Category: Vacation Homes

It is a rare occurrence in the world of luxury villa rentals when a guest gets scammed. But it can and does happen occasionally. Here are tools and tips to avoid these scams and cheaters who offer fake homes, take deposits and run, or other tricks used by criminals who want to steal your money and time without giving you a villa holiday in return.

Finding The Home

Is the luxury villa owner advertising the home on only one site? Or, is the home on a number of vacation rental websites where owners will typically seek publicity and marketing to increase bookings? The more places the home is being marketed, the more likely it is a legitimate rental. The number of complaints about a fraudulent rental would soon get the home deleted from multiple sites, leaving the scammer with few options to find new victims.

First, is there a private website for the vacation rental? Most scammers are “on the go” and don’t want to go through the trouble of building a good one. Some may be more technologically sophisticated, however, so it’s a good idea to follow through on your other verification steps.

Check the ownership and age of the domain name. Whois.net can provide this data, however some totally honest owners have opted for private registrations of their domains, in which case you will need to use other methods to find out more.

Web tools such as “The Way Back Machine” can help show the history of any given URL. If you are able to see the history of the property website going back several years, and see that it has only undergone normal and legitimate changes (i.e. text and descriptions but the home for rent remains the same) it’s probably a safe bet.

Check the IP address (“internet protocol”) details within the emails sent directly from the owner. Look in the email’s “header” for IP Addresses that might indicate the physical location of the sender, i.e. the header may show that the email came from Nigeria but the home is in Orlando. There are many free IP Lookup tools on the internet. While not always an exact indication, if the header reveals a location not in line with where the owner states that he/she is living/contacting you from, exercise a bit of caution.

Look for comments about the home that might have been made on the internet, either in other ads, or by guests that stayed there. However, this is not foolproof. If a property is a “fake” the criminals will certainly change the name or other details of the “property” each time they run a scam, so this method is not the most reliable. Sometimes owners innocently enough title the home by different names for different advertising and marketing purposes.

If the home was found on a property listing site, look to see in the profile if there is information about the age of the ad. Any listing site worth its salt will have suspended an ad for a home that has received multiple complaints. Look for a long track record of successful rentals. But don’t alienate newcomers if you think their home may be your perfect vacation rental. Just make a few more checks to make sure you’re comfortable. And, bear in mind that if an owner is new to luxury vacation property renting, you may be in their learning curve with regard to contracts, deposit procedures, housekeeping, and the like. Be prepared to be patient, but if the property really intrigues you, give it a go.

Make an independent verification of the owner and the property. The first step might be to actually ask the owner to provide a reference from their local Chamber of Commerce, a licensing board, tourism bureau, or their attorney or accountant. If they aren’t willing and able to provide something concrete to make you more likely to book the home, reconsider the rental. Contact the organization or person given, but try to verify their contact info through outside means.

Use Google to research the property owners’ name, phone, rental address, and email address. If this address has any record of unhappy customers or truly criminal activity, most likely someone has mentioned it in a public forum (click on Blogs or Groups when doing a Google search; don’t rely solely on normal search). Make sure the property exists by using Google to verify the location in Satellite view (if available), or other mapping techniques.

Making Initial Contact

Your first interaction with a villa owner or agent may be through email, but why not call or request a return call from them? It could be under the excuse of getting to know a little more about the villa or to ask a question. Use your chat to confirm for yourself that you are comfortable with the owner or agent that you are working with to rent the vacation home. They should be more than willing to accommodate you.

When you call, does the vacation rental owner answer the phone, return calls, or do they only respond to emails? Make sure they are are willing to communicate by telephone and don’t rush or brush you off back to emails.

Ask for references and call the references. If someone is a criminal, they can certainly set up fake references for you to call, so do not rely on this as your only verification.

If something doesn’t feel right to you, back off. Property owners and agents should be polite about answering your questions so you will be comfortable and happy renting the home. If they are rude, seem put out by your questions, or not service-oriented, think twice before sending them a deposit check, and consider choosing another property.

Booking The Home

Always work with written booking contracts for your reservation. Before committing, read through all the terms and conditions of renting the home, including payment details, extra charges and cancellation policy. If you would like something altered or amended, don’t hesitate to ask, as the owner may be quite amenable in order to get the booking.

Avoid paying by anonymous/untraceable methods like Western Union or Moneygram or Money orders. Pay the owner or the villa rental agent directly by personal check, credit card, or other method requested.

Beware of someone who claims not to have received your first deposit, and asks for another one. Consider sending your deposit via a trackable method like Federal Express or UPS.

Only pay by trackable means so you could put a trace on the funds if there is a problem later on. Ideally book the home with a credit card as it can offer a good layer of protection. Credit card companies hate chargebacks. Scammers who have a lot of chargebacks won’t be accepting credit cards for long.

Paying

Scammers will always push to be paid by cashier’s checks or money wired. When you hear this, either drop out or take more action to find out if the owner and rental are on the up-and-up.

