Archive for March, 2010

How to Advertise Your Vacation Rentals for Free?

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Vincent Berkmans asked:


 

Thanks to the internet, tourists are now finding it easier to look for alternative accommodation for a traditional hotel stay through the search engines. Vacation Rentals are the most competitive alternate for traditional hotel rooms. It is very much suitable for traveling with a group and it is much cheaper too!

Are you an owner of vacation rentals? And tiered of spending too much money on advertising your home on the internet to getting few inquiries for the money you spend? Advertise smart in free sites and get more inquiries for no cost.

Most homeowners choose to sign up with sites which are getting considerable traffic. The number of visitors to the site per day is important as it increases the chances of getting more inquiries and renters. The greater number of visitors to a site – the more popular the site is. Some sites charge homeowners for $30 to $225 in order for their properties to be included in the directory for year, the price needed to be paid for membership depends on the popularity of the listing.

Now days there are lot of sites offering free listing for limited period like 6 months or one year, after that you will be charged a considerable amount fee as listing service charge. On the other hand, there are sites like www.rentalmadeeasy.com offers free listing of vacation rentals for lifetime. These sites also get high traffic especially since more homeowners can access the services of these sites for free. We recommend all home owners to take advantage of listing their homes in those sites and get more inquiries even though the sites have only few hundreds of visitors a day.

How, you might ask, these sites allowing free listing of vacation rentals and homes earn their income? Some of these sites sometimes get minimal commissions for every booking. Also, they get residual income from advertisements on their sites. There are also some sites which actually charge fees for homeowners to prioritize the position their listing, so much like the yellow pages. Some of these sites charge for extra photos after free ones. Some of the sites charge money for adding the link to your own websites. The most interesting fact about these free vacation rental listing sites is they do not require any credit card information when you list your properties; it is completely up to you to decide to promote your property in these site by paying extra to prioritize or adding extras like more photos and links. In addition to these features most of the free sites for listing vacation rentals and homes are also promoting your listing on major search engines and bring more traffic to your home.

For homeowners, paid and free listing of vacation rentals and homes serves as a source of advertisement and a great way to get more booking for their villas, homes, condos, etc. Now days there are more and more real estate investors are choosing to purchase vacation properties abroad because these are not only cheaper, they also more profitable especially when these are advertised in a free listing of vacation rentals and homes.

According to a study, approximately half of the homeowners surveyed say that more than 25% of their vacation rental bookings come from paid listing sites. At present at least 27% of homeowners use three or more paid listing sites and at least 86% of homeowners have listed their properties on free sites. On the other hand, 14% of the homeowners surveyed do not use free listing of vacation rentals and homes, and 18% use more than 3 free sites for their vacation homes. With these statistics, it is undeniable – the use of free listing of vacation rentals and homes is the way to go if you want to profit from your property.



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Where can I find a vacation rental home with a private pool in the midwest?

Monday, March 29th, 2010
white brick home asked:


I’m looking for a vacation home with 4-5 rooms and a private pool that is no more than 4 hours driving distance from Chicago, no higher than about $350 a night. Are there a lot of homes for rent in the midwest with private in ground pools anyhow?

Links would be greatly appreciated!

Trane Gas Furnace

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Enjoy Shimmering Sunrise With Key West Vacation Rental

Monday, March 29th, 2010
Sylvestor Johnson asked:


And, one of such magical place is Key West. Definitely, holidaying at Key West gives unforgettable moments which lives for the life time and becomes a story for the friends and family. Its sunset, fragrance of jasmine, its Duval street, salt water fishing and its yummy fresh sea food, all have small stories in it which further excites an individual. There are also many other things to do in Key West such as deep sea fishing, diving, snorkeling etc. It doesn’t matter that which month an individual comes to Key West for holidaying because at Key West every moment and day is exciting. This story doesn’t ends here its lots more than this but now its time to know that where to stay and relax while holidaying in Key West. And, the best and cheap way to accommodate is Key West vacation rental.

It is quite obvious that a thought might come in the mind of an individual that why Key West vacation rental is recommended over other place of accommodation such as hotels etc. In simple terms, the reason is the comfort, cost and privacy it offers. It is true that hotels offers comfort but they are expensive as compared to Key West vacation rental. Above all, accommodating in hotels doesn’t give privacy that is every moment an individual is disturbed by one or the other person. On the other hand, in Key West vacation rental, no one is there to disturb without permission.

An individual can enjoy every amenity in vacation rental as he enjoys at his home that is lying down in the living room and watching television, listening music, bed room and much more comfort which is very difficult to list all. Not only all the comfort rather Key west vacation rental has a fully furnished kitchen in which an individual can cook for his friends and family while holidaying. This will not let him feel home food sick which generally is felt by many individual while holidaying.

