Rental home help

[Pooh Girl 71]

I hope I'm posting this in the right place.

We're going to WDW 4-10-03 to 4-18-03 and have now decided to get a pool home since my dad and sister are now going with us. There will be 6 of us total.

I found a 3 bedroom house, 8 miles from WDW gates, that has the pool heat and a computer with internet access for $550 plus tax for the week. It's a great deal. I spoke with the owners who seemed very nice last night.

Is there anything I should ask or make sure of prior to actually sending the deposit to book? Thanks!

 

[Shardeblil]

This is a very good price.

Can I ask exactly where it is, which development, as sometimes they say **miles and when you actually get there it is much further.

Have you looked at mapquest?

Just a thought

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Thanks for the reply.

The house is in Greater Groves. It doesn't look too far on the map.
Is that a longer distance than what they said (8 miles)? Thanks!!

 

[Shardeblil]

That is about right (maybe 10). It is up on US27.

 

[Robinrs]

That IS a great price. The Greater Groves is a bit far from the parks but for that rate it's worth the trip!

The things I usually ask:

I like a private pool area so I would ask what does the pool face. There are some pools that face an apartment building or the street, which is a BAD thing to me! If it doesn't matter to you, that's fine.

Asks about the phones if that is a concern also. I had a home with only one phone in it and it was in the kitchen! Loved those late night calls from my parents! Then I had a house with 4 phones and a voicemail. Also ask if they charge for local calls. I've had both.

Also ask about extra charges and their cancellation policy. This can change your rate considerably.

Otherwise, enjoy! This is a great rate for that time of year!

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Thanks for the replies! I don't mind the drive, we will be taking our own cars.

I have another question, got another email today from a home owner in Doral Woods. It would be $800 (with tax and pool heat included) and that includes 2 master suites, one with a jacuzzi tub. How is this area? LOL cause I am certainly thinking about how my tired feet would enjoy the jacuzzi lol

Thanks!!!

 

[Shardeblil]

This one is on Poinciana between 15 - 20 miles from Disney, the other one is a lot closer.

The complex sounds very nice, but I have never been there, I will try to find out more information about it.

 

[karenvicki]

Although I don't know Doral Woods, everything else sounds great! We rented a house in Indian Creek in November and I made sure we had a jacuzzi. Good thing too; we used it every night after we put the kids to bed and it was just what the doctor ordered to rejuvinate our tired feet for the next day!

 

[FLeisure]

Pooh Girl,
Have to say that a 3 bed home for $ 78 per night in April is a) a fantastic rate for you and b) sheer stupidty by an owner who is desperate for a booking. Out of the $ 78 per night the owner has to pay $ 9.36 in sales tax, assuming they are paying and they aren't even covering their monthly expenses on the remaining $66 a night.

Whenever I hear of such rates I very often wonder what is going on. Make sure you check the following :

1. The home is licensed by DBPR.
2. The homeowner has a management company in case of problems.

Greater Groves is approximately an 8-10 minute drive from the US 192 junction and depending on traffic on US 192 you wil be at Disney in 25mins to an hour. Usually the lower figure is the better guideline but you are approaching Easter when you are visiting and it may well be busier.

 

[Gillian]

FLeisure, how are bookings this year? I know April is very busy in general, but how is it for the owners with homes a bit further out? It seems like Windsor Palms is all the rage these days.

Is it better for an owner to take less money & have the unit rented? Or to let it go vacant if the asking price doesn't attract anyone? I understand that most expenses remain the same from month to month, whether you rent out the place or not, but what expenses are added by having renters? Cleaning fee? Increased electricity?

 

[FLeisure]

Hi Gillian !
Very loaded question and one that I probably won't be able to go into much detail about on here !

Generally speaking we have been very encouraged by the number of bookings we have taken for this year already. Of course, events in the Middle East can lead to a stagnation but people really shouldn't cancel their vacations because of the actions of politicians.

Windsor Palms does seem to be doing OK but I've heard from people who don't want to stay on a resort. Personally I don't think the mix is right and although many people on here profess to love the experience, it is turning out to be something less than promised for the people who bought property on there. I can see that a clubhouse, a large pool and one or two other amenities that the place provides is going to attract certain people but I think that there are too many condo's /townhouses in the mix. Having said that, it's renting well so it can't be all bad !

As far as renting at low prices then I think these people are kidding themselves. Most folks are content if they can cover the mortgage and running costs but you also have to think about wear and tear. Frankly, no 3 bed home should ever rent below $99 a night from an economical standpoint but $ 89 a night was being taken in the last quarter of last year as rentals were the worst they have been in years.

It is a decision for each individual homeowner of course and the people renting are getting some gret deals at present. The bit that concerns me is the owners who may be prepared to cut corners to make ends meet. Make sure the house is licensed is priority question number one and making sure there is someone on hand to help in case of a problem is number two !

I can't really comment on owners further out to any great degree but the above is a summary of my experience based on the all of the properties that we manage that are within a 10 minute drive of WDW.

As for your questions in regard to other expenses...I'd probably need all night to go into the detail I'd like but the moderators won't like that ! Email me if you need more info.

