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Avoid costly fees and gain in service by dealing directly with the Vacation Rental Management Company.

IDEA DRIVEN VACATIONS

Why Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals

... and Five Savvy Vacation Rental Travel Tips to Avert Scams!

Local hospitality, more services, and the very best in rates and availability with properties that are safe for you and your family. More Service, Savings and Safety when working with a Vacation Rental Management Company.

You found a dream vacation home on a popular vacation home site ... The photos, reviews, and description paints a picture of paradise. The emails are warm and friendly; engaging and helpful. Hanging out in this vacation rental home might be one of your best vacation memories ever! More space. Less noise. More privacy. Less expensive. More kitchen. Less eating out.

Vacation Rental Travelers Be Aware

Wait. Is it “too good to be true? Maybe. Maybe not. Scammers, thieves, and unscrupulous owners may be looming on the horizon, but most likely not. Most travelers who rent vacation homes never have a problem. Never ever. Yet the slim possibility of a vacation rental nightmare could be yours if you fall prey to their trap. Whether an unscrupulous owner keeps your deposit, or you find yourself in a faraway land with a rental in disrepair, your rights may be limited. The simple solution--minimize your risk by booking only with professionally managed vacation rentals.

FROM USA TODAY. "You may have found a dream rental on a website like VRBO or HomeAway, but it doesn't mean the listing is credible or that you have any automatic rights. For instance, as VRBO states on its disclaimer page, the site is an advertising medium for property owners and managers to list properties and it does not verify the accuracy of its listings.” But no worries. Vacation rental nightmares are easy to prevent with these five travel-savvy tips:

Random Online Reviews

It is not wise to base your booking decision mostly or solely on reviews posted on listing sites. Of course, trending reviews are reassuring and comforting at the moment. But unscrupulous owners and scammers may engineer “bad reviews” against the competition. At the same time, they might also be falsifying good reviews for their own listings. Policies vary between vacation rental listing sites. Some sites allow the account holders to choose options to hide, delete, or diminish bad reviews. Reviews can be skewed according to the taste and experience of guests. And, they are not always accurate or reliable. For professional vacation rental managers to review companies, see The Vacation Rental Manager Directory.

Use Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals

”For extra assurances, book through a property management agency. Vacation rental agencies serve as a middle-man for owners and renters. Reputable agencies put in place certain standards their owners meet before agreeing to manage their property, including contracts with rights for the renters and detailing the services provided.” (USA TODAY)

When you book with PMVR, in the event of an emergency, they will offer you options. Should the property become unavailable, the agency can place you in an equal or better property. When renting from an owner directly, the backup properties will not be available. And, if you need multiple properties for retreats, events, and reunions, PMVR can handle your needs. PMVR is on the job full-time and can be responsive to your vacation timeline. And with PMVR you can expect great customer service. When renting with a PMVR you rent with peace of mind knowing that the rental does exist. You will be offered more pricing options and availability. Can't find a wine opener? A local guide? A massage at home? Perhaps you would like a translator. Most professionally managed vacation rentals are connected to these services and will help with your extra concierge needs quickly. Learn more about the Find Rentals professionally management seal for professionally managed vacation rentals

Verify the Property Owner/Manager

If renting from an owner instead of professionally managed vacation rentals, you will need to conduct a property search to verify the owner of the home. Search the county records in the state for the address of the home you want to book. If no address is offered, beware. If the owner‘s name of record does not match the owner’s name you are dealing with, renter beware! A popular scam is to book and collect money for homes not owned by the scammer. When you arrive at the property, the real owner is at home ... and not expecting any guests! It may not be possible to verify property ownership in a foreign country. In these cases, we advise finding a reputable property management company outside of the USA. ABC covered a story last year on common vacation rental scams, and how to arm yourself from them.

Get a Signed Rental Agreement

There may be times when some properties are double-booked. This sometimes occurs with the airlines and with accommodations as well. Without a signed rental agreement, you may arrive at the property with no rights. In these cases, you are more likely to be the one who is "bumped." A signed agreement means property management is more accountable. They provide in writing, dates, times, services, check-in and check-out, and payments made. A signed agreement can also help avoid any miscommunications and misunderstandings. When you book with professionally managed vacation rentals, it will be standard for you to get a booking agreement.

Pay with a Credit or Debit Card

Protect your rental purchase by paying with a credit card or debit card. PayPal and other banking services offer buyer protection. If you are a victim of fraud, file a complaint with your credit card company. They will refund the monies and then investigate your case. If your complaint is validated, they will most likely rule in your favor. If it is clear fraud--for example, no vacation home insight, or no such address, you will get a refund. This could take days, weeks, or months, and upset--or even end, your vacation. Never pay for a vacation rental with a wire transfer. Those who ask for money via wire, are common vacation rental scammers. You can avoid vacation rental nightmares by booking with professionally managed vacation rentals.