Vacation Home Rentals Blog

If you can believe it, people have started booking their vacation homes for ski excursions, with Colorado, California, Idaho and Vermont seeing lots of action already.

Instead of traveling to a European rental, people are being sensible and sticking closer to home, nixing airplanes for road trips, according to The New York Times. And why not? Gas prices are down. Here are four winter wonderland chalets, lodges and townhomes that will have you wishing it was already January.

Winter Park vacation home (pictured)
The Moose Tracks Lodge sits 400 yards away from the base of Winter Park, close to the ski slopes and near the Southern Pacific Railroad. Other pluses: A two-car garage with storage for your ski gear, a hot tub that fits eight people and a loft space with two queen beds and a queen futon.

Sun Valley vacation rental
This one’s a given. Guests will be attracted to the 60s- and 70s-inspired furnishings like the globe lights over the dining room table, the mod master suite with horseshoe chair and glass-topped table and the gleaming indoor pool. Yes, some people swim on their ski vacations, too–especially after a challenging day on the slopes.

South Lake Tahoe vacation chalet
This massive chalet (And when we say massive, we mean room-for-16-guests-massive) near Heavenly Mountain Resort takes it up a notch. Not only does it have an indoor swimming pool, but also a huge wraparound breakfast bar, two jacuzzis, pool table, home theater, wine tasting room, three fireplaces, three decks, three living rooms, all comprising 7,000 square feet in total space. While all those extras our impressive, it’s the little things that matter most. One word: sauna.

Stowe vacation cabin
This has to be the sweetest little cabin in Stowe, home to some of the best skiing on the East Coast. It’s true to its Goldilocks name, a place where the fictional character might have eaten her porridge in the kitchen stocked with antique dishware, tested out the stuffed armchairs next to the wood stove and fallen asleep in that poster bed. Goldie girl, we wouldn’t fault you for staying all day in that house. We wouldn’t want to leave either.

This Thanksgiving, forget about Black Friday.

Ditch the shopping carts for heating turkey leftovers. Skip the early bird specials for story telling and card playing around the kitchen table.

Heck, why not go on vacation? No, not the splashy overseas getaway you plan months for, but the spontaneous family trip to an Outer Banks vacation home. Here are three gorgeous homes by the beach that will make you feel grateful for the time to spend with friends and relatives during these anxious times.

Corolla vacation home
Your 12 family members will appreciate the spaciousness of this tri-level, three-bathroom house that boasts an incredible, light-filled great room for sharing a meal or watching sunrises or sunsets by the shore. There’s also a full kitchen and an indoor gym at a nearby clubhouse for working off that stuffing and other Turkey Day trimmings.

Kill Devil Hills vacation rental
This five-bedroom, three-bathroom home kicks it old school thanks to a 70s rec room with low ceilings and fun for everyone. The pool and foosball tables add to its charm, but if those attributes don’t seal the deal for you, consider the fact that the space sleeps 16, yes, 16 people. It’s built for kiddies, too. Check out all the bunkbeds.

Duck vacation home
A New Yorker who visited this luxury house in August said the pictures did not do it justice, which is funny, because the images – in my blogger opinion – parade it well. The Pottery Barn-esque furnishings, stainless steel and granite kitchen, plus outdoor swingset had me at hello. Oh and gotta love the pool. Not that you’ll be doing much swimming when it’s cold outside, but strange things can happen when Uncle Johnny has too much whiskey.

Happy Thanksgiving home hunting everyone!

If you’re reading this post and feel like you’re experiencing deja vu, you’d only be partially correct. Yes, a previous blog referred to selling your vacation home through images, a theme worth repeating if you’re finding it tough to find renters.

This particular Manhattan Beach vacation rental (an example of one of two one-bedroom units that can be rented separately or together) pops – not for its size or splashiness – but because the pictures parade it well. Would you want to be sitting at that high-top with your honey, enjoying the glow of the sexy Manhattan Beach Pier? The photographer positioned the wine glasses ever so perfectly, and thought about lighting, too.

The exterior shots don’t bear the professional photographer’s logo, but do an excellent job of showcasing location. Vacation home owners, don’t just tell folks where your property is: Back it up with pictures. Here, would-be renters know that the condo is across from the famous Strand, a paved beach path known as a hangout for roller bladers, skaters and surfers.

People who click on the listing are sure to appreciate the image of Shellback Tavern, a dive bar where locals spend lazy afternoons with Budweiser, arcade games and the jukebox.

Big ups to this property owner for uploading polished, professional photos and local insidery tips.

