Althouse: Renting a summer house for a month or 2 or 3.

December 10, 2011

Renting a summer house for a month or 2 or 3.

Any advice on websites?

75 comments:

Unknown said...: Vrbo.com of course. Have had three successful rentals via that site. Have fun choosing!; 12/10/11, 10:03 AM
SteveR said...: Yes vrbo.com; 12/10/11, 10:04 AM
Michael said...: Vacation Rentals By Owner - vrbo.com; 12/10/11, 10:06 AM
Gretchen said...: vrbo.com
We've had great experiences renting a house in Lakeville, CT. And also on the owner side renting out a house in Vail.; 12/10/11, 10:07 AM
Ann Althouse said...: So... I guess it's vrbo!; 12/10/11, 10:10 AM
Lucien said...: Yes. We have a vacation house to rent on Lopez Island in the San Juans. Usually weekly or nightly rates, but longer term negotiable.

Managed by lopezvillageproperties.com

Property #58 MacKaye Harbor Treehouse

Description and many photos online at the Lopez Properties site.

Pet friendly w/room for human friends too.; 12/10/11, 10:11 AM
ndspinelli said...: Professor, I have used several but by far the best is VRBO. The search is easy to hone and you almost always deal w/ the owners. We have rented places in Palm Springs, Boulder, Taos, Cape Cod, Florida, and of course San Diego.

A few hints. Be wary of a place that has less than 10 photos. If they don't show every room be wary. Often times they'll be a lot of photos of nearby attrations..that's usually a diversion. The rates are always negotiable unless it's peak season. We've gone to Taos a couple times in off season and got great deals. We get good deals in SD because we go off season. But even if it's peak season..negotiate[I'm certain you will!].

Times are tough and these owners all have a nut to cover. If it's 2-3 months, even in a peak place, you obviously have leverage. Those are our parameters yearly in SD and we get good deals based on off season and length.

vacationrentals.com is good but not nearly as much variety. We rented one place in Taos from there and it was superb. You will see some places listed on both sites. Good luck.

I am not Satan and I am very generous.; 12/10/11, 10:12 AM
MayBee said...: In Saugautck, MI:

http://www.timberbluff.net/; 12/10/11, 10:16 AM
Rialby said...: Do your patriotic duty. Get another job, make more money and pay more in taxes.

-Joe Biden; 12/10/11, 10:16 AM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Is the thought of another summer of nonstop drummers driving you from Madison?; 12/10/11, 10:19 AM
Titus said...: Summering in Ptown?; 12/10/11, 10:23 AM
Tank said...: We used Homeaway and rented this place for a week.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p221417

Worked out fine. Easy site to use with good comparisons.; 12/10/11, 10:24 AM
Titus said...: Ptown requires May 15-Sept 15 though, generally.

Ogunquit Maine is totally fab, they may be more flexible.

You really need to be on the ocean if you are going to do it and have tons of amenities within walking distance.

Also, it's gay so the wife may have some troubles.; 12/10/11, 10:30 AM
David Blaska said...: Rented an apartment with balcony in the Mala Strana of Prague overlooking the Charles Bridge for one week thru VRBO. Enchanting.; 12/10/11, 10:35 AM
ndspinelli said...: You should be aware the hotel lobby is trying to put these sites out of biz. Hotels don't object to people using it for long term rentals, but these sites are also used for 2-3 nights. I rented a large condo in Austin for family when my sister died. It was 3 nights and a god send. We needed a big place..not all sitting in hotel rooms moping! The hotel lobby spin is that hotels are regulataed and these sites are not. Corporate lobbys hate competition.

Also professor. You should not have to pay a sales tax for a rental over 30 days. Even tax crazy Ca. doesn't charge. However, an owner might conveniently forget that[or genuinely not know]. So, you should check the rules in the state and know that prior to negotiating.; 12/10/11, 10:41 AM
Alan said...: VRBO and HomeAway are the same folks--VRBO is owned and developed by HomeAway in Austin, TX. Their corporate mgmt is sound, and ran two very successful companies in Austin before starting HomeAway.; 12/10/11, 10:44 AM
David said...: I have done this several times through VRBO. Never a disappointment. There is also a site--name escapes me--that caters to academics. Mostly houses in college towns.

I would not limit to vrbo though.

Another possibility is to look at the web sites for alumni magazines for the snootier universities. I once got a great rental through the Harvard alumni mag. Yale and Princeton have similar ads, and so (probably) do many others.

