I get so nervous renting a villa

[kilee]

Tomorrow I'm sending out my booking form and deposit for the villa we picked for our January trip. Another helpful diser gave me some info to verify my villa's owner. I am just so stressed. We've done this before, and I was stressed then too. I just worry so much that it will come down to the 3 weeks before our trip and the owner will of vanished and I won't get my arrival check-in info. Then I'm also afraid there won't be a villa when we arrive in Orlando.
Anyone else have these fears when they rent the pool homes? Tell me I'm not crazy .

 

[isla bonita]

I can not say I have ever been in your shoes the first time my mom paid for the home, the second time we stayed in a home rent free we were in the process of buying a rental home, but being the owner myself now I worry that the people I have rented to respect my property as they would their own home.
Like you I also worry. I can not say every one out there is ethical. There are no guarantees, but I have met some of the most wonderful people who own villas and they are doing their best to reaffirm that renting a home can be the best vacation you could ever experience. Hopefully there are enough people who can attest that they had good experiences. Keep in touch with the owner and maybe that can make you feel some what better. Hope you can relax some and have a great vaca.
Isla Bonita

 

[JANNYANS]

I can understand where you are coming from too -it is a big leap of faith by both parties when doing this but if you keep in contact with your owner you will be fine.The network of owners is a big one and if there is a problem -as experienced recently by ones diser- the word spreads both amongst owners and guests so if there was problem it would not be hidden.I have recently helped someone -not from here -track down and hunt the owner of a rental agency that was not playing by the rules and believe me if that name comes up here I will not hesitate to pass on the information I know in order to help ensure someones vacation will not be ruined.
As Isla said not every one is ethical -not even agencies - but the majority of owners go out od their way to make the experience as painfree and smooth as possible.
Go ahead and enjoy your vacation Kilee.

 

[debden]

Yes I remember the first time we rented it was directly from the owner.They gave us directions/map to their home and the lock box instructions. Well we got to Hampton Lakes dev. on highway 27 and we drove around for over one and a half hours looking for the house! My sister and I thought we had been taken.And that wasn't a pleasant thought sitting in Orlando with the feeling we had no where to stay or go! Well we did (finally) find our rental home after going in circles for so long.To say the least we were very happy and releived to see the house really did exist! And every time we would leave the house we got lost trying to find it coming back in....wow,talk about a bad sense of direction on our part!
But I am sure your rental home experience will be a good one.The owners are great to deal with and try to make your stay in their home as pleasant as possible.
Debbie

 

[kilee]

First, thank you JANNYANS- the info you gave me checked out to a "T". I did send my deposit so I can only hope for the best. We did this once before and I had the same nagging worries. Now, off to plan the rest of my trip.

 

[riu girl]

kilee (or anyone else)
Would you mind sharing with me how to verify the credibility of the owner?
We are privately renting a condo in SW Florida for two weeks later this year. I paid my deposit back in the spring but have to pay the rest by the middle of November. The deposit was such a small amount, I didn't even think about it, but now I have to hand over a large sum of $ for the balance.
It sad that I am even concerned. Every email I have had from the owner has been informative and professional. I know that I should have no reason to be concerned.
I understand that this is also a leap of faith for the owner. I have only been asked for a $300 damage deposit. Considering the furnishings and home electronics in the condo, the owner must also have a lot of faith.
Thank you
Suzy V.

 

[riu girl]

Please ignore last post. I jsut saw the thread about this topic listed further down the page.