Help!!!!!!! (Updated-need replies please)

[momlvsdsny]

Ok, I posted asking for links to just put out one inquiry and get back responses from home owners, to help me save time. That was fine and very helpful. I got a quote back from one for $1200 for two weeks (that was for 6 nights paid one night free per week) I thought hey "great" deal!!! Well, others are now emailing me, that that might not be "legit" or too good to be true, etc. I have gotten warned about scams, no way owner could offer it at peak season for that rate (we will be there end of july til 2nd week in August) and now I am scared of everything I read or get that might even remotely seem like a good deal, for fear of being ripped off. The last thing I want to do is travel from Ohio clear down there with DH and 5 kids, to be scammed!!! I was looking at homes/villas with private pool, so as to keep the kids entertained while we are not at Disney, without having to worry about them disturbing anyone else in a hotel/townhome type setting, where I would have people on either side of me in close proximity. Any advice??? Thank you so much in advance!!

Thanks everyone! What happened with this is I put in my general inquiry for 5 nights first, as then we were going to go stay on the coast for the second week. Well, that was going to be a little pricier than what we wanted. I got the quote from this owner then, but when I answered their personal email to me, to tell them we had changed our minds was staying put in whatever home we got for the whole two weeks, and to see if the two weeks were available instead, that was the rate I got. 600 for 6 nights with the 7th night free for each week. So then, when I went back to the general inquiries to change it for the two weeks instead, I used that as a base for my inquiry, not to get that rate or lower, but to say that is what I have to go on so far, would appreciate and quotes for that 2week time frame. I got legitimate quotes, some not very nice things said to me, etc. I even had one owner send me to locostvillas.com -- which I thought was just another site to put in an inquiry. Well IT IS NOT!!! I thought it was very rude actually. All I wanted, as I have not done this for Disney before (we have stayed offsite, but at hotels, not villas) was somewhere nice, big enough for my husband and I and 5 kids, with amenities that would keep them entertained for the times we are not at Disney. Actually the reason I just didnt jump on the 600 quote a week I got, was that the house just didnt have all that I was looking for for the kids I will have with me.
Now my question is this: I know alot of you have done this before (rented villas) can you tell me the sites you used that you had great experiences with?? Even suggestions on villas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
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[isla bonita]

There are many deals out there I hear it all the time. Ask questions of the home owner check Oseola county if they indeed own a home call their man/co. So you can feel ok

 

[horseshowmom]

I paid $480 total the third week of June last year for a 4 BR/3 BA with screened pool in a gated community.

I did use a credit card (a 3% charge), so I could dispute the charge if there was a problem. There wasn't, and we have recommended the property to others.

Remember, scams can work both ways (like somebody trying to talk you out of somebody else's property).

 

[Robinrs]

I got quotes for as low as $100 a night for 4BR houses for July 4th week! There are deals to be had out there, just make sure everything checks out.

 

[momlvsdsny]

Robinrs, I have read a couple of your posts, and it seems you are looking for about the same kind of thing I am. How do you handle the quotes you are getting, I mean as far as knowing if they are legit, whether or not it is on the up and up??? Like I said, I got a few that are really low 600-800 (for peak, that seems fair to me) but then I get others who are telling me that is way too low (well the 600 one). I am finding all this very overwhelming. Any advice? Thanks! BTW, did you find one with internet access yet? I have received a few that had internet advertised, if you have a laptop. If you want, PM me and I will double check the replies I have saved and forward any on to you that might meet what you need. I know you said you are taking your Uncle, but I dont remember quite what all you said you were looking for.

 

[kilee]

I don't think anything about that price screams scam. Many owners do offer good deals, even in peak and holiday times. There are so many homes available that many will offer rock bottom prices to get theirs filled.

 

[JANNYANS]

You can check ownership on the appropriate county site and the detail there should tally with what you may already know.
Kilee is correct when she says there are owners who will offer very low rates just to get a booking and their reasons for doing so are theirs and no other owners should be passing comment on it IMO .If you find a home that suits and check it out and the owners only asks for $600 what can you do but pay?

 

[momlvsdsny]

Thanks everyone! What happened with this is I put in my general inquiry for 5 nights first, as then we were going to go stay on the coast for the second week. Well, that was going to be a little pricier than what we wanted. I got the quote from this owner then, but when I answered their personal email to me, to tell them we had changed our minds was staying put in whatever home we got for the whole two weeks, and to see if the two weeks were available instead, that was the rate I got. 600 for 6 nights with the 7th night free for each week. So then, when I went back to the general inquiries to change it for the two weeks instead, I used that as a base for my inquiry, not to get that rate or lower, but to say that is what I have to go on so far, would appreciate and quotes for that 2week time frame. I got legitimate quotes, some not very nice things said to me, etc. I even had one owner send me to locostvillas.com -- which I thought was just another site to put in an inquiry. Well IT IS NOT!!! I thought it was very rude actually. All I wanted, as I have not done this for Disney before (we have stayed offsite, but at hotels, not villas) was somewhere nice, big enough for my husband and I and 5 kids, with amenities that would keep them entertained for the times we are not at Disney. Actually the reason I just didnt jump on the 600 quote a week I got, was that the house just didnt have all that I was looking for for the kids I will have with me.
Now my question is this: I know alot of you have done this before (rented villas) can you tell me the sites you used that you had great experiences with?? Even suggestions on villas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[tednvon]

