How to Book a Vacation Rental Without Getting Ripped Off


How to Avoid Vacation Rental Scams

Photo via ameliaisland.com

‘Tis the season for family travel. Before you book that vacation rental, however, there are some things you should probably know first so you don’t get screwed. Below, we’ve shared a list of tips to avoid getting ripped off, courtesy of Maryalene LaPonsie for MoneyTalksNews.com. Happy travels!

Verify a Vacation Property Rental with Airbnb, Homeaway

 

Use a service that verifies properties and owners

LaPonsie says websites such as Airbnb, VRBO, and Homeaway “make it easy for travelers to connect with property owners in prime vacation spots.” These sites also often have built-in fraud protection, such as secure method of payment and money back guarantees. Be sure to read the fine print for benefits and always check reviews and talk with the owner. You can also go through a local real estate agent, says LaPonsie, to rent a home.

 

Reserve a Vacation Rental Over Skype

Talk to or Skype with the owner

If you’re not using a service that verifies properties and owners, LaPonsie says, get the owner on the phone or request that they chat with you on Skype or a similar service. Then, ask them to take you on a real-time, virtual tour of the space so you can ask questions and verify the legitimacy of the listing. Do not negotiate solely be email in this situation, LaPonsie says, and be leery of owners who provide vague answers about the property and area.

Using Cell Phone to Reserve Vacation Rental

Check public records

If you can’t Skype with the owner, LaPonsie recommends doing some investigative work on Google. Look up the address and use Google Street View to confirm the listed property matches the one on the screen. You can also verify distances to beaches, attractions and airports using Google Maps. You can also often search tax records for many municipalities online. If you can’t find the information online, contact the clerk’s office to confirm ownership, LaPonsie says.

For the rest of LaPonsie’s tips to avoid getting scammed, click here to read her article in its entirety.

Who Rents Vacation Homes?

Ready to book that vacation home on the beach or cabin in the mountains this summer? Rent It Today can help! The most comprehensive rental resource online, Rent It Today can help connect you with vacation rental homes across the country. Check out our available listings today at www.rentittoday.com!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *