You’re getting ready to plan your summer vacation in Seaside Park. You know a general idea of where you want to go, but what you really need is the perfect place to stay. While hotel stays have their advantages, renting a home is becoming more and more popular for good reason. Spending your vacation in a home can be less stressful, more private, and more relaxing. There’s a lot of things to consider when trying to find the perfect summer rental and we’ll review some of them here.
When are you going – It’s best to try and book your rental as soon as possible. As soon as you know when you’re planning on going, start looking. It’s helpful to be a little flexible on timing when you’re looking for a rental home versus a hotel. Each home can only be occupied by 1 family at a time, so it may not be as easy to find availability if you are locked in to one certain week. Also, some property managers will offer early booking discounts for the relief of knowing their property is rented, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Location, location, location – This goes without saying, but we’re gonna say it anyway! Don’t just zero in on the property itself, but look at what’s around. Are you planning on spending all day, every day on the beach? You might want to spend a little extra on a beachfront home. Looking instead for just a quiet place to relax? Make sure the rental is not next door to the boardwalk or arcade. What if (gasp) it rains while you’re on vacation? What is there to do? Know what you want and make sure the rental ticks all the right boxes.
Who’s coming – Is this a quiet week away with just you and your partner? Maybe you don’t need the 5-bedroom rental. Are you bringing pets? Make sure pets are allowed and ask about any additional fees or rules that go along with that. Are there kids coming? If you have young ones, you should find out if there are baby gates available for stairways and find out where all the bedrooms are. You may not want the kids on the first floor and yourself on the third. Have someone coming that has physical limitations? The 3-story house may not be right for you, but the sprawling ranch with handicap accessible ramps might be.
What exactly are you renting and who are you renting it from – Do your research about the property itself, as well as the property manager. Important things to take note of would be making sure the property is well maintained, finding out if there is free WiFi available, knowing if toiletries and/or linens included, and asking if there are cameras on the property, and if there are, where they are located. It is important to look into the owner as well. Do your due diligence here and read all the reviews available. Many travel sites allow previous renters to leave reviews of the property and the property owners so make sure you know what and who you are dealing with. Speak with the manager prior to booking your rental and if you have any doubts about it, it’s probably best to keep looking.
Read the fine print – When you sign a rental agreement, you are signing a contract. Read the fine print and know what you are responsible for. Are you responsible for doing the dishes and washing the linens before you leave? What sorts of things may have your security deposit refund revoked? Is the property manager available in case something breaks during your stay? Make sure you read the entire rental agreement so that there is no question as to who is responsible for what. This will help make sure you are protected from frivolous fees and avoid any stress while you’re on vacation.
Our staff is always here to help and we’ll be happy to help you find your perfect home away from home in Seaside Park!