Your Ultimate Guide to Renting the Perfect Florida Vacation Home

Dreaming of a Florida getaway? The typical hotel room can often be trade out a for fantastic private vacation home. Allow me to stretch your travel budget even more as many private homes offer you endless opportunities that the traditional hotel just cannot, like several bedrooms for friends and family, big living spaces full kitchens outdoor space, in many cases you get swimming pools. They include beachy condos on the Gulf Coast, roomy villas with private pools near Orlando’s theme parks and elsewhere.But if you want to find an ideal residency in Florida, you need some hints. Here are the factors you need to pay attention to when you choose ideal renting in Florida

Off Season

Best time to visit Florida: Off season is the best season to go — you’ll experience consistent, warm temperatures and hotel deals in the spring and fall. If you want to score the best properties for the lowest prices, don’t wait until any closer than six or nine months out.

If you have flexibility in your schedule, that's the best thing. Try visiting during the spring or fall "off seasons" — late April to early June, and September to November. You're usually looking at lower prices, smaller crowds and still great weather, with a little higher risk of a brief re-freshening in the afternoon during summer.

Location, Location, Location

Florida is a state of diversity, you need to define your vacation goals:

1. Theme Park Focus: Think homes in Kissimmee or Davenport, where they're often larger than a hotel and have private swimming pools thanks to the addition of a short-term rental house, and it's just few minutes' drive from Disney World or Universal.

2. Beach Retreat: For white sands and lazy turquoise ocean, the Gulf Coast you’re heading to (Destin or Siesta Key or Naples). For surfing and a boisterous boardwalk experience, head to the Atlantic Coast (Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach).

3. Urban and Culture: Think Urban style Miami Homes (South Beach), Tampa’s Ybor City, no place past in time St. Augistine- where you can have home rentals in addition to the cultural experience of a city.

You need to be familiar with the rental location ahead of time. You need to know the time to the beach, the nearby grocers, markets and stores.

Take a Critical Eye to the Listing and Reviews

The description and photos in a listing are a sales pitch. Your task is to be able to read between the lines.

1. Photos: Seek out recent and high-quality images. Watch out for wide-angle lenses that stretch rooms. Are there photographs of all of the bathrooms? The view from the balcony, specifically? The pool area?

2. Amenities: Compile a must-have list. Private pool? Heated pool (essential in winter)? And a full kitchen (with a coffee maker and sharp knives)? Reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi? Beach gear (chairs, umbrella, toys)? Laundry facilities? check that everything, is on the list not just taken for granted.

3. Reviews: This is everything to you. Read beyond the star rating. Search for common themes around cleanliness, description accuracy and responsiveness of the host or property manager. In contrast, comments about noise, uncomfortable beds or a pool maintained poorly are huge red flags.

Book on a Reliable Platform and Be Clear With Your Communication

Use Vrbo, Airbnb or Booking.com, that both provide secure payment processing and customer service. Once you book, have open communication with the host or property manager.

1. Ask Questions: Swing those details by writing first. "Is the pool heated and if it is, how much does it cost per day?" "How do I check in? "Who do we call with problems while we're here?"

2. Ask for a Guidebook: These can be electronic, with information such as Wi-Fi passwords, the operation of appliances and local tips.

In short, a few minutes’ research can go a long way to ensure that your holiday is about sunshine and goog memories — not surprises.