by Cindy Kessler

Created on: November 08, 2009

Vacation rentals dealing directly with the owner are available in every city in the US. Beachfront condos, mountaintop cabins, urban apartments and penthouses, country homes and lakefront property rentals are all offered directly by the owner to the vacationer. It takes a bit of research but a stay in a vacation property furnished and managed by the owner often results in many more amenities than found in hotels, motels and even resorts.

The first place to look is the internet. Key in vacation rental and the city you are planning to visit. Many owners have their own websites with detailed photos of the interior and exterior of the rental property. Information such as rental rates, deposit requirements and available dates are easily accessed online. The initial contact with the owner is usually made online but a phone contact is highly advisable before money changes hands.

Next pick up a Sunday paper for your targeted area from any large book store. The classified ads contain many vacation rental leads. The Arts and Entertainment sections are filled with great current information on area events, restaurants, museums and galleries to aid in trip planning.

Access the online site of the Visitors and Convention Center for your targeted city. After choosing a vacation home, call the visitor center and ask for the clerk to share any additional knowledge available about the property. This is one of the best sources if you want the added security of speaking directly to someone who can fill you in about the pluses and minuses of the property before you even talk to the owner. The visitor center will have detailed online information but bookings are done between you and the owner.

Large commercial sites like Vacation Rentals by Owner, Home Away, Vacation Rentals 411, Beach House and just plain Vacation Rentals pop up as soon as you begin your research. These sites offer the vacationer quick and easy connection to property owners.

Usually the properties are not offered at a bargain rate unless the area has a glut of rentals. But they almost always offer extras such as more luxurious linens, extra kitchen items, perhaps a well stocked bookshelf or even a library that the renter can use. A mountain cabin may have snowshoes hanging on the porch and a pool home may have much nicer patio furniture than a hotel supplies.

A home that allows pets means your four footed companion will be much more comfortable than in a hotel. And a property owner who has children may provide a rental with swings, maybe even a tree house out back and a supply of board games in the family room.

All in all, a vacation home rented from the owner is going to provide the renter with more amenities and comfort than the commercial rentals offer. And that spells a great vacation!

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