Any Minnesota condo/villa/home owners out there?

[dep7418]

We are looking to head to WDW late FEB09 and are looking to rent direct an offsite condo/pool/villa that needs at least 2 bedrooms and a spa/hot tub.

I prefer to deal with owners from my home state, Minnesota. I know, might sound stupid, but hey, thats me. It's not that I don't trust anyone, it's that I don't trust anyone...!!

If anyone has any recommendations, please post or PM me...

Thanks

 

[sympatico]

And might I ask what makes those from Minnesota more trustworthy than those from any other state or another country? Please share the secret.

 

[bethie]

Check out Villa del Sol or Jewel of the Sun. I have rented a townhouse for November from them. They reside in MN, best that I recall. My hubby is originally from Bemidji. Good luck!!


You can find them on VRBO or the Windsor Hills website.

 

[dep7418]

And might I ask what makes those from Minnesota more trustworthy than those from any other state or another country? Please share the secret.

Lets just say it's a lot easier for me to "background" a potential property owner from my home state than one a thousand miles away....

 

[Freaky]

You can always check out the local county sites the property is in to make sure that the owners do own the property and that they have paid their taxes. Everything is public record Another way to check them out is to contact a previous guest - many previous guests leave comments on the guestbook with their email address and sometimes telephone number.

There are plenty of good reliable owners from all over the world but it does always come down to research and trust. A vacation is what we save those $$$ for and things going wrong is such a nightmare you need to go with what you are happy with.

 

[sympatico]

Lets just say it's a lot easier for me to "background" a potential property owner from my home state than one a thousand miles away....

Ahh, that makes sense if you're able to do that. But as Freaky said if you get stuck you can check the tax records, ask on the boards, check with the management company and former guest. On some of the sites like VRBO there's a "Rent with Confidence" guarantee against ownership fraud. I don't know how far that will take you if the home is run down and not in good shape.
I've heard some scary stories from those that have used an agency and don't know the home they're getting until they check at the office when they get there. We did that a couple of times years ago when we first started renting and everything was fine except for one time and that was a disaster. It can also happen when you rent directly. You have to do your homework in checking things out.
We've never gotten a "perfect" home (but close). They'll always be little things that might not be up to par. ( My house has lots of little things that I overlook that maybe someone renting it wouldn't). Most owners will try to rectify whatever is wrong but if not and it's not anything major don't let it ruin your vacation.

 

[hercamore]

Sorry, I don't know anyone, and I wish I did!

So, you're in law enforcement in Olmsted County, perhaps.


Welcome to the Disboards..



herc

 

[dep7418]

Sorry, I don't know anyone, and I wish I did!

So, you're in law enforcement in Olmsted County, perhaps.


Welcome to the Disboards..



herc

Close...a few counties west of Olmsted.

 

[Chrisinroch]

Sorry, I don't know anyone, and I wish I did!

herc

My brothers and I are in Rochester and have a place at Terra Verde. I don't want to turn this board into a bunch of advertising, but you can PM me for info.

 

[mombare]

As an official SE MN person, this is neat to know! Now we have rented a condo from someone in NJ and it was fine - just that "Minnesota Nice" thing!

 

[Chrisinroch]

I think renters have more of a comfort level also so its a win-win. We've been pretty lucky; only one problem out of maybe 50 or 60 rentals since we started renting. On the plus side, the damage they did just forced us to replace the carpet which was getting worn anyway. Why the builders ever put carpet in the living room off the pool anyway is a mystery to me.