Since the economy turned, most of your worries have probably involved dollar signs. Whether you're fretting over your job security, your retirement portfolio, or where our economy is headed in general, the rule of the day is save, save, save.
But as May turns into June and the days get ever warmer, your thoughts and those of your family will likely drift to summer vacation. And if lately you've been pushing those thoughts from your head with a stern We just don't have the money!, you'll be happy to hear there's a cost-effective solution you may never have considered: the vacation rental home.
That's right. More and more people are eschewing hotels in favor of vacation homes--and it's almost always a better choice.
"In the past, people just didn't understand the benefits of staying in a vacation home," she adds. "Maybe they assumed it cost too much, or maybe they simply didn't understand the logistics of finding the right place to stay. But the Internet has changed everything. Not only is it increasingly easy to find the perfect home, it's often less expensive than getting a hotel room!"
There are many reasons to choose a vacation rental house--or condo or chalet or cabin or villa or farmhouse--over a hotel. Here are a few examples:
· There are plenty of vacation homes to choose from. An overcrowded real estate market means more and more people are choosing to rent out their second homes rather than try to sell them. That's good news for travelers like you. And if you're looking to stay closer to home this year to cut back on gas or airfare costs, you'll be happy to know that there's a vacation home within a two-hour drive of most metropolitan areas in the U.S. By visiting respectable websites-you can quickly find the one that's right for you.
· The rental process is getting easier and more convenient by the day. Admittedly, it's not quite as simple to rent a vacation home as it is to book a hotel room. You still have to deal directly with the homeowner. (Websites like Florida Gulf Vacation just provide details about the property and contact info; the consumer takes it from there.) Still, it's pretty darn easy. Services like the aforementioned websites have smoothed the pathway, of course. But also, homeowners themselves are becoming more consumer-friendly in their business practices. Despite popular misconception, you don't always have to commit to a week. Many homeowners will let you rent by the weekend or even on a nightly basis, particularly during the off-season. And while some of them still expect you to send them a personal check, many others accept credit cards or PayPal®.
· Vacation homes are more spacious and comfortable. Think about the difference between a tiny hotel room, possibly with limited amenities, and an actual home with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms and kitchens, living and dining areas. I've found that people who stay in private homes don't feel so compelled to wear themselves out cramming in every touristy activity in town. They don't mind just hanging out in the living room and relaxing more, which after all, is what a vacation is supposed to be!"
· You can live like a local. No one wants to feel or look like a tourist, an "outsider." When you stay in someone's home, you get a more authentic experience. My family stayed in a private home when we went to Florida and it was wonderful, you're just not going to get those kinds of experiences in a hotel.
"Plus, rental owners often provide special touches that make the experience homier,". "Beach cottages might come equipped with sand buckets and shovels for the kids; woodsy ski-resort-area cabins might have a Crock-Pot and a special chili recipe. Those little special touches really make a huge difference."
· You can get inside information from the homeowner. One big reason vacation home renters get to "live like locals" is that most homeowners love to provide their guests with helpful hints. They'll point you to the best restaurants in town, the best hiking trails, and the best bike rental places. They'll tell you who has the cheapest gas, which roads to take to avoid traffic, and which attractions are overpriced "tourist traps." You really are a guest in her home, and she wants you to have a fabulous time."
· You can cook and do laundry. If you're on a budget, both of these factors can be huge benefits. Obviously, eating every meal in a restaurant gets pricey. The ability to prepare meals "at home" not only saves money, there's just something nice about savoring a home-cooked meal while on vacation. (And for parents of small children, it's far less stressful than choking down meals while praying that the next table doesn't have to endure a toddler tantrum!) As for the washer and dryer factor--well, being able to bring fewer clothes is not only a sanity saver during packing, it's a space saver for those long car rides.
· If the weather's bad, there's more to do indoors. Most vacation rental homeowners provide DVDs (along with the electronic equipment to view them on), board games, playing cards, and other family-friendly diversions. Also, more than half of all rental properties now have Internet access. "If it pours down rain during your vacation, you'll appreciate these kinds of thoughtful extras," says Karpinski. "In fact, even if the weather is beautiful, you'll appreciate them. Anyone who has kids knows they don't have the attention span to do vacation stuff all day. Sometimes they just want to unwind with a movie--which also gives you a chance to relax, too."
· Vacation homes provide more privacy for Mom & Dad. Let's say you want to have some, ahem, adult time while you're on vacation. There's nothing better than being able to put the kids in a separate bedroom down the hall. "Adjoining hotel rooms just aren't the same," notes Karpinski. "Not only is it going to probably be more expensive, most people feel a little uneasy about having their kids in a separate hotel room. Staying in an actual home provides a greater sense of privacy and safety."
· You might even be able to bring Fido or Fluffy. That's right. Many vacation property owners will accept pets, which makes their homes especially attractive to families who can't bear to part with their four-footed friends for a week. "Even if you normally drop your pets off at the kennel, you might want to reconsider," "By taking them with you, you can save hundreds of dollars on boarding costs. Just make sure the person you're renting from gives you the go-ahead."
Once you go the vacation home route, you probably won't go back to hotels, we never have! Yes, it takes a little effort on your part--and you may have to contact several different owners before you find the right home--but the results are definitely worth it. Start planning your next vacation right now. When you're relaxing in a comfortable home in a few months, you'll be glad you made the effort.
