It is the middle of winter and you’re freezing. This is about the time when many are planning summer beach vacations. If your past family vacations have been spent in small cramped hotel rooms, which are nightmarish on rainy days, and scouring for family restaurants that don’t break the budget, consider renting a private home or condominium for your vacation.
The first step is to find a reputable website that has a large selection of listings for your destination. Be sure you know your arrival dates, size requirements and budget. Online sites with multiple listings will have more traffic and most likely be agencies that are reputable and have been in business for sometime. Know that when you have identified the property, you will be dealing directly with the property owner.
Each property should have multiple photos so you know exactly what you’re paying for. More often than not, the property listings will detail what amenities are available with the unit or provided by the owner. Do you need to bring beach chairs and beach towels or are they provided? Is it a gas or charcoal grill? If it’s a gas grill, are you responsible for refilling it?
Be certain to check the mapped location of the property you’ve selected and see the street view. Are you as close to the beach as you would like or are you on a major road? You can also confirm this information in correspondence with the owner.
Lastly, what are your responsibilities when you check out of the property? Will the housekeeping service take care of everything or do you need to strip beds and empty trash? Having all of your questions answered prior to arrival can avoid any unnecessary surprises.
The last item on your list will be to simply pack new new bathing suits and beach towels, the books on your bucket list and that special bottle of wine you’ve been saving. Once you’ve rented a vacation home with the family, you’ll be hard pressed to return to hotel rooms. Great memories are made around dinner tables and sand castles!
