Renting homes - can you negotiate?

[Mainebound]

We specify the bedding arrangements we need, 1 king bed, one queen bed and two twins, one level homes, south facing pool and spa, pool blanket, high speed access, TV's in all bedrooms, and no leather furniture (weird, I know, but just not for us )

It is amazing that no matter how particular you are, you can always find a villa that suits your needs, isn't it?

I have one question -- not to get off topic too much, but -- MBB: why is south facing so important? Do you really not get sun at all in the pool areas if they are north or west facing? I find it hard to believe.

 

[mbb]

It is amazing that no matter how particular you are, you can always find a villa that suits your needs, isn't it?

I have one question -- not to get off topic too much, but -- MBB: why is south facing so important? Do you really not get sun at all in the pool areas if they are north or west facing? I find it hard to believe.

Amazing and I think that's whay we love it so much - we can get exactly what we want, and not have to share the pool area with 500 other people!

South facing pool = I'll let you know how it is in Feb!
North facing pool
West facing pool
North/East facing pool = lovely sunshine in the am, having our coffee and croissants
The first villa we rented, the pool was north/east facing, but had a lovely, *little* fireworks display every night at, oh, 9pm or so We couldn't see much of the fireworks, but playing the Wishes, or Illuminations CD along while we sat on the lanai, having a glass of wine was lovely (with all the kids happily snoozing in their own rooms...fabulous!)

*sigh*
How fast is the 5th of Feb going to get here??

 

[MaMa3Princess]

it is just amazing all the things you can learn on this board. Thanks Mbb for the pool toutorial

 

[sammi]

With some great information as to which sites to look at (thanks mbb! ) we have also for the first time rented a villa. There's only DH and I going but the price can't be beat!(It also helps that I got Southwest airfares for $35.00 each way!!!)

Here's the link to our villa that we're staying at starting on Feb 2!!!! It's can't come fast enough for me either.........I can't wait to sit out in the evenings un the lanai with a chilled glass of wine!


http://www.onlinefloridavillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1931.aspx#

 

[mbb]

it is just amazing all the things you can learn on this board. Thanks Mbb for the pool toutorial

Give this girl a compass and a pina colada and she's all set to go

 

[minnie29uk]

Looking into renting a home. Can you negotiate prices with the owner?

As a villa owner myself - it is frustrating when people try to offer less than I am asking...my cleaning fee,Management fee,mortgage,Hoa fees etc. dont vary because my rental income does!!!
I offer 10% discount on 3 week stays and I offer discounted last minute stays.But I will offer them and never accept an offer of a deal...neither should you - I would wonder why someone is prepared to lower their price??Alarm bells about whats on offer!

Have a great holiday wherever you stay,
Lynn

 

[BonnieA]

As a villa owner myself - it is frustrating when people try to offer less than I am asking...my cleaning fee,Management fee,mortgage,Hoa fees etc. dont vary because my rental income does!!!
I offer 10% discount on 3 week stays and I offer discounted last minute stays.But I will offer them and never accept an offer of a deal...neither should you - I would wonder why someone is prepared to lower their price??Alarm bells about whats on offer!

Have a great holiday wherever you stay,
Lynn

Personally, as a renter, I like a little barter. If I find two homes that I really like then a small difference of $25 or $50/wk can make a difference in which one I pick. I try to give them both a fair chance if I find one less expensive than the other. Would you rather take $25 less (in the slow season) or have the house remain vacant? Negotiating does not necessarily mean a big chunk of money, even having the owner come down $25 is a big deal to me.

 

[xboxundone]

Yes I just sealed a deal for a home rental. I didn't ask him to come down on price but to throw in the pool heat for free. Needless to say i get free pool heat with my stay.... Bartering is part of it.... as people want to get deals and if you want to fill your villa you may have to because who wants to earn nothing a week when they can earn something! Why do you think priceline and other sites are so popular

 

[BonnieA]

if you want to fill your villa you may have to because who wants to earn nothing a week when they can earn something!

I can't really agree with that. Sometimes it is better for the owner to leave the house unrented if the rental is too low. There are fees associated with renting (cleaning, cooling, heating etc) that may outweigh a cheap rental.

 

[maps]

Honestly, I have to say it never dawned on me to barter with the owners.

I usually pick the price range I can live with and search for all the amenities I want in that range.

That's how I choose a hotel room and I don't think there is any way to barter with them about their price.

But I guess it doesn't hurt to ask since a lot of you seem to be getting something in return.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

As a villa owner myself - it is frustrating when people try to offer less than I am asking...my cleaning fee,Management fee,mortgage,Hoa fees etc. dont vary because my rental income does!!!
I offer 10% discount on 3 week stays and I offer discounted last minute stays.But I will offer them and never accept an offer of a deal...neither should you - I would wonder why someone is prepared to lower their price??Alarm bells about whats on offer!

Have a great holiday wherever you stay,
Lynn

That is just like, some will and some won't and personally we like to deal with those who will. THe owners ALWAYS have the option to say no and those that want to say yes. THat is the beauty of a capitalist society.

So that means you never ask for a deal on your car, home or ever???

 

[jekajekalynn]

That is just like, some will and some won't and personally we like to deal with those who will. THe owners ALWAYS have the option to say no and those that want to say yes. THat is the beauty of a capitalist society.

So that means you never ask for a deal on your car, home or ever???

Exactly There is NOTHING wrong in asking, and it's not your holding a gun to their heads and making the owners lower there prices. You're just asking a simple question, and the worst they can say is 'no ' so whats the big deal?

I have never thought of doing that, mainly because owners make me a great deal to begin with . lol

I'm going through a website now that has owner run villas. I HATED going through a 3rd party last year, and the one vacation home site listed on Debs website prices are WAY too high than going straight through the owner themselves. The website I looked at this time, and got some GREAT deals straight from the owners was fabvillas.com .


I filled out a questionare with my info and whatnot, and within MINUTES I got tons of emails from owners making me there best offer on homes. I bet I got over 60 emails. lol I narrowed those choices down to 10, and I will be making the final choice in Feb. So far , for a 4 bedroom house the best offer I got was 700 for a week!

 

[Mainebound]

The website I looked at this time, and got some GREAT deals straight from the owners was fabvillas.com .


QUOTE]

I second the "fabvillas" recommendation -- we have finally made our choice for our May villa, and its one on that site -- "the Bonita", which happens to be owned by a regular poster to the DIS, Isla Bonita. It looks like an awesome home and we're psyched the search is over. My kids have already picked out "their bedrooms", LOL!