If it seems all your friends are spending their weekends going apple picking, then now’s your chance to get in on the fun. This Georgia vacation rental is close to Mercier Orchards, a family-owned business in the Blue Ridge Mountains that has been feeding locals and tourists its cider and fried apple pies for 60 years.

It would be hard to blame anyone, though, for not wanting to leave this cozy cabin. Doesn’t it just scream perfect Georgia vacation home?

The Bella Vista Lodge pleases the eye with all its wood, soaring, angular ceilings, fireplaces and handsome leather furniture. The rustic chic home feels very much like a luxury lodge – except here, you and your seven family members have room to spread out.

Anyone up for pool? There’s a billiards table in the lower level living room. Find it too chilly to go on a hike? Enjoy the views from the porch or warm up in the hot tub on the rear screened porch (which has to be the coolest part of the house).

If you do make it to the Mercier Orchards, bring back those bushels of apples you purchased to make a pie from in the gourmet kitchen. Or even better: Lounge by the fireplace with a cup of tart apple cider.

Now that’s a fall getaway worth taking pronto.

The New York Times reported today that property owners and would-be buyers in the Hamptons, much like the rest of America, are in a holding pattern as they wait and see what happens with this election and the economy. Thankfully for vacation home owners in this market, they don’t have to sell since the summer rental season is so hot.

But what about properties away from, yet still close enough to the Hamptons? What if you don’t have $20,000 a week to spend on a private estate?

While the communities of Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton, South Hampton, Amagansett and Montauk (the ritzy communities that make up the Hamptons) have their obvious appeal (Read: Being able to say you vacationed near Jerry Seinfeld), the home du jour is a more modest, yet still gorgeous home in Shelter Island. This vacation rental stands gracefully, what with her vintage touches and modern amenities: a wraparound porch, walnut banister, copper ceiling, cast iron tub, Miele dishwasher, bonus yoga room and two en-suite master bedrooms.

The landlord was savvy enough to note the home’s proximity to Manhattan (not to mention the more laid-back, “un-Hampton-like” feel of the 8-square-mile town). This circa 1890 Victorian lady is only 100 miles from the Big Apple. An escape that close to the city shouldn’t be passed up.

Loving the last line of the listing: “How can it be that a place, relatively close to New York City, can be safe enough to leave the house doors unlocked and the keys in the car while you’re at the grocery store?”

Indeed.

This Savannah vacation home is the perfect example of a listing that would draw couples or families for a weekend getaway. Charming, historic and budget-friendly, the units (Upstairs and downstairs can be booked separately or together) comprise The McDonough House, where a total of five guests can sleep comfortably on each floor.

The property owner does a great job of selling the house’s location in the historic district (within walking distance to Crawford Square and River Street, providing access to nightlife, antiquing and restaurants along with parking and public transportation) and describing the overall feel of the town. You can picture the live oak trees and Spanish moss and the photos of the horse-drawn wagon and wrought-iron porch deliver the Southern ideal that lures folks to Savannah in the first place.

Now for the vacation home itself.

The circa 1870 space sports traditional touches – crown molding, fireplaces (which are original, according to the listing), chandeliers and a four-poster bed – along with newer amenities like a stainless steel kitchen and jacuzzi tub. The hardwood floors finish off the lived-in, approachable vibe. We’ve all stayed at B&Bs that felt sterile due to its fragile, museum-like furnishings, but somehow this one doesn’t.

Vacation home owners, if you’re lucky to offer property in a city with this much charm, work it in your photos, description and user reviews. The renters will eat it up.

A sauvignon blanc-soaked weekend plus friends who were visiting from SF inspire me to write about Wine Country vacation rentals.

Isn’t that the dream of every foodie (although, that might be too expert a word for me)? To enjoy a farm-to-table meal artfully prepared by a five-star chef at a local vineyard while sipping on a glass of buttery chardonnay? That’s definitely on my list of things to do before I die.

Let’s all go to this Healdsburg, California vacation cottage to indulge in our Sonoma fantasy.

The property in the photo, The Italian Cottage, is one of four vacation homes that make up the Windrose Cottages (Choose from The English Cottage, The French Country Cottage or The Water Tower, plus an additional Garden Suite.). I like this one best because I love the idea of relaxing in the hot tub outside after stomping on grapes and hoofing it around the vineyard all day long.

Each space comes with a gas log stove for chilly nights and air conditioning for summer days. These escapes are definitely built for romantic retreats–couples arrive to the rooms with a bottle of wine and fruit cheese platter already waiting for them.

