<p>I have used VRBO and Homeaway for years. Never had any problems. There is a box you can check under advanced search to deal with only property owners or managers. I prefer owners myself. Properties vary most in large urban areas but that is also where the greatest savings are vs hotels. I recommend speaking to owners by phone and always paying by credit card once you have settled on a property. We have used them in 12+ states. Since they were once separate companies, sometimes one is more popular than another in a particular location. Check out both. </p>
<p>@1214Mom - The owner of the house we are renting suggested InsureMyTrip.com.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at the site, but have yet to sit down and calculate how much we need to insure, mostly because we haven’t booked airfare yet and I need to know these amounts to know how much to insure. </p>
<p>I have used VRBO many times and never had a problem. If you are unsure, call and talk to the owner to see if that gives you a better comfort level. Many of the VRBOs have reviews from other renters which can be helpful. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the information and tips. I’m so happy to hear about all of your positive experiences. </p>
<p>Thanks teriwtt. I want to insure part of our trip to Hawaii because we live on the Eastcoast And are flying in February. I don’t want a snow storm to cost us our vacation.</p>
<p>Add me to the list of people who have thus far had all great experiences with VRBO.</p>
<p>I have been the guest of people who have used VRBO. In both cases the houses were as appeared. We have also used rental companies. I have been tempted to try it or AIrbnb in San Francisco but have found better hotel deals.
I live in an association of about 600 homes. We just received a letter that reminded everyone that the C C and Rs prohibit rentals of less then 30 days. It outlined the actions proposed to be taken against the homeowners who violate these terms. Letters are being sent to those who they know advertise on VRBO and AirBnB. They also are going after homeowners who rent their homes out for weddings. I’d hate to have my vacation or wedding cancelled.</p>
<p>Another poster who has not had any bad experiences with V/RBO.</p>
<p>I own VRBO/HomeAway rentals. (HomeAway owns VRBO)</p>
<p>I believe that the insurance offered is really simply travel insurance…in case you have a family emergency and have to cancel past the cancellation deadline. I guess it’s also some protection in case there was some odd situation. </p>
<p>It’s best to trust the reviews and the pictures (hopefully, they’re recent pics!). I would be concerned if there are few pics or if the reviews were “iffy”. </p>
<p>I think it’s safe to trust VRBO rentals, particularly ones with good reviews. </p>
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<p>Often there are one or two locked cabinets or a locked closet. These are used to store extra linens, tools, cleaning supplies that you need to keep out of reach of children, etc. Sometimes an owner will keep a few personal items there if the family occasionally uses the property. </p>
<p><<<
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. </p>
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<p>??? </p>
<p>You left money on the counter? That is odd. Was the “balance due” upon arrival? Usually the entire balance must be paid in advance. </p>
<p>It was WEIRD! We paid 1/2 up front, balance on arrival. (Well, on departure since she didn’t come down). While we were there we had a toilet clog up so I looked for a plunger to no avail. I called her and she said to go upstairs to her main floor bath. She left the door from the basement open. Boy did I feel strange going into her living quarters while no one was home. Oh, and when we first arrived, we heard what sounded like a herd of thundering buffalo running across the house…until the wee hours. I almost called her, to complain about her tenants, but little by little it started to make sense…she and her kids were the ones upstairs making all the noise! But, it did save us a bundle and it was a clean and safe place to stay…just odd. </p>
<p>LOVE VRBO and hardly travel anymore without using it! </p>
<p>For me, the main things are:</p>
<p>A: I will not even consider a place that does not have reviews (sad, really because I realize SOMEONE has to be the first, but I’m not willing to be that guinea pig).</p>
<p>B: I will send questions to the owner (lister) that have to do specifically with the neighborhood, cross streets so I can use Google maps to “walk” the area; where’s the best (fill in the blank); and I request a phone number so I can call and chat directly.</p>
<p>I have had brilliant experiences in Hawaii, and several (3 or 4 now) in NYC. </p>
<p><a href=“New York Slams Airbnb, Says Most Of Its Rentals Are Illegal”>http://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2014/10/16/new-york-slams-airbnb-says-most-of-its-rentals-are-illegal/</a></p>
<p>We have used both and never had a problem. </p>
<p>toledo…I got this helpful checklist from a friend…and have used when we go to VRBO’s. (Although I don’t spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen…) At first I thought it was a little OCD, but a number of them really make sense/have
saved us…</p>
<p>ENTRY/GENERAL
Keys – make sure you understand them. Try them all until you understand them. Ask for two sets if you are a couple.