If you know where you want to go, sometimes you can find good stuff at the web sites for local realtors (or for local rental sites). They often have rentals that are not on the big sites like vrbo.

Finally--this worked for me once--if you know where you want to go, advertise in the local paper for the area you want to be. We got a great rental in Door County doing this once. This might work especially well if you are willing to go for 2-3 months.

Finally, my guess is that Facebook, etc. might be a good way to put out personal inquiries. The best rentals are sometimes places that are not "on the market."; 12/10/11, 11:08 AM
David said...: Also, if you are going to take over 1 month, negotiate price. The lower turnover is a benefit for many owners.; 12/10/11, 11:11 AM
caplight said...: nd
So once again the Gummint gets to control what I want to do with my own property aided and abetted by crony capitalists. Almost makes you want to join #Occupy. Almost.; 12/10/11, 11:15 AM
jimbino said...: Rent mine in Crested Butte, the wildflower and mountain biking capital of Colorado.; 12/10/11, 11:19 AM
jimbino said...: Or rent mine in Rio de Janeiro, site of the World Cup in 2014 and of the Summer Olympics in 2016.; 12/10/11, 11:22 AM
john said...: No, rent mine, rent mine!

It won't even cost you anything, as we are always willing to do a summertime house swap. We will gladly keep your plants watered and lawn mowed.

Everyone knows Tucson summers are to die for.; 12/10/11, 11:31 AM
ndspinelli said...: John, funny! Sincerely..I'm not sucking up. I've only been to Tuscon in the winter..glorious. And some of the best Mexican food in the country.; 12/10/11, 11:37 AM
cassandra lite said...: Ditto and then some on VRBO.com.; 12/10/11, 11:46 AM
Simon Kenton said...: Try

http://moabutahlodging.com/

but for a summer rental, you need to be feeling a deep need to get in touch with your Inner Lizard.

Disclosure - Ms Kenton and I have a couple properties listed through them.; 12/10/11, 11:50 AM
Roux said...: We've used VBRO several times to rent beach condos.; 12/10/11, 11:57 AM
ndspinelli said...: SimonKenton, I love southern Utah and Moab. It is a part of this country few know about and the most uniquely beautiful I've seen in the US, and I'm only short a few states of visiting all 50.; 12/10/11, 11:57 AM
Aloha Johnny said...: vrbo. We have rented houses in Hawaii, SoCal, Lake Tahoe and Washington State with VRBO. However, if you know exactly where you want to go eg a certain lake or town, often there are local websites or realtors that have more selection and you can talk to for suggestions.; 12/10/11, 12:01 PM
ndspinelli said...: Oh, and on behalf of Ann and Meade, let me thank you all for your generosity. They are very thankful and overwhelmed by your help.

My parents taught me to always say thanks.; 12/10/11, 12:01 PM
john said...: That would be 57.; 12/10/11, 12:02 PM
Chip S. said...: I hear Wisconsin is lovely in the summer. You should be able to find a nice place there.

wv hatency: suppressed animosity that rabble-rousers try to exploit; 12/10/11, 12:05 PM
victoria said...: Come out to California, Ann!!! The beaches are terrific and the housing it plentiful. You can go either high style and rent in Malibu ($$$$$) or go up the coast to Carpenteria (not so $$$. It is lovely none the less.

The only downside to Pasadena is that it is nowhere near the beach.

Vicki from Pasadena; 12/10/11, 12:11 PM
Tyrone Slothrop said...: My ninety-year-old mom rents her house on the beach in Capistrano Beach CA, about half way between Los Angeles and San Diego. This is objectively the best climate in the world. The art colony of Laguna Beach is just up the road.; 12/10/11, 12:14 PM
Simon Kenton said...: ND -
Years ago, during and after my divorce, I entered a mopish period which ended when I discovered the Theorem of the 7 Hours:

At the end of 7 hours you have to be somewhere.

Corollaries

You can be at home in bed, waking up next to the wrong person or brooding about nuclear war; or

You can be waking up in a sleeping bag next to the Colorado River, near Moab.

I biked nearly every trail in Campbell's guide; explored weird alcoves in the Fiery Furnace; 4-wheeled some notable trails like the White Rim and the Gold Bar Rim; ran Cataract repeatedly at high water. Mrs Kenton-to-be was moving through time toward our intersection, deciding that though her mountain-bike friends were flakes and could never do a partnership, she could just buy a cabin in Moab by herself.

