You and your family deserve this getaway, and you want to make it a good one. To make sure your family vacations are great, you need to find the perfect vacation rental.
The wrong vacation rental can destroy your trip, maybe its too small, in the wrong location or not exactly the same as what was advertised. Our vacation rental checklist will assist you to find the perfect place for your family.
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NARROWING IT DOWN
One thing you want to do is figure out what kind of vacation you want to have. Ask everyone in your family to pitch in because it’ll make it easier to choose the right vacation home. As important as the vacation rental might be, you also have to choose the right surroundings. The best way to figure this out is to ask everyone what kinds of things they want to do during the vacation. For example, if everyone wants to hike, then good hills or mountains are vital. If water sports are what everyone wants, then look for a place near beaches or rivers.
BE FLEXIBLE WITH DATES
It’s easy to get suckered into taking a vacation with everyone else. Knowing that your friends or coworkers are planning their vacation makes you feel like you should, too. While there’s nothing wrong with taking a vacation during peak season, it also limits your vacation rental choices. This is when everyone’s taking the rentals and when prices are at their highest. Consider switching everyone’s schedules to make sure you’re taking the trip at off times of the year. You’ll see more options available if you do this.
GET THE NECESSITIES
The next thing you have to do is ensure you and your family get the necessities. Each rental has something to offer. You want to make sure that the amenities are things you want. For example, those who wish to grill should look for rentals with outdoor kitchens, while those who enjoy a good swim should consider options with chlorinated pools or those located close to water. You also want to make sure the home you’re considering has enough room to satisfy your needs. It may even be a good idea if the vacation rental has been modified for pets, just in case you’re bringing along your pet. It may take a second, but this should begin to narrow down your choices.
COMPARE PRICES
It’s important to compare prices as soon as you can. The easiest way to do this is to just visit as many vacation rental sites as possible. Sometimes, folks just choose one vacation rental website and stick with that one. It may be easier to search this way, but it also limits you. For one, you don’t know if every site has the same places. In addition to that, you can also see if the prices on one site are better than others. You’re trying to get the best vacation home for your family at the best price. The last thing you want is to overpay for your vacation home.
WORD OF MOUTH
The next thing you want to do is find out what past guests think of the vacation home you’re considering. You could gather these kinds of reviews from family or friends. These folks will tell you everything, which is what you need right now, but they’re not your only source. You should also go online and look for third-party review sites where folks might have reviewed the house you’re considering. There’s no way you’ll find a place that everyone loves. What you will find are places that many people like and avoid undesirable choices by recognizing vacation rental red flags and moving on to other options. That’s the best you can hope for. If you can, get someone in your family to help you go through all these reviews.
Doing all this will take some time, so start your search and planning as early as you can. Remember to look for virtual tours, too, and high-quality pictures to make sure you have a good idea of what to expect from your vacation home once you get there. Hopefully, these tips make it easier for your family to find the perfect place.
What’s your top tip for finding the perfect vacation rental? I’d love to hear any others I might have missed. Please add in the comments section below.
Safe travels,
Sal, Craig & Our3kids.
