| The economy is struggling, gas is through the roof, | | | | They will tell you that because they want to make |
| and the housing market has crumbled faster than a | | | | the full price. Their commission is based on the |
| house of playing cards in a strong wind. So what | | | | amount of rent they get, not what they should be |
| does this mean? It means it is the perfect time to go | | | | getting. The best response you can give them is to |
| on vacation! | | | | leave your contact information and a price you are |
| Ok you are probably thinking I am crazy, but the | | | | willing to pay to rent the home you are interested in. |
| fact remains it is a good time to get away and save | | | | Ask them to forward your information and offer to |
| some money. Because the economy is so bad a lot | | | | the owner to see if they will take it. |
| of people have opted out of travel. With the rising | | | | In many areas of the country they are required by |
| costs of hotels, air travel and theme parks, what at | | | | law to submit any and all offers, so chances are they |
| one time could have been a $2,000 vacation has | | | | will. As a precaution I would find out who the owner |
| suddenly turned into a $4,000 vacation. | | | | of the property is which you can do through tax |
| I know this may seem a bit contradictory but | | | | records in the town, wait a week and send a letter |
| because of these issues, many people who rent out | | | | directly to the owner with your offer. If they did not |
| homes as vacation homes are working great deals. | | | | receive your offer from their manager and liked your |
| You can easily bring down the price of renting a | | | | offer, the property owner will invariably be upset |
| vacation home by more than 50% which is more | | | | with the property manager, something the property |
| than enough to make up for other travel costs. | | | | manager does not want because they need the |
| A friend of mine worked a deal where a house was | | | | business. |
| originally renting for $2,000 for the week in a | | | | Obviously the task here is not to create problems or |
| vacation area along the coast; he was able to get | | | | a riff between people, but if you want to save some |
| the person down to $700. The best part was how | | | | money, you have to do what you have to do. |
| very little negotiating he had to do. Why? Because | | | | You also want to take the time to look on the |
| had the person renting the house not worked with | | | | Internet. There are dozens of great websites out |
| my friend the house would have been vacant and | | | | there where people list their homes for rent. You can |
| they would have made nothing. $700 sounds a lot | | | | contact the home owners directly which is better |
| better than zero in the rental business. | | | | because they are the ones who will make the final |
| Sure you will get property owners that will not budge | | | | decision. |
| on their price. Chances are these are the homes that | | | | A small tip to getting a good deal is if you could care |
| might be right on the beach or right on the side of | | | | less of the kind of house that you want, but know |
| the mountain. That is ok. Remember you a trying to | | | | when and where you want to go, waiting for last |
| go on vacation and get a great deal, so by pass | | | | minute deals could be for you. Find a home that has |
| these people and look for the ones that are | | | | been vacant for a few weeks in the area you are |
| interested in working with you. | | | | traveling to and the home owner will practically rent |
| A good place to start is rental and real estate | | | | the home for free. As a property owner myself |
| agencies in the area that you want to visit. They | | | | nothing bothers me more than having my house sit |
| know the ins and outs of what people have to offer. | | | | there with no one in it. |
| A lot of times you can negotiate directly with them | | | | There are great deals out there waiting for you to |
| since they are probably managing the property for | | | | go get. You know you want to go on vacation with |
| the owners. Don't be fooled by them when you ask | | | | the family you just need to find something |
| them if they are willing to take a discount and they | | | | affordable. Now is the time to make the best rental |
| answer, "No, most owners are not taking discounts | | | | house affordable, you just need to go and do it. |
| right now because the area is renting out well." | | | | |