After a few glasses, you’ll enjoy watching the cattle, horses and sheep on nearby pastures, plus views of the mountains, rose garden (when in season) and of course the grape vines.

Go during weekdays until March 31, 2009, and you’ll pay only $135 a night. Good. That means more money for all the bottles you’ll be bringing home.

Q: What advantages does VacationHomeRentals.com offer in terms of marketing your property?

A: I like the fact that there are fewer advertisers than on some other sites like VRBO, and that the listing has a picture which makes it stand out. I find that sites like VRBO, which are all text are very difficult to focus on, you get overwhelmed by all that writing and therefore nothing really grabs your attention. I also like the various ways one can access a specific area of the country. The whole visual aspect of VHR is, in my opinion, very user-friendly.

Q: What reservations did you have – if any – about listing on this site and how have your perceptions changed since listing?

A: I didn’t really have an reservations as the introductory price was right (free) and I started to get inquiries almost immediately so when it came time to actually cough up money, I was more than happy, plus the annual fees are some of the best online. Since listing I have really appreciated the incredibly fast and friendly help I have received if I have had any problems or questions. I also find the whole owner interface very easy to use and incredibly informative. I love being able to check the statistics and update the calendar and pictures with ease. I also think potential renters find it an easy site to use – though I can never quite figure out how they find the site as it never shows up on any Google searches I do. That may be my one compliant about VHR – that the site does not show up toward the top of any Google search I have tried. I would love to see this remedied.

Q: Your property listing isn’t as deep as some of the others, but the apartment is stylishly decorated and the photos showcase it well. What other tricks have you found in getting renters in?

A: I think the reviews are really important. Thankfully all of mine have been great, which helps. But I do notice that when I receive new inquires they often comment on the reviews I have received in the past, so they obviously read them and are influenced to make an inquiry because of them. It also helps me see what people really notice and appreciate and what I might be missing or could add or what I have spot on. On average about 10 percent of the people who look at the listing actually click on the reviews, so I assume more than 10 percent skim over them.

Q: As the economy falters, have you had more success finding customers since your space is priced moderately and do you predict a shift in the frequency people take vacations and the types of vacation homes that they rent?

A: I have noticed a fairly substantial drop-off in inquires in the last two months, so I do think everyone is in a holding pattern right now until we can figure out what is going on with the economy. I also think right now people are reining in their spending as we are fast approaching Christmas and the election, both of which are affecting people’s consideration of what they do with their money. Since my property is in a very popular destination area I think I may be less affected than other parts of the country, but even so it is going to be very slow for the next few months.

It’s no secret–yes, I’m not scared to say it–that we’re in a recession. People are losing their jobs and homes. Gas and food costs are going up. Banks are going bust.

It’s enough sour news to make you want to run away … to Hawaii.

Now why would anyone want to go there, you ask, given all the badness and uncertainty? For starters, the state is begging for visitors, according to the Star Bulletin, Honolulu’s local paper. It’s even willing to pony up $4.5 million in travel packages via the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau to get you there.

What that means for you: More airfare deals (and in some cases, routes) on carriers like Alaska Airlines. If you’re in Atlanta, you can jet to Honolulu on Delta, which added the service earlier this month.

Forget the hotel packages, though. The bang for your buck is in this Kona vacation apartment, which sounds small when you say the word apartment, but is actually ample enough for up to five guests for just $99 a night from Oct. 21 to Dec. 15. I’m not saying max out your savings or credit cards to go, but if you’re on the West Coast, with easy access to the Islands (Read: affordable fares) and have room in your budget, just do it.

Hawaii vacation homes don’t come as cheaply as this. Trust me–I’ve looked.

To all you Notre Dame fans whose blood runs gold and blue, here’s an Indiana vacation rental as big as your heart for the Fighting Irish.

The five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home was designed for generations of Notre Dame devotees, with space for up to 18 neighbors, in-laws, parents, grandparents, co-eds and anyone else who seeking a fall pigskin weekend.

The house is very collegiate and athletic in feel–just check out the sprawling indoor basketball court and pool, plus another outdoor tennis court. The home also sports an outdoor pool, which may or may not get any use unless you like freezing your patooty off in mid-October. (Hey, if there’s a case of Old Style to be won on a dare, why not?)

The sports-centered family or groupies who rent this Mishawaka vacation home will be grateful that it’s only 15 minutes away from Notre Dame Stadium. And when you’re done cheering for the team, you can go home and relax in the sauna or hot tub.

Or simply watch more football on the tube.

Whatever you choose, the home looks like a perfect way to spend the season.