 

[Shardeblil]

I am an owner and I would just like to say, that personally, I could not rent out very low.

Yes, it is better to have the home empty than to put guests in, with very low rates.

We already have to pay a mortgage, taxes, licences, maintenance fees etc........the list goes on.......... if you rent to someone at a very low rate on top of these costs, you still have increased bills, cleaning fees and the taxes you pay when you have guests in.

Most people think that owners can afford to drop their prices to rock bottom and are just being greedy, but to be honest most owners are only trying to cover their costs, if you have a llittle left over this would go towards the new furniture, linen, towels, etc; which guests expect to be re-newed regularly and they seem to forget about the added expenses.

Honestly, we are just normal people trying to cover our costs, believe me you would never make a profit on renting villas.
We rent out to people to help with the costs, and also, it makes me feel good to think that I have helped someone achieve their dream holiday and to stay in a wonderful villa, because in all honesty Villas are cheaper for families than a hotel room and they have the added bonus of having their own pool and their own space!

We love our villa and I am sure that most owners do

 

[FLeisure]

Shardeblil,
Thanks for that. It is absolutely true that most owners struggle to make ends meet and that most owners are happy as long as the house doesn't cost them too much each year.

I would say that about 65% of my owners manage to break even over the year, 2% make a profit and the others dip into their pockets to finance their Florida dream.

I have to say I get a little annoyed when I read of some of the deals people shop around here but I do appreciate that they want the most for their money ! The reality of the situation is that a home is so much better than staying in a hotel and is generally cheaper by far, yet people still want to grind the last dollar out of us / the owner !

Free enterprise !!

 

[momto4obkids]

Then i guess you would be extremely annoyed with the rate i got on the the vacation home we are staying in Feb23-March 2

But,i figure if the owner is offering the great rate (i didn`t request it) then why not snatch it up?


4br 3bath
pool heat for the week
2 days of green fees
all taxes included
there is a management company
it`s licensed

All for $644! I just squeeked into their off season pricing.

It`s not right next to disney but i don`t mind that. The owner is so nice,about 5 minutes after i emailed her to inquire about the house she called me all the way from Germany!


Amanda

 

[Shardeblil]

Hi Amanda

I'm glad that you got a good deal, it is human nature for us all to look around for the best bargain

All I wanted to say is that, as owners, we are not greedy, just trying to cover our costs, and as stated before, some owners have more expense, eg: bigger mortgages.

Hope you have a wonderful vacation and the home is all you could wish for

 

[momto4obkids]

Shardeblil,

I am just so glad there are homeowners like you that are willing to share their homes with others! No way would i be able to handle seven nights in a little hotel room with my 8,5,4 and 2 year olds!lol

I think my husband and i would have a nervous breadown,they need lots of room to spreed out otherwise they pester each other nonstop.



Amanda

 

[Gillian]

Thanks for your replies! I like to understand how these things work, behind the scenes. We've looked into buying regular rental properties near home, but a vacation rental is so different! My husband says I'm nosy, but I prefer to call it curious

I can't wait to travel with a large enough group to need a rental home! It just isn't cost effective with 3 people

 

[FLeisure]

Gillian,

If you are seriously contemplating this, the first thing I would say to you is don't rush into anything. Take your time and really assess why you would be looking to purchase a home here.
Most people buy because they think they can get someone else to pay for the house, ie., by renting it out to them but there is so much more to it than that !

In principle it sounds as if you can't go wrong but there are many pitfalls and many potential disaster areas !

If you would like more information on the whole process I have two information packages that I could send you. Just PM or email me.

As regards three people.....I suppose it depends on what type of accommodation you are used to staying in. I don't want to be rude but if you are used to staying in $20-$60 a night motels then a home is, on the surface expensive. However, if you are used to staying in better hotels where rates vary from $80 a night upwards then a home is absolutely the best deal.

A home for 3 people can be obtained from $ 89 a night and as you have seen, lower on some occassions. For this you get at least three seperate bedrooms, at least two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and laundry, television in at least one room, a dining room, etc plus the biggest attraction...... your own private swimming pool. Also homes usually start at around 1500 square feet......now compare that with what you get in a motel/hotel or with what you pay staying on Disney property and you start to realise just what a deal you are getting !

 

[UKDEB]

Pooh Girl,

I have a <i>whole</i> list of things to check out and <i>must haves</i> each time I rent a villa. <b>But</b>, and it's a BIG but, only because I have done it so many times that I add to my list each time I go. My first rental experience, when I was in blissful ignorance, was every bit as wonderful as the latest with my huge list of requirements!

Just go along with a determination to chill out and have a great time! Just be sure, as has already been mentioned, that there is a reliable local management company to call on in case of any hiccups.

Have fun!

 

[100%Disney]

I am in the same boat, looking into renting a home instead of paying for a hotel room, our Christmas trip would have been perfect if we had somewhere bigger to stay. Has anyone heard of Elite Rentals? I found their website, they have really good prices, they also guarantee satisfaction or they'll move you to a different home. Also, some of the cancellation policies are strict. theirs is not. You can cancel up to a week prior. Suggestions please.