Vacation Rentals By Owner

Vacation rentals by owner can be booked a variety of ways. Here are the most popular.

Private websites - Many owners create and maintain their own private websites to advertise and showcase their property. These sites typically include photos, descriptions, testimonials, and contact information.

Owner-Direct Directories - An online search will quickly reveal a massive amount of directories offering vacation rentals by owner listings. The largest ranges from Homeaway.com (which has recently bought many other directories) to small portals that are mostly spam.

These owner-direct directories offer properties worldwide, but typically take no accountability for the legitimacy of the rental. (For instance, here's what Homeaway says: "HomeAway operates strictly as an advertising medium [and] assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in the ads herein."

Owner-Direct Search Engine - An alternative to the owner-direct directories is a vacation rentals search engine, like AlluraDirect.com. They differ from a regular directory because they not only offering property listings, but also provide the tools for homeowners to manage their property.

AlluraDirect.com is also the only vacations rentals website in the world to offer guests instant bookings (like a hotel) of the exact property you'll stay in (not like a hotel). They also provide maximum security to renters by enforcing a strict quality-control agreement with their owners. Starting back in 1997, with offering only Whistler accommodations at the time, they have expanded throughout the country due to popular demand, with destination offerings such as Vancouver lodging.

Big Savings - You can avoid middle agent fees and commissions by booking your vacation rentals direct with owners.

Incredible Value - You get all the convenience of extras typically found in personal home rather than standard vacation rentals accommodations, such as a full kitchen and entertainment center.

More Vacation Rental Space - Get more vacation rental space for your money than a typical hotel room & enjoy more comfort for you and your family.

See the exact property before you book it - Many hotels won't reveal which room you're getting until you check-in. With owner-direct, you typically see the exact property. What you see online is exactly where you will stay.

Big Vacation Rentals by Owner Selection - All types of owner-direct lodging is available, depending on the directory you're using. Choose from economy-luxury homes to suit your personal preferences or budget.

Personal Service, Hospitality & Local Knowledge - You will be dealing with an actual homeowner with local knowledge of the destination. And their sole guest is YOU, rather than a multi-property reservations agent.

Reservations Flexibility - Vacation rentals home owners are generally more flexible regarding arrival and departure days and times.

Privacy - Your own home means privacy you rarely find in a hotel.

Damage Deposit Fraud - According to lawyer Aaron Larson, the biggest danger of a vacation rental from an owner is damage deposit fraud. To protect themselves from damage incurred by a renter, owners will often collect a damage deposit of $500.

Unfortunately, a minority of vacationers have reported a hard time getting the deposit back. Sometimes the owner simply ignores the request to return the deposit, or just pretends that something was damaged. Crafty owners bet that a guest isn't willing to jump through all the legal hoops to obtain the deposit.

Quality of the Rental Property - How accurate is the owner-direct property presented on the website or directory? Pictures can be from an older time (when the place was shiny and new), or even edited to hide problems that would otherwise cause alarm.

Once you arrive to a filthy or lackluster rental, it can be difficult to find alternate arrangements without severely hampering your vacation. (Plus, an owner who misrepresents their property is either delusional or deliberately deceptive).

Renting A Non-Existant Property - While uncommon, this danger is a possibility, considering that many vacation rental directories are less than vigilant when confirming a property actually exists and is owned by the renter. (Typically, these websites will hide behind a wall of disclaimers and non-guarantees).

Self-managing your vacation rental home is a great way to get into the vacation rental real estate market and to build your vacation rental by owner business, but it has many challenges and risks, especially if you live far away from your rental home.

AlluraDirect.com offers a free vacation rentals tips newsletter offering tips on how to maximize your real estate return on investment, personal enjoyment and long-term stable customer base, while minimizing your time burden and risks associated with self-managing your rental home- no matter where you live.

Visit AlluraDirect.com and Sign Up Now!

1. Book Early - The best places sell out fast. What was available yesterday, may not be available today, since AlluraDirect.com's inventory changes by the second, as guests do live bookings on the site every single minute of the day and night!

2. Get a Copy of the Owner's Web Site on Your Computer - Anything that is publically advertised on the owner's web site is a minimum guarantee to which you can hold the owner accountable. If it is not on the web, anything promised and not delivered is merely your word against the owners.

If an owner is promising an amenitity or service, or policy that is important to you, make sure that you print off the page as evidence. Simply go to each critical pages of their web site and click Save As from the File menu on your browser.

3. Verify the Exact Property Location - Make sure that the property location is clearly described on the owner's web site. The property description should include its skiing, walking and driving distance to critical amenities, as well as the development and area name.

For security reasons, most owners will not give you an exact address, however, they should give you enough street information--in writing-- to locate the property on a street map that is on their property pages. One person's idea of ski-in/out may not be yours!

4. Pay on Time - Owners will often cancel your reservation if you fail to pay by their due dates. Paying online is a great way to secure your reservation by paying on time.

5. Get the Right Documentation - Always get everything in writing, including the policies, prior to, and subsequent to, each payment made to the owner.

6. Check the Availability Calendar - Most owners publish an availability calendar on their private website, or through their directory listing. AlluraDirect.com allows owners to automatically update their availability.

Has the owner added your reservation to their calendar? If not, then other site users will think it's still available, and your booking could be at risk of human error. Make sure that the owner blocks off your dates to ensure a smooth reservation experience.

7. Check the Owner's Legitimacy - Ask for references from past guests or call the local resort association to confirm their membership. Alternatively, if the owner is listed on a directory, you can try contacting the website and asking for a complaints recor