WH...Overwhelmed with info...Please Help

[Mophia'sMom]

After requesting info (windsorhillrents) on rates I received hundreds of emails. I have narrowed it down to 6 units, but I have no idea which to chose. I've never rented directly from an owner, and I am terrified of being scammed out of our vacation money. Also, one owner gave me a rate that is AWESOME ($466 including all taxes & fees) for 1 week. However, my mom always told me if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. How do I research to make sure these owners are legit? Not sure if I'm violating any board rules but his name is Gary Croteau w/Croteau Properties. If anyone has any info that would be helpful, please let me know. Also, any recommendations on where to stay would be wonderful. Oh yeah, it will be 4 adults, 2 teen girls, & 1 toddler. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Wile E coyote]

We got some excellent quotes also, and eventually booked 2 condo units. The 2 bedroom unit was just about the price you quoted, and it worked out well. The 3 bedroom was a little more. It would help if you posted the unit size (# of bedrooms) and the type (townhouse, condo etc.) I would suspect that if you got that price for a 3 bedroom townhouse, or a 6 bedroom home, your probably right, but for a condo, it is quite possible.

 

[sympatico]

According to the tax appraiser site he does own a 3 bedroom condo on Almaton Loop which is where the condos are at WH. He has also paid his taxes in full.
http://ira.property-appraiser.org/ https://www.osceola.county-taxes.com/tcb/app/pt/main

Windsor Hills is nice, we've stayed there in 2 different townhouses and a 6 bedroom house. I don't think you would have to worry about that he doesn't own the place etc. because of the tax records and the fact that he is listed on the windsorhillsrent site. Other homeowners don't take kindly to someone scamming people from their legitimate site. In other words he wouldn't be listed there for long.
I can't vouch for the inside of the condo but these places are only 3 years old so it shouldn't be run down. From the website it looks nice. I looked at it on this site: http://members.cox.net/disneyvilla/whcondo.htm
The rates are good and it all depends on when you're going as to the rate you get. A lot lower in the slow season. I don't think I would have a problem renting from them if this was the kind of accom. that I was looking for.

 

[savannahcat]

We have booked this condo for an upcoming trip in November. Gary has been very professional and helpful, even when we needed to adjust our reservation by a day or two. We were given his home phone number and home address. I feel totally comfortable renting from him. (We are paying only $711 all inclusive for Thanksgiving week - also seems too good to be true!) It will be our third time staying in Windsor Hills. We love it there! Hope this helps...

 

[deejay-55]

There is always an element of trust involved - you are trusting the owners to rent you their vacation home, and they are trusting you to treat it with respect. Mostly everything works out fine.