A vacation rental home can make your traveling experience much more comfortable and enjoyable. But these days, most hot travel destinations have an overabundance of options to choose from.
What should you consider when choosing your next vacation rental home?
Space and Rooms
First, think about the amount of total space that you want as well as the number and types of rooms that you need to have available. Different people have different spatial needs. For example, if you’re traveling with your family and you have a few kids, you may want a vacation rental home that offers multiple bedrooms and plenty of space for the kids to run around. If you simply like the idea of having a roomier environment, you might also prefer a bigger home.
As you might imagine, bigger vacation rentals with more rooms tend to be more expensive, so some people are going to prefer a smaller space.
Location
Next, think about the general location of your vacation rental home. Is there a particular attraction or destination that you’re interested in, and if so, how close is the vacation rental home to that spot? Is the property located near convenient transportation options, such as public transportation or a major highway? Are there valuable amenities, restaurants, and shopping destinations within walking distance of the property?
Overall Aesthetics
You may consider overall aesthetics as well. Do you want a vacation rental property that has a sleek, modern, and clean feel to it? Or are you looking for something more rustic and down to earth? Do you have preferences for the layout of the interior or the color palette at the property?
Price
Obviously, you’ll also need to consider price. Price is strongly correlated with many of the features you might expect, including space and location, but you might be surprised at how affordable some vacation rental homes can be. If you have a budget in mind, you can shop exclusively for properties that fall within that budget. Otherwise, you’ll need to do a cost benefit analysis to determine the best fit for your needs.
Amenities
What amenities are most important to you? These are some of your most important considerations:
· Kitchen. Most vacation rental homes are going to have a kitchen, but the size, scope, and aesthetics of that kitchen are going to be highly variable.
· Bedding. Similarly, you’ll need to think about how many beds you need and what kinds of beds you want to sleep on.
· Bathrooms. How many bathrooms do you need at your vacation rental home and how many showers and baths would be adequate for your needs?
· Internet. Most vacation rental homes will have Wi-Fi, but the service may be faster or more reliable in some places.
· Supplies. Are there any special supplies that are available in this vacation rental property? Are there any extra perks associated with renting here?
· Safety and security. You may also want to consider the safety and security of the location. Is there a security fence to keep people out? Are there sufficiently lockable doors and windows?
· Entertainment. What entertainment options are available at this property? For example, is there a big screen TV? Is there a pool table?
· Outdoor space. What is the outdoor space like? How much room do you have to relax, and are there special amenities like a swimming pool or a hot tub?
· Parking. Parking isn’t always available or convenient. Make sure you understand the parking situation at your target vacation rental home.
· Support. Finally, what support options are available for renters? If you have any questions or concerns, who can you count on for help?
Terms and Conditions
You may also want to look into the terms and conditions of renting this property. Are there any extra charges or prohibitive rules that might present a problem for you? Is there any flexibility to negotiate these terms and conditions?
Reputation
What kind of reputation does this rental company have? Do they have multiple properties available to rent? What kinds of reviews have they gotten in the past, and are there any testimonials that could help you understand what you’re renting?
Communications
It’s a good idea to look into your communication options as well. If something goes wrong at the property, like if you can’t get in, is there someone who will be able to help you immediately? Is there a representative available to answer all your questions?
Vacation rental homes offer a lot of advantages, but you’ll need to do some due diligence to find the right fit. With these considerations in mind, and a willingness to do some research, you should be much better positioned to land the rental vacation property you’ve always wanted.
