Renting from homeowners?

[ajwolfe]

We are considering renting a home directly from the homeowners and I am curious to hear everyone else's stories that have attempted this. Has it usually worked out okay? The owner is based in the UK, do you think that would cause a problem?

Amanda

 

[crjack]

We rented two different homes in Windsor Palms directly from owners from the UK and had a great experience with each. I dont think the distance really causes any difficulties with conveniences like email and virtual tours available on-line. With any home rental, each owner sets their own prices and terms. We found both owners to have very similar contracts but as you look at houses you will have to decide what works best for you. Good luck.

 

[ajwolfe]

Thanks, guess I just needed a little reassurance!

Amanda

 

[isla bonita]

As a home owner we try to make it as painless as possible. What you see on the site for each individual home is what you will get. I have heard people go with companys and not get the home that they picked for some reason or other. Must be very dissapointing if you had seen something that would really work for your group. I am sure you will be quite satisfied.
We as home owners try to make your stays as comfortable as possible. I have heard from another thread that they were very unhappy with not having toiletries and such. We generally provide hand soap and bar soap a small container of dishwashing soap a roll of toilet paper per restroom, a single roll of paper towels and a couple of garbage bags and generally thats it. You as renters provide for yourselves most of everything else. I am surprides that they were expecting hair products. I have never been on vacation and not brought my own.
What we provide are a fun home to hang out in while on vacation. We generally have tv's in all rooms, a game system, library of dvd's, vhs tapes, games for system, books, games, pool toys, pools and such. Some even have spas, game rooms and internet access. If there is something in particular your family may need during your stay ask the home owner. Sometimes we may have the item and not specify on the web site or we would be willing to purchase it for the home.
I hope your trip is wonderful and you have a great experience with the home owner.

 

[SeattleMark]

We use (and highly recommend) www.VillaDirect.com You see exactly what you're getting and get that specific house. We love the Sunshine Bay Villa.

One advantage is if you have a problem of any kind, they're right there to help. Plus you can get cheap rental cars and park tickets through them.

 

[mbb]

and yep, we were nervous too.

I mean, you're sending a "chunk of $$$ to someone you've never met, and buying something from on the internet".

Can you tell my mother was REALLY nervous??

I called the development office, and spoke to the builder himself....just to verify that:
a)the house really existed
2)the people we were sending that "huge chunk of $$" to were eligible to rent it, ie, they really owned the place.

We also checked the county deeds registry, I've got the link around somewhere. You can search it out, though

We used Visa, just in case, but now I would be ok with the certfied cheque thing.

www.orlandovillas.com The owners there have been FABULOUS!!

HTH!!

 

[onlyoneforme]

We have paid the homeowner's that we have rented from in the past through PayPal. I liked knowing that there was perhaps some recourse if needed. We have NEVER in the past 6 years of renting from private owners had a problem.

 

[JANNYANS]

As an owner it is a big leap of faith as well but I try to make the process as easy and hassle free as possible.If you book through an owner listed on orlando villas.com or some of the other big sites they actually verify the ownership of the home for you every 6 months so you can be confident the home belongs to whom you are in contact with .The great thinbg about renting direct is that you have a 24/7 contact with someone who knows the home inside out and may even be prepared to add things especially for you -I have to shop for bed rails next week for a guest.There is always a contact locally in case of emergencies so go ahead and enjoy the experience

 

[ajwolfe]

Thank you all for your replies, you are making much more comfortable with this. The woman seems very nice. The site I used was bettervillas.com although I think she may have advertised on other sites as well. I am going to go ahead and book the home today. Thanks!!

Amanda

 

[blessedby3]

We have used vrbo.com twice before, but not in the Orlando area. Once in Myrtle Beach SC, and once in Hilton Head SC. Both times we had no problems whatsoever and both places were just as described on the internet (by words and pictures). We are renting by owner this time in Kissimmee, but this rental is through onlinefloridavillas.com. We have spoken on the phone with the owners in the UK and they seem very nice. I am not worried at all. We only had to pay a $150 deposit and the balance is due 8 weeks before we arrive. We are renting in Indian Creek. I am so excited to try this Home Rental. Good luck to you!

 

[disneysteve]

We are considering renting a home directly from the homeowners and I am curious to hear everyone else's stories that have attempted this. Has it usually worked out okay? The owner is based in the UK, do you think that would cause a problem?

Amanda

We've done it several times in Windsor Palms and Lindfields developments and never had a moment's trouble. I would much rather rent directly from the owner than through a management company. The individual owners are much more interested in their own property. They will happily answer your questions and the better ones will bend over backwards to please you.

One quick story. A couple of years ago I rented in Windsor Palms from a wonderful woman in Connecticut. I kept in touch with her before, during and after our stay via e-mail. I discussed several suggestions to improve the place and she agreed with almost all of them and was just saving up to make the improvements. I also referred several people to her. One guest asked about renting a crib. The owner found out it was such a hassle to rent one that she just decided to buy one to permanently have it in the home for future guests. Had the reservation been made through a management company, that never would have happened.

I also like knowing exactly what property I'm getting. Some companies take your reservation and then assign you to a home upon arrival based on availability at the time.

 

[janets]

We've done it several times in Windsor Palms and Lindfields developments and never had a moment's trouble. I would much rather rent directly from the owner than through a management company. The individual owners are much more interested in their own property. They will happily answer your questions and the better ones will bend over backwards to please you.

One quick story. A couple of years ago I rented in Windsor Palms from a wonderful woman in Connecticut. I kept in touch with her before, during and after our stay via e-mail. I discussed several suggestions to improve the place and she agreed with almost all of them and was just saving up to make the improvements. I also referred several people to her. One guest asked about renting a crib. The owner found out it was such a hassle to rent one that she just decided to buy one to permanently have it in the home for future guests. Had the reservation been made through a management company, that never would have happened.

I also like knowing exactly what property I'm getting. Some companies take your reservation and then assign you to a home upon arrival based on availability at the time.

That guest would be me.

I rented from the owner referred by DisneySteve and I have to tell you, it could not have been a better experience. The owner is a lovely woman and we continue to stay in touch by email and phone, even though she has sold her condo. When I told her that I would need a crib for my then not yet 2.5 yo and was going to rent it from a local place in Orlando, she checked into it for me. When she realized that it was going to be too difficult for them to have someone there to accept delivery and the cost, she just decided to buy one for the condo. We had several discussions about what kind to buy and what accessories would make it most desirable, without adding liability issues for her and her partner. Now that's what I call customer service and wanting to please your guests.

Don't be worried about this experience. Once you do it, you'll find that you never want to stay in a hotel again.

 

[marciemi]

We're looking at renting a house next summer. I've found that many of the direct owner rental sites also have a place for guest comments/emails. I'm particularly interested in one house and emailed 4 of the people who had left positive comments from recent stays (including one who lived just a couple miles from me). Not only did this make me feel better, but it's also a great way to get all that information that you don't want to hassle the owner with (how many TV's are there, what game systems, etc.). I'd bet many owners have a list of referrals they could give you.

 

[suz2]

We have used vrbo.com 2 times. Once in Ft. Walton beach last summer. Excellent owner to work with. The condo was perfect!! In 3 weeks we are renting in the Orlando area from a gentleman than has been nothing but helpful and kind. It is a little scary gving credit card#s and $ to someone you don't see in person or know. Good luck with your planning!