Vac. Home w/ Orlandovillas.com

[kilee]

I am looking to see if anyone has had any expierence using this company. I am thinking of booking a 5 bedroom 3 bath pool home through the private owners on here. We are a family with 6 adults and 2 kids. The price for our 8 days on the 2 we've narrowed it down to are 815.00 and 775.00. This is with tax and pool heat. HOwever, I am alittle leary because they are so much cheaper. I want to know if anyone has rented from them and what the expierence was. Thank you.

 

[FLeisure]

Orlandovillas.com is run by two guys based in England. They invite private owners to advertise on their web site and also they advertise their own private homes on the site. It is a very successful site and as long as you do your homework you shouldn't have any problems.

If booking with an owner, make sure they have a local management company, that the terms and conditions are acceptable to you, that the home is indeed equipped with everything advertised, that it actually exists and is in the location that you want. It doesn't harm to find out who the MC is and to do some checks on them, such as members of Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and CFPMA.

One trap you mustn't fall into is the price one. Not all homes are the same. Two identical homes side by side can be very different in terms of layout and how they are furnished. Price is not everything..just make sure you get what you want at the price that is affordable.

Finally, on price....make sure whether the price is US dollars or UK pounds sterling. I suspect this is a price in pounds sterling unless you are going at a very quiet time of year.

 

[kilee]

I just verified, via email, that the price was in american dollars, that it had everything I wanted right down to utensils and towels. I wanted to make sure my understandings were the same as theres. How, do I find out if the house actually exists????

 

[FLeisure]

You can search the property tax records in Polk / Osceola county depending on county....if you know the address.

Alternatively, and I hope no-one takes this the wrong way, I can check it out for you on the same database if you want to PM me the address. I'll try and find the direct link later on and post it.

 

[FLeisure]

Price in US dollars is fantastic...when were you going ?

 

[kilee]

I had to email the owner for the exact address, it wasn't on the website. I'm assuming that's normal for them not to advertise the exact address. I haven't committed yet, but I am 99% sure we will over the weekend. I had a few last minute things I wanted them to verify first. The dates we are going are 10/30/03-11/07/03. All of the people on that website seem to be much cheaper than others. I do know the house is supposed to be in Hampton Lakes.

 

[FLeisure]

The time you want to go is a quiet time so that's the reason the price is so good. As regards the people on that site....they all seem to compete with each other....they all get the same enquiry and some will do ridiculous rates to fill their homes. There is a definate market for it but again it really comes down to paying for what you get.

If the home matches your criteria and at a price you like then go for it. You've done some homework and I'm pleased that you have. So many folks don't and most of them are OK but just occassionally it goes wrong. Thankfully it's not very often but if we take the example from 3 weeks ago..it gets blown out of all proportion and we all suffer !

For me, when I'm on vacation, I want to know what I'm getting and that I'm not going to be disappointed. My vacation time is one of my top priorities as I treasure the time with my family....it has to be right..and I don't mind paying a little bit more for it.

 

[JANNYANS]

As an owner on orlandovillas .com I can tell you that all the homes have already been verified by the site owners as being genuine and owned by the people whose name you will see on the advert.They do this by checking with the county records .It is usual practice not to advertise the exact address -for obvious reasons-i.e. security .You can book with the utmost confidence with anyone from John & Rogers site and you will find all the owners more than welcome to answer any questions you may have regarding their homes. The reason they may be cheaper than alot is because you are dealing directly with the owner and not a third party...

 

[kilee]

I have choosen a villa, and I am going to the Post Office today to send the deposit. So far, the owner has been great. I have emailed her no less then 6-8 times with questions. She has always been very quick and pleasant in her response. I am really looking forward to our stay. They pictures of the house appear beautiful. I just wish I could get my countdown clock to go a little faster!!!!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I use the tax records to verify homes also prior to sending my deposit.

Kilee, another reason you are getting a good deal is its a relatively late booking for a rental home. Sometimes you can find really good deals on late bookings although your choice will be limited and the more popular subdivisions/dates may be sold out.

We have been staying in homes the last couple of years and the owners we have dealt with are pretty accurate in their pictures and descriptions.

Many people I talk to have never heard of Vacation Homes and are always amazed when I tell them and show them photos of our vacation.

Im sure you will enjoy you stay! and you don't have to worry about the dreaded "chair savers"! LOL

 

[lisag1]

With regard to using the tax office to verify owners homes - how do we get around that one as we've only just closed and I'm wondering how long it'll take for the tax office to update their records? But obviously I want to reassure future guests that we are, in fact, legitimate owners. What should I do?

Lisa

 

[FLeisure]

Lisa,
You can still show someone the house exists on the tax records even if it is in a different name. A guest is more concerned with making sure the home exists than the name on the title record.