VRBO

[moneymaker]

Looking at renting a vacation home for a week this summer. Found one on vrbo that has been renting for the last 4 years but only has 1 review that is 2 years old, 5 stars of course. Would this be a red flag?

[livinincali]

Hard to say just based on the one review. Is it a deal that looks a little too good to be true as well.

[treehugger]

I would not take it as a red flag, I think most people are more likely to post a bad review than a good.

I have used VRBO and they seem reputable, perhaps Google if their clients/owners are allowed to remove bad reviews?

[moneymaker]

No it is not “too good to be true” but as a yelp user I find it hard to believe there are not more reviews on the place as it seems to be booking. Never used VRBO before but I have heard good things about it in general and the review I saw was 6 months after the stay which I find kinda strange.

[FlyerInHi]

Do you guys like airbnb or vrbo better?

[moneymaker]

There is also http://www.homeaway.com

[all]

VRBO is HomeAway property. Airbnb is smaller, independent player.

VRBO is more expensive for property owners. Maybe the owner is finding clients primarily through Airbnb or Craigslist, but also updating availability on VRBO?

[bearishgurl]

I’m going to have to go back to CO in a few months and thought of bringing my dog. I was looking at Airbnb places online which allow dogs (whole houses/units as well as a room/bath in a house) last week and found them to be every bit as expensive if not moreso than a local hotel room (even with a “dog fee” and TOT tacked onto the bill). TOT is only 10.5% in CO.

So I ended up getting a hotel room for a few days with a very nice pool and jacuzzi, for which I’ll share costs with another person for half the time I’m there. Even though the place I booked allows pets for a nominal fee and a refundable deposit, I decided to leave my dog at her usual dog sitter back home so she can have canine friends to play with.

[gzz]

If it is a legit listing, it is likely a family lives there and rents it when they are out of town.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=gzz]If it is a legit listing, it is likely a family lives there and rents it when they are out of town.[/quote]Yes, I believe in all cases, that was true. In some cases, it was a duplex or granny flat on a family’s property who resided there and they stated the guest’s dog could use the backyard and could play with their dog(s) (after being “vetted,” of course). The Airbnb rooms/baths in private homes or granny flats were nicely appointed and some had separate entrances but it wouldn’t make financial sense to stay there unless you just had a really big dog that hotels wouldn’t take (mine is only 10-11 lbs). Also, the owners’ weekly and monthly discounts made the Airbnb unit more financially feasible for a longer-term guest (one week to 4 months). Perhaps one looking to buy or rent a home there in an extremely tight, expensive market or work on a short-term contract. I don’t plan on being there any longer than 4 nights and will spend 3 more nights elsewhere in the state in private homes of friends.

I’ve belonged to the Best Western for years where I earn free nights so I just booked with a member multi-night discount at one of my old mainstays where I know exactly what to expect.

[Author]

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