TIPS
Before you rent:
1. Review photos carefully.
2. Review guests comments.
3. Establish an internet relationship with the owner.
4. Pick up the phone and talk to the owner.
5. Pay over the internet through a secure credit card processing company.

Renting a vacation home from a private owner does not have to be a leap of faith. We take a number of steps at Mystic Mountain Cabin to eliminate the doubts.

On a Local, State, National, and International Level
1. Membership in the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce shows that we are serious about our business and the community in which we operate.
2. Listing on several prominent websites including VRBO and the HomeAway networks requires a substantial financial commitment, an indication that we are a stable owner.
3. A personal website provides an additional resource for information about Mystic Mountain Cabin and the owners.
4. Registered with the state of North Carolina as a vacation rental property owner, we are listed with the Haywood County Tourism Agency.
5. Linked to a credit card processing company, we are able to accept credit cards – an indication of our stability.

On a Personal Level
1. We encourage our guests to provide feedback. Check out previous guests comments at Mystic Mountain Cabin .
2. We answer your initial inquiry in a timely manner, usually within hours, another indicator of reliability.
3. We keep an up-to-date calendar so that you can easily determine availability.
4. I maintain an internet connection with future guests by providing travel information, calendars of events, and updates on activities in and around Maggie Valley.
5. We also have a toll free number so you can request additional information free