Key West vacation rental can be in the form of condo, apartment, bungalow, villa, cottage etc. Because of the growing demand of Key West vacation rental, there are number of owners or travel agents who provides vacation rental in Key West as per the preference. The rates of Key West vacation rental varies from one another depending on its location, size of the vacation rental. The point which also matters is the number of people who will reside in Key West vacation rental.

Now, what are you waiting for, go and book your vacation rental at Key West and feel like home while holidaying.



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I’m looking for a vacation rental in Destin Florida?

Sunday, March 28th, 2010
Melissa asked:


I am looking for a vacation rental in destin florida or the surrounding area that will rent to someone under 25 years old. Any suggestions? Websites?

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Vacation Rentals - 21st Century Family Vacations

Saturday, March 27th, 2010
Carl asked:


It seems as if Vacation Rentals are becoming more and more popular. With the rise of the world wide web, you are able to communicate with a vacation rental owner anywhere in the world. Years ago your only option was to visit your local travel agent and book a hotel. There were no vacation rental directories or portals in the past. Now you can surf the web for the perfect vacation rental house. No need for a travel agent as you usually negotiate directly with the owner of the property. Since vacation rentals are slowly becoming the preferred method of booking a vacation, I decided to create an article to give renters some tips about finding the perfect vacation rental.

First, let’s define what we are talking about when we say vacation rental. We call it a vacation rental when a renter rents a property directly from the owner (or representative of the owner). The property usually has it’s own kitchen, living room, bedrooms, etc. They come in many shapes and sizes including condos, single family homes, townhouses, cabins, chalets, and more. Vacation rentals are usually near resort locations and activities such as theme parks, beaches, and skiing. A hotel or motel room is not a vacation rental!

What makes vacation rentals different from hotels? The comfort is the main difference. You have all of the same luxuries that you have at home. Most vacation rentals have kitchens and most of the other amenities that you have at home, plus many have additional amenities such as hot tubs, pool tables, etc. With larger groups there is definitely a cost advantage. A 3-bedroom vacation rental usually hosts more visitors than 3 hotel rooms. Make sure to keep this in mind if you do any cost analysis. Also make sure to include meal savings in your analysis since you may not dine out as often in comparison to a hotel vacation. These items alone could be substantial savings.

Imagine this scenario: Yourself and two other families pay a visit to a popular tourist destination. Your touring of the destination is complete for the day at about 3 pm. From 4pm - 6pm you dine together. It’s now 6pm with still some time remaining in the day. If you have a hotel, what do you plan to do? You can waste all of your money at numerous tourist traps (activities such as spending $3, to try to throw a ball into a bucket or $2 to throw a plastic ring around a bottle). With a vacation rental there is no need for that stuff! You can have family game night sitting in a nice comfortable home or take advatage of all the other amenities your rental has to offer. This is why it is important to learn about the amenities of the rental before you enter into a contract. As stated earlier some have hot tubs, pool tables, movies and many other activities.

Tips for Renters:

1. Bookmark as many “vacation Rental” websites as possible. This way when you are searching for a rental, you have all of the portal sites at your fingertips.

2. Always make sure to find out what items are provided and what is not provided by the owner. For example, in some rentals you may need to supply your own linens. It would be unfortunate to show up with no towels/sheets, etc.

3. Always book early. Many of the popular destinations get filled quickly.

4. Check for references if possible. The exception to this rule is if the owner is just starting out.

5. If you enjoyed your trip, try to negotiate a better price for next year. The owner would probably love to start filling his/her calendar for next year.

6. Make sure you have the owner’s contact information with you while on the trip. If there is an emergency, you may need to call.

7. Read the fine print and make sure to read all fine print on any leases or documentation that you are asked to sign. Also, read any fine print on the vacation rental web listing.

8. If you’re trying to save some money, scroll to the bottom of the list. Many vacation rental portal sites have hundreds of listings. Many times, the listings at the bottom of the list are just as good as those at the beginning. The listings at the bottom don’t get as many page views so you may find some better prices and some owner’s looking to fill a quick vacancy.

9. Make sure you ask any questions you may have before making a reservation. Questions about the amenities, pets, smoking/non smoking, handy capped accessibility, and cribs for children are some questions that come to mind.

10. Lastly, have fun on your vacation and please respect the owner’s property and follow all of his/her rules and regulations. Please remember this is someone’s personal property that you are renting.

About the author:

The author is in the business of assisting vacation rental owners in promoting their rental properties. He designed and owns the following vacation rental websites: Jersey Shore Rentals, Beach House Rentals, and Destin Vacation Rentals.



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Need help for planing a nice vacation rental home in Florida?

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
geetali j asked:


Do you know anymore website offering vacation rental in Florida, I know only one: http://www.alwaysonvacation.com/vacation-rental-guide/state/united-states/florida/index.html.

