Question about VRBO

[AJKMOM]

I was looking thru the VRBO web site, and wondered if there was some sort of assurance in place so that if you rented from someone listed, were you certain they weren't going to misrepresent themselves and rip you off.

DIS'ers seem to feel you get the best deal if you rent directly from the owner, but how do you know if they are legit? The old "what you see is what you get". Any thoughts?

 

[TinkerBellToo2]

You can do a property search in the community where the home is to find out who owns the property you would like to rent, just put in the name of the person you are renting from. It will tell you all you need to know about the owner and the home.

I have rented from VRBO many times and have never had a problem. There is nothing like renting your own villa for your vacation there is so much roommmmmmmmmmmm

Just go to the Property Appraiser website for the county where you will be renting.

 

[Brian Noble]

Think of VRBO as a big "virtual bulletin board". Owners put up postings of their houses for you to contact them. VRBO is nothing more than the place the postings go.

You need to do your own due diligence. I find that a 3 minute phone call tells me pretty much everything I need to know, though I typically check with the county clerk's office to verify ownership as well.

 

[Lisa06468]

I found one on this board - based on a couple of others who stayed there and liked it. They even sent me pictures from their trip with pics of the TH. Do searches on here, see where people have stayed and chat with them. Could be time consuming to find exactly what you want, but at least that way you'll know its legit.

 

[Freaky]

I would agree - have a look at the reviews here on the DIS for first hand experience of different places. VRBO is massive and very time consuming to go through but offers loads of different options. Another to try is www.homeaway.com as you can select from a list of requirements you want, to get a sorter list in an area which can sometimes be quite helpful

 

[sympatico]

I was looking thru the VRBO web site, and wondered if there was some sort of assurance in place so that if you rented from someone listed, were you certain they weren't going to misrepresent themselves and rip you off.

DIS'ers seem to feel you get the best deal if you rent directly from the owner, but how do you know if they are legit? The old "what you see is what you get". Any thoughts?

Along with what everyone else has said you can also get a guarantee from them. HomeAway and its community of websites which are listed on the following website have a guarantee against fraud.
http://guarantee.homeaway.com/
I don't think it would cover misrepresentation, just if they actually own it or not. Check out the website for yourself and read the fineprint.

 

[isla bonita]

When renting ask questions, check ownership, post on here get as much info as possible.

 

[HGLightlyj]

I rented a condo in Panama City Beach through VRBO and the condo exceeded my expectations. My first time with VRBO though. The rental was managed by a local Realtor for the owner and the realtor made sure the condo was cleaned and in good condition for the owner. I will admit I am a little leery renting from an out of state owner without local representation but that feeling is not based on experience - just my basic comfort level.

 

[JANNYANS]

Without an local representative - an out of state owner would be in right mess as they need someone to clean the home check all is well and keep the lawn and pool clean and tidy and maybe pay their bills for them.I can't think that any owner -unless they live very close -would operate without local reps.