Please note, the term “money wired” here refers to payments via Western Union or Moneygram, etc. Bank-to-Bank wires are something different and may be acceptable, but it is up to you to feel secure first with the owner and also the reputation of the banking institutions involved.

Some vacation rental owners shun credit cards as a form of payment. Personal checks are their preferred method of payment. Once again, anyone asking for money to be wired may be a red flag that the property is no good.

Go the Extra Mile for Friends, Family, and Guests

When renting a large “destination property” such as a supervilla, a yacht charter, or other luxury vacation experience where a lot of money is at stake (or even a little), pay extra attention to the details. It pays to do your research when multiple friends or family members will be taking time off from work and booking plane reservations to the home, so why not take a little extra time and money to double check on the vacation home? Invest in paying a certified local realtor or reputable real estate agent in that area a modest consulting fee just to help verify that the property and owner is for real.

Before you opt to hire a local realtor on your behalf (see above), first ask the owner if an appointment can be made so the home can be viewed inside and out before payment is made. If they refuse, you know you should just move on to someone else.

It is a truly rare occurrence for anyone to be scammed in the world of luxury vacation rentals, but we hope a bit of extra caution and research can result in a great vacation in a beautiful villa rental or luxury holiday home.

When it comes to the best vacation spots in the world, the Orlando homes come first and every day, there are so many people visiting this area. The biggest local tourist attraction is Disney land, to spend vacation in Disney land, you need to have some essential vacation home in this area. There are so many hotels are there, the cost of the staying bill is too much and so expensive here. The biggest advantage with this Orlando vacation home is it will full fill all your home needs. Purchasing these homes in these financial crisis days would be a better idea, because these homes are available for you at low cost, you can use them as vacation rental homes other wise you can lease them. after some days, you will have good returns on this when you are trying to sale these homes. When it comes to local tourist attractions, Orlando vacation homes are having best attractions like the universal studios and sea world and many more. Apart from these tourist sports, there are some other spots go frequently.

Especially, in these days, the demand of these Orlando vacation homes is so high. However, there are so many people are engaging in this trade. Most of these homes are getting profit and also the rentals on these homes will definitely add some financial stability. Due to these tourist attractions, most of the people are visiting this are every year. When it comes to the extreme seasons of winter and summer, most of the people are arriving at this area. The climate conditions in this are so good and everyone would like to stay here. When in comparison with some other states in America, the climate here is moist to tropical.

Apart from this the next financial system for this Orlando is agriculture. The climate conditions here in this are giving some excellent fertile and produces citrus, grape fruits, sugar canes and orange and many more. Most of the Orlando vacation homes are having some excellent personal swimming pools and barbeque party with associates. Finally, there are some well established and experienced real estate agents are selling these Orlando vacation homes form their valuable website. For more information and details, please visit their web site.

One of the most important things you should secure when you are traveling is the accommodation. This is where you can regain your strength and have your body relaxed after a long day of enjoyment; it is also where you and your family can be safe enough. Thus, when you are planning about your vacation this summer, always include a place where you can temporarily stay. Orlando can offer you high quality villa rentals and hotels.

About Orlando

Orlando is yet, one of the famous tourist destinations in the world. The place caters several remarkable places and interesting views that have lured countless of visitors to come back for more. While the place offers every tourist a huge number of fine places to stay, choosing an ideal abode should remain a top priority. By doing so, you will make your family comfortable during your Orlando vacation.

Accommodation

The official opening of Central Florida’s Disney place gives way to the emergence of attraction lodgings, hotels and time-share resorts within the heart of the place. All these are designed to welcome all visitors, who want to discover more about the place. Among the most popular accommodations for every vacationer in Orlando, Florida are the area resorts and vacation homes. While the Orlando area resorts offer good quality service to their every guest, many vacationers would opt to stay in vacation homes instead. The fact is, Orlando vacation homes and villa rentals have become excellent alternatives for area resorts where vacationers can be convenient, secured and have privacy.

Orlando vacation homes also become the mostly preferred type of accommodation by families visiting the place. They find it more comfortable to stay in vacation homes as they are provided with enough space for the entire family members. Typically, vacation homes are designed with three or four bedrooms, a kitchen that is fully functional, plus a private pool.

Those who are planning to choose vacation homes as your Orlando accommodation option, it would be better if you would go for those that are situated at the center city. The closer you are to the attractions, the better. Typically, many visitors would go for the famous vacation homes in Kissimmee, as they are the closest to Disney. Aside from the great accommodation features, staying in Orlando vacation homes also cost lesser than staying in a hotel room.

Vacation homes in Orlando have now become a rising business in the field of real estate. Such is made more promising with the low-cost lands in Osceola, Polk and in Lake Counties. A lot of investors find the place a good opportunity for business and most of them own real estates in the place to cater their business needs.

