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Random Quote: There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
After Having My house in rental fleet, I said shut it down, By the time I pay all the cost associated with ownership, and damage caused by inconsiderate renters I said let them get a hotel
Why do renters Leave all the lights on during the day ?
Why do renters leave the sliding glass doors open with the A/C on 60 ?
Why do renters break shit that Never fails when you use it
The prices are high Because Renters Feel like they paid for it so wear it out and treat
your House Like a College dorm,
renting is more a pain then its worth
Sorry that pushed button
We have had our house rental booked since September. The couple took it for 6 months. They paid our rate and happily, as we allow dogs.
This year our inquiries are running about 15% higher than last year. The fact that we allow dogs is a big draw. People will pay more, and rightfully so, since the potential for damage is higher.
Those that ask right off for a discount get an ''already booked' reply. I am not interested in discounting our rental because, as mentioned above there is too much potential for damage or misuse.
We are a bit higher priced than those around us but our house is our summer home and is maintained, furnished and decorated as such.
Coconut, we rented a 4 bedroom house in Marathon last summer and were apalled at the condition. The place looked great on the internet and was managed by a reputable firm. It was a mess.
I can understand why you feel the way you do. Weekly renters are tough on a place. They are generally there to party and that equates to abnormal behavior. If the place is a mess when they arrive it can only go downhill from there.
Charge high deposits, high rents and hopefully you can attract a more responsible tenant.
I would rather have fewer rentals at a higher rate than the alternative. It is too tough on the property.
If the owners price it correctly there should be no reason to haggle. I have underpriced the competition.
vrbo.com/88317
vrbo.com/262652
vrbo.com/121287
But....what are you willing to do??? I have been known to discount now and again.
We rented our house out via VRBO last summer while we were in Europe. Great experience and I'd do it again. We charged a lot which weeded out the knuckle heads. The family that rented our place had 3 kids under 9 and were from Spain. They were super courteous and took care of our place like it was their own.
No one tried to haggle us on pricing. I don't see why you can't offer less than the list price. It never hurts to ask.
I have rented four times through VRBO. Three were great experiences. The fourth turned out to be an overrated apartment in a yucky block of Miami Beach. But the absentee Canadian owner really didn't have a clue the local managers were not doing the job on upkeep, and made it right for us.
I did negotiate one for a free extra night, and another for a late checkout. Be care ful how hard you push though, those that are willing to negotiate way down..well, you may get what you pay for.
We rented through VRBO in London and paris last year. The only issue we had was with some mold in the place in London. Great experience and good communication. We registered our stay, which provided some insurance incase things went south.
I think some are looking at VRBO like they are some big company that owns and rents their properties... VRBO is like ebay, you have to treat every item on its own merits (including the vendor when possible), treat VRBO in the same way you do the classified ads. I would try the number you feel its worth, or what you can and would pay. Owners want to rent, they'll listen and negotiate... or not. I haven't been on VRBO looking in a long time, but the first thing I would do is email the landlord requesting more than the 3 'best' photos they have....
I would think in this economic climate that haggling is a must to get the best deal.
My experience with VRBO was in Beaver Creek, CO. Asked the owner if the would accept xxxx dollars a night. They accepted. Nice place, very well kept. had a great time.
We are actually thinking of renting our condo in Pirates Cove, NC through VRBO.
I've rented several times through it - France, South Carolina Coast, Bahamas, USVI and have had good luck. I was just curious if anyone had much luck negotiating down for 2010. I understand that for some owners it might not be worth it but I also know that there are a ton of owners that were absolutely counting on rental cash flow when they bought their vacation home. I would think that many of those folks would take just about anything reasonable to help with cash flow.
In my area the Realtors charge 25% of the rents to manage the properties. With me managing the properties the savings are significant (more to nego). I have had zero problems with tenants over the past several years.
We rent our ski condo through VRBO and it seems to work well. I get people that e-mail and haggle but I tell them all the same thing..... if they want to stay in my place then they will pay my asking. I dont need to rent it, I dont care if it sits and frankly if they cant afford to pay a decent rate they probably will not care for it like I do. I think the biggest hagglers are doctors though. I get more lowball offers from doctors than anyone else!!
I have used VRBO a couple times in the Keys (KCB). The places have been very nice and I have no complaints. Just ask questions to insure you are getting what you agree to. Treat it like it was yours and clean up after yourself.
I have both of my vacation rental properties on Sanibel Island, Florida listed on VRBO and many other sites. I do provide last minute discounts on both properties when I feel comfortable with the renters.
One avenue that has created confidence for me in renting is joining Second Porch, a new app for Facebook. Second Porch, unlike traditional VR portals, allows you to get to know a little about the inquiring rental guests as well as providing the rental guests with more information on me and my properties.
I will keep my vacation rental listings alive: they do bring in revenues. But one thing that makes social media stand out from conventional portals is that people coming to me through people I know or know of are less likely to haggle. I spend a lot of time keeping my places in tip top shape and I don't want to be giving them away.
I've rented several times through it - France, South Carolina Coast, Bahamas, USVI and have had good luck. I was just curious if anyone had much luck negotiating down for 2010. I understand that for some owners it might not be worth it but I also know that there are a ton of owners that were absolutely counting on rental cash flow when they bought their vacation home. I would think that many of those folks would take just about anything reasonable to help with cash flow.
I would suggest approaching it this way. Don't ask in you initial inquiry for a discount. This is a big turnoff.
Find out if the dates requested are available. Then ask to speak to the person on the phone. Let them get a good feeling about you on the phone and then let them know that you are on a budget and if there is any room for a discount.
Let them know that you will treat the place with respect and clean up after yourselves so no additional cleaning charges are incurred above the normal charges.
If an owner feels comfortable that you will take care of the place they may offer a discount instead of getting a few bucks more and taking a chance on someone they don't know or haven't talked to.
Offseason is a good time to ask for a discount. Our beach condo is between rentals usually in September. THis is the time I will discount that rental.
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
I would suggest approaching it this way. Don't ask in you initial inquiry for a discount. This is a big turnoff.
Find out if the dates requested are available. Then ask to speak to the person on the phone. Let them get a good feeling about you on the phone and then let them know that you are on a budget and if there is any room for a discount.
Let them know that you will treat the place with respect and clean up after yourselves so no additional cleaning charges are incurred above the normal charges.
If an owner feels comfortable that you will take care of the place they may offer a discount instead of getting a few bucks more and taking a chance on someone they don't know or haven't talked to.
Offseason is a good time to ask for a discount. Our beach condo is between rentals usually in September. THis is the time I will discount that rental.
VRBO Vacation Rentals - Haggling 