We're going to set up to retire half there, half here.; 12/10/11, 12:32 PM
RigelDog said...: Rent mine, in Rehoboth Beach Delaware? New townhouse, pond view, bike to the beach. For you, we can give a great discount.; 12/10/11, 12:34 PM
madAsHell said...: a few states of visiting all 50.

....or 57 in ObamaStates; 12/10/11, 12:51 PM
ndspinelli said...: Tyrone, The San Diego paper is touting San Diego is in the top 10 winter destinations. I consider Capistrano San Diego although it's just over the border into Orange County, as you know.

We love the town. But, the swallows returning to the Mission in San Juan Capistrano on St. Joseph's Day is bullshit. It did occur prior to development in the area. Now, it's just a way to get tourists there. The Mission is beautiful w/ great history, but go any of the other 364 days of the year and avoid all the dissappointed crowds the area, looking for swallows and murmuring under their breath!

SimonKenton, great personal story. Tyrone and Simon..we should maybe keep these places secret! "Loose lips sink ships" and brings tourists w/ cameras and minivans.; 12/10/11, 12:53 PM
Irene said...: Venetian Apartments.

(But don't go in August, unless you are fleunt in German.); 12/10/11, 12:53 PM
Anonymous said...: I don't know how long you can rent one of these cottages, but they are adorable.

http://www.crystalcovebeachcottages.com/html/index.php

(I never heard of vbro but will use it now!); 12/10/11, 12:55 PM
ndspinelli said...: John and Madashell win the "Obama Is Not As Smart As Everyone Thinks award. You win an extra vote in the next election.; 12/10/11, 12:56 PM
m stone said...: I'm convinced spinelli is really a google creation with unlimited knowledge. Jews call these people-entities "mavens."

Great stuff.; 12/10/11, 1:01 PM
ndspinelli said...: m stone, Thanks. We travel a lot and that is the best education. And, in the interest of full disclosure, my bride and I were two of the bozos who visited the Mission San Juan Capistano on St. Joseph's Day. We've been back on other days...that's the ticket.

And be careful of using the term "Jew", you might bring out our notorious anti-semite...he's always lurking.; 12/10/11, 1:27 PM
ndspinelli said...: Irene, You stoked my Venice fire. Our next trip to Italy has to include Venice. Have you been?; 12/10/11, 1:29 PM
Irene said...: Spinelli, I have been. I lived there in 1983-1984. I rented a room on the Lido. At the time, I was doing historical research in the Venetian archives. I rode a vaporetto each morning from the Lido to San Marco, and then I made the thirty-minute walk to the archives.

I returned in 1985 for work, but I was there in August (when the European tourists arrive), so I spent much of that time with friends in Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the Dolomites. Rough, I know.

Mr. Irene and went back in 1989 for our honeymoon. That was just on my mind this morning (both the honeymoon and visiting there again).

My advice about Venice: go in style and don't hold back. Every penny you spend there to stay at the best places (Hotel Gritti, Hotel Danielli, etc.) is worth it.; 12/10/11, 1:36 PM
ndspinelli said...: Great advice Irene, and greatly appreciated. Our travel philosophy is the same as yours. We don't skimp on hotels, condos, or dinner. We love condos because then you can save a few $ on breakfast and lunch. When we were in Rome and Sorrento we stayed @ wonderful hotels in great locations. We didn't find any condos we liked.

When I travelled to Medellin and Bogota to adopt our son in 1987, I stayed in first class hotels for safety reasons. Now, mostly for comfort/location..and safety, depending on the city or country.; 12/10/11, 2:21 PM
Tim said...: Montecito, CA?; 12/10/11, 2:23 PM
Irene said...: Spinelli, if you ever make it back to the Amalfi coast, don't miss the Hotel San Pietro in Positano. Dreamy.; 12/10/11, 2:24 PM
Ralph L said...: Any advice on websites?
I can guarantee that if you summer at a website, the neighbors will have porn on 24/7.; 12/10/11, 2:57 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Everyone here is saying vrbo, but what about AirBnB?

I'm thinking that looks better. Recommended in the NYT.

Irene, the Venetian stuff looks fabulous.; 12/10/11, 3:24 PM
ndspinelli said...: Irene, Your tips are in my travel folder, thanks.

