Vacations are great. They’re an opportunity to relax and escape the daily grind, explore new places, meet new people, and even bond with loved ones. Many things influence the success of a vacation. Transportation is a major factor for instance. You’ll have a better time if you hire a private car service than if you rely on ride-sharing apps with unreliable drivers and price surges. Similarly, where you stay will make or break your trip. A comfortable, convenient, and stylish home away from home can turn a good vacation into a great one.
The problem is, with the huge increase in the popularity of vacation rentals, it’s become harder and harder to find quality properties.
Here are some signs that a vacation rental property is not suitable.
Location
Do you notice anything strange about a location? For example, If it’s in a remote area, that’s a red flag. You don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with no way to get help if something goes wrong.
Or, if the rental is in a city, but there’s no mention of the neighborhood, that’s also suspicious. You don’t want to book a property only to find out later that it’s in a dangerous part of town.
The Price
Of course, price is always a factor when you’re choosing a vacation rental. But be wary of listings that seem too good to be true. If the price is significantly lower than similar properties in the same area, that’s a red flag.
Scammers often list vacation rentals at significantly lower than even below market value to lure in unsuspecting victims. If you chance upon a two-bedroom vacation rental in New York City listed at $300 per night, consider other properties. Otherwise, you risk paying for a subpar rental – or worse, having your personal information or belongings stolen.
The Owner
When you’re looking at vacation rental listings, pay attention to the owner’s name and contact information. While there are exceptions, a quick Google search should yield some information.
What’s more, stay clear of owners with names that are clearly made up or who refuse to give you their contact information entirely.
You don’t want to book a property only to find out later that you can’t get in touch with the owner.
Ideally, you should meet the owner in person before you book a vacation rental so that you get a chance to see the property and get a feel for the owner.
When you’re looking for a vacation rental, it’s important to be careful. There are a lot of scams out there, and it’s easy to get taken advantage of if you’re not careful. By following these tips, you can avoid vacation rental scams and find a safe, comfortable property for your next trip.
