Vacation Home Rentals Blog

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What if you could buy a vacation home now, rent it out for most of the year, then have yourself a nice little, mortgage-free palace when you’re ready to retire?

That’s precisely what some folks are doing with Mexican vacation homes in fly-in destinations like Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, La Paz, as reported by MarketWatch. Money is a motivator. (What isn’t, right?)

South of the border, Americans’ dollars go further, and homes tend to be more reasonable than in the United States, according to the report. Even so, people need to be mindful of choosing the right builder to assure that the quality of construction meets their standards.

Anyone own a vacation home in Mexico who plans to retire there someday? Have property values dipped, gone up or remained steady? Would love to hear from you.

To the vacation home owner concerned about the deep discounts that hotels are offering to goose their business, two words: Don’t be.

Your property is still likely to offer more value for the space and your would-be renters should know that if they start poking around the Internet. Still, because all this great information is available online, it’s crucial to price your listing competitively for the market. Discounts are here to stay for a while, which may hurt your ego a little bit, but you’ll get over it. If those lines at Black Friday sales say anything about Americans, it’s that we’re all wiser for finding the right deals for our budget, which ultimately makes everyone feel a little better about their purchases.

Renters, here are five cute chalets that won’t cost a fortune.

1. Lummi Island vacation chalet
This artsy vacation home looks out to glorious Mt. Baker, Hales Passage , Portage Island and Bellingham Bay. With your honey by your side, it will make the perfect romantic getaway. ($89-$129 a night)

2. North Carolina vacation chalet
One of the many reasons to love this chalet in the Smoky Mountains: The amazing great room with true cathedral ceilings, beautiful woodwork and an expansive stone fireplace. The kitchen is no relic from the 1950s. You’ll be cooking your pies in a stainless steel gas stove. ($90 a night)

3. Pocono Lake vacation chalet
If you’re looking for what to do with those use-it-or-lose-it PTO or sick days to burn before the end of the year, consider reserving a midweek night at this Pocono Lake vacation chalet when it costs just $100. (Weekends are $225 a night.) Besides all the great skiing nearby, there’s outlet shopping at The Crossings, convenient for taking advantage of the pre- or post-holiday sales.

4. Tennessee vacation chalet
Even in peak season, a stay at Angel Loft only costs $119 a night. What? Yes, the A-framed getaway is easy on the pocket, close to the Cherokee National Forest, Lost Sea, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and Orr Winery and roomy enough for nine people.

5. Maine vacation chalet
After New Year’s, January is usually a big letdown for many of us. The parties have stopped, the gifts have been opened and the winter has set in. It doesn’t have to be gloomy, though. This Maine vacation chalet is going “on sale” for $650 a week for the whole month. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom Boyden Lake jewel is stylishly decorated boasting a flatscreen TV perches about a gas fireplace built with large stones. Have your breakfast on the granite bar and coffee on the wraparound porch that overlooks the water.

You see, friends, with deals this good, being thrifty pays.

Los Angeles Times writer Christopher Reynolds shared his story of having reserved a gorgeous Montecito vacation home meant three generations of his family during Thanksgiving, only for the owners to cancel a week before the planned event.

All told, they’d put down more than a $5,000 deposit–a considerable chunk of change that no one wanted to lose.

But here’s the silver lining: The owners decided to rent the vacation home to a family whose house perished in the Tea fire, and Reynolds and his family got their money back. It took a few emails and phone calls, but the deposit was returned within a reasonable amount of time, and more important, that other family had secured temporary housing.

In this season of buy, buy, buy, me, me, me, it’s refreshing to hear a tale of community outreach and sacrifice. It’s time all of us start stepping up.

It’s that time of year when boyfriends learn the four c’s–cut, carat, color and clarity–and start orchestrating the proposal of dreamlike proportions. Or so their ladies hope.

Guys, we’ve made it easy for you. Here are five fantasy settings for delivering the question right. Here’s to your happily ever after.

1. Costa Rica vacation villa
The infinity pool here seems to drip into nowhere,  an ideal backdrop for falling on bending knee. Wouldn’t it be gorgeous to pledge your lifelong love at the rail, in full view of the azure pool and ocean? We can hear her now, sharing her proud moment to envious friends about Manuel Antonio.

