Rental Homes (or groups) to avoid?

[loriandmatt]

everyone seems to have several that they recomend and i have been pouring thru all that info. what i am wondering.....

what homes or goups would you avoid - just had one (or more)very bad experience with....or have just heard bad things about? (more than just one unsatisfied customer venting.)

 

[lalley7]

I'd like to bump this thread, this is the exact topic I'd be interested in hearing about, I too am in the process of looking for a home and have concerns about some of the issues I've read about, roaches, dirty linens....please anyone with some input?? I'm all ear

 

[sympatico]

Check out these threads from TripAdvisor about Greenorange villas:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g34515-i19-k1548141-Grren_Orange_Villas-Orlando_Florida.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...void_This_Rental_Company-Orlando_Florida.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi..._Florida_Switch_and_Bait-Orlando_Florida.html
This one covers two years of those that rented from them.

 

[dougsmom98]

Check out these threads from TripAdvisor about Greenorange villas:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g34515-i19-k1548141-Grren_Orange_Villas-Orlando_Florida.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...void_This_Rental_Company-Orlando_Florida.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi..._Florida_Switch_and_Bait-Orlando_Florida.html
This one covers two years of those that rented from them.

Oh my goodness. I can't even believe what I just read on some of those threads. Yikes.

 

[Frothy]

I've stayed and had far worse experiences in so called 4 and 5 star hotels. The vacation homes we have booked have always been spotlessly clean and on the odd occassion we have had a problem (blocked toilet) it was dealt with very quickly...within 20 mins.

My advice is to book a vacation home but we have always picked one of the most reputable companies when booking our home as a safeguard. I have heard of booking direct with owners but IMO, it's more difficult to check them out than a company.

I have to say I was nervous before I first booked but after the first time staying in a vacation home, my family will never stay in a hotel when visiting Disney again. I love my vacations in a great house and it gives me and my family so much more than a hotel room. I still can't work out how they do it so cheap... I've stayed in hotels that are far more expensive and offer far less in return.

 

[JANNYANS]

When booking direct with an owner you can find all their details on the appropriate county websites -tax collector and property appraiser.-You can ring them up at any time and get answers to questions from the one person who knows the home inside out -you can ask for references from previous guests -the name of the management company and put your mind at rest by contacting them.
In my experience a lot of the problems with homes rentals have come from companies -Green Orange is just one example -not dealing direct with owners-but I do understand it is a leap of faith if you are doing it for the first time .However the chances are you will get a better service and definitely a more personal one from renting direct as most owners will bend over backwards to help their guests.

 

[sympatico]

When booking direct with an owner you can find all their details on the appropriate county websites -tax collector and property appraiser.-You can ring them up at any time and get answers to questions from the one person who knows the home inside out -you can ask for references from previous guests -the name of the management company and put your mind at rest by contacting them.
In my experience a lot of the problems with homes rentals have come from companies -Green Orange is just one example -not dealing direct with owners-but I do understand it is a leap of faith if you are doing it for the first time .However the chances are you will get a better service and definitely a more personal one from renting direct as most owners will bend over backwards to help their guests.

I agree with renting from owners. The first few times when we didn't know much about it we went through companies but now it's only through the owners. Do all of the above to check everything out. All of the owners so far have been very nice and always ready to help if needed.

 

[chris7]

I'll put in a plug from renting direct from the owner. I loved the townhome we stayed at in Windsor Hills. One of the big pluses was a lockbox on the door. We were emailed the code about a week before we left and were able to let ourselves right in. No looking for an office, wondering if someone would be there when our flight got in late..... We had a couple of issues to get worked out after we arrived and the owner was always available by phone.

 

[Frothy]

What happens if you rent from an owner and you don't like the house or it isn't as promised?

This was a major factor in why we went with one of the management companies as we knew they could put us in another home.

 

[JANNYANS]

Each owner has to have a management company to look after the home in their absence.As with a large letting company the management company will also look after several homes and so in the event that the home you have booked has a problem severe enough to have you moved they will have other homes on their books.

 

[loriandmatt]

My advice is to book a vacation home but we have always picked one of the most reputable companies when booking our home as a safeguard.

