Vacation rental is a term in the travel industry meaning renting out a furnished apartment or house on a temporary basis to tourists as an alternative to a hotel. Vacation rentals are becoming increasingly popular in Europe as well as in the United States.

If you are nervous about booking or dealing directly with vacation property owners, don't be.  If you are cautious and follow some basic guidelines, you will minimize your risk and maximize your vacation enjoyment.

The primary benefits of staying in a vacation home versus staying in a hotel are:

• More Space
  Instead of small-spaced, two-bed rooms, vacation rentals allow the entire family to stay under the same roof. This kind of accommodation is well-suited for extended stays.
• More Amenities
  Vacation homes offer more amenities than hotels, such as fully-equipped kitchens, fireplaces, and private hot tubs and pools.
• More Privacy
  Free from the people and environment that comes with noisy hotels, privacy is one of the biggest benefits of vacation rentals.

Please note that renting a home typically requires signing an agreement/contract with the vacation property owner. This agreement/contract is legally binding and provides more detail than the standard form you might find at a hotel or bed and breakfast.  It is important to read the agreement/contract and pay very close attention to cancellation and refund policies. You may want to consider trip cancellation insurance as an option.

Prior to starting to search for your vacation home, we suggest that you meet with everyone that will be staying in the home to discuss and decide on preferences. The more you know about your preferences before you begin to find a home, the better you will be able to secure the best home to meet your needs.

The following is a checklist of preferences that you should consider BEFORE picking up the phone or checking the web to determine availability.