Vacation Homes for $500/week during summer?

[JoyG]

I'm looking for a vacation home within a 20 min drive to Universal for this summer that will sleep at least 5 but perhaps up to 8 people this summer. I'd like to find one for around $500 or less for 7 days. I've followed some links here on the boards but there are sooooo many to wade through. Does anyone have a home that they've stayed at that was around that price for late June or late August? You could pm me if you don't want to share your secret bargain on the boards!

Another question, how strict are vacation homes about the number of occupents?

Thanks
Joy

 

[mbb]

I'm looking for a vacation home within a 20 min drive to Universal for this summer that will sleep at least 5 but perhaps up to 8 people this summer. I'd like to find one for around $500 or less for 7 days. I've followed some links here on the boards but there are sooooo many to wade through. Does anyone have a home that they've stayed at that was around that price for late June or late August? You could pm me if you don't want to share your secret bargain on the boards!

Another question, how strict are vacation homes about the number of occupents?

Thanks
Joy

I don't have any secret bargain..wish I did! But they might be out there You could try www.skyauction.com for a 2/3 bedroom though..

I have seen 3/4 bedroom villas, private pool, no spa, gamesroom for $95-100/night, plus taxes though - but only in off peak times.

We use www.orlandovillas.com and the sister sites..

I do know that owners have to be VERY strict about the number of occupants, ie, absolutley NO MORE than they are licensed for. They would lose their license if that happened. We've always booked a home for the max number of people that said they were coming with us, before we send in our final payment, we let the owners know the names of everyone for insurance/licensing.

HTH!!

 

[kilee]

Also check www.vrbo.com-- you could ask for rates. You may possibly ask outright if they'd be willing to rent for the rate you want to pay. See what type of response you get. Good luck- and let us know!!

 

[isla bonita]

Very strict.
I own a rental home in EI. First of all our home is rented using a contract. My home holds 12 adults and 3 cribs. That is all. You would be not only breaking our lease but it is also illegal to have more people in then can hold. I could loose my rental license.
Home $500.00
clean fee $50.00
taxes $65.00
remainder $385.00 for 7 nights
Comes to $55.00 per night
That amount leaves very little for general up keep, up grades, pool care, pest control, association fees, cable, internet, lawn care. Granted not all homes have some of these amenities. Good luck finding a home.

 

[JANNYANS]

As Isla Bonita says every home should be licensed by the county and state and has a limit on the number of people it can take .Generally if you work on 2 per bedroom and then 2 in the family room area plus a baby you will not go wrong.Any guest who breaks the booking conditions runs the risk of being asked to leave there and then by the management company working for the owner .
I also agree with Isla thatyour budget for a pool home is low for that or any other time of year really .Even looking at a home that sleeps 5 -a 3 bed it comes to $71 per night for all the party would you honestly expect to pay that little for accommodation that offers you a full kitchen ,probably more than one tv and at least 2 bathrooms,maybe all free phone calls ,and a games room plus your own pool outside the back door and a full laundry.If you think of how much it costs to run your home where you live -mortgage ,utilities ,phone, property taxes then add to that license costs pool costs and cleaning costs would you really expect to do it on $500 and then on top of that lose 12/13% in taxes as well .

I am sorry if this is coming across as a personel attack -it certainly isn't meant to -just an example of unrealistic your budget is for what you want and the time of year .As an owner I get hundreds of inquiries telling me how much they will pay for my home with out the slightest thought of how much it costs to run and if I accepted their terms -which I would never do - I would be subsidising their vacation -would Disney do that ?


Sorry but this is one of my main hobby horses when it comes to mine and other rental homes .They offer fantastic facilities , great space and freedom for anyones vacation ,value for money and the prices charge reflect this.
I will get off my soap box now

 

[TandCmum]

TBH I think realisticaly you need to be budgeting double that amount for a rental during summer months. Homeowners cannot make their payments on that amount per week, even those who don't have a motgage to pay, and if you did find a home for that price i would be seriously worried what state it would be in. It certainly wouldn't have ben upgraded or cared for very well and would certainly not have the facilities that other homes have.

You may get a condo for closer to that price per week somewhere, and you can usually get these for up to 8 people.

 

[martina857]

I Think you will find a nice house for $500 for the week..... You can only ask ! In England we are bombarded each week in newspapers with villas offered at £250/$425 per week by the owners who are desparate to rent them. Just ask and you will receive ) I have rented a couple of these out and although they may be a short drive away down US27 they are perfectly acceptable if you are on a budget.

M

 

[torismom]

I think 500.00 is on the low side.It is honestly an unrealistic amount to expect to pay. For the amount of people you will have in your party you will need a 4/3. You need to consider what you are paying for. A private pool home which has everything you need and then some.Homes offer multiple tv's, dvd players, internet access, jacuzzi's,child care items and the list can go on and on.

I am all for a deal but you are being unrealistic. Sorry.

The occupant rule is there for a reason and it should not be broken. We are only licensed for so many occupants.I would be very upset if I lost my license due to someone breaking the rules.

In the month of June I charge .. $124.30 nightly $870.10 weekly and In the month of August $135.60 nightly $949.20 weekly.

Good Luck!!

 

[Cherylzw]

I have to agree with the others that $500 is on the low side for a pool home rental. You will probably have to double your budget.

The costs for someone staying in our home would be more than $500 and it would be cheaper to stay vacant. By the time we would pay all the expenses on our home it would cost us money to let someone stay for $500 for a week.

Please keep in mind all that you are getting. Your own private pool, full kitchen, family room, etc. and the luxury of having a whole house instead of one room. It is well worth the price you will be paying even at double your budget.

The licensing rules are very strict so it is best not to go over the max # of occupants allowed. You will have peace of mind and enjoy your trip.

 

[martina857]

It is very EASY to find a home for $500 for the week just ask !!! The people who are telling you its not possible are owners not willing to reduce their rates, trust me there are plenty that WILL!! Barter with them as it is a buyers market, late June and late August are both slow periods and you will find a home for that money, in fact if you send out some emails they will be queueing up to rent to you ) I suggest you start asking about 8 weeks before your stay.

There is no need to over occupy they are strict on this Just ask for the amount of bedrooms you need.
M

 

[tednvon]

Hello, maybe this is an easier answer for me because we bought right after 9/11 when the panic was on and sold our 7 bedroom in Emerald Island last year....so here goes...

we rented our home at a published rate of $259 to $350/night depending on the season...80% of the time was $259. Our management company rented it for about $279 to $389/night. This is the "published rate" not any different in my opinion than the $150 published rate for a hotel room that you pay $79 for on a "special."

Three types of people rented our homes as I watched renting the home unfold over 2 years:

1. "Planners aheaders" They paid the published rate, booked months and months (even a year) ahead and wanted a done deal. Renting from an owner was scary the first time, but really got easier when it worked the first time. About 60% of my rentals.

2.The renters who went only through a "reputable" management company and either did not know about owner direct or did not feel comfortable without the security of a "company." Paid top dollar for a done deal. About 30-35% of the rentals

3. The "wheeler and dealer" or kind of what Joy G. is looking to do (about 5-10%)....My first reaction to these folks was:
"You cheap so and so, how can you insult me with a low ball offer."
These offers would come within a month or so the rental and the home was empty netting $000.00 dollars. After I got over the idea this was personal, I did the math and figured that even $100/night gave me $700 for the week which paid my electricity for the month after deductions...so I swallowed my pride that was telling me this was personal attack on my home and worked with the wheeler dealers.

Fortunately, they are a small group of savvy rentors who may grow in size. An owner's choice to say NO is certainly an option, but do not expect sympathy from the public about the rates any more than we would give sympathy to the Sheraton for giving us a $80 dollar rate instead of $150.

Rental homes are a business, and business has to adjust to the market...
We now rent by the month from "savvy" owners (in my opinion) who know that 3 guaranteed months in 'low season" (Jan, Feb, and March) with no kids, minimal wear and tear, and no cleaning fees, is worth a substantial discount, especially when I tell them I have been an owner and can do a lot of little things around the home that would cost $40/hr from management....

I am shocked at the number of homes and condos still being built at 300 (3-4BR) to 600K (6-7BR) by owners who will try to fill 25-30 weeks with rental rates that have not increased much in the last few years...

sorry this is a little long...all comments welcome...


Ted

 

[JoyG]

Thank you all for the advice on occupancy of vacation homes. That is valuable to know.

Thanks also to the person who emailed me a link to a home in my price range.

To everyone else who's posted, I appreciate your opinions. Please rest assured, I am not out to cheat, swindle or rob anyone here. The beauty of Orlando is there are vacation accommodations for every budget available. My budget is $500. I am sure your homes are all beautiful and worth every penny you get for them, unfortunately from what you're saying they wouldn't be in my price range.

So far, I've got two leads, one I found myself and one emailed to me. If anyone knows another bargain vacation home I'd be interested in hearing from them.

Thanks so much.