We loved the Grand Hotel Aminta in Sorrento. It's up the hill from the city but there's a nice walking path down to town...15 minute walk down. The walk back is tough but you work off some calories. They have a very dependable shuttle bus which we used several times. The hotel is surrounded by lemon groves and the smell of lemons permeates the hillside. And of course..limoncello. We went to Capri on the ferry. I suggest the fast ferry, few more euros but worth it.; 12/10/11, 3:26 PM
ndspinelli said...: Well if the NYT says it's great then say no more!!; 12/10/11, 3:27 PM
ndspinelli said...: Having an open mind, I checked our Airbnb. I looked @ a couple cities of which I'm quite familiar. They don't have nearly the volume of places VRBO has. The search, from what I can tell, doesn't allow you to search different areas of a city. In San Diego for example, VRBO divides it into different sections of the city, LaJolla, Mission Beach, Coronado, etc. The photos and info are comparable and the comment section looks a bit better. There aren't as many comments on VRBO as there is on say Expedia or Trip Advisor. WE rent hotels using Expedia and they're comment section is very helpful. I've found comments on VRBO to be paltry, although that has improved the last year or so.

VRBO is overall better particularly for the # of listing and how they separate logistically.; 12/10/11, 3:38 PM
Irene said...: Thanks spinelli and Althouse.

The fast ferry to Capri! It's the Hydroplane! I had not thought about riding in that since 1984.

Also. If you go to Salzburg, then visit the Hotel Sacher (formerly the "Hotel Oesterreichischer Hof Salzburg"); 12/10/11, 3:39 PM
ndspinelli said...: I stand corrected, there is a break down somewhat of different neighborhoods, but it's inadequate. And, when i check Mission Beach in SD, they have 10 listings. I didn't count VRBO but they have at least 200. Check yourself, make up your own mind.

But the NYT can't be wrong!! That's a holdover from living in the Big Apple. You got to let that go before you die.; 12/10/11, 3:45 PM
BJM said...: VRBO definitely...we just returned on Friday from 6 weeks in Zihuatanejo and San Miguel de Allende. While we enjoyed the beach, SMA is special..you would enjoy the irony that SMA has one of the world's magnetic vortexes. No really.

We stayed with friends in Zihuat and in Col. San Antonio in SMA. I recommend staying in Centro Historico, Colonio San Antonio or Chorro on your first vist to SMA to soak up the ambiance and be within walking distance of the Jardin. Most of the rentals are owned and have been renovated/built by Americans or Canadians and have all the modcons, filtered water, broadband, daily maid service, etc.

Break away from the insanity that is consuming our society. It was refreshing to be immersed in a cheerful, polite, civil society for a few weeks. While we had Vonage, cell & broadband service we pretty much unplugged.

btw- we prefer to fly into Leon (BJX) and take a Bajio Go shuttle to SMA...it's much easier and closer than Mexico City.; 12/10/11, 3:45 PM
Greg Hlatky said...: Renting a summer house for a month or two or three? Who do you think you are, the President? Now go pay your fair share of taxes.; 12/10/11, 3:55 PM
Michael said...: I would second San Miguel de Allende. Or Guanajuato. The latter is larger and with fewer Gringos, the former more expensive but very Colonial and compact.; 12/10/11, 4:13 PM
caplight said...: I'm thinking a five bedroom on the beach in the Outer Banks with pool. We all take turns and chip in for rent. Minimum stay is two weeks. It will be a Summer Althouse-a-Palooza!; 12/10/11, 4:36 PM
Tyrone Slothrop said...: @ndspinelli

I'm afraid you're right about the swallows. They were right on time every year when I was a kid, but lately they don't seem to come any more. I went to the Catholic school at the mission. They would dress us up as vaqueros and senoritas and we would march in the local parade. Think Mayberry. It is a zoo now, and I avoid it.

Incidentally, swallows are pests. They build their mud nests in the eaves of your house and start dropping enormous turds everywhere.; 12/10/11, 4:44 PM
Pastafarian said...: I'd like to recommend Holden Beach, NC for a destination. Nice family oriented sandy beaches, not too crowded, nice neighbors, quite a few interesting things to do, in addition to swimming in the ocean and roasting next to it. Not too expensive, but not so economical as to be over-run.

Oh, and occasionally sea turtles will come up and lay eggs there.

I've taken my family there for a couple of weeks each summer for about 6 years in a row.; 12/10/11, 5:10 PM
Pastafarian said...: The best site to use for Holden Beach is coastalvacationresorts.com.

I'd be wary of vrbo.com, we rented a place in Maine once and it looked a lot better in the listing than it did in person.; 12/10/11, 5:23 PM
Ralph L said...: My aunt owns a vacant lot at Holden where you could camp cheaply, but it's under 10 feet of water.

