Would you rent this apartment in Paris?

Homeaway is a respected site for renting apartments so I'm sure it's 'legit', especially with the number of good reviews. The only thing that would give me pause is having to pay the full amount 6 weeks prior to arrival. The apartments I've rented have always had a deposit but the remainder payable on arrival which I preferred. If you're comfortable with paying the whole amount 6 weeks ahead then I would say yes, go ahead. You do have the option of purchasing insurance in case of a change of plans or if the apartment isn't as advertised. The apartment looks lovely and I'm sure you can live with the small bathroom for a short amount of time (assuming this is just a short visit).

The fact thtat it's one "homeaway" does nothing to assure you it's legal. If you read the requiements it's really hard to be "legal" . That said I am renting with Vacation In Paris this springs so I am wiling to roll the dice.

Looking at the apartment is managed by a company. I just did a search on Trip Advisor. You might want to try that before you give them money. I was not impressed by what I found :)

I booked a great 2 bdrm apartment via Homwaway in Rome in an awesome location. I only had to pay €100 down and the rest when we arrived. If it's making you crazy or that uncomfortable don't do it. Find something with better terms.

I see that HomeAway offers "Vacation Rental Protection" in three categories, would you purchase this coverage? I think the worst case would be if the apartment were suddenly taken off the market due to action by the city of Paris in enforcing the illegal rental law. Rare since the task force for this is small compared to the number of rentals, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. It's not clear to me that would be a covered event; perhaps confirming that would give peace of mind. I don't mean to worry you, and yes it is a project nailing down a rental, and everything about it looks great-fabulous location. Note payment types required for insurance to be in effect.

Others have pointed out that Homeaway is a listing service and offers minimal protection so you do need to protect yourself with insurance and be aware that illegal apartments can be pulled at the last minute (and assume they are illegal as most of them are.)

This is a very small cramped and ill equipped apartment for 4 people. The living room is small and has seating for fewer people than your party. At least there is a dining table but it is small for 4 people and if everyone wants to hang out in the living room some of them will be sitting on those chairs. It would be comfortable for 2 but will be spartan for 4. And the sofa bed will pretty much take care of the living room. when it is out.

The kitchen and bathroom look good; the bed looks like a small double to me which would not be acceptable to us. The kitchen has a stove and oven; I don't see dishwasher or washing machine. The location is quite vague; it is a long way between the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Some areas are great, some so residential that you don't have good amenities nearby. We once rented a charming apartment not far from the Orsay that ended up being on a street with no bakeries nearby and few places to buy groceries or eat. It would be nice to know the intersection nearest so you could google view the neighborhood.

The fact that they didn't bother to straighten the bed covers for photos used to advertise their place bothers me. But I'm weird like that.

Sure, it looks great if you skim through, and the comments are good. It is also a positive that they update their availability calendar regularly. But check the fine print and the rental company reviews on tripadvisor so you will make an informed decision.

We've used HomeAway and VRBO for about 15 years and have never had any issues. Many of the places we rented in seasonally popular and high demand areas have required payment of the balance in advance, which did give us pause at first but we've now gotten used to it. It really is no big deal.
That said it's always a good idea to take the travel insurance option...either from HomeAway or another provider, just for the peace of mind.
The particular apartment you've referenced looks terrific - have bookmarked it for our own future reference.

We rented through HomeAway last winter (Paris and Vienna) and are renting the same two apartments this spring. Paris required the entire amount on booking and refunded the entire security deposit to PayPal within days of our departure; Vienna asked for about 1/4 at booking, balance on arrival. Because we spoke at length with both owners we felt safe sending money in advance.

Looks like a great apartment and location!

There is an agency listed on the listing.
Would I rent it? No, only 370 sq. ft. Pretty small with 2 kids. Almost no kitchen, tiny bathroom without the toilet separated which would be more convenient with four occupants. But that's my opinion.

