<p>Can you trust them? How can you verify the property you want to rent is actually owned or managed by the person you’re paying? Why does HomeAway sell insurance for your rental? Is it worth buying it? It looks like they have a contract you must sign, releasing them from any liability. It also looks like many of the property owners/managers also have contracts.<br>
I’m really confused, so any suggestions are appreciated.</p>
<p>We’ve used VRBO a couple times. The one situation in DC was weird. It was advertised as a condo, but in reality it was the basement of a three story town home (with it’s own back alley access). The owner lived upstairs, yet never came down to greet us…we left the money on the kitchen counter. We also noticed personal hygiene supplies in the med cabinet and food in the fridge. It felt strange all around. The place we rented in Maui was top notch. I’d probably use VRBO again, but realize things aren’t always what they seem. Take the WORST review and decide if you could live with it. If not, keep looking!</p>
<p>Depending on where you want to stay, they may have a local reservation hub, like
<a href=“Lodging in the Methow Valley, Winthrop, Mazama, and Twisp with Methow Reservations”>Lodging in the Methow Valley, Winthrop, Mazama, and Twisp with Methow Reservations;
in Central Washington.</p>
<p>We used VRBO when we stayed in Florida for a couple of weeks. The house was even better than we expected, and everything in their ad was accurate. We’d do it again. </p>
<p>I’ve used VRBO for a few summer beach rentals and condos for out of state visits. For the most part you get what’s advertised, typically rental properties.
One of my kids likes air-b-n-b. Booked one for me for one of my visits; it was an efficiency apt. that was vacated for my 2 night stay (owner went to her BFs). I was told to tell neighbors that I was a family friend, not a renter.</p>
<p>Yes, we’ve used VRBO and have been happy with it. I’m not sure what HomeAway is, but we will purchase insurance for our getaway in March in CA. It will cover us if anything happens to any of the five of us going that requires us to cancel the trip. </p>
<p>I’ve used both. The key is to communicate with the owner. I always make sure all of my questions are not asked in the first email so that I need to ask a few more in subsequent emails. You quickly get a feel for the type of person you are dealing with. Sometimes I’ve even called the owner, and that is even better.</p>
<p>The only caution I would have is to make sure that all of the rooms are pictured on the listing. If they don’t picture some of them, I would be concerned that they aren’t as nice as the ones pictured. For instance, if they don’t picture the bathroom, could it be because that hasn’t been updated like the rest of the residence?</p>
<p>HomeAway is the parent company, but they also list properties. They offer insurance if the place is double-booked, not as described, etc.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.homeaway.com/guarantee/home.html”>http://www.homeaway.com/guarantee/home.html</a></p>
<p>Of course, you can always enlist the sleuths of CC to help you. They did an awesome job helping me find a place for this coming March. I have communicated with the owner, and have seen pictures of all the rooms that are mentioned in the listing. </p>
<p>I’ve used it and generally been happy. One thing that seems strange is that a couple of times the owner has left food in the fridge- I guess they don’t want to throw it out. Usually they say “help yourself” but I would feel bad eating someone’s food- since it’s theirs. Of course, if we end up with food that we can’t take with us, we leave it too- so any unopened cartons of yogurt, or packs of butter and so on is theirs if they wish. </p>
<p>Some places are clearly set for rentals- no personal belongings at all. Others I suspect, are where people live, and if they rent it out, they go somewhere else to stay, since they can get some rental income by doing this. It feels a bit odd- but the places were clean and comfortable. </p>
<p>Unlike a hotel, there is usually some clean up the owners request- such as stripping the beds, taking out the trash, washing the dishes. </p>
<p>I see this arrangement more like being a houseguest than a renter, and so I leave their belongings alone and clean up when we leave. These rentals can be savings over a hotel if the guest is willing to be flexible like this. </p>
<p>When friends reserved a vacation home through Central reservation a basket of treats was left on the table.
Also had a bottle of wine and games available.
They did have a couple cupboards that were locked.( with a keyed lock)
It was pretty nice, we are thinking of trying it next time so we can bring our pet.</p>
<p>Ive used VRBO twice, once in Orlando, and once on Miami Beach. Both times, I was very pleased with the rental.</p>
<p>We’ve been very pleased with VRBO. Have used in the US and Europe. But as others have mentioned, do your homework: closely inspect pictures, be in good email or phone contact with owner. Also, we’ve google earthed the places to check out the neighborhood. Also, read reviews from previous renters and check out Tripadvisor, as many write about their experiences, good and bad. </p>
<p>We’ve used HomeAway and liked the places we’ve rented. In general, we look at the pictures and take seriously the reviews from people who were there before.</p>
<p>We used VRBO last summer in Portland, San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe. We were pretty happy and it was cool to have a place that was more like home than a hotel room. Be sure you look on the map to see where the places are, so you don’t end up too far from whatever you are trying to visit. SIL/BIL and kids also used them last summer to rent an apartment in NYC for several days. They saved a lot over a hotel.</p>
<p>I’ve used both HomeAway and VRBO for summer rentals for more years than I can remember – at least 10 – and I’ve also used the sites for other rentals. I like it when there are reviews. I am nervous when I don’t see tons of photos. </p>
<p>I can only think of a couple times when I wasn’t happy with the rental – and one was handled by a real estate agency that used HomeAway. Actually, that was the worst rental we ever had. A lot of real estate firms use these sites to promote their rentals, and you never interact with the owner. I’ve never used the insurance. I’m probably not as careful as I should be, but so far I’ve never had any really significant problems. I’ve also used Airbnb, twice. </p>
<p>Have used VRBO several times. We’ve never had any problems. </p>
<p>Teriwtt, which insurance company did you use? I have heard great things about VRbo, and we are using a listing in Kauai this February. I am a little worried, and I booked a hotel that I will cancel a couple of days ahead of time if nothing happens before then, but I expect it to be fine. The owner has been very nice and helpful.</p>
<p>I have used VRBO a couple times. I have been very happy with my rentals.</p>
<p>I’ve used air bnb and VRBO many times here in California and New York City with no problems. I always make sure I get an exact street address and look at the property on google. I have never rented from anyone that’s had less than 20 or more reviews for their place.</p>