Trip Coach: January 9, 2007

Christine Karpinski: If you're looking for properties for July 2007 for a large party, you should find and solidify your plans as soon as possible. Jan-Mar is the busiest booking season for vacation rental properties. After March your choices will be limited. And if you're looking for a large property or a bunch of condos in the same complex, it will be that much more difficult after March. 
 
The first thing you have to do is find out where specifically on the Island of Kauai you and your party wish to travel. That will narrow your choices and make it easier for you to decide. For instance, if you're going to be going to Princeville, you'll have no problem finding individual condos for each of your party to rent. VRBO.com makes it very easy and even breaks the search down by condominium or neighborhood complexes. However if you're traveling to Lawai (South Kauai), your choice might be much more limited since there are fewer homes to rent in that area. 
 
When looking for multiple homes to rent, be sure to let the owners know. Many owners know other owners that also rent out their homes/condos. The owners, since they know the area very well can be a plethora of information for many of your party's needs. 
 
Happy Renting by Owner,
Christine

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Minneapolis, Minn.: If I drive to Texas, could I find a mobile home park with rental trailers or other RV's?

Christine Karpinski: You can find some vacation rental RV's or trailers, but most will be homes or condos. 
 
I've seen just about everything on vacation rental websites, including cabooses, teepees, lighthouses, yurts, boats and yes even trailers and RVs. For example, I found these by searching "vacation rental Texas RV". vrbo.com/100985 matagordatexas.com/lighthouserv 
 
If you are specifically looking to go to a particular destination and stay in a trailer or RV, you might want to put the location + vacation + rental + RV into Google or Yahoo! 
 
Happy Renting by Owner!
Christine Karpinski

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Seattle, WA: Two of us will be traveling to Perth,Australia in October 2007. We will be staying 3 weeks in that area and wonder if renting a home would make more sense than a hotel or camping van. Value wise, what is your opinion? Thanks.

Christine Karpinski: Renting a camping van provides a much different experience than staying in a hotel or renting a vacation home. Are you planning on staying in one particular area or do you intend to travel around? If your answer is the latter, then perhaps a camping trailer would be your best bet. 
 
Renting a home is by far a much better experience than staying in a hotel room, especially for an extended period of time. I cannot imagine staying in a hotel for three straight weeks. To me I think I would go stir crazy, even if the hotel were a high end hotel--the thought of being cooped up in one room for that long does not sound appealing to me. 
 
On the other hand, vacation rentals are often more spacious, comfortable and economical. 
 
Here are a few other advantages:
You can get inside information from the homeowner. One big reason vacation home renters get to "live like locals" is that most homeowners love to provide their guests with helpful hints. They'll point you to the best restaurants in town, the best hiking trails and the best bike rental places. They'll tell you who has the cheapest gas, which roads to take to avoid traffic, and which attractions are overpriced "tourist traps." 
 
You can cook and do laundry. If you're on a budget, both of these factors can be huge benefits. Obviously, eating every meal in a restaurant gets pricey. The ability to prepare meals "at home" not only saves money (especially when you're staying 3 weeks), there's just something nice about savoring a home-cooked meal while on vacation. Washers and dryers enable you to pack fewer clothes. 
 
If it were me, I'd either rent a camping van and travel around the county over the 3 weeks or I would rent a vacation home in one, two or even three different locations during my vacation. 
 
Happy Renting by Owner,
Christine Karpinski

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Pinellas Park, FL : Is there a home to rent from Thanksgiving thru Christmas 2007 in or near Crystal Lake/West Dundee, IL? Thanks!

Christine Karpinski: Finding a vacation home to rent during the winter in an area that's normally a summer destination maybe a difficult proposition, that is unless there are ski resorts or other winter attractions nearby. Many owners of summer homes close down their properties during the winter. However, if you reserve the rental and wish to stay a full month, some owners who may opt to keep their property open for you. 
 
After doing a search for that area, I didn't find any vacation rentals on any of the major websites. You might however have better luck calling the local real estate offices to see if there are any available. I'm assuming that you likely have family in that area (as that's not what you would call a popular vacation destination.) I would have them check the small local newspapers and/or penny savers as well. I have had luck finding vacation rentals near my home town that way. 
 
Happy Renting by Owner!
Christine Karpinski

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Los Angeles, CA: we found an amazing rental by owner in Vancouver Canada, Millionaire's shack is name, I think. http://www.vrbo.com/18391. We are looking for something for 4 adults, July 7 or so for one week this coming summer. We talked to the owner in September, she said she does not like to reserve so early, always hopes someone will take it for a month. So hard to get people to come and clean. She reluctantly took our name and emailed us saying we would be first for a weekly rental. Some digging on the web and her comments indicated she had wanted to turn it in to a Bed Breakfast but that did not work out. Question: How can we find out if this rental is in good condition? We have never done rental by owner, what is our risk of having her cancel at the last minute--in high season? How can we protect ourselves?