Vacation home rentals are becoming increasingly popular as more people recognize the benefits of renting a home instead of a hotel for vacations. Just consider some of the benefits to the renter. Instead of renting three or four hotel rooms for a week or two, a single home rental may be a better choice financially. The family that spends vacation in a rental home may also find that they have more time for family activities together than if everyone heads for their own hotel room each evening. Parents can keep a closer eye on smaller children without having them cooped up in a tiny room. And the list goes on.

But for the homeowner, vacation home rentals have some real advantages as well. Most landlords can cite many times when tenants failed to pay rent on time, and left the property damaged or messy. That’s not to mention the midnight calls for leaky pipes or other problems!

Families who take on a vacation home rental are typically going to be in residence only for a week or two. Most landlords of vacation home rentals report less damage to the property and there’s going to naturally be less mess left behind at the end of the stay. In addition, you can ask for payment up front and never be left with unpaid rent again.

There are some requirements. The successful home rentals for vacations are in popular tourist spots. Florida vacation home rentals are very popular, but the list of options for vacation home rentals doesn’t start and stop in Florida. Arguably, vacation home rentals in Florida are very popular, but anywhere that attracts visitors is the potential for vacation home rentals.

There are – of course – some negative points. If you’re renting in a popular tourist destination there will probably be off seasons. You may not get a premium rate for your rental at that time, or you may not be able to rent it out at all. And you still may get some renters that simply won’t take care of your property – but that’s a risk that’s always present.

Finding good rental property for vacation home rentals isn’t that difficult, but remember that some properties will be more easily rented than others. An out-of-the-way mountain retreat may be just what you want, but you have to consider what others who seek out vacation home rentals are looking for.

There are some people who are looking for vacation rentals on a budget, but there are many who are willing to pay for better accommodations. You should check out the local market – see what other landlords have for rent, what they charge and how often their houses are empty.

Pay attention to the details of your rental property. Remember that vacation renters aren’t going to be bringing their own towels, pans and sheets. But if they’re using ragged towels and pans without handles, they’re less likely to be coming back. It is, after all, their vacation.

Finally, remember one of the biggest bonuses of Florida vacation home rentals (or vacation rentals in any other part of the world.) You have a built-in destination for your own family. But if you plan to do that, remember the rule you’d tell those who want to book your rental as their vacation home – plan early.