often I just google....condo (or apartment or vacation rental) <location>

I have found that it is easier to find these in countries other than the US. Many agencies specialize....for instance...France and Spain and Italy.

I have found a condo in Palm Springs, an apartment in Cedar Rapids, an apartment in Vancouver, BC and in Montreal simply by spending a lot of google time.

Be aware that pictures on websites can be deceiving, and read the terms carefully. Only once have we been required to pay up front and that was in Lisbon. I felt very uncomfortable about it. It worked out okay, except that it was the only time we had been burned on expectations of what the apartment would be like. I don't think I would make that agreement again.

You need to search, search, search.

(If you want to go to Barcelona I can recommend a beauty <grin>.)

Good luck.

cactushugger

Austin, I did a search before asking my question. Didn't get many threads. Perhaps I didn't use the proper key words.

Thanks Debi. I'll go back and read that article. I thought all villas were sort of condos by another name. And, it never hurts to read about safety issues.

Jt, Lots of good advice. Don't you usually have to pay about half up front? That makes me a little nervous.

jtrandolph

We have not usually been asked to pay up front, but be aware that many places will not take credit cards. In some cases they will take a card number as a deposit then ask you to pay the bill in cash. (In the Lisbon apartment she wanted the whole thing up front in cash, several weeks ahead of time.) And, yes, I was nervous.

About the payment in cash...be sure to find this out ahead of time. In Florence we had to make a visit to an ATM every day for several days to accumulate it (because of limits on how much the ATM will allow you to withdraw per day.)

We rented a large house at Lake Tahoe for a family birthday and they wanted two days' rent in advance. It really varies. Just keep your antenna out <grin>.

I feel most comfortable when dealing with a reputable agency. How do you tell one? I guess after awhile you beging to recognize their names and know that they are still in business.

tpatricco

Perhaps your search didn't yield much because you used the wrong acronym?

VRBO stands for Vacation Rentals By Owner. If you searched VOBR it likely wouldn't turn up much.

As previously mentioned many "villas" are freestanding homes, not part of resorts...in some other countries and the caribbean homes are called villas. Maybe just a less commonly used term in the US.

I've had mixed experience with VRBO rentals, but I found it had more to do with the particular owner than the concept of the website listings. I found the homes in the condition I expected them to be in. Just had a mix up with check in with one owner in St. John. Entirely her fault.

I'd try it again without hesitation though.

Monica_S

When ever I travel I always rent houses I find it to be more comfortable than a hotel and at times less expensive. I have rented through VRBO plenty of times....but the web page set up is so time consuming...right! Try vacationrentals.com....you will see the diference. Sometimes I have found that I can rent a bigger house (3-4 bdrm) for the same price as a condo (1-2 bdrm) or apartment. Try it!

Monica_S

To answer your question.... yes majority are better than what it shows on the pictues. But my advice to you would be, if they do not have pictures...skip it! Not to be anal about it but I look at views, location, decor,linens,pool,pooltable, interent acess, televisions in every room (just using as examples). I look for the things that make me feel at home. Things I have in my own house.I do not stay in a place that is uglier (is that a word?) than my house. Look for what would make your stay comfortable.They have descriptions, make sure you pay attention. After all the idea is to be away from home but have the comforts of it! It also depends on what you are leaving out of town for and what time of the year, it will make a difference in what you are going to need...keep that in mind. Pick a few options show them to a friend or spouse if you can't make up your mind on which to choose, or incase the one you want is already taken (it happens), that way you do not have to do your homework all over again.

cactushugger

Thanks everyone! I do know that it's VRBO. That was just sloppy typing on my part. Sorry.
I will check out vacationrentals.com. I've found that some rentals are listed on multiple sites. So, a less cumbersome process would be nice.
Again, thanks to all for your helpful tips.

SAnParis

I use vrbo.com all the time & have never had a problem (probably 50+ times). I have also used cyberrentals.com a few times, but they tend to carry other types of properties that really don't fit my criteria, so the search takes a tad longer. Still, no problems & they both basically refer you to the owner who then contacts you.

cactushugger

Thanks SAnParis!
That's what I was hoping to hear from someone...lots of experience with VRBO and no problems. Very reassuring.

Kay2

I don't have experience with renting such a long period, but I've seen many references to www.slowtrav.com to find discussion and referrals for long-term rentals.