Beware of land breezes on the Outer Banks; most of the beach spent a day vomiting the first time I went in the 70's.

I don't remember seeing houses with pools in Duck, Topsail, Ocracoke, or Holden, but it's been years. I'd rather go to White Lake, anyway.; 12/10/11, 5:36 PM
Titus said...: Also you can't go wrong on the Vineyard or Nantucket, natch.

Or even Newport is cute for the summer, although a few too many students for my liking.

Thanks doll.

Toodles,

Take Care,

I am Super, thanks for asking.

How are you? I care.; 12/10/11, 6:12 PM
Titus said...: Camden, Rockport and Bar Harbor will do in a pinch as well. Or even York. Bathe has kind of turned around and is kind of cool. And lets not forget Kennebunkport. Lots of old money there.

Maine is kind of fab on the ocean side but swimming can really shrink your balls but it does make them easier to shave.

Thanks doll.

Toodles.

Take care.

Hugs.; 12/10/11, 6:16 PM
paminwi said...: Sorrento: Hotel Minerva - pool on the roof - every room has a huge balcony -great location for walking!

Venice - spend the wad - it is so worth it!

Other ideas: in Rome we connected with a small facility recommended by Rick Steves but told them we really needed a three bedroom apartment The owner had a three bedroom/two bath with a small balcony for about $150.00US per night. Walking distance to many sites.

Florence - stay in Impruneta (a short 1 euro bus ride into Florence. Rented our own small villa - 2 bedrooms with a swimming pool for $150.00US per night. Planned this for the middle of our trip since they also had a washer/dryer and clothesline to do laundry!

And yes - VRBO is the best - used it many times for US rentals. Always ask if there is a parking space included for more urban spots if you are going to have a car.; 12/10/11, 6:52 PM
paminwi said...: Had one friend use homeexchange.com. Not sure i would want someone to stay in my house but they said it was great. Included was the use of the car so you don't need to rent - just fill the gas.

Anyone ever try this?; 12/10/11, 6:57 PM
Lincolntf said...: Great houses are hard to come by by the month (especially waterfront), but Cape Cod has great rental deals lately.

http://www.capecodrentals.net/rns/search/newrentals.aspx; 12/10/11, 7:12 PM
BJM said...: @Michael

We found that avoiding ex-Pats in SMA was pretty easy. There has been an influx of retired academics the past few years and the Gringo tenor has tempered to a more genteel tone.

The Miramare in Santa Margherita or the Excelsior in Rapallo are our fav lux hotels in Ligure.

We avoid Venice in the summer but it's really magical in winter, acqua alta be damned! The Boscola Dei Doge Venezia has the coziest winter bedding...or the Bauer if you want to stay in the middle of the action. In the spring and early summer we stay on the Brenta at Villa Franceschi or the Villa Cortina on Lago di Garda. It's best to get the hell out of Italy by mid-July... well in advance of the German hordes.

The Brenta is great fun to putz around along the canal and take in the grand villas, Palladio's "La Malcontenta" the Villa Foscari and pursue your loved one through the maze at Villa Pisani in Stra...which is more thrilling than it sounds...then on to Verona to Il Cenacolo for a nosh and some serious shopping.

Danged, now I'm hungry and in need of a new hat.; 12/10/11, 9:20 PM
Michael said...: BJM. And then there is Sea Ranch!; 12/11/11, 6:04 AM
Anonymous said...: Irene, my most memorable day in Venice was wandering thru the ultra modern Biennalle and then going that evening to a Vivaldi concert in the church he built. Best acoustics in the world!; 12/11/11, 2:35 PM
Mike said...: Here's one that hasn't been mentioned: <a href="http://www.hopetownhideaways.com/>Hope Town Hideaways</a>

The Abacos are really enjoyable.; 12/12/11, 3:36 AM
Mike said...: Gahhh!

Hopetown Hideways; 12/12/11, 3:48 AM
JoAnna Burns said...: Rent my beautiful vacation home in Fredericksburg TX, not too far from where your son lives in Austin - here's the link to our VRBO listing:

http://www.vrbo.com/321423

...and then click on through to our home website and view the video.

We'd love to have you and Meade join us!; 12/12/11, 4:17 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi there and thanks for this interesting and important post.

Accommodation in rio; 12/16/11, 3:49 AM
Anonymous said...: Vacation Villa by owner-apartmentsinverona.com; 1/17/13, 4:24 AM