As others have said, HomeAway is a reputable agency. I actually think this apt looks good. I thought the kitchen was very good, with a big sink (very unusual-they're usually tiny) and a good size fridge. The listing says it has a washer and dryer - often you get only a washer and have to hang your clothes to dry. It looks clean and has good natural light with large windows. It's not my favorite neighborhood, but it's a very good area and relatively close to the river which I like. I think 370 sq ft is plenty big for 2 adults and 2 kids. After all, you'll be out and about a majority of the time.

What month will you be there? It doesn't have AC which would be nice to have July-Aug.

I thought the price is good. And it has an elevator which is a big plus.

If you click on the map to enlarge it, it shows exactly where the apt is, easy to see all the streets around it.

I noticed the short bathtub and very high step into.

I also noticed that the sofa is perpendicular to the TV, and that everything is in the one room. The chairs at the table looked flimsy and perhaps a bit small for a now normal american frame. The bed didn't do much for me.

That's just my observation - it may be just fine for your gang. I'd rather not pay all my money up front - sight unseen.

Paying all your money up front is routine. We have rented over 100 times now, mostly in Europe and while we have never been cheated some places are a lot better than others. I pointed out why this place doesn't look very comfortable in another post here. But paying up front is not unusual. We have probably done that in 70% of the places we have rented; occasionally you pay half up front and half on arrival and we have had a few times where we paid the whole amount on arrival, but that is rare. WE paid it all on arrival in Russia and once in Tuscany. We have usually paid a security deposit and it has always been returned; we have not needed to pay a few times when renting from people we rented from in the past or when they met us on arrival and didn't take the deposit.

You have to learn to read photos (things always look bigger than they are) and know what it takes to make you happy. A small bed and no room to relax in the living room for the whole group would be deal killers for me on this one, but then we also don't do fold out sofas.

We've almost always used Gites de France for weekly rentals, and the full amount is always due no later than one month before the rental period. On the other hand, we're renting through VRBO this Spring, and it's 30% up front and the balance when we arrive. I wouldn't be concerned about payment in advance if the place seems legit, which it apparently is.

whew. lots of great advice and observations. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions. for some reason booking in Paris is so hard for me! I'm driving my husband nuts. most of the hotels recommended by others on this board are booked (we are traveling in early June and will be in Paris for 4 nights), apartments that others have suggested are already rented, cobblestone only has one apartment left and it looks quite sparse to me, Vacation in Paris sent a few options all with 'average' reviews, etc. not being very familiar with Paris I am having a very hard time figuring this out.

while I feel a bit rushed/stressed, I am also know that there are places left to reserve/rent so i'll keep hunting.

again - I really do appreciate all of your suggestions!
just wait until I move on from Paris to our other stops in Normandy, Loire Valley, Grenoble and onto Switzerland!

I believe it looks legit, and yes, it is somewhat common to have to pay in advance. I have had to do so even in the U.S. when I book through VRBO or Homeaway. The fact that it is an agency is, to me, a fact in its favor.

Jane and Nigel stole words out of my mouth, though. I would not rent it even for the two of us. One major reason we rent apartments is for a washing machine as we pack quite light. No washer? I won't rent it. But it is really too small for 4 people, IMO. When that sofa bed is open there's no room to move.

I think it looks pretty nice! We stayed in a bit smaller place with three people and it was just fine. I don't personally know Paris like a lot of people on this site, but we loved our apartment in the 5th. I would prefer that area to where this apartment is, but i think it looks good.

FYI- I have noticed (not for this apartment) sometimes the reviews can be mixed together for all apartments rented by a particular manager. So you might be reading a review about a totally different apartment than the one you think they are referring to.

I prefer to talk directly to the owner.

"FYI- I have noticed (not for this apartment) sometimes the reviews can be mixed together for all apartments rented by a particular manager. So you might be reading a review about a totally different apartment than the one you think they are referring to."

Susan, I agree. When I read the reviews on this apartment it sounded like a couple of them were describing an apartment in a completely different area of Paris. I was confused when I read them but, now that you said that, I think that might have been the case. I would definitely try to talk to the owner if possible before making a final decision.

it is my guess this is why you're having troubles renting during your timeframe: https://www.ticketcity.com/soccer/euro-2016-tickets.html