Booking apartment through VRBO or AirBnB vs. directly with the owner

I really like the protection that VRBO offers me because I only consider that properties that have at least a few recent reviews. I am sure there are some great properties that just haven't had guests post reviews, but when I am dealing with renting a property so far away and when I often have to pay for it in advance, I want to be able to see a pattern of happy previous customers. I find some very fine values on VRBO, even limiting myself to the often-reviewed properties. The only time I have booked directly with an owner has been a situation where a person owns a few properties in a city and runs a website/business dedicated to renting those properties, and that has worked out fine as well. In a few cities, like Zagreb and Ljubljana, the VRBO/HomeAway options were extremely limited and I resorted to small rental businesses.

I've used VRBO and Homeaway multiple times. I've just booked my first place using AirBnB. I don't like the AirBnB fee, so only look at places where it is still a good deal. For the other sites I use, I don't book places that charge extra for cleaning, linens or anything else. I think there is more risk when booking directly through the owner. I did it once in Paris. Luckily it worked out for me.

We have had very successful airbnb experiences. Last year we booked 2 weeks at Kotor Montenegro and my daughter and friends travelled all around Sardinia last summer year booking in with Airbnb. I like knowing that there is some protection rather than just dealing directly with owners.

We also like using booking.com for hotels. I always check their cancellation policies which vary considerably with both.
Never used VRBO yet.

I had great experiences with airbnb, I would certainly recommend it-
Booking directly with the owner sometimes is frustating if they don't speak English well, but it is cheaper.

Alina

I should add that the apartment we are looking at is listed on the sites mentioned so far. There are maybe 60 to 70 reviews across the sites. All are very good to excellent for both the apartment and the owner. It also is more expensive through those services.

We have visited Italy four times, each time renting apartments directly from the owner, or from an agency, for a week or more. We have had great experiences, with only one apartment, in Venice, not being up to our standards, although it was adequate and the location was great. It was handled by an agency and we did not deal with the owner..

Most rentals it seems are pretty much a business for the owners, that is, they do not live there, so I wouldn't expect to get a discount. We have found places via VRBO but not AirBnB, so I cannot speak to the latter. We have rented in Venice 4 times, and are returning this year to a great apartment in Dorsoduro that we rented two years ago. We have rented in Montepulciano, Greve in Chianti, and Vernazza, and will soon be going to Orvieto and Rome, where we have found apartments also rented by the owners. It is a wonderful way to stay in Italy, more economical, and it gives you more pace and the option to cook some meals, stay outside the main tourist areas, and make your own coffee, etc. We wouldn't travel any other way. Good luck.