Frothy - please share what those might be. i am clueless here and any direction would be most appriciated.

 

[loriandmatt]

Many are stating to rent from the owners as opposed to the rental company....can someone walk me thru that process. i am a total newbie here so dumb it down a bit.

how do i even find rental homes that i might be interested in?

do i locate a house at a rental site first and then go about tracking down the owner?

how do i track down the owner? and when i track them down, is it OK or rude to contact them directly? phone? e-mail?

is it ok or rude to ask for references from previous renters of their property?

seriously - i need it drawn out like you were explaining it to my 3 year old. i have no clue what so ever as to go about this.

(i do think though, that with the number of people going on this vaca, the fact that we don't want to be on top of each other and the prices we would pay for two to 3 value rooms at WDW, a vacation home is without question the right thing for us to do.)

 

[mareed]

Many are stating to rent from the owners as opposed to the rental company....can someone walk me thru that process. i am a total newbie here so dumb it down a bit.

how do i even find rental homes that i might be interested in?

do i locate a house at a rental site first and then go about tracking down the owner?

how do i track down the owner? and when i track them down, is it OK or rude to contact them directly? phone? e-mail?

is it ok or rude to ask for references from previous renters of their property?

seriously - i need it drawn out like you were explaining it to my 3 year old. i have no clue what so ever as to go about this.

(i do think though, that with the number of people going on this vaca, the fact that we don't want to be on top of each other and the prices we would pay for two to 3 value rooms at WDW, a vacation home is without question the right thing for us to do.)

There are several websites that put you in touch with owners so that you can rent directly from them instead of going through the managment company. Some cover many neighborhoods/resorts, and some are specific to only one. Some let you make a general inquiry (like to all 4 bedroom homes), and others have you make individual inquiries.

One that covers many neighborhoods where you'd make individual inquiries is www.vrbo.com. Look under Kissimmee for Windsor Palms, Windsor Hills, Emerald Island, Indian Creek, Formosa Gardens, etc. which are the places along with a few others disicussed here most frequently.

You can make general inquiries at the following:
http://www.windsorhillsrent.com
http://www.windsor-palms-florida.net/.

There are other websites used, but these are the main ones I've used, and I'm sure others here will provide more.

 

[chris7]

If you polled people I think you'd find that they spend a massive amount of time researching where to stay (I know I do). I think thats the key. Reseach, research, research. After reading hundreds of posts there start being standouts that consistantly get good reports. And standouts that consistantly get bad reports. After you make a short list of possiblilities you can start focusing on just those. Look at guest logs and contact people who have stayed there before. Ask specific questions on disboards.

It seems overwhelming at first, but it's worth the effort!

 

[dougsmom98]

Many are stating to rent from the owners as opposed to the rental company....can someone walk me thru that process. i am a total newbie here so dumb it down a bit.

how do i even find rental homes that i might be interested in?

do i locate a house at a rental site first and then go about tracking down the owner?

how do i track down the owner? and when i track them down, is it OK or rude to contact them directly? phone? e-mail?

is it ok or rude to ask for references from previous renters of their property?

seriously - i need it drawn out like you were explaining it to my 3 year old. i have no clue what so ever as to go about this.

(i do think though, that with the number of people going on this vaca, the fact that we don't want to be on top of each other and the prices we would pay for two to 3 value rooms at WDW, a vacation home is without question the right thing for us to do.)

We rent directly from owners. We have used vrbo.com and homeaway.com. There are so many homes out there and it can be overwhelming. First know how many bedrooms you would like and which area you would like to stay in. The Formosa Gardens area is probably the closest area to the parks and has communities like Windsor Palms, Windsor Hills, Emerald Isle, Formosa Gardens, Indian Creek to name a few. See if any of the properties in those communities are in your price range. If not, don't be afraid to look a little further out. We like staying in Davenport because we get more bang for out buck so to speak. Here is a map with the locations of the various communities:
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa-map.php
Once you start looking at lots of different listings, you will start to realize what is important to you. We like a king size master suite, TVs in all the bedrooms and a pool with a spa. This helps us narrow down the properties. When you have narrowed it down to four or five properties, you will want to email the owners for a quote. We always ask for a quote in US dollars that includes all taxes, fees, pool and spa heat (you may not need heat depending on what time of year you go). Once you get the quotes narrowed down based on price and amenities, you will want to check the tax records to be sure the owner is truly the owner. Here is a thread that gives two different sites to do this:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1742361
Don't be afraid to email the owners with lots of questions. I just spent the last week emailing an owner back and forth and asking questions. The owner's responses helped me make the decision to rent from them. Also don't be afraid to ask questions here. Many of us have rented directly from owners before.

