The Waiting is Hard

[tbrenk]

We booked a pool home in EI in Janaury of this year. We aren't going until April 2007. We put our deposit down and won't make final payment until Feb 2007.

I am sure everything is ok with the reservation and nothing is wrong, but the waiting is kinda weird. Maybe because this is the first home we have rented? It isn't like a hotel where I can log on to the website and look at my reservation.

Anyone feel this way the first time? Does anyone keep in touch with the owners throughout the course of the year?

 

[FLParadisevilla]

Well if the have an availbility calendar on renters.org you can log on to that and see that your dates are blocked off the calendar. Maybe that could be like looking at your reservation.
I hate having to wait to go to Florida! We were supposed to be there now, but my husband couldn't get off work so we had to post pone our trip....
I sure wish I was there now.

 

[isla bonita]

I send emails every so often to our guests to let them know we are srill all on the same page.

I have recently gone down so I let them know I would be away for our vaca. I also sent them back to our web site to check out what we had added while down.

It is all a trust thing and in order to have it both ways I think there has to be some conversation during the time between booking, vacation time and also when our guests are back I always ask how the stay was, how clean was the home and if they thought it could use anything.

As a consumer I know I want the most for our dollar. I try as an owner to let our guests know they are important. They are intrusting me with not only there $$$$ but a small part of their happiness. I want to exceed their fun time. We all know you will have a great time on vacation. It is nice to know that when you go home at the end of the day you have a comfortable place to rest your families heads.

Personally I need a good margarita, and a warm pool and my own bed but thats me.

 

[kilee]

I was definetly leary the first time, I think it's normal. I'd send an email every couple months just to touch base. The first time we had 8 months between booking and going. Since then I've found I'm much more lax and trusting.

 

[FLParadisevilla]

I have always kept in touch too, and let them know when I have made changes to the home I send pictures. I think its a great way to be!
It keeps everyone happy and I always want to hear what the guests have done on thier vacations what parks they liked best etc.

 

[JANNYANS]

It is quick and easy to keep in contact even if it is only to ask your guest if they have any questions.
As a guest don't be afraid of contacting your owner with any queries you have at any time .

 

[FLParadisevilla]

Jannyans,
Exactly the more contact you and the owner can have the better you all will feel. Then by the time your trip comes up you will feel like you are staying in new friends home and not just renting a home from someone you don't really know!

I think most owners would enjoy that kind of contact! I know I sure do! I think its great!

 

[BrerMama]

I know exactly what you mean. We put our deposit down over a month ago and still have seven months to go. I do go to the website for the home, check the rental calendar, look at the pictures, etc.

I keep having nightmares about our trip. In the first one, we got to our rental home and it was filthy dirty. I've had one other that involved the house. I think it's just my nerves -- I was the one who convinced my husband to try a rental home, and if there's any problem, it will come back on me. But the waiting is hard.

 

[FLParadisevilla]

I hope you will be more than happy with your decision to rent a home! I know I was when we rented our first one it was amazing! I had no idea you could rent the homes and we planned on getting married at the house out back by the pool.

The owner was great and gave me all kinds of extra pictures etc. so I could plan the decorations. Then when we arrived there was a bottle of champane and a card congratulating us on getting married. It was AWESOME! I though that was the nicest thing that they thought enough of us to do that for us.

The home was just as pictured but even better than I could have imagined that it would be. I think that was one of the best vacations I had ever had! I had dinner catered and hired a disney minister. It was so much fun. My father who is not easily impressed had flown in for our wedding and was so impressed with how it all turned out! He even bragged to his friends at home how I managed to plan all of this with out ever going to Florida before our wedding. LOL

You will have the best time I just know it!

 

[GotFids]

This is exactly the situation I'm in!!! I've made the deposit, and the balance is due by the 31st!!! My husband mentioned a few things that started me getting nervous...First he says...well, how do you know there is even a HOUSE THERE!! We'll get there, and no house! Okay, and if that isn't bad enough, then he tells me they probably have cameras on us while we are in the home...could be in every room. OH MY GOODNESS!! Why do I even talk to him??? He's joking the whole time, but now my mind is going crazy with all the what if's!

