Newbie ? on Windsor Palms rental/transactions

[szvers]

I have searched through the windsor palms florida.net owners website and have been put in touch with owners who are emailing me with their rates. I prefer their rates to the ones I get at villadirect, but I am a little hesitant to just send a check to a stranger. Is this safe?

Maybe that is why villadirect charges more b/c people don't have to be so reticent.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[sympatico]

Check out their names on the Osceola County tax site to make sure they own the property.: http://www.property-appraiser.org/
There's also the tax collector site: https://www.osceola.county-taxes.com/tcb/app/pt/main

Find out who their management company is and call them to verify the owners.
Ask if you can pay by credit card or PayPal through the management company.
Ask for references (email addresses) for those that have stayed there. Usually the website will have a guest comments site and some have left their email addresses also.
Post the home on these boards and see if anyone else has stayed there.

Also going through rental companies doesn't guarantee that you're going to get what you want. We prefer dealing with owners so that we know the exact house we're getting and where it is. Good luck

 

[mtmbyck]

We have been renting homes directly from owners for about 8 years. Absolutely no problem providing cheques or visas. Just make sure you have read testimonials and that you have spoken on the phone with them.

 

[szvers]

Anyone use villa.us? I tried to post the link but my post count is too low.

 

[szvers]

2305 butterfly palms way. Any opinions on this one?

Thanks again. I did check the tax website and this guy does own it.

 

[sympatico]

I've never used that website. Usually use vrbo for Kissimmee
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee
or www.homeaway.com put in Kissimmee and then you can pick the subdivision. There's also www.greatrentals.com
Homeaway has a guarantee that any home that's listed on any of their websites is legit. You can register after making your booking. Along the top of the page is a list of the sites that are part of the homeaway family.
http://guarantee.homeaway.com/

 

[mtmbyck]

Be leary of Windsor Palms as it is right beside a large water Filtration area (sewage) - you can see it on google earth. I know someone that said they smelled it the whole trip. This is why Windosr Hills is more poular - and it is newer.

I agree to use www.vrbo.com (vacation rental by owners).

 

[szvers]

I'd like to try windsor hills for the first time. Windsor Palms I have stayed twice and no smell.

 

[davinakb]

I'd like to try windsor hills for the first time. Windsor Palms I have stayed twice and no smell.

Stayed Windsor Palms once, last Christmas/New Years and did not notice a smell; area seemed nice enough, new entrance going over the toll road. Trying Emerald Island next month, and looking for Windsor Hills in October. FWIW.

 

[szvers]

Decided I would pay more for Windsor Hills over Windsor Palms, already having stayed at the latter.

Went with Florida Sun Vacations. I guess I was just not ready to deal directly with an owner yet. I think I got scared b/c there was so little left for the week after Easter. I'll start earlier next year.

Good to have a booking at an affordable price and now I can start getting excited.

thanks to everyone who gave advice. It was all appreciated.