The internet is a marvelous tool for finding vacation properties. But the uninitiated may not realize that there are many types of rental property provider out there, and they don’t all offer equal levels of value and service.

The first type is the general vacation rental website. There are many of these available, and they are perhaps most suitable when you haven’t decided where you want to go. You can browse these sites for ideas on where to go and the larger sites may well have a reasonable choice of homes in certain destinations, particularly the most popular ones. These homes may be advertised by the individual owner, or by companies who manage multiple rental properties.

However, these sites have their limitations. You will rarely find any information about each destination, since these sites typically cover the globe, albeit with varying levels of inventory available in any one resort or location. Also, the site is really nothing but an advertising venue; it takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information posted by the owners who use it, and you will have no comeback to the operator of the website if it turns out that the property is misrepresented, is not available when you turn up even though you have paid or, in the worst but by no means unknown case, does not even exist.

The second type of site is often advertised as ‘by owner’. These sites may be global, or they may be destination-specific. Such sites frequently claim that by dealing directly with owners they are cutting out the middleman and saving you money, and in certain areas owners who market their properties directly can escape some types of tax. However, these sites also have drawbacks. As with global vacation rental sites, ‘by owner’ sites provide no guarantees about your holiday; they are just a way of putting you in touch with the owner. Furthermore, the owner is not worried about the credibility and reputation of the site as a whole; their main concern is to promote their own property. Finally, if the property becomes unavailable for any reason, the owner may be restricted in their ability to provide an alternative. So be cautious with these sites.

The third type of site belongs to a property manager with an inventory of homes in a individual destination. He does not usually own the homes but rents them out on behalf of the owners. He does not mind which home you choose, so his incentive is only to find the property most suitable for your group. If, exceptionally, your property becomes unavailable for your dates, he will be able to find you an alternative from other properties he manages. Finally he will have consistent quality systems in place to ensure that your place is in perfect condition for your stay. So if you want to be sure of the quality of your vacation rental, choose a property management company which specializes in the resort of your choice.

Henry Schlee is the owner of a property management company in Whistler, BC. If you want a great Whistler condo rental or somewhere to find a choice of Whistler lodging, give them a call.

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