 

[sympatico]

Here are a few other sites that have homes listed by their owners:
www.homeaway.com This is the main company which also has many others under it's wing ( for want of a better term ).
http://guarantee.homeaway.com/ They have a guarantee against fraud if you use their sites and register with them. Across the top of that page you'll see a list of all the other sites that you can use.
You can look for places in Kissimmee, Davenport and Clermont. The Kiss ones are the closest to Disney but Davenport and Clermont are within 20 min.
When you email an inquiry you are usually emailing the owner of the home. Most owners don't mind you asking anything. You usually fill out a form with your dates, how many, and any questions and they'll let you know if they have availability and how much and answer you questions.
You can check out the tax sites to confirm ownership of the property as Jannyans mentioned. Go with what she says, as a home owner she knows what she's talking about and has probably had many questions asked of her by those wanting to rent from her. She can't tell you that she's an owner because of DIS rules but you could send her a PM if you want to know specific things.
It does take time to check things out and compare homes and prices. Look at lots to see what amenities are available and then decide what location you want, how many bedrooms,what amenities, what price etc. Generally the closer to Disney the more expensive. Here's a map that will show you where the subdivision are:
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa-map.php

 

[Frothy]

Each owner has to have a management company to look after the home in their absence.As with a large letting company the management company will also look after several homes and so in the event that the home you have booked has a problem severe enough to have you moved they will have other homes on their books.

But what happens if you have paid the owner... won't you have to pay the management company again?

 

[Frothy]

Frothy - please share what those might be. i am clueless here and any direction would be most appriciated.

I researched a lot of companies on the web before choosing Florida Leisure as they seemed to have what we were looking for. One deciding factor was that Robinrs stayed there and she had great things to say on her post when she returned a few years ago. The house we first rented was on Sunset Lakes and it was really wonderful... lake view, 2 story and plenty of space. We wanted to rent the same house the year after but it was already rented so we ended up with a house on Cumbrian Lakes.

I have to say, it turned out to be absolutely fantastic. I'm already looking forward to our September trip and the week I'll enjoy beside the pool with a good book, a glass of wine and watching the sun go down.

Also, we've now become "Platinum" members at Florida Leisure so we now get the best deals. We also get nice little surprises from them all the time... not just when we are at the house and we really enjoying dealing with everyone there as they are so pleasant. They are a little more expensive than some of the other companies we got prices from but we absolutely love the house and the service they provide. After staying at some of the so called better hotels there really is no comparison. We save money, have more space and do what we want to do when we want to do it.

 

[JANNYANS]

But what happens if you have paid the owner... won't you have to pay the management company again?

Not necessarily the original owner will pay the other owner just as if an agent moves you you don't pay twice.The owner that ends up with the booking gets the money .

 

[chris7]

Here's my rationale for why I feel more comfortable renting from an owner then a management company....

The owner of the townhome I rent owns one other townhome in WH. Her local "manager" takes care of both her properties. He and his wife are the ones cleaning the homes and taking care of the pool. He is accountable for the condition of the home if there are any complaints.

Management companies who manage numerous homes have to have crews of workers to take care of all the various properties. Is an hourly worker in a cleaning job, that probably has massive turnover, going to be as attentive to the condition of a property? I just think the accountablility for the quality of the condition of the home gets diluted the more people there are in the chain. I think it gets easy to pass the buck if there are problems.

I know there a lot of people who have had wonderful experiences renting from the big management companies out there. I'm just sharing my personal bias.