Homeaway/VRBO/AirBnb Tutorial for dummies?

We've used both VRBO and airbnb. I really like the airbnb process. Read up on the details to make sure they work for you. Bottom line, you select an apartment that suits you. You're then in contact with the apartment owner or manager. You vet each other to make sure you're both happy with any details that are important to you. Then you make full payment to Airbnb. Your funds are held in an Airbnb escrow account and the owner is not paid until 24 hours after you occupy. They know they're getting paid, and you know you have an out if it's not how it was portrayed - you're off the hook and your funds are returned. Simply not liking it is not a good reason to escape. It keeps everybody honest.

Hi Warren,

I have used VRBO 5 times and had only positive experiences. We have been to Amsterdam, Palm Springs, Oregon Coast and just a few weeks ago in Kona, Hawaii. We are currently planning a VRBO stay in Spain. Occasionally a house is listed on both Homeway and VRBO. Never used AirBnb.

I look at the reviews but with caution. In Kona, there was nothing but great reviews of the home, I booked, and then read the most recent post which was very negative. I figured it was so different than all the others that it was a single disgruntled customer. Also look at most recent posts. Places wear with time, neighborhoods change, remodels are done. Get a feel for general opinion. I also check out how long the owner has been renting, the amenities, any extras goodies like a small arrival gift, travel info, suggestions for car rentals, transport from airport etc. Read the info on a lot of properties even for places you have no interest in. It is a good way to learn the lingo of rental. Look for info on where the owner lives, in the same house but upstairs, across the yard, another country? What are you expected to bring, what is provided etc. Read as many as you feel comfortable with, without overloading.

As for payment, it has been the same for all 5 rentals. I put a deposit on credit card, then within a month of arrival pay the rest. Some give you a choice of housekeeper fee or U-clean. I always choose housekeeper, security deposits were always refunded within a very short time on credit card. Make sure to let the owner or property manager know of any problems as soon as you notice them. Don't wait till you return to say the pool was not warm enough. Make sure you have their phone numbers. Check the credit card bill at each payment as soon as it is posted. I caught an unintentional overcharge for a visit where not all of us were leaving at the same time. It took a short reminder to owner to get it fixed without further problems. Answer any emails from owner or VRBO as soon as they come in to avoid missing any changes in original plans or charges. Read the details Be clear on expectations, yours and theirs, and read all instructions given at the house and follow them. Any negotiated changes should be in writing and have a copy with you.

we almost never use hotels anymore. We have met wonderful folks, stayed in great neighborhoods, and loved every minute. In Amsterdam our hostess even had the taxi outside for our 430 AM trip to airport. Finally, go with an open mind not expecting everything to be as you have at home. You will get great recommendations for restaurants, events, . I highly recommend the VRBO way. Sorry for the wordiness.
Happy Travels,
Raine Retired in Oregon

I've used airbnb thru the US and over to Europe...at last count I think I had 11 and have 3 booked for upcoming trips this year, and still have to book a few more.

For me, I like at least 20 or so reviews...if they have a lot of cancellations (airbnb will automatically post a review saying 'this reservation was cancelled so many days before the stay') I tend to avoid it. If they only have older reviews, most likely they aren't doing it anymore. I like some good recent reviews. The place I booked in Paris has 31 reviews - but all are excellent. I booked a place in NJ across the river from NYC and it has 27 reviews...but again...all are excellent. I do find when you do a search with airbnb, it tends to default the more popular places at the start.

Someone else already mentioned the payment structure with airbnb.

I used to avoid the security deposit places, but I don't worry so much now...I'm not going to trash their home. As for a cleaning fee...well, I used to avoid them as well...if you are only going to be in a place for a night or two, a $30 cleaning fee may add a little too much to your payment (that $50 a night isn't so good if it's all of a sudden $65 a night). If you are staying somewhere longer term, it's spread out over more days so it's not as big a deal (and of course I've seen cleaning fees anywhere from $10 to $50). I tend to just go with what the final price is - I have looked at ones that seemed well priced, but then when the cleaning fee was added on (and some can be quite high, especially if you are only spending one or two nights) it put it over my 'budget'.

Make sure you look for 'hidden' fees. I only have noticed it once, but when I was looking for a place in Paris for our upcoming trip, one renter wanted something like 25 or 50 euro in cash when you showed up to cover cleaning costs(!). So you want to make sure you read thru all of their description and house rules - eg...I tend to avoid ones that allow smokers as I don't want to have to deal with the lingering smell. Make sure it has the amenities you want - will you be driving and require free parking? Do you want to be able to use the kitchen? Is wifi impt? Do you want a washer/dryer, elevator, air con, heat? Check where it is on a map - is it really far away from public transport or major sights?

I have looked at VRBO and HomeAway and Cross Pollinate, but I seem to keep going back to airbnb because it is what I am used to. And I'm one of those crazy people who actually has fun looking for somewhere to stay. I looked thru probably 60-70 airbnb places in Paris, narrowed it down to 27...then narrowed it down to 20...then did a top 10 and bottom 10...then a top 5 and bottom 5 out of the top 10...then decided which was the best for me of the top 5 (which had become a top 4 because one of my picks got booked for the days I wanted). Then agonized over whether I made the right choice...lol...

If you find the right spot - especially if it is in a popular city at a busy time of year - don't hesitate. The aforementioned Paris trip...I was searching at the end of April for dates at the end of Sept and one got booked in the week while I was looking. And there is another thing with airbnb - check out the cancellation policy of the place you are booking...some are quite liberal and will refund your whole amount up to a few days before...but others are very strict and will issue no refunds once you book - so if your plans change, you could be out of luck. If you book one with a strict cancellation, make sure you are 100% sure.

Maybe Nicole will find you the right place for a small fee! ;-) Her thoroughness puts me to shame.

Like the others, I've used Homeaway, VRBO, and airbnb in the US and Europe without serious problems. Homeaway and VRBO (which are owned by the same company) connect you with property owners and then back off (unless you want to buy the insurance they offer). Airbnb takes your payment and holds it till 24 hours after you've arrived before giving it to the owner.

I look for a few recent positive reviews and no credible negative ones. Full or partial payment up front is the norm since the owner is committing the property to you and foregoing other renters. I prefer to use Paypal rather than a fee-burdened bank transfer, but it's not a deal-breaker if the place and price are right otherwise. I don't mind giving a reasonable security deposit and I've never lost one. Cleaning fees are OK with me as long as they're not excessive (like Nicole's examples).

Besides good reviews, I look carefully at the photos the owner provides. They should include most of the rooms, and maybe the exterior. Lots of pictures of other things in the city are useless and might raise a red flag (why is he showing me the Eiffel Tower instead of his kitchen?). Pictures that focus on only a few attractive objects are also unhelpful (why show me a vase of flowers, or four views of the bathtub?) But sometimes a good place can be marketed ineptly, especially by an inexperienced owner.

I also use the "street view" feature of Google Earth to scope out the neighborhood. A listing will seldom, if ever, provide a specific address, but it will often provide a map or neighborhood description that lets you explore further with Google Earth. I look for proximity to bus or subway stops, nearby groceries and/or restaurants, how clean the streets look (relatively speaking -- Paris and San Diego won't be comparable), etc. Whatever you think matters.

Hope this helps.

Oh - if I could get paid for doing it (and not get shat on if it wasn't to the person's liking)...I'd do it!

PS - I don't work (thanks hubby and hubby's mom) so I have all day to do this :)

Exactly what I was looking for. thank you

And I think I'm leaning toward Airbnb for the reasons listed.

Warren