Intercom to allow your guests to enter. Try this out to be sure it works and you know how to use it.
Where is the fuse box?
How do you turn off water and gas in case of emergency?</p>
<p>Turn on every light and lamp to be sure you know how the switches work and that there are working bulbs. Coming home to a new place when the porch light doesn’t work is a real problem, and light switches can be located in strange places.</p>
<p>KITCHEN
Faucet – run the water. Be sure the hot and cold work correctly.
Refrigerator – see that it’s clean and turned on.
Dishwasher – ask for a demonstration. Where does the soap go? Which is the right stuff? How do settings work?
Burners – ask for a demonstration. They are all different!
Oven – ditto.
Pots and pans – check to see if non-stick covering is still intact. If cookware is not okay, ask for it to be replaced immediately!
Coffee pot – make sure it works if you like coffee.
Dishes, wine glasses and cutlery – take a look to be sure you have enough.
Cooking utensils – if there’s not a spatula or an opener or any of the essentials, mention and ask for what you need.
Washing machine – Again, ask for a demonstration and double-check where the detergent goes. The spinning part is always tricky as well as temperatures, so be sure you understand that setting.
Test the microwave. Put a damp paper towel into the microwave and turn it on for 15 seconds. If it steams, you’re in business!</p>
<p>BATHROOM
Try hot/cold water.
Ask for shower/bath demonstration.
If there is mold or anything unpleasant, point it out and ask for it to be taken care of.
Check to see if there are sufficient towels and bathmats. There will NOT be a washcloth in Europe!
Flush the toilet to be sure it’s working right.</p>
<p>BEDROOM
Ask where extra linens are kept.
Be sure you have enough blankets or duvets.</p>
<p>ELECTRONICS and COMMUNICATIONS
Ask for a demonstration of the TV/DVD/Satellite/Cable, whatever is on offer. Do not be rushed through this. Continue until you really get it!
Haul out your computer and connect to the internet. If your signal is not strong enough for your needs, start the conversation about it immediately.
Ask for a phone demonstration. This is really important in a place where you don’t speak the language in the first place!
Be sure you know how to reach the manager or someone who can help you if you are really in need of assistance.</p>
<p>DIRECTIONS and LOCAL INFORMATION
Take a look at the instruction book the owner should provide. Be sure you know where to find the nearest grocery stores, subway stations, bus stops and drug stores. Ask about how to get a taxi if you need one. Do NOT forget to ask where to find the best wine/liquor store is located. ;)</p>
<p>I’ve used both VRBO and HomeAway quite a bit with no problems. HomeAway tends to have more listings, especially in Europe. I’ve only had one weird experience with a VRBO property in Aix-en-Provence, where the owner insisted that I pay his French listing agent the full amount in cash. Usually the owners take a deposit via PayPal with balance due upon arrival. We’ve rented a villa in Tuscany, apartments in NYC, Edinburgh, Paris, and Rome. I always call the owners prior to renting and never pay the full rental price, only a deposit, in advance. You can also take out affordable damage insurance from HomeAway.</p>
<p>Very thorough, gosmom. Thanks.</p>
<p>Wow, gosmom, that list is very thorough. Kind of makes me appreciate hotels – and nipped any idea of being a VRBO host in the bud! </p>
<p>I just can’t imagine demanding new cookware, etc. </p>
<p>@shellz That is really weird! And what Owner doesn’t supply a plunger “just in case”???</p>
<p>That situation is such an outlier!</p>
<p>I think what many like about VRBO rentals over hotel rooms is the space and the full kitchen! I know that even when just a married couple rent one of mine, they appreciate having two bathrooms! And, many folks like having a living room that is totally separate from the bedrooms. And, who doesn’t like having a washer and dryer in your rental! No one likes paying $4-5 to wash and dry a load in a hotel laundry room!</p>