How to Find the Best Vacation Rental

Are you ready plan a trip to hike up the snowcapped mountains in Colorado or relax in the sun in Florida? No matter where you want to go, consider these vacation rental tips for booking your next vacation rental.

7 Tips for Booking a Vacation Rental

1. Plan Ahead

Your biggest advantage when planning a vacation is time. When you plan further out, vacation rental costs are typically lower on sites like Airbnb versus when planning a last-minute trip. Planning ahead also gives you more options when it comes to selecting where to stay.

1. Look On the Right Site

There’s no shortage of websites when it comes to booking a place to stay. Here are the top five best sites for vacation rentals we recommend based off reviews, popularity and availability.

1. Airbnb
   Airbnb is the largest rental site with more than 6 million places to stay in 191 countries.
2. VRBO
   VRBO has been around since 1996. VRBO has over 1.9 million available listings that range from apartments and condos to houses.
3. Booking.com
   On booking.com you’re able to book more than a place to stay. You are also able to book flights, car rentals, attractions and airport taxis.
4. Expedia
   Expedia has a solid reputation when it comes to booking trips. Expedia allows you to filter through searches to find the property that fits your needs and budget.
5. TripAdvisor
   With TripAdvisor you not only book your flights, stay and car rental, but you can also view the best restaurants in your area. TripAdvisor’s site also branches off to other rental sites such as FlipKey and HouseTrip to provide your more options.

1. Consider the Location

If you’re planning a beach vacation, you may want to book a property close to the water, or if you don’t mind the walk, you may want to book a property a block or two inland and get a better deal on the price. No matter where you’re traveling, it’s a good idea to assess the area for activities and whether you’re going to be taking a rental car or if you need to be close to public transportation.

1. Read the Description Carefully

You may notice the total cost of your rental going up once you get to the checkout page. Be sure to read the full description carefully to be aware of any additional charges such as a cleaning fee, service fee or possible late and damage charges that could come later. Each rental has its own guest policy, so it’s good to review no matter how often you travel or if you’ve been to the same rental before.

1. Check the Reviews

Reviews are your best friend when searching for the perfect rental. Reviews provide an honest and unfiltered guest experience that highlights the highs and lows of a rental property.

1. Make Sure It Has the Right Amenities

Each vacation rental is unique. Consider these amenities and know what to look for when booking a vacation rental:

• Air conditioning
• Washer/dryer 
• Stove 
• Microwave 
• Dishwasher 
• Towels 
• Extra kitchen and bathroom soaps 
• Beach toys

1. Communicate with the Host

If you have questions about the rental property or want to let the property manager know you’ll be coming in late, don’t be afraid to send the host a message. Rental hosts are there to help and can provide you with more detail on the property and are a good source for recommendations when looking for any must-go places for dining or activities.

If you’re booking through a site like Airbnb or VRBO, don’t be afraid to message the host to negotiating the price. If you’re looking to stay at a property for more than a week or two, some hosts are willing to negotiate the price as it benefits them to have their property booked for longer periods of time.

Travel with Peace of Mind

Pack your bags with peace of mind knowing your home is covered while you’re gone. Connect with a local Farm Bureau agent to learn more about how we can help you protect what matters most.