 

[FLParadisevilla]

Well stop talking to him and when you get there and the house is AWESOME! And he tells you how much he loved and when can you go back..... Tell him your going with the girls next time LOL since he stressed you out! LOL
Trust me there should not be any camera's in the house tell him hes been watching too many Movies!
I got a great chuckle from this... my husband likes to play with me like that too!
I am not sure how the home you rented works but the one we rented and the one we own has keyless locks and they give you a 4 didget code to use for your stay and they are reprogrammed (that bit is for your husband LOL ) with every guest! LOL

Relax and just think about all the fun you are going to have and how everyone will be so impressed with the vacation you planned. Contact the owner if it makes you feel better and ask some of these questions I am sure they will answer any of your questions!

 

[BrerMama]

GotFids -- you can check to make sure the owner actually owns the house. I did a search for Osceola County Tax Records (or something like that -- someone probably has the exact website) and then you enter in the owners name. The address of any home they own will pop up. I checked this on every house I was seriously considering. So you could at least put one fear to rest.

 

[isla bonita]

"Well stop talking to him and when you get there and the house is AWESOME! And he tells you how much he loved and when can you go back..... Tell him your going with the girls next time"


Karen I love that. LOL

Here is the site to check.

http://www.property-appraiser.org/

 

[mbb]

.... then he tells me they probably have cameras on us while we are in the home...could be in every room. OH MY GOODNESS!! Why do I even talk to him??? He's joking the whole time, but now my mind is going crazy with all the what if's!

You know, we had the same thought, the first time we rented a house.

And as DH said, well, if anything winds up on the internet, baby, we'll be rich!!



And yes, the waiting is hard...but like Jann, and everyone else said, zip off an email, say hi, tell the owner how much you're looking forward to staying in their home.

I know they would be happy to hear it

...and if there are cameras, well...consider it proof of a great vacation!!

 

[isla bonita]

"well, if anything winds up on the internet, baby, we'll be rich!!"




Mary Beth you husband really thinks big of himself pun intented.

 

[FLParadisevilla]

I must admit that I have had the most fun with this thread!!!
I can't wait to read more!

Cameras in the home Hummmmmm ...... Maybe a thought....
Mbb we will be there just before you.... LOL Are you getting nervous yet.

 

[GotFids]

Thanks for the reassurances! I'll just have to use the possibility of cameras as my "not in the mood" excuse! Honey...i'm so tired and besides....they might be FILMING us right now!!! hehehe. Payback!

I'm going to check out the property site...that will help some, thanks for the link!

And yes...a girls trip, an excellent idea! When I think about it, it is the men in my family that cause all the stress!

Oh and just a note...i'm sitting here all ready for halloween...i've had 3 wisdom teeth extracted and I can barely talk or open my mouth...my daughter was watching me read this thread and said "Mom...You're smiling!!!" Just picture a chipmunk with his mouth full of nuts trying to smile!! Thanks for getting me in a good mood...

 

[FLParadisevilla]

You poor thing! I hope you are feeling better from your wisdom teeth! I am glad we could give you a nice laugh! I know this thread has to have been my favorite!

Paybacks.... tell you husband that the owner of the home said not to pay any attention to the small black spot on the ceiling, its must be just a small stain in the paint! LOL

When is your trip?

 

[GotFids]

Karen: Thanks for the good wishes . Our trip is on Jan 9 to the 17th. Everything is set, except for the passes. I figure I'll get those a week or so before cuz I just can't seem to figure out whether to get hoppers or not or to get water park or not....every day I change my mind!!! The kids want to visit Universal also and maybe do some sightseeing...manatees/airboat things like that...so much to do...so little time!


When do you leave? looks like it's coming up soon!!!
Julie

 

[FLParadisevilla]

That is great its soon! I know you will have a great time! We went to Typhoon Lagoon in July and it was great! We loved the lazy river and the fact that you could float from one ride to the next and did not have to walk to whole park! LOL
I would check the shedules on the water parks. I think Blizard beach is closing for a little bit to do some repairs... but dont hold me to that, I am not sure when they close or not!

We are going Nov 29 - Dec 9. I am looking forward to it. I know we will go to sea world! I just love sea world and I am thinking we may try epcot.
We also have to do some work while we are there so a lot of our trips are not vacation unfortunatly.

Its cold and windy here and all I can think about is pina coladas, and hanging out at the pool! I am ready for it now!