Please explain how payment for house rentals with no broker works!

[Kellydelly]

I put my inquiry for a rental home into fabvillas.com and got a slew of offers. None of those rentals include a broker, though. How can I just send someone $1,000 that I don't know? There doesn't seem to be any protection for me in the transaction. I found a gorgeous 5 bedroom home for only $650 per week including pool heat and taxes. I'd love to rent it, but it seems like such a risk to me to do so with no middleman. Can anyone advise me on how this works or how I can go through with this transaction not being petrified of getting ripped off?

 

[Mainebound]

This transaction requires trust on both sides, remember. You could give them a bogus check or credit card, trash their house, etc. Our experience is that we like to talk to the owner on the telephone. We like to see recommendations entered on the villa website preferably by the renter themselves, and we have contacted the previous renters via email. Always these renters were happy to tell us how great the home is. You can also try to get the address from the owner and look the house up on Google satellite to make sure it is there! Although often owners do not give you the address until you pay the deposit or pay in full. You can look for owners that take credit cards via paypal, as you may get some additional security there. You can take out trip insurance (we always do when renting homes) and make sure the policy covers this sort of thing.

We always have several email exchanges with owners asking LOTS of questions before we rent. If an owner were to be very late in answering email, or curt or unhelpful, we wouldn't rent from them. (but that's never actually happened). Add to that a brief telephone chat, and you do feel like you sort of know the person.

I have been reading boards for renters and owners for three years and the worst trouble I ever saw was a dispute over $100 for a stain on a carpet. The vast majority of people were very happy.

Hope these ideas help.

 

[reggaB]

$650.00 for a whole week sounds kinda of cheap.

What area is the house in? Could be aways out for that price.

My fanmily and I are staying in a 5 bdr house with pool anh spa but it is costing us about $1100 for the week. Of course we are real close to the parks at the new Windsor Hills community that has an awesome pool and clubhouse with all kinds of ammenities.

We rented directly from the owner also at the vrbo website, but the owner takes PayPal so that is the route we went.

Be sure to check where the location of this house is before you book.


Good Luck,

Michael Dammes

 

[Kellydelly]

This home is in Westhaven, about 15 minutes south of Disney. We will actually be spending more time at Universal than Disney so I figured being right near I4 was a good thing. Windsor Hills is really close. Are you going at a time that is "hot" like during winter or spring break? We are going in early March.

 

[Cherylzw]

Hi Kellydelly!

I own a vacation home and I agree it is a bit scary to pay someone that kind of money.

The best thing is to rent from sites that makes us, owners, verify our homes every 6 months. We have to send proof to the site owners to prove we still own the homes we are advertising. Call the owner and talk to them.

Sites that do verification of homes are: www.onlinefloridavillas.com
www.disneypremiervillas.com

Also, please keep in mind it does take trust on both sides too.

Good luck choosing a vacation home!! You are going to love it!!

 

[isla bonita]

Not sure I can tell you anything that will ease your worry. I think anything can happen to any one. I have been on fabvillas since its conception. The gentleman who owns the site has a very good reputation. I do not think he would allow any one on his site if he found out the home was fraudulant. I am not sure this will ease your thought but as a home owner if I hear anything about any one I would be the first one to post. I have met some of the nicest people through owning our home. They keep there properties in wonderful condition and try to update to higher standards. If you found the home on fabvillas I really think you are ok. Deb

 

[kilee]

It really is a trust issue. We've done it both in the WDW area and other places we've traveled to as well. I always get really nervous right before the trip. BUT I try to verify as much info ahead of time as possible. It is all you can really do. I also like to stay in constant touch every few weeks to a month too.

As for the rate-- that sounds about right. Especially for a bit farther from disney. I know we've rented in Emerald Island and Hampton Lakes. The hous in Hampton Lakes (Davenport) was twice the size and $600 for 2 nights longer. The flip side-- it did take us 15-18 minutes to get to Disney rather than 5. However, it was an easy ride and I'd never hesitate to do it again. We found we like the Davenport area.

 

[traciedee]

FYI I just rented a 3 br condo at Windsor Hills for 8 nights in June for $685 total.
So I don't think that rate is so out of line.

 

[Kellydelly]

This transaction requires trust on both sides, remember. You could give them a bogus check or credit card, trash their house, etc.

Actually, we couldn't give the owners bogus funds. He has 7 wks to confirm that our funds are legit. He asked for a bank transfer, is that how payment is usually made?

 

[traciedee]

Kelly, I have rented condos/villas off VRBO for years all over the country. I also own a condo in Arizona and I advertise on VRBO. I personally, have never had a problem as a renter or an owner. But do your research and know what you are getting in to. Talk to the person you are thinking of renting from, send lots of emails, ask lots of questions, check the Orlando BBB for complaints and ask on tripadvisor if anyone has rented from that person or that unit. (They are another good resource for Orlando info) For a lot of owners (like me) these rentals are their vacation or retirement homes and this is just a way to help make the payments before they get to retire and live the good life....sigh......Also if there is a snake in the grass, like the guy from green Orange villas, Roger Colby--- people will talk about it on boards like this and trip advisor.

 

[JANNYANS]

Each owner will have their own preferred way of accepting funds so there is no usual way.As others have said it is a two way trust issue in renting homes.You could verify the person you are dealng with owns the home by checking the Polk county website where you can see the owners name and home address and cross reference it with what you know .There are site that verify the ownership for you by asking to see recent copies of utility bills that give the owners details and this is done every 6 months so they can keep up to date .I am not 100% sure of what difference a broker would make to you but cna you send a check to their management company if it makes you feel better -thats what I generaly get my US gusest to do if there are going to be bank charges or if they prefer to do it that way.Don't be frightened to ask the owner any questions you have to make you feel comfortable in your dealins with the owner .

 

[Kellydelly]

Thanks Jan! I was able to verify home ownership with the Polk County website. That makes me feel a lot better about the transaction. I did call and talk to the owner's property manager today too.

 

[riu girl]

I rented a condo for last month in Siesta Key that I found on vrbo and vacationrentals.com.

I emailed both of these web sites and confirmed how long the owner had their listing on the rental web site and if there had ever been any complaints from other tenants.
Also I contacted their emergency contact person/site inspector near the condo (since they live on the other side of the country) before I gave final payment.

I also offered personal references of my own to the owner but they did requie them.

As other posters have said, it id definately a 2 way street. We only had to pay a $300 security deposit (on top of the rental amount) for an amazing beautifully furnished condo.

Loved it so much, we have booked for 2 more weeks later this year.

 

[minnie29uk]

I also own a vacation home.Most renters seem happy to only communicate via e-mail.But I am happy to talk on the phone several times to reassure.There is the option to pay by credit card for many villas.Dont forget youll be sending cheque to villa owners address - if it was a P.O. box - no I wouldnt send it,
That does sound a very cheap price - so snap their hand off.
Have a great holiday,

Lynn

 

[minnie29uk]

FYI I just rented a 3 br condo at Windsor Hills for 8 nights in June for $685 total.
So I don't think that rate is so out of line.

Hi!
There is a big difference between a pool home and a condo - especially if pool heat is concerned.Private pools - especially oversized ones like mine - with a spa - do cost quite a bit to heat.

Lynn

 

[JANNYANS]

Kellydelly -Thats goodnews and I was pleased to be able to help put your mind at rest.You can now get on with planning your vacation

 

[traciedee]

Lynn not quite sure what your point was. Different places have different prices-- no doubt about that. I'm sure your place is very nice and worth what ever you charge and. And yes, I do recognize that a condo is different than a house with a pool...most folks do.