Joy

 

[JANNYANS]

With a rate increase of 27% this year and probably the same next year the basic amount needed to run the homes is increasing and while there are those home owners who will accept low rates to get $$ in the low rate they need is going to rise other wise they will be paying for people to stay .
Personally if my home is empty my utilites are lower- I have no taxes to pay and no cleaning charges so yes guests can ask me for low rates -no I don't take it personally -and Yes I say no .
The difference with the hotels offering lower rates is just that -they offer them the guests don't get in touch and say I will pay you xx to stay with you .If an owner wishes to offer a discount then that fine-I do for returning guests -what gets my goat is the idea that guests find it ok to ask an owner but not an hotel or in some case even tell the owner what they are prepared to pay .

JMO

 

[martina857]

The difference with the hotels offering lower rates is just that -they offer them the guests don't get in touch and say I will pay you xx to stay with you .If an owner wishes to offer a discount then that fine-I do for returning guests -what gets my goat is the idea that guests find it ok to ask an owner but not an hotel or in some case even tell the owner what they are prepared to pay .

Whats the problem with this ??? I have stayed in hotels all over the world and asked for a discount at every one of them and got it at a lot ! Don't expect me to feel sorry for rental home owners, as Ted said it is just a business.

If you think of how much it costs to run your home where you live -mortgage ,utilities ,phone, property taxes then add to that license costs pool costs and cleaning costs would you really expect to do it on $500 and then on top of that lose 12/13% in taxes as well .

As a vacationer I don't care about a 27% increase or how much your house costs to run, how much your taxes are or even how much it costs to clean your pool, its irrelevant to me ! I DON'T CARE !!!! I have a budget and I need somewhere to stay, if one owner won't take my money there are plenty that will because as I stated its a buyers market.

$500 will find a nice rental EASILY so do not feel guilty about asking, enquire about houses in the $750-$950 range, tell them your budget is $500 and I guarentee that you will get a place ) Its that easy.
M

 

[mbb]

...1. "Planners aheaders" They paid the published rate, booked months and months (even a year) ahead and wanted a done deal. Renting from an owner was scary the first time, but really got easier when it worked the first time. About 60% of my rentals.

2.The renters who went only through a "reputable" management company and either did not know about owner direct or did not feel comfortable without the security of a "company." Paid top dollar for a done deal. About 30-35% of the rentals

3. The "wheeler and dealer" or kind of what Joy G. is looking to do (about 5-10%)....

Thanks for the % breakdowns..we've often wondered how many are "planner aheaders" like us

We're fortunate, I guess, that we're able to stay for a longer than the traditional week, and more off season (late Jan-Feb). Without asking for "the best rate", etc..we've always had owners that will apply a discount off the published rates - and we're booking 9-10 months out as well.

But it can be hard to find your "vaction dream house" - if you're a "picky renter" like me...we know what we want, amenity wise, and if we don't book early, we're running the risk of not getting our "wants".

I'm glad you've been able to find villas in your budget range, Joy Send me a pm!

 

[kilee]

We are the last minute people. Thats usually because we only plan a trip a few weeks to a few months out. I've never had to wheel and deal because I've always been offered exceptional deals on these homes. Sometimes up to 1/2 off the their published rates. I've stayed in a few and they've all been clean and gorgeous. Good luck and let us know if you come up w/ anything.

 

[JANNYANS]

Don't expect me to feel sorry for rental home owners, as Ted said it is just a business.

Thank you but I don't need your sympathy I have 30 weeks booked for next year and 8 for 2007 as you say it is a business and I run it as one offering a good product at a reasonanble price.

 

[martina857]

Thank you but I don't need your sympathy I have 30 weeks booked for next year and 8 for 2007 as you say it is a business and I run it as one offering a good product at a reasonanble price.

Cool ! I am very pleased for you but still not the least bit interested ! I have told you before this is a board for vacationers not an advertising space for you or anyone else, nor is it a forum for you or any of the other owners on here to sound off about how hard done by you all are with all the bills you have to pay.... My heart bleeds for you all.... NOT. Why not try to post on here WITHOUT mentioning the fact that you OWN your own vacation home, Oh and how about removing your signature that advertises your home ?
M

 

[isla bonita]

martina857
It is a board for opinions and yours and everyone else's are welcome. There is a home out there for everyone's liking. Its not a big deal. Relax and take a deep breath. We sometimes agree to disagree.

 

[dgaston]

martina 857
I have always found Jannyans' comments and advice to be very helpful. I don't take it as an advertising space. Sometimes it's hard to find a link to her home! I know it's hard to tell voice tone, but your post #18 isn't striking the right chord with me. I'll follow isla bonita's advice and agree to disagree.