2. Sea Ranch vacation chalet
“Have you dreamed of a romantic getaway, where the soft whisper of the ocean lulls you to sleep, and the gentle call of birds wakes you in the morning?” is the opening description to this listing. Let’s add a few more teasers: A garden gazebo, expansive decks with views of the Sonoma coastline, three fireplaces … need we say more?

3. Dominican Republic vacation rental
The “House of the Mermaids” comes with a kidney-shaped pool, four verandas, marble floors, Cofresi Beach and best of all, Teresa, the resident housekeeper and cook who will prepare that romantic meal so that you can focus on popping the question instead of burning the halibut.

4. Mexico vacation homes
The five colonial homes comprising Les Jardins de Merida in the historic center of Merida in Yucatan, Mexico, suit the couple with a taste for off-the-radar vacation spots and privacy. The restored homes, done in burnt siennas and mustards, are the kind of spaces you might whisk your girlfriend away to, only to return a year later for a ceremony or honeymoon. Each villa houses six guests, a lovely setting for a small affair.

5. Scotland vacation home
Ireland gets a lot of love, probably too much, but don’t discount the Scottish Highlands for the story you tell your grandchildren about how grandpa and grandma got engaged. This charming B&B is exactly the place you two should be getting closer. Ask her to be Mrs. MacArthur on the beach on Moray Firth, then have a celebratory glass of wine or whiskey by the fireplace. Repeat the practice every year until your hair is silver, your hands are wrinkled and those wedding bands become cherished family heirlooms.

Disney World is pulling out all the stops to entice travelers, including dangling three extra nights–all for free–with the purchase of a four-night package plus tickets to the park. The hotels really want your business, but so do Orlando vacation home owners.

But unless you’re single and really into Mickey Mouse, then parting with your dough is especially difficult to register at this time of year. Maybe the Disney folks should be making a marketing push to overseas tourists whose currency is stronger.

For our friends abroad, it makes sense to travel to the U.S. if you have the money. In fact, lots of my Irish friends make a holiday shopping pilgrimage every year. The fruits are two-fold: Bags of designer gear for less and the bragging rights to say, “I bought that in America.”

To the foreign travelers who aren’t into Disney World and would rather spend time at the outlets or on the beaches of Anna Marie Island, here’s a suggestion: A spacious Bradenton vacation villa.

Situated in the gated community of Heritage Harbor, the rental by owner with space for eight guests is five minutes from the Prime Outlets at Ellenton, which flashes big-name labels like Coach, Gucci and kate spade. Burn your euros (with money left over), then retreat to the pool and spa. Don’t forget the clubs, too. There’s a 27-holf golf course for practicing your swing.

You’ll be chuckling on the way home on the money you saved on Christmas presents and the fun you had.

Now here’s a cool story to share when you get back from your fabulous Woostock vacation home: Our rental was featured on TLC.

The Stone Tower House, which starred on “Family Reunion: Woodstock,” is a true craftsman’s showcase with a gorgeous stone fireplace that anchors the living area, wood floors in non-traditional squared butcher block (as opposed to wood planks) and to-die-for views of the mountains.

If the sticker price isn’t within your price range ($2,000 a week), three other options caught our attention:

1. Woodstock vacation cottage
Set on five acres, this whimsical barn is the place to escape with your sweetheart, relax in the snug bedroom and read “good books.” A family who stayed there last October even saw a family of bears. Note to parents with little ones: There’s a spiral staircase so be mindful when your kids descend.

2. Woodstock rental by owner
If space and quiet are what you seek, this 2,800-square-foot home is calling. The refurbished house can host a party as large as 10 and boasts a large dining table, fireplace and barbecue grill on a deck overlooking the mountains.

3. Woodstock vacation rental
We’ve seen some impressive fireplaces, but this stone beauty actually looks like one people would actually enjoy sitting by. The red couch and adjoining arm chairs are positioned so nicely that you can very easily envision the crackling of timber to ember. You can almost hear it.

There’s no sound more lovely and calming at this time of year.

I know a group of sisters who used to host twice-yearly garage sales to fund an annual holiday shopping weekend at Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia. The loot was lovely, from dainty floral dishware to fuzzy sweaters. Whatever profits they made, they split for Christmas presents, food and a few nights at a Holiday Inn.