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Where can I find a vacation rental in Surfside Beach, SC?

Monday, March 22nd, 2010
confusedwifey asked:


Looking for a vacation rental, ocean front at Surfside Beach, SC for June 2010. Needs to sleep 16 people, be smoke and pet free, have a pool and must be clean and well kept.

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An Ultimate Destination-santa Barbara Vacation Rental

Saturday, March 20th, 2010
Sylvestor Johnson asked:


You need to figure out some plan for some vacation and just relax. Here is an excellent suggestion: you can rent a vacation rental at Santa Barbara, where you can stretch yourself near beach side to enjoy the tranquility of the moment. It is one of the most intimate and classy vacation destinations. With such an exquisite vacation at Santa Barbara vacation rental, you will certainly forget all your mundane work pressure, those interrupting calls, overflowing inbox, hectic meetings. You could substitute those bothersome tones by lapping waves, sea breezes and the pleasant sound of your own people enjoying them immensely.

It is advisable to choose Santa Barbara vacation rental as a means of accommodation, over other accommodations like hotels and motels because of a large number of benefits that it offers. Most of the vacation rentals at Santa Barbara, Los Angeles are situated at a near distance from sea, so that you can easily plan an unforgettable trip out to sea. Santa Barbara vacation rental serves as a perfect home for people seeking fun, frolic and tranquility.

Moreover, with a Santa Barbara vacation rental home, you will not have to bear hunger pangs in the morning, in waiting for everyone to get ready and hunting for a breakfast spot. Santa Barbara vacation rental caters you with a fully furnished kitchen, where you can cook home-made dainty dishes for your family. All you have to do is stock your kitchen with some essentials from the grocery store. You can enjoy coffee, cereals on your personal deck every morning. The main thing is that a lot of money can be saved and the peaceful mood doesn’t have to be bothered.

Carry on the cycle of happiness throughout the day. With the beach nearby it will be much easier to pack a bag of provisions; sunscreen, snack, paper bag…and then lie around and recline, just a few steps from your Santa Barbara vacation rental.

You can make online search for Santa Barbara vacation rental home. These are offered by different individuals and travel agents. The choice is all yours and a rampant theme of Santa Barbara vacation rental. It has cultural offerings, city center, spas, restaurants and various festivals that take place the entire year. The weather is always mild, so your vacation is guaranteed in a serene environment. If this could not remove the strain and stress of so many ordinary workdays, nothing will.



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Hawaii Vacation Rentals And Hawaii Activities: The Importance Of Making A Connection

Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Boris Ralston asked:


If you would like to travel to Hawaii, there is a good chance that you have a reason for wanting to do so. For example, would you like to take in the beauty and great history that Hawaii has to offer? Would you like to learn how to surf or participate in another one of the many popular Hawaii activities? If so, you should know the importance of making a connection between Hawaii activities and Hawaii vacation rentals.

One of the biggest reasons why a connection should be made between Hawaii activities and Hawaii vacation rentals is because doing so can help you truly have the vacation of your dreams. For example, choosing a vacation rental that is conveniently located near what you want to do and see can save you both a considerable amount of time and money. Money is saved due the elimination of unnecessary travel. Time is saved by eliminating that travel, but you also have more time to enjoy yourself on your next Hawaii vacation.

Since we all have different reasons for wanting to take a trip to Hawaii, you will want to closely examine your reasons. Learning how to surf was an example sited above. Hawaii is known for is pristine surfing conditions. If you don’t already know how to surf, you will need to take lessons. While you do have an unlimited number of options, you may want to take the time to find those that are affordable and come highly rated and recommended. Doing the proper research first enables you to, in turn, find a conveniently located Hawaii vacation rental.

In keeping with examining what you want to do and see, while on a Hawaii trip, it is important to remember that you do have an unlimited number of options. In addition to surfing or learning how to surf, there is so much more for you to do and see. Additional beach activities that come highly rated and recommended include boating, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and windsurfing. Even if you want to stay on land, you may be surprised with all that you can do and see, including dinning, dancing, shopping, hiking, taking guide tours, and so forth.

Since being spontaneous is a nice part of taking a vacation, especially with Hawaii, you may not want to plan every minute of your vacation. With that being said, it is still a good idea to examine what you could do or see, especially where Hawaii attractions are concerned. If you have yet to make your Hawaii vacation rental reservations, this can enable you to find a rental that is conveniently located, thus reducing your travel time and expenses. Researching nearby attractions is easy. In fact, in just a few minutes you can learn that while on Maui you can visit the Haleakala Crater, see the famous Iao Needle, or take a drive along the scenic route of the Hana Highway, which is filled with waterfalls and much more!

