senior Scoops

Airbnb and VRBO are getting expensive

Accommodations are a primary factor in the overall cost of a vacation. They can make or break the affordability of your trip. It is important to choose carefully and shop prudently.

While hotels still command the lion’s share of vacation travelers’ dollars, online marketplaces like Airbnb have been gaining steadily in market share over the last decade. When combined with VRBO these platforms service over 30% of vacation rentals.

Rentals by owner (RBO) can range from a room in someone’s basement to a private luxury villa complete with a pool, hot tub, and sauna.

Unfortunately, as the popularity of RBOs has increased, so has their pricing. There are other factors as well that should affect your decision. Therefore, it is important to approach such a rental with the same level of scrutiny as any semi-major purchase.

In this article, I will put forth several suggestions to consider when selecting an RBO, I hope these suggestions help make your time away more enjoyable and budget friendly.

1. Sharing the property with another family

As previously stated, RBO properties vary in terms of size and layout, ranging from single rooms to grand mansions. It’s worth noting that the per-person rate decreases as the size of the party increases. Therefore, it may be worth considering sharing a house with friends or acquaintances to save on costs.

For some, this may not be ideal. But, if certain ground rules are laid out beforehand it is an option to consider.

Just because you are sharing accommodations with others doesn’t mean you need to spend your vacation together. When not in the house, you can go your own way.

Furthermore, you can extend agreements to taking turns with meals. This would take the load off of the primary cooks in both families.

2. Location

Once you have decided on your destination and the size of your group, it’s crucial to determine how far you’re comfortable being from the attraction you’re visiting.

If you are headed to the beach—Do you want “beachfront,” or be “within walking distance,” or are you ok with driving a bit?

National Park—how close to the entrance?

Obviously, the closer you are to your attraction the more expensive lodging will be.

One other note on location. If you do choose to stay a bit away from where you will be spending your days, double-check on the neighborhood. Is it safe, accessible, and quiet?

A good resource to find answers to these questions is the forum section of the website Trip Advisor.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ForumHome

3. Amenities

When looking to rent a property, it is a no-brainer to consider the number of bedrooms and beds, as well as the number of bathrooms. It is essential to have enough bathrooms to avoid overcrowding; a good rule of thumb is to have two people per bathroom, three at most. Insufficient bathroom space can lead to chaos and wasted time.

The kitchen should also meet your needs. If the weather is warm, you may want to have some outdoor space to relax and possibly grill.

Before renting, make sure that the unit has a private entrance. You don’t want to walk through someone else’s living room to get to your quarters. This is more of a concern with single-room rentals.

Check that there is enough parking available, and find out whether it is on the property or on the street, or in a public lot. If parking is on the street, make sure to check for any local restrictions. Is there any extra cost for parking?

Does the unit have a washer and dryer?

Do you want a pool or a hot tub? Remember, you get what you pay for!

4. Reviews

Vacation rental reviews play a crucial role in the decision-making process for travelers. They offer insights from previous guests, helping potential renters gauge the quality, cleanliness, and overall experience of a property. Reading reviews can provide valuable information about the host’s responsiveness, the accuracy of the listing description, and the property’s location. Additionally, reviews often highlight any issues or concerns faced by previous guests. It’s important to read a variety of reviews and consider both positive and negative feedback to make an informed decision. Overall, vacation rental reviews serve as a valuable resource to ensure a satisfying and enjoyable stay.

Please note that photographs of a property are not always an accurate representation. Camera angle, lighting, and a skilled photographer can do wonders to make a place appear more attractive than it actually is. Reviews from people who have actually stayed at the place are the most reliable.

Read both the good and the bad. Be on the lookout for recurring complaints.

5. Fees and rules

RBO properties are notorious for imposing hidden and unreasonable added expenses. Costly cleaning fees as well as fees for not following certain rules. There are also platform fees (those that go to Airbnb or VRBO) and of course taxes.

The RBO industry has come under fire in recent years over the disparity between the advertised price of a property and the actual final price. More on this in the next section.

Rules-rules-rules! When you finally arrive at your RBO you will find a printed set of rules for the property, either in a folder on a coffee table or on a bulletin board. These will be instructions on things like garbage disposal, WiFi, what to do on departure, and what cleanup is expected.

In some cases they are reasonable and in others, they are not, often with added fees if they are not followed to the letter. It is a good idea before renting a place to get a copy of the rules to help make your decision.

6. NEGOTIATION! -Critical step

When doing business with anyone, it’s important to assume that they are trying to get as much of your money as possible, and RBO owners are no different. While they provide a service and deserve to be paid a fair and reasonable fee, it’s our job as consumers to pay as little as possible and get the most value for our money.

After doing your due diligence, you should have a good idea of the area and amenities that meet your needs, as well as the size of the house you require. Find three to five properties that fulfill these criteria, and read reviews to ensure they meet your standards.

Ideally, begin this process at least three months prior to your trip (more time is better). Make sure that the properties you select have a free cancellation policy for at least one month after booking.

To begin, use the website portal to contact each property owner in a courteous and professional manner. Explain that you are considering several properties, including theirs. Make an offer that includes all fees (excluding taxes) of what you are willing to pay. A good starting point is 30% below the asking price.

Some owners may not bother to reply. Others may get back but refuse your offer. If an owner replies it indicates they may be willing to work with you, ask them what the best they can do is. At this point, the negotiation is in motion. If you get this far, ask for a copy of the house rules. This will show the owner that you are a serious prospect and also alert you to anything unreasonable.

It is important to play hardball at this point, play one against the other. Make your best deal, and make sure it is all spelled out in writing.

Let’s revisit the cancellation date. You can utilize it to your benefit and use the current deal as leverage when exploring other properties. Should you come across a more enticing option within the same price range, take it and cancel the previous agreement. This is in line with the agreed terms.

Your negotiation success will, of course, depend on demand. Check the calendar for available dates. If you’re trying to book the last open week three months prior to your visit, you will likely have to pay the asking price. However, if the calendar is wide open, owners may be willing to deal. In any case, never pay the list price without at least trying to negotiate.

7. In the end

I believe everyone hopes that your experience with your RBO was pleasant and your stay was without any major problems. If that is the case, say so. Shoot the owner a note and thank them for their hospitality and reward them with an appropriate review. Even if there were minor issues and they responded well. You may have enjoyed it so much you may return again. Establishing a good rapport is always beneficial.

On the other hand, there will be times when you do not get what was promised. Maybe you rented a home with a pool and for some reason, it was out of service—or the kitchen stove was out of order. Or, you found a dead rodent in a cupboard. Make every effort to get a refund commensurate with the inconvenience. If the owner refuses to reimburse you, your only recourse is to write a scathing review and report them to the platform. That is the last thing an owner wants especially in the case of the rodent.

While RBOs are still popular, they are gaining a reputation for being expensive and demanding. If you are considering renting an RBO, it is essential to protect your interests. Following these few steps will go a long way in ensuring an enjoyable vacation.