How the process works:
When you open VRBO, you will see a search bar where you can choose a specific location, trip date, and the number of people going. Once completed, the computer will return you a list of all the available properties for those dates. You can then sort and filter the matches in a number of different ways and begin looking through them.
You can also clear the dates completely to see all the properties in a specific area regardless of availability. Then you can choose your trip dates based around when the place you want to stay is free. This works well if your dates are flexible.
You can also use the map view to search as well.
By clicking on the thumbnail for a listing in either the list view or on the map, you can cycle through the pictures without having to open up the listing’s page. This is a very useful feature as I can usually tell from the pictures alone if the place is going to work or not.
When you see a place you think you like, click on the listing header to open the property’s designated page where you can review all the details including the location, the cost, the bedroom configuration, the amenities, and the reviews as well as information about the owner or rental company.
Once you find a place you want to book, it’s time to contact the owner. This can be done in one of two ways. If a phone number is provided, you can call them. The second option is to send them an email through the VRBO system inquiring about the availability of the property and possibly paying a deposit. I prefer option 2 for a couple of reasons. VRBO keeps a record of all correspondence between parties, and you can easily go back and review that information if you need to. Secondly, email just seems to work better and faster. Many times people don’t answer unknown numbers, or your schedule and theirs don’t match up, so you keep playing phone tag.
This is your chance to sell yourself. Tell the owner a little about who you are, who will be staying, and what you plan on doing while there. You don’t have to get super personal or anything, but you want them to feel safe renting their house to you. You also want to make sure this is going to be a good fit for both parties involved. For instance, if you know you want to have a bbq while there, and the homeowner is completely opposed to that, this isn’t the right rental for you. You should keep looking. Some people only want to rent to families or to the elderly or to people without kids. Find the right fit for your family. Owners can reject you without reason. I’ve had people turn me down before, not often, but it has happened. I usually tell them how many people, the general ages, and what we are looking for in the place: a quiet place to relax, we want to grill out, or swim in the heated pool, or play in the included game room, or ride the included bikes. By letting them know which amenities I am interested in, I can find out in advance if anything will be changing before my visit, and give the homeowner time to make sure those things are in good repair and ready for us to use when we arrive.
After sending the initial inquiry email, 1 of 3 things will happen. 1) The homeowner will respond that the place is not actually available. This is fairly common as sometimes multiple people contact the owner on the same day, and they have to choose between them, or the calendar has simply not been updated. If you had to give a deposit, it will be refunded to you at this time. 2) The homeowner does not respond in the VRBO allotted timeframe, and therefore, the place is not rentable. In this case, an automatic email is sent stating this? If you had to give a deposit, it will be refunded to you at this time. 3) The homeowner responds that they’d like to rent to you.
I don’t always get the first place I try for, but I’ve always been able to find an available rental by the third attempt.
Once an owner has agreed to rent to you, this is where the process starts to look different from rental to rental. From here, you and the owner will work out the details of the rental and the payment. This is the point where you will be given a contract to sign either through VRBO or sent from the owner. Read it carefully. It may answer many of the questions you asked above. For those questions not answered, this is your chance to ask them. If an owner doesn’t seem willing to answer them or isn’t willing to work with you, move on. That’s not the place for you.
At this time, the owner will also direct you on how to pay. Sometimes you can pay through VRBO. Sometimes the owner asks you to send a check or pay using PayPal or by credit card. My first choice is to go through the VRBO system because that adds an extra level of insurance in case of fraud. My second preference is to use PayPal, again you at least have some security. I’m not big on sending checks. I’ve done it a couple of times, but I try to avoid it, and if I have to do it, I’m super picky about the circumstances where I’ll even consider it. I’m flat out not giving an individual person my credit card number over the phone no matter what. I will give it to a legit rental company, but that’s it.