As highlighted above, it is important to make a connection between Hawaii activities and Hawaii vacation rentals. This is best done before you make your Hawaii travel arrangements. With that being said, your intended Hawaii activities and the Hawaii attractions that you would like to visit are not the only points that should be taken into consideration. Cost, availability, features, rules, and restrictions are all important components of choosing and booking a stay at a Hawaii vacation rental.

When examining available Hawaii vacation rentals online, do business with a reputable travel website, such as HawaiianBeachRentals.com. They have detailed information on all rentals, including features, full costs, and rules and restrictions. Perhaps, the greatest feature is that of approximate map locations. Knowing exactly where each Hawaii vacation rental is located can give you a better idea concerning convenience.



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How to Save Big Bucks Booking Lake Tahoe Rentals

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Vacation Rentals asked:


How to Book Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals at a Huge Discount

Are you Ready? The comfort, space and privacy of Lake Tahoe rental vacation homes are a “must book” for your next family vacation. If you’ve spent most of your vacations in hotels, enjoying the convenience and location, now is the time to venture out of your norm and try an accommodation with style. If you’ve never reserved a lakefront or mountain view Tahoe cabin, it is only a matter of renting your first one and you’ll be hooked for life.

No hotel experience in the world can offer the pleasures, savings and comfort of lodging in a vacation home – where just the kitchen is the size of the whole hotel room. Vacation homes offer privacy, comfort, and best of all, the amenities are free. It’s the ultimate stress-free vacation. Fully-equipped kitchens are perfect for family holidays, delicious home cooked food and visiting (what room does everyone end up in anyway?). In a vacation home, you can play board games, you have the space to spread out and scrapbook or build Lego fortresses, no one has to sleep on a rollaway bed, and you still get the convenient location to enjoy  all the wonderful summer and winter outdoor activities. These are just a few of the benefits that make nationwide vacation home rentals the fastest growing segment of the travel industry. Now, what if you could combine all of that comfort, space and fun with a cool deal on your accommodations?

Here is the secret to saving big bucks booking Lake Tahoe Rentals.

Families from the San Francico bay area travel to the Lake Tahoe region for family vacaions. Here you will find some tips on how to save money wen renting your families next Tahoe vacation home and come home with money left over.

First you you should do a cost comparison of Lake Tahoe rentals vs. Lake Tahoe hotels. For purposes of this article, I have used average nightly rate pricing on a few of the nicer hotels and vacation homes in the area.



#1) Place a call to a local Lake Tahoe hotel for pricing and ask for their best deal. You will find the average 400 square foot room rents at an average nightly rate of $200.00 per night. Since you are bringing the family you will need at least two rooms. That’s 400.00 bucks for 800 square feet of room per night. A three-night stay would end up costing $1,200.00 just for the rooms. Never mind getting to and from your rooms, the noise, housekeeping, expensive food, hard pillows, and expansive views of… the parking lot.

#2) Now let’s examine the cost on Lake Tahoe rentals. Most Tahoe vacation homes are 3+ bedrooms, averaging 1600 square feet. That is twice the amount of space vs. two hotel rooms. The average cost for a nice peaceful middle-of-the road home is $250 per night. A three-night stay would cost you just $750.00, saving you $450 for lift tickets, dinners, Sea-Doo rentals, shopping or a late night show at the casino.

So how do you find one of these Lake Tahoe vacation rentals and come home with money left over?

#3) That’s the easy part – all you have to do is hop on the internet and type a in a search like “Reserve Tahoe Rentals” or “Book Tahoe Rentals.” Your search results will provide you several companies offering accommodations at some really cool rates. This winter Lake Tahoe will be a travel hot spot and a skier’s wonderland. Now is the time to start planning your Thanksgiving family reunion, Christmas-in-Tahoe holiday or a ski week on the North or South Shore.

Don’t forget to ask “Google Maps” to show you the home. This is an amazing feature that will give you a great view of the outside of the home and neighborhood. Another tip: grab some lift tickets in advance – many resorts sell discounted tickets outside of their immediate area before and during the ski season. Just like hotels, vacation home rentals often have last-minute and early bird booking benefits, two-for-one promotions, extra-night-free deals, and more. These discounts, combined with the already much lower prices of a vacation home vacation, have me wondering what you’re waiting for.

If you don’t know where to start looking for a vacation home start right here:

STEP 1: Go to your Google or Yahoo! Search Page

STEP 2: Type in “Book Tahoe Rentals” or “Reserve Tahoe Rentals”

STEP 3: Use YouTube.com to search for Lake Tahoe Rentals.



…and your adventure starts there. If you are new to vacation rental booking and are looking for professional help in selecting Tahoe vacation rentals best suited for you and your friends and family, another great place to start is by clicking here: Lake Tahoe Rentals. This rental company has some fantastic homes and cabins with lake views, mountain views and some great nightly rates. Be sure to bookmark the site so that you can keep enjoying the savings and great vacations!



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