When it comes to getting away from the everyday demands of life, there’s nothing better than taking a vacation. Whether you go out of state, out of the country or just a few hours away from home, taking a vacation gives folks a chance to take a break, recharge their batteries and have fun.
The numbers don’t lie either: people love vacation and they love traveling. Technavio’s analysts forecast the global vacation rental market to grow at a CAGR of 7.07% during the period 2017-2021. Additionally, millennials are predicted to spend $1.4 trillion on travel each year by 2020
If you’re trying to plan your next vacation and plan on doing a vacation rental, Florida is the perfect place to go. Between the copious amounts of sunshine, the miles and miles of beaches (1,200 miles and 1,800 miles of coastline) and no state income tax, America’s Sunshine State offers many opportunities for a beach vacation rental. In fact, the beach is best for most travelers, with 74% of respondents preferring to spend their vacations on the coast.
Florida’s total surface area is 65,755 square miles and 21.31 million people occupy the space that is the Sunshine State. Florida attracts more than 100 million visitors and Florida’s population grows by almost 1,000 people every day.
From condo rentals to beach vacation homes, there are plenty of options available if you’re looking for a Florida vacation rental. With the rise of companies like Airbnb, it’s easier than ever to book a vacation rental. It’s important to do some legwork to find the perfect spot for your next getaway though. These tips can ensure you find the right vacation rental:
- Read Reviews: Sites like TripAdvisor offer plenty of photos of available vacation homes to rent whether you’re looking in Florida or elsewhere. Photos are nice, but they don’t always tell the whole story. To really get the scoop on a vacation rental, take some time and read reviews. These reviews are left by real people who stayed at that home and can really give you a sense of whether or not it’s a place you want to rent.
- Ask questions: Fifty-three percent of all travel is booked online, so it’s easier than ever to book a vacation. But doing research is important. A description of a vacation rental can highlight all of its amenities and bells and whistles and might tell you it’s just a short distance from the beach or a short distance from a big city. Don’t be afraid to ask the owner of the home exactly how far the place is from the beach or how far it is from the nearest town. The last thing you want is to spend a bunch of money for a “beachfront” property that isn’t even remotely near the beach.
- Read the rules: If you book a vacation rental through a company like Airbnb, you’re agreeing to whatever rules they have for their property. While their list of do’s and don’ts can seem obvious or even trivial, you want to make sure you follow the house rules. Should you choose not to, it could cost you quite a bit. Breaking rules may cost you a security deposit or some possible fees after the fact.
Make sure to follow the rules, but also make sure to read the cancellation policy. If something comes up where you have to change plans, you want to make sure the owner can work with you or possibly refund your money within a given time frame. - Monitor your money: Since most travel nowadays is booked online, you want to make sure you’re doing all of your transactions four your vacation rental online. If your hosts accept payment via services like PayPal and Venmo, take note that your money won’t be covered by insurance. If you’re having issues, try to find a way to send money where you can follow the transaction.
According to a survey, 37 percent of families say that vacations make them happy, making it that activity that makes families most happy. A vacation rental can boost that happiness, but you want to be sure to do your research before you rent, taking time to read reviews, exploring payment options and asking questions about the property you’re interested in.