While it may be too late for garage sales (unless you live in a warm climate), anyone within driving distance of the Mall of America before the holidays should consider making a weekend out of it at this Minnesota vacation home. Even better, go early in the week to beat the crowds.

With all those bags, you’re going to need the space.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom Victorian home in Cathedral Hill is less than 15 minutes away from the commercial behemoth, but also near the shops on Grand Avenue. If you’re planning on toting the kids, the owners have thought of your needs: A high chair for the baby, a trampoline for the older kids and several toys.

The circa-1884 rental looks like a dollhouse (Any space with a clawfoot bathtub is thumbs up in my book.), a vacation home that retains its charm despite being in a young, vibrant part of town. It’s old-school meets new-school.

For six lucky shoppers, the home provides sorely needed R&R after a long day fighting other consumers for those last True Religion jeans in a size 28.

Because we all know how stressful gift buying can be. Why not combine the trip with a mini vacation?

When chosen right, pictures can persuade a would-be renter to call or e-mail about your vacation home. For customers on the fence, it takes a little more convincing. It takes quality content.

Here’s where you – the property owner – need to close the sale by sharing the story of your unique California beach rental, Oregon vacation cabin or Miami Beach vacation condo.

This particular listing does it well.

“When you arrive you will smell the ocean and feel the salt air,” is a flawless description, and when backed by other descriptive language (like the glassed-in Belvedere sitting area on the third floor and a panoramic view of Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean), renters can’t help but put themselves in the moment. Use active, colorful language whenever possible and keep your points brief. Remember the five-second attention span of Web users.

Think in terms of what key words folks will use when planning their vacation to increase the chances of bumping up your listing in search results.

Although, as we all know too well, that’s ultimately up to the gods at Google.

As suspected, a lot of amateur landlords are trying to cash in on the Washington, D.C. vacation home rental game during inauguration week. The Washington Post reported that more than 500 such listings were posted on Craigslist.

Though you may consider yourself a whiz at finding deals on the site – you did score a great pair of leather ottomans there for $50 apiece after all – VacationHomeRentals.com presents its vacation homes in a more organized, easily searchable way. Whether you plug in Washington, D.C. rentals or Virginia vacation homes, the site does the hunting for you, not the other way around.

With inauguration day just a little more than two months away, now is the time to firm up plans.

Otherwise you better know someone with a sizeable RV.

Diehards who prayed for Barack Obama’s victory would do anything to be there on Jan. 20, 2009, when he will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. It will be a historic moment no doubt, but will it be worth spending $600 a night on a hotel room? (If you can even find one at this point.)

It’s time to consider renting a Washington, D.C. vacation home.

We found these four at various price points.

1. Washington vacation townhouse
Do a President-Elect proud: Support sustainability by renting this eco-friendly vacation home. The Capitol Hill townhome has bamboo flooring, a tankless hot water heater, eco windows and doors. It’s three blocks from the Metro, which will mean one less car on the road releasing carbon emissions.

2. Washington vacation apartment
To college students, Ramen noodle and mac ‘n cheese dinners are the norm five out of seven nights a week, but when it comes to that concert of a lifetime or, say, seeing the president in the flesh, money is no object. This six-bedroom apartment houses 28, but the owners are adamant that by no means is it a party house. So be careful about the company you invite. Perhaps your reserved poli sci friends over your loud indie rocker crew who would insist on bringing their guitars.

3. Washington, D.C. vacation rental
Obama will swear in as commander-in-chief on the steps of Capitol Hill, which happens to be within walking distance of this vacation apartment. While it’s only big enough for four people max, the nearby landmarks make it worth it, including the Library of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court and the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building. The property owner also accepts credit cards, a rarity among vacation home owners.

4. Luxury Washington, D.C. vacation home
If you don’t mind setting up your base in Bethesda, Md., which is only 15 minutes from downtown Washington, then you can do it up in style in this luxury vacation home. After elbowing the crowds and standing on your teepy toes to catch a glimpse of Obama’s head, you’ll be relieved to recharge in this spacious house, which has a beautiful Asian-inspired spa bathroom with soaking tub, massive kitchen and firepit. You can finally relax after so many months of bad news.

Yes, you can.