Hello, this is not a sure fire check, but if you could let us know what developement the home is in, that may help...also, find out which management company handles the home and call them. They probably would not tell you if the home is a bit run down, but certainly would confirm the home indeed is a rental that they manage...good luck...and yes there are many deals to be had for homes...I am afraid many good folks have purchased very nice homes and condos with some type of assurance or claim that that there would no problem with rental volumn...those who make it work must do a great deal of work on the internet and make deals when they can...

All the best...Ted

 

[momto4obkids]

I used www.fabvillas.com and did a general inquiry. We ended up picking house #3398 if you want to take a look. It's in glenbrook resort which is off hwy 27,but we don't mind being a little farther out from the action. The owners have been great and she gave me a much lower rate than what it states on their rates page,and i didn't even ask for a discount! We are paying $525 for seven nights from May 28-June 4

hth!
Amanda

 

[tednvon]

Amanda, WOW..looks like a wonderful home. This is one of the newer developements north of 192 on Hwy 27. It will be just north of a big Wal Mart a couple of miles. Disney World will be directly west of you about 5 miles but you will need to travel south to 192 and then east to get to the parks...at least 15-20 minutes. There are lots more stop lights now on both 27 and 192 and traffic can move a little slowly at times. IMHO traffic going to your home from Disney will get very very backed up on 192 between 4 and 6 PM as folks are heading home from work to the Clermont area, so avoiding those times might be wise.

This home looks very new and has all the extras, King bed, game room, HGTV.

Fabvillas and the other very reputable "by owner" monitor their clients closely and there is no way someone would do this extenxive a website, let you call them directly and not be totally legitimate...
FYI..do a "search" here for "Sherberth Road" to get the shortcut to Disney.

You will love it!!!

Ted

 

[horseshowmom]

I used www.fabvillas.com and did a general inquiry. We ended up picking house #3398 if you want to take a look. It's in glenbrook resort which is off hwy 27,but we don't mind being a little farther out from the action. The owners have been great and she gave me a much lower rate than what it states on their rates page,and i didn't even ask for a discount! We are paying $525 for seven nights from May 28-June 4

hth!
Amanda

Looks great! We don't mind staying out on 27 at all. Quite frankly, the money that I save more than makes up for it. Have a great trip!

 

[kilee]

I'd check the sites like:

www.vrbo.com
www.onlinefloridavillas.com
www.orlandovillas.com

We've rented multiple times in those area's. The houses we've rented though are no longer available on the sites we used. So, I cannot link to them.

 

[momto4obkids]

Thanks for the info Ted! The house is brand new! Finished in Dec. 2005! We are the first paying customers to stay in it! The owners stayed in it in march,but that's it!I have checked the county records and the house really is there,lol! I have also called the management company,twice.Also,emailed the management a few times and it has all been excellent so far. So, i wouldn't hesitate to recommend them even though i haven't stayed in it yet!


Amanda

 

[momlvsdsny]

Amanda & Ted and others who have helped me with this, THANK YOU!! I also emailed the owners to see if the dates I need are available. The drive doesnt bother me at all, like I said, we have always stayed offsite (one of these days we will stay on!!) so the extra time doesnt bother me. I am not feeling QUITE as overwhelmed as before. I hope to pick the one we want and get it taken care of before this weekend. Thanks for all the help, you guys are great!!

 

[Robinrs]

Robinrs, I have read a couple of your posts, and it seems you are looking for about the same kind of thing I am. How do you handle the quotes you are getting, I mean as far as knowing if they are legit, whether or not it is on the up and up??? Like I said, I got a few that are really low 600-800 (for peak, that seems fair to me) but then I get others who are telling me that is way too low (well the 600 one). I am finding all this very overwhelming. Any advice? Thanks! BTW, did you find one with internet access yet? I have received a few that had internet advertised, if you have a laptop. If you want, PM me and I will double check the replies I have saved and forward any on to you that might meet what you need. I know you said you are taking your Uncle, but I dont remember quite what all you said you were looking for.

I'm so sorry I'm just seeing this! You are soooo sweet!

Yes, I said on my other thread that I DID find a house. I've done business with this company before and I know they're legit. In fact, I rented my first house from them back in 2002! It was right after 9/11 and lots of people were not travelling. I remember getting a really nice house for $600 for the whole week after Christmas!

This owner had just added Broadband access in her home, which is just what I needed. I also needed TVs in all of the bedrooms, 4 bedrooms, a private pool and in the area near Formosa Gardens. This one had it ALL! It was $125 a night and I was really in luck because nearly every house I tried for was already booked for 7/4 week!

I sure hope you find what you're looking for, too!