subject: The 5 Biggest Mistakes Travelers Make When Planning A Luxury Vacation Home Rental [print this page] Does beach front mean a hilltop ocean view with a 20-minute drive to the beach or will you be a mere one-minute walk from wiggling your tootsies in the sand? Is the neighborhood noisy? You may want to be conveniently located but you don't want to be kept awake all night by the loud bar next door. Are concierge and housekeeping services included or are they a separate fee? Does the price include taxes? How big are the rooms? Don't rely on photos alone. A wide angle lens can make a closet look palatial. Don't assume anything. When in doubt, ask.
Fatal Mistake 4 Not Fully Exploring Your Online Resources
You may have found a vacation rental on an online directory like < Homeway.com but check for a link to a personal web site (or Google it) and you may find more in-depth information such as room descriptions, guest reviews, more photos or even a virtual tour. Directories are great resources but have built-in limitations. The homeowner may have a blog or a YouTube page.
Fatal Mistake 5 - Not Trusting Your Gut Feelings
Are you not "clicking" with the homeowner or rental agent? Are you getting vague answers to your questions? If it's a rental agent are your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices unavailable and does he keep directing you to other homes in other areas? It's extremely rare but there are a couple of unscrupulous independent agents who steal photos and info from homeowner sites, post them as their own then use them to bait and switch clients to their handful of "real" homes. One agent claimed to represent over 130 homes when he actually represented 9, 5 of them were his own. If it doesn't feel right, look elsewhere.
Paradise Awaits!
The 5 Biggest Mistakes Travelers Make When Planning A Luxury Vacation Home Rental
