Rental experience: San Miguel de Allende?
 

Greetings! My husband and I want to spend our 30th anniversary in San Miguel. Have you stayed there? We are thinking of renting a house. Has anyone had any experience doing that? Did you use VRBO? Any info would be very helpful. Thanks!

I own a house on Reloj in the Centro and have been living there a few months a year. We'll be moving down permanently when the new house is completed in late May or June.
Do you know the town or where you might like to stay? Do you have a budget? A friend's mom just leased Casa Carino from Bob Lata at www.casaselegantes.com - he has mostly high end stuff as you'll see.
Martha at (e-mail) [email protected] or Annie at www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com
may have something.
If you use vrbo, I would have someone check out any choices or get contact references from recent tenants.
M

I would highly recommend VRBO. I admit that I am biased, since our home in San Miguel is listed on VRBO. However, we had great success renting through VRBO in SMA and elsewhere before we listed our house. If you rent through VRBO you will pay 15-20% less, since you will not be paying an agent's commission. You will find a greater variety of choices--the rental companies tend to prefer the higher-end properties. Also, I think that dealing directly with the owner is generally an advantage. With a rental agent, it's just another booking and more money. If you rent from the owner, it's their home, and the level of caring is generally higher. I agree with Mikemo, that you should still do some due diligence if you are renting through VRBO (or anyone else, for that matter.) Many VRBO listings have guestbooks; do check them out and e-mail former renters so that you can make sure you are making the right choice for you.

Thanks to Mikemo and Alegria,
The information you each provided is very helpful. It makes me feel a bit better about finding what I'm looking for SMA.
Sorry to be so long in getting back to you. I just got home from a trip to Tucson.

I seriously doubt you'll save 15-20% dealing with vrbo in San Miguel.
The ownwers may see 15-20% more gross, but there are owner expenses dealing with long distance rentals. I've done it both ways.
M