Hmmm...am I being too inquisitive??

[quietgirll]

Ok, so I have our WH choices narrowed down to a handful, and so I sent out an email last night asking a few questions to the ones left. Essentially, I asked about pool heat, keys, management company, grills, payment process, what needed to be done before leaving (sheets washed/towels washed/etc,),home location, and if we would be able to use the resort facilities (I just didn't feel right asking-have you paid your fees?lol). I had found all these questions on this board, and they were things I wanted to know. One of the owners emailed me back, and did answer most of the questions, but in regards to the location of the home she said they were very close to clubhouse, it takes 3-4 min to walk over, but then at the end of the email she said "I am little reluctant to give out our address, especially when you listed as 2 people with no kids and ask abnormal questions than usual. I hope you understand" I didn't mean to ask anything I shouldn't, or come off creepy or anything, but nobody else said anything like that (and I didn't ask for the actual address, only the location in the resort, so her initial answer would have sufficed), so I'm not sure if I am making a faux pas by asking these questions or not any thoughts?

 

[Upatnoon]

Ok, so I have our WH choices narrowed down to a handful, and so I sent out an email last night asking a few questions to the ones left. Essentially, I asked about pool heat, keys, management company, grills, payment process, what needed to be done before leaving (sheets washed/towels washed/etc,),home location, and if we would be able to use the resort facilities (I just didn't feel right asking-have you paid your fees?lol). I had found all these questions on this board, and they were things I wanted to know. One of the owners emailed me back, and did answer most of the questions, but in regards to the location of the home she said they were very close to clubhouse, it takes 3-4 min to walk over, but then at the end of the email she said "I am little reluctant to give out our address, especially when you listed as 2 people with no kids and ask abnormal questions than usual. I hope you understand" I didn't mean to ask anything I shouldn't, or come off creepy or anything, but nobody else said anything like that (and I didn't ask for the actual address, only the location in the resort, so her initial answer would have sufficed), so I'm not sure if I am making a faux pas by asking these questions or not any thoughts?

Nothing is wrong with asking questions, but i've seem similar threads to yours. I think one of the reactions to being asked lots of questions is to be defensive or suspicious -- and the coldness of email makes it worse. Individual property owners like this are often not experts at customer service. They are offering up their lovely home, and here you come, poking holes at it!

Anyhow, that's my 2 cents.

 

[horseshowmom]

I agree that there's nothing wrong with your questions. In fact, they're reasonable and certainly are things you want to know.

As the previous poster said, some handle questions better than others. Don't let it stop you from asking things you need to know. It's your money, and you shouldn't feel bad about asking questions.

ETA: If I were an owner, I wouldn't give out that address either. Of course, you didn't ask for the address so don't worry about it. If you particularly like that property, I wouldn't let the response keep me from renting the property.

 

[Pembo]

The owner I rented from had a lot of those questions answered on their website, including the building number. I asked some of the other questions as well. I wouldn't worry about it...

 

[dfarner]

I think your questions were valid. I have rented condos in Alabama, never Orlando, but have asked those same questions. I have never done a tax record search before I've rented, but another Dis'er made that suggestion on another thread and it makes perfect sense. I don't know if you'd need a specific address to do that, or just the owner's name. If you want to look into that, you may need the address. Maybe someone with more knowledge on the process will chime in.

 

[dfarner]

Quietgirll I just scrolled to the next page of threads and saw that you already asked about taxes. You are on top of it!

 

[leanne11]

we've been asking alot of ?? also...we have a baby so its very important to me..some people offer nice responses some seem very rude...i don't take it to heart ..just move on...its funny how many owners advertise the baby equip. and then when i ask quest. about it they dont really have it or dont know anything about the equip...i had 1 owner who thinks i'm negotiating to get a good price when i ask some questions.. i just wrote back thanks..just trying to get answers not trying to negotiate...she later apol..and said too busy to answer any quest//it's ok..there's plenty to choose from...

 

[kidshop]

I think it is reasonable to ask all those questions! If you do a tax records search on the owners, the address of the home is listed so that is not super secret information. I searched for the owners of homes I was considering, to make sure they owned the home and the taxes were paid; they had a short term rental license and that they had no criminal or civil record. The renter in this case really has an advantage, but they have all your info too once you agree to rent.

It's a leap of faith on both sides that most often works out just fine. But I do use all sources available to me to screen first, rather than be sorry later.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I don't think there is anything wrong with asking those questions or with asking the address. When we rented a home in Indian Creek in Nov. the owner has 5 homes there, and I wanted the addresses so that I could look them up on googlemaps and see where they were located in the development. This was important to us as we wanted a home close to the entrance so that if my in-laws decided to go for a drive or come home from the parks early they would have no trouble finding it and did not have to drive around in the development for 10-15 minutes!

If the owner has an issues giving out their address I would just move along and find someplace else....there are hundreds of rental properties that have owners who are courteous and friendly and do not mind answering questions. For the amount of money you pay to rent there is no reason owners should act shady.

 

[Brian Noble]

It is fairly common for owners to be reluctant to give out specific addresses of rental homes (the address plus the occupancy calendar tells a thief everything they need to know about a good time to rob the house.) I would not read too much into the "tone" of an email response.

 

[PJMPA]

There are undesirables out there who ask for specific addresses to isolate properties that they know will be vacant on specific dates based on the associated availability calendar. They then break into the home knowing it is empty. Owners are advised by their management companies not to give out the specific addresses until after they receive a deposit. Some companies will not give out the address until the guest checks in.

Regarding prospective guests asking questions, most guests ask legitimate questions and that makes sense, especially for first time off-site renters. I sometimes wish I could ask the following questions of prospective guests but worry I might offend them:
-have you ever bounced a check?
-have you ever stopped payment on a credit card charge?
-do you allow your children (or do you like to) to eat/drink while sitting on the sofa/chair/bed?
-do you like to party?
-do you like to set the AC real low or the pool heat real high?
-do you generally maintain a neat and orderly home?
-do you plan on having friends or family join you?
-have you ever stolen anything?
-have you ever damaged somebody else's property?
etc...etc...etc...
I suspect many prospective guests would be offended by these questions but all are relevant from the homeowner's point of view.

 

[kidshop]

There are undesirables out there who ask for specific addresses to isolate properties that they know will be vacant on specific dates based on the associated availability calendar. They then break into the home knowing it is empty. Owners are advised by their management companies not to give out the specific addresses until after they receive a deposit. Some companies will not give out the address until the guest checks in.

Regarding prospective guests asking questions, most guests ask legitimate questions and that makes sense, especially for first time off-site renters. I sometimes wish I could ask the following questions of prospective guests but worry I might offend them:
-have you ever bounced a check?
-have you ever stopped payment on a credit card charge?
-do you allow your children (or do you like to) to eat/drink while sitting on the sofa/chair/bed?
-do you like to party?
-do you like to set the AC real low or the pool heat real high?
-do you generally maintain a neat and orderly home?
-do you plan on having friends or family join you?
-have you ever stolen anything?
-have you ever damaged somebody else's property?
etc...etc...etc...
I suspect many prospective guests would be offended by these questions but all are relevant from the homeowner's point of view.

Once you have a renters info, you could certainly search to see if they had a record or were wanted for anything like check fraud. As for the rest of your questions, you can specify in your rental agreement about guests and cleanliness etc. And the security deposit and the nightly rate should cover the rest, right?

The last home I rented had the entire rental amount (plus deposit) 60 days prior to check in, enough time to know if a check bounced or a charge reversed.