There are plenty of big websites out there that allow you to book vacation rentals directly with homeowners. Most of the time, the listings accurately reflect the home being advertised, and the homeowners are honest people looking to monetize their beloved vacation property. But sometimes, that is not the case, and when you are playing with your valuable vacation time, peace of mind is priceless.
Here are five good reasons to rent through a vacation rental agency.
1. Protection from Scammers
We’ve all heard the stories: people plan a dream vacation, reserve a gorgeous vacation home directly with an owner, and find out that either it does not exist (nightmare #1) or the owner inaccurately represents the home to a damaging degree (nightmare #2). There are scammers out in the market, and one of the benefits of going with an agency like Exotic Estates is that we act as your point of contact and your broker, and good ones like us thoroughly vet their properties.
2. Accuracy & Integrity
Our business relies on the accuracy and the quality of our listings and also the integrity of our reservations and accounting departments. We make sure that we know all that we can about a property to properly represent it to a potential guest, as nobody wants a bad experience. Also, we follow meticulous accounting procedures so you can be sure that your payments and security deposits are in good hands.
3. One-Stop Shopping
Exotic Estates has a vetted collection of beautiful vacation rentals that vary by price, style, size, and location. The benefit of working with a vacation rental agency like Exotic Estates is that we listen to your needs and then recommend a couple of homes based on our expert knowledge of the inventory in the area. This saves you time, and you will have a much better understanding of the positives of each home based on your needs so you can make a more informed decision.
4. Helpful Partners
If something does not go as desired, for whatever reason, your agency or manager will work hard to try to find a solution, so you are not on your own. Ultimately, like all hospitality businesses, we want referrals and repeat guests. At Exotic Estates we always work hard to be fair and considerate with all parties.
5. Local Experts
We are experts in the destination that you are booking. Most often, our people live there and are part of the community. They can provide excellent local insights and advice on services and activities, including preferred vendors based on many years of experience. Again, we want you to have the best possible time so that you can come back to us and refer us to your friends and family.
You can check up on vacation rental agencies in a number of ways, including BBBs and reviews posted on their and third-party websites. However, you can also check to see if they are members of the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA). The VRMA is an industry group whose mission includes “elevating the industry and ensuring superior guest and homeowner experiences.” Their website is www.vrma.com.
We hope this post will help you see the value of working with Exotic Estates!