Transportation

One good thing about staying in a vacation home in Orlando is the option for you to manage your own transportation schedule. This means that if you want to have your own means of transportation when traveling around the city, you can just rent a car for you and your family to use. Such would make your transportation more private and comfortable than being in a hotel bus or vans. You can also go back home anytime you and your family wanted to, without worrying on any unfulfilled itinerary or schedule.

Orlando is one of the most holiday visited cities in Florida. Therefore, the local administration knows accurately what millions of tourist need. Hotels are originated in the compassion of the city mutually with the apartments and hotels. However, if you are prudent sufficient, you may would like to desire to continue in an Orlando vacation homes with your relations or friends and take pleasure in the individuality and world class amenities without spending as well as much. For less than the cost of a lodge and far more than the stature of staying is an apartment building or hotel, you can experience at home away from house.

If you imagine that you require a millionaire’s bank-account to pay for a comfortable, stylish and relaxed vacation in Orlando, Florida, then you are feel wrong. The clandestine to vacationing in Orlando with no breaking your financial plan can be expressed in four words: Orlando Vacation Home Rentals. That’s correct instead of stuffing your relations into one or two luxurious hotel rooms you can lease a holiday home near Disney World, and get soothe and luxury at a cost that is much inferior to hotel rates. Let’s look at all the compensation to holiday home rentals in the Orlando area starting with cost. But cost is only part of the image; there are other advantages accessible by Orlando’s vacation homes. Locality is a very significant deliberation. These holiday homes are not out in the rough country. You can obtain a home, condo, townhouse or lavishness villa that is within 10 minutes of Disney World and other famous Orlando locations. When you are this shut to the magnetisms you do not have to be anxious about spending your precious holiday time stuck behind the controls of a car in an interchange jam. The immense locations of the Orlando Vacation leasing homes permit you to take pleasure in your vacation with suppleness, soothe and solitude.

When there are numerous belongings to see and like in Orlando, an informal call will not do. An intended visit could bring greatest approval in every admiration. For this reason, holiday homes are extremely recommended. Orlando vacation rentals give greatest reassure and amenities at a cheaper cost than hotels, and supply facilities like huge and drudgery bedrooms, toilets and kitchens. These contain spas, swimming pools with hot irrigate recreational amenities and more. Above and beyond these, cable relations with television sets and Internet admission at reduced prices are also offered. These holiday homes are well delivered and well preserved. A reside in a holiday home is merely a far more comfortable holiday than compared to staying in a lodge. The house is far more attractive and has much more room than the characteristic hotel room or set. You can unwind in confidential without perturbing about deafening neighbors, you have your own confidential pool to splatter approximately in and you have a constituent of seclusion that you just can’t get at a lodge. Most Orlando Vacation are expediently situated in quiet residential communities but just moments from the central area theme parks.

Oceanside, California is a sunny, sandy beachfront community where you could enjoy relaxing delights and recreational pursuits to your heart’s content. If you can imagine an escape full of swimming, sunbathing, and surfing along the stunning Pacific Coast, then a waterfront vacation home rental is just the location for you to begin all your adventures.

Oceanside is located along the same coastline of San Diego thus this three and one half stretch of sandy beach is just a beautiful paradise. The white sand shorelines are a sight to look at especially with the contrasting crystal blue waters which go on endlessly. You can specially enjoy this ocean paradise if you have it all to yourself in the early morning hours at Pier View North.

One of the best ways to fill your vacation with water-filled activities is by staying just steps away from the water in a beachfront home or condo rental. From the moment you wake-up, you could be sunbathing in the sand or swimming in the sea in just minutes as opposed to spending your time organizing what supplies you will need for a trip to the seaside.

With all the Oceanside activities just steps away you will be hard pressed to pull yourself away from the ocean. Your vacation rental will put you within reach of other San Diego attractions that you would not want to overlook. You can step out and enjoy areas like the world-famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and Legoland.

Besides the convenience provided by the Oceanside vacation rental you can have access to breathtaking views from dusk to dawn since there may be many wall to wall windows included with your unit. You can be looking out and enjoying the sounds and sights of the ocean even while you prepare your morning coffee in your nicely stocked kitchen. Take in the sunset as you stroll along the Oceanside Pier or bask in the wonder of the beautiful evening sky line as you lay on your private balcony or patio.

While your surroundings will definitely set the tone for your getaway and make it easy to enjoy your time on the golf course, at the beach, or at the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the time spent indoors should be equally as relaxing and entertaining. Your Oceanside rental is chock-full of wonderful amusements like a pool table, foosball table, board games, wireless internet, a state-of-the-art media room (ideal for a movie night), as well as an expansive collection of DVDs.

Next time you want to benefit from the joys of the greater San Diego area away from the hustle and bustle of the city, make sure to set your vacation compass for Oceanside, California. Oceanside has everything you could ask for in the way of waterfront activities and excitement to go along with the convenient access to all of your favorite San Diego attractions. For a true Oceanside experience where you get to live like a local and enjoy all of the comforts of home during your getaway, book your Oceanside vacation rental home today.