IS IT SAFE TO RENT DIRECT FROM THE OWNER?
If you're dipping a toe in the vacation rental waters for the first time, you may worry about sending 500 or more of your hard-earned bucks to "Joe-owner" as a deposit for a home you've selected solely on the basis of a brief description and a few photos on an Internet web site.
It's a legitimate worry. Sites like HomeAway.com clearly state they assume "no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in the ads." In fact they recommend you visit prospective properties in advance to confirm everything is as you expect it to be! Gulp.
Would you be safer with a management company after all? I've had good experiences renting from both. Here's what I've found.
Management companies. When we had problems with no heat and noisy birds nesting in the eaves outside our bedroom in our first rental, Coldwell Banker (the management company) took care of things -- and insisted on taking a night's rent off for our inconvenience. The owner may not live close by. However, he is likely to have established relationships with local vendors that provide the same services. The best way to find out is to ask.
A management company can also save you some search time by recommending homes based on your needs. You can expect them to have visited all the homes they represent.
Owners. I like to do my own searching. I've mostly rented direct from owners and, I have to tell you, it's mostly been a love-fest. While some management companies will warn you that the owner has a "vested interest" in renting his or her property, make no mistake: owners are equally vested in ensuring each guest has a good experience. An owner is far more knoweldgeable about his home than a management company.
The most efficient way to put your mind at rest is to call. Most owners I've spoken to are as honest about the drawbacks of their home as they are about its high points. Most love to chat. Prepare to hear a friendly voice at the other end of the line -- beyond the cordial, clipped greeting you're likely to get when you call a hotel and even B&B. I'm not exaggerating when I say, you may feel like you've found a new friend.
What you may not realize is that many onwers are screening you while you're screening them! But that doesn't make your chat any less sincere when the end result is everybody's best interest. What's more, if an owner can't accommodate your needs, he or she will tell you. Some may even recommend other homes they're personally familiar with.
Your best strategy: Don't fear the owner; chat him up. Pick up the phone and put your mind at rest.