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How to Rent a Vacation Home: Important Steps to Know

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When you go on vacation, do you plan on renting a home? Know the important steps first. Here's how to rent a vacation home, no matter where you go.

Do you want to take a nice long vacation this summer? Hotels typically make up a large chunk of your vacation budget. But when you plan to be gone for more than a week or two, a hotel may be just too expensive. The good news is that there are other options. Renting a vacation home is a great alternative that is cost-effective when going on long trips. But there are a few steps you'll need to take while searching, booking, and staying in a vacation home. Do you want to know more? Keep reading to learn our tips on how to rent a vacation home.

Look early

Have you already decided on the location and dates for your upcoming trip? Great! Now start searching for your vacation home!
Vacation home rentals tend to book up quickly. You'll want to have as many options available to you to ensure you pick the right one. So, the earlier you start, the better.

Save for a deposit

When booking a vacation home, know that you'll likely have to pay a security deposit upfront. While you should get this back at the end of the stay (as long as there aren't any damages), you'll want to stash away some money as your trip comes closer to cover the deposit. Be sure to ask what needs to be done to get your security deposit back. Do you need to clean the property or just ensure nothing is broken? Doing this before you officially book the property could save a lot of headaches in the future.

Know what the price includes

Alright, let's say you want to travel to Europe and take a full two-month vacation to Algarve in Portugal in the summer. You've looked at a few vacation homes, but suddenly you find one that is way cheaper than the rest. This may seem like a steal, but there's likely a reason it's listed at such a cheap cost. Make sure you know what the price includes. That super affordable property may not include things like water and utilities, that more expensive properties cover in the cost. The last thing you want is to book a property and end up with sticker shock when you learn you'll need to pay several hundred dollars more than you thought.

Ask about cleaning services

Many people who own vacation properties hire a cleaning service to ensure the home stays well maintained. Before you book your vacation home, ask the owners how often a cleaning service comes in. You'll have to do a lot more cleaning during your vacation if they only clean after you've left rather than if they come in once a week. Also, be sure to ask if the cleaning fee is already covered in the cost.

Ask about parking

Are you planning on renting out a large vacation home to share with a few friends? Chances are, you'll have quite a few cars that you'll need to park. Ask the owner what the parking situation is. Is it on street or does the property come with its own driveway? If it does have its own driveway, how many parking spots are there? Knowing this ahead of time will help you better prepare. If there's only enough room for two cars, you may have to carpool instead of showing up with four cars and nowhere to park half of them.

Research the area

It's no secret that you'll want to pick a nice vacation home to make your trip relaxing. But the home itself isn't the only thing you have to worry about. You'll also need to think of the location. Are there attractions close by? Can you walk to the beach? Is there a nearby grocery store? Where is the nearest golf course? Is there horse riding? Does the condominium have a swimming pool. Picking a vacation home in an inconvenient area can put a damper on your trip. Nobody wants to drive 45 minutes to the beach every day when you could have rented a place within walking distance.

know who to call in an emergency

Nobody wants to think about bad things happening on vacation, but sometimes they do occur. And it'll be a lot less stressful if you know what to do.
Ask the owners who to call if a pipe bursts or a toilet overflows. Make sure you ask if this emergency contact will be available 24/7 in case something goes wrong during the night.
When you get a phone number, save it in your phone and hang a copy on the refrigerator. This way, everyone in the home will have easy access to it.

Do Walkthroughs with the Owner

Alright, so you've picked your Algarve accommodation and signed the contract--the hard work is over, right? Well, there's one more step you have to take before you can enjoy your vacation. Do a quick walkthrough of the home and photograph any damages. If the owner is there to hand over the keys, ask if they will do the walkthrough with you so you are on the same page about the condition of the house. If possible, do another walkthrough with the owner on your last day. This way, the two of you can discuss any damages, and you can make sure you aren't being charged for damages that were there prior to your stay.

How to rent a vacation home

If you typically stay at hotels on vacation, you may not know how to rent a vacation home. But, don't worry! Just follow our steps to ensure you find the best vacation home. Do you want more information on buying and renting vacation properties? Then check out our Algarve vacation rental properties today.

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