Does lack of "guest comments" on VRBO concern you?

[chris7]

I'm looking into renting a pool home this christmas in the formosa gardens general area. I've been looking at VRBO to get a sense of prices and homes in the different neighborhoods.

Some VRBO owners seem to be good about asking folks to send in comments. I know these can potentially be faked, but on the whole I think they are probably real guest comments. It seems to show a pride in ownership for the property to keep the comments current. Also it seems to show that the owners are hands on in the running of the property even if they are in a different state.

Does it concern you when a property has no guest comments at all or the ones that are there are two years out of date?

A LOT of properties have no comments or out of date comments and I have no idea what to think about that.

 

[Brian Noble]

Not necessarily, because the owner controls the comments. I base my decision more on the "vibe" I get in correspondence---that has to be prompt, professional, and courteous.

 

[sympatico]

If there's comments then that's ok but if there isn't I don't care. I look at a lot of things. How well it's advertised on vrbo and other sites, look at how long they've owned it, what kind of response I get from the owners.
You can always ask the owner for references.

 

[yasuern]

The same rental property could be on many sites - so if I rented/found accomadations on VRBO I would tend to return to this site to comment but if I found the rental on say Orlandovillas.com I'd return there to put my comments.


I tend to look at 4 things

1. Do the have their own website(not a management company w/many rentals - just their rental)

2. Is this rental being booked - I feel if a rental is booked more it may be a more popular rental.

3. The ability to communicate DIRECTLY with the owner - many use management companies but I need to have had contact with the actual owner prior to rental

4. Do they stay there themselves at times?



Now mostly We stay onsite (DVC owners) but I have stayed off site for last minute trips and when no availibilty for the dates we wanted to travel.


To give you an idea of what I mean here are 2 links


1 - for condos/townhomew at windsor hills

http://www.vacationcentralflorida.com/

1. for a house near wdw

http://www.chattysdream.com/


I like these sites/people feel comfortable with their rental terms and can reach themif needed



Sue