Renting homes from owners???

[marshallandcartersmo]

Hi all!! I've been reading about how people get better deals when renting a timeshare/townhome/poolhome from private owners, rather than going through a company (like hotelkingdom). How do you go about finding these private home owners willing to rent their house, and how do you trust that they are nice houses, in nice locations, with all the amenities that going through a company can ensure? thanks!!

 

[torismom]

www.vrbo.com
www.onlinefloridavillas.com
www.orlandovillas.com

These ought to get you started!! Have fun planning your next vacation!!

 

[isla bonita]

Here are a few web sites that are owner direct. The web sites I have put my own house on have checked with the town to assure I do have a home. I am not sure if any thing is an absolute. If you ask the diser's about their experience's you might feel a little bit better. Sorry I can not give you a better answer. There are a lot of really great people who rent there homes. I think you will love the experience of the pool home vacation.

http://www.homesatemeraldisland.com/pool_homes.htm.
http://www.fabvillas.com/villa-rental/menu/1/?session=1642522395
http://www.smartorlandovillas.com/

 

[JANNYANS]

Ask some of the board members here who have rented homes from private owners -I can ask some of my guests from this board to answer any questions if you like to put your mind at ease.Remember these are second homes in which the owner takes pride and pleasure in finding guests themselves rather than letting a third party do it for them .By going through a private owner you have the same amenities and protection as you do with an agency and also have the knowledge that you know exactly where you will be staying before hand and the opportunity to ask the owner any questoins you like abiut their home -after all who will know it better? Staying in a home is a great experience and offers your family fantastic space and a pool outside the back door.You won't regret it .

 

[Big V]

We rented a 3 bedroom condo from a private owner this past January and had no problems whatsoever. The owner lives in Great Britain and I was a little leary at first, but everything was taken care of through a management company in Orlando and it went smooth as silk. As Jannyanns said, it's great to know exactly where you are staying and how much it cost.

 

[Cherylzw]

You can't go wrong with renting from a private owner. Most homes have their own private pool and spa which is really a nice feature.

Price is right compared to a small hotel rooms. You can have lots of room for yourself and the whole family. Not to mention have a full kitchen and able to save money on quick breakfasts and lunches.

Once you try it you'll love it.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

thanks everyone!! I really appreciate the time everyone took to answer and attach websites..........Can't wait to check them out!

 

[djkeenan]

When we first stayed in a VR (vacation rental) we found it to be a bigger difference than the time we graduated from a hotel room to a time share. Having separate bedrooms for the kids, a full kitchen, laundry, family room, and game room, parking at your own door and a PRIVATE POOL is a vacation in itself.

At this time there is excess inventory of great properties during the low and shoulder seasons, so great deals are available, but if you want to get your choice of homes any time when the kids are out of school, start early and be prepared to pay the asking price, which is a fantastic deal in itself when you consider all you are getting.

We picked up a few great suggestions on how to find your best deal on a VR, from this board and others and combined with our own experience, this is what has worked for us.

1. We only want to deal directly with the owners.

2. We compiled a list of the features we had to have and the things we wished we could have. For example: My wife and I want a king size bed, my sister and her husband would like a king, but would be happy with a queen. Because I would have to keep in touch with the office, broadband internet access is a must. You see how it goes.

3. We ask for their best deal. We don’t try to beat anyone up over it, but we do ask and it pays off.

4. We want to have several communications with the owners before we sign the contract.

We put all this together in a few sentences and send it as our comments when requesting availability and a quote. Our comments looked like this:
“Greetings: we are hoping for a good price on this low season week. Our must have requirements are: king bed in master, king or queen in second master, pool heat, full size washer and dryer, high speed internet access, and we’re hoping for a gas BBQ grill.
Please quote us your best offer (in US dollars) with taxes and pool heat included. THANK YOU for taking the time to respond.”

We sent this to several home owners and included it in a general inquiry on a few group web sites. We looked over all the websites listed in the above posts but got the best results from http://www.evilla-rentals.com/ and http://www.windsorhillsrent.com/

One out of three responses came back with discounts in addition to their low season rates. They were significant and in the range we were hoping for. One came in with everything we wanted in an offer we couldn’t refuse. Although we could have fit quite nicely in a four bedroom we ended up in a beautiful six bedroom. You can see it at http://www.sjsvillas.com/ We’ve spoken with the owners a couple of times and emailed several times. We feel very comfortable that we are getting everything we expect.

Once you stay in a pool home or resort condo, you’ll never want to vacation in a hotel room again! Good luck in your search for a fantastic vacation!

 

[Lucky and Pooh]

Hi all!! I've been reading about how people get better deals when renting a timeshare/townhome/poolhome from private owners, rather than going through a company (like hotelkingdom). How do you go about finding these private home owners willing to rent their house, and how do you trust that they are nice houses, in nice locations, with all the amenities that going through a company can ensure? thanks!!

Check out the

Timeshare Users Group
Florida Board/Classified

www.tug2.net

 

[isla bonita]

Thanks!!!!
I feel like I blow my own horn. We stayed in one once and we loved it so much we bought. I feel like you do once you stay in one nothing else is good enough. Have a wonderful vaca. Deb AKA Isla Bonita

 

[alexcturner]

Hi,one site I like is daystarvillas.com Good luck on finding what you want!

 

[mbb]

I'm just glad we've got such great people on the Boards who own some gorgeous homes (and they let barbarians like my family in!! LOL!)

Seriously, though, it's owners like islabonita, Jann, Briarberry, Grampa Ted(..and I know I'm leaving people out sorry!), that make it possible for people like me and my family to have 5*vacations:
1) at less than a Value resort price
2) and our own private pool and spa
3) with our own laundry facilities
4) my own cuppa hot tea in the morning out on the pool deck
5) the sound of my children and their cousins happily playing - together or apart!!

...and with all of our many questions, patiently and professionally, answered