Tips to Save Money on your Rental
- Search for the official tourism bureau where you want to travel. Most tourism bureaus supply promotional guide books with special deals for accommodations, dining and tours. These guides can provide a great start to your rental search.
- Want to avoid the crowds and lower your expenses? Shoulder seasons offer terrific deals.
- Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be eligible for discounted rates. Make sure to ask property management company to see if your travelling gang is eligible for a reduction.
- Is there a certain experience that you are mainly anticipating ? If there's a specific Southport activity that you love, be on the lookout for properties that cater especially to your needs.
- Rental companies and individual property owners frequently offer their guests an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which generally costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base rental price, offers vacationers reimbursement of their vacation costs for any days missed a result of medical emergencies or hurricanes, and additionally ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, like an unforeseen hotel room stay or extra gasoline. Trip insurance is definitely a bank account-saver if the unforseen happens .
The Rental Process
You might be surprised to discover how many rental properties are available at your destination. With such a wide selection, vacationers are sure to select a property that fits their desires and budget.
Vacation rentals are usually owner operated or managed by rental management companies. Property management companies leverage scale, staff and expertise to provide trouble-free operational administration on behalf of the property owner..
Here are some ideas and techniques to help you understand the rental home search and booking process.
How to find and book a great vacation rental:
Before you decide to book "Oak Island Retreat - Ranch with Screened Porch", review our short checklist of issues to consider.
Search Early and Often
Southport rental properties start booking very early. Reserving your rental 6-12 months before your travel dates is recommended, when possible. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years are excellent times to find and book your rental..
Select your Place and Travel Week
Begin by determining which specific area of Southport you would like to explore, and the determine trip dates.
Pick a Size
Take a head count. How many beds and bedrooms will you need? Remember that that many properties list maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds in the living room space. It is important to figure out what is suitable for your group. Precise descriptions of bedrooms and beds are typically accessible online. Otherwise, speak to the property owner before you reserve the home.
Make a Budget
Most vacation rentals are advertised with a price range. Determine the price for your chosen trip. It could be at the top end of the range. Be sure to get cost-sharing commitments from family and friends before reserving a costly rental home. Most rental contracts require a single individual to be in charge of the whole reservation.
Let's Discuss Amenities
What property features is the group searching for? Are you looking for a rental home with outside kitchen? Are you more interested in wildlife or amusements? Are extras like beach chairs, barbecue grills, beach umbrellas, carts or coolers at your disposal and included with your rental property rate? Build a list of priority conveniences to facilitate filter your search.
Accessibility and Special Issues
Do certain members of your crew have specific needs? Make sure that you remember and ask about wheel chair access, pool lifts and special equipment requirements..
Your Dog Needs a Holiday, Too
Make sure to include your pets. While a number of rental homes permit canine companions, rules and costs vary per property. Many constraints may possibly dismiss a potential rental property. Study your contract carefully! Extra fees or costs may be applied to your contract. If in doubt, ask the property owner and get it in writing.
Its Time to Search
Once the location, dates and family members are decided, search multiple sources for the very best rental home selection. Besides Homeaway, VRBO and Tripadvisor, we recommend searching Google for "Southport local vacation homes" for local rental home management companies. Apart from offering distinctive properties, local companies provide excellent service..
Negotiate
Re-read the description to be certain the vacation rental has everything that you need. If it is lacking, the home management company may know of very similar properties that better fit your wishes and budget..
While not true for all properties, many owners and property managers will make a deal on rates. If they are hesitant to budge on a peak-season trip, try getting an additional night. The off-season offers your greatest opportunity to negotiate a reduced rate.
Read the Contract
Read through the full contract and be sure you understand who is responsible for:
- Power bills
- WIFI Access
- Phone service
- Hot Tub Heating
- Cable and pay-per-view TV
- Housekeeping
- Trash Pickup (and which day?)
- Maintenance policies
- Check in & Check Out Key Exchange
- Parking requirements
Get a total that incorporates state taxes, animal and other extra fees.
Cancelling your Vacation Property
Cancellation policies are different for each property. Rental home management companies and property owners typically offer their clients the choice to buy trip insurance. Trip insurance, which normally costs somewhere between 1% - 5% of the base rental home cost, provides travellers with reimbursement of their vacation costs (and subsequent vacation property costs) for any nights missed resulting from personal medical related emergencies or weather, and additionally hurricane evacuation costs, such as a unexpected motel stay or extra gas.
Reserve your Rental Home
After you believe you've found "the one", start the booking process. You will probably be required to submit a security deposit at time of booking.
Keep Your Contact's Info
Put the property manager's contact info into your smartphone and wallet for convenient access to answers during your trip.
Congrats! All that is left is enjoying your vacation!
During your Stay
- Photograph on your arrival. Record the overall condition of the rental property immediately upon arrival. We also suggest immediately getting in touch with the property manager with a report of any problems, along with your request for any critical repairs.
- You may need instructions for a gas fireplace, TV or spa. Contact your rental manager. They are there to help. A brief phone call avoids many head aches.
- Make sure to be a good neighbor. Frequently, neighboring homes are occupied by permanent residents. Respecting late-night quiet hours and vehicle parking regulations can make a vacation a lot more pleasant.
- Ask a local. Natives can often point you in the right direction.
- Ensure you protect the property owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the vacation home locked up when you are away, just like you would in your own home.
At the end of your stay
- Double-check each room of the rental to confirm you've gathered all personal belongings.
- As soon as everything is out, perform a walk-through of the property to verify no property damage occurred in the course of your stay. We recommend walking through with the property manager wherever possible (this may not be possible).. If the property manager is not available, make sure to take photos of the property to record its condition.
- How was your trip? Just about all rental home management companies and rental home sites make it easy for travellers to give comments. If your vacation rental and/or property manager was outstanding, they will appreciate your praise. If anything was wrong and they did not fix it in a practical manner, or if the rental wasn't as described, you should make it a point in your comments.
Learn from your Stay
Hold a debrief with your traveling companions. Did they enjoy their stay? We hope this guide steered you to a terrific vacation home. Otherwise, you've acquired useful rental search experience to help with your next search.
