Any experience offering apt through VRBO?

We are considering placing our garden apartment for short term rentals via a site like VRBO.  Has anyone done this or know people who have?  What was your experience, good or bad?  What do we need to be thinking about?

trudylou

in Real Estate - Rentals 13 years and 9 months ago

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Stonergut | 13 years and 9 months ago

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I’ve used Roomorama and for the most part it’s been ok. Some people flake out at the last minute (ie, take a different booking after sometimes lengthy correspondence) but that’s to be expected. I had one mystery guest – a girl I think may have been in the city for an internet “date”, and the other guests were fine, regular people. What I don’t like is that it’s kind of like a dating site – you don’t have much info – ie, full name and location – on either side until you have accepted a booking.  I had one wierd correspondence with someone in Central America who wanted a lease for a 5 day visit. It felt fishy, and I declined the booking. I like to Google my guests as soon as I have sufficient info. In every case, that’s reassured me.

The Roomorama interface leaves a little to be desired, and make sure you have full home address, phone number and local contact number for your guests. Since the billing is done Paypal-like through Roomorama, you don’t have a check or credit card receipt in order to track a guest down.

A friend of a friend renting my place “as a special favor … please?? Just while I am between closings” left my bedding covered in crusted dog diarrhea without telling me. My Roomorama guests have been a lot better.

Arkady | 13 years and 9 months ago

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A friend of mine has been doing it for a few years & has had no problems.  I don’t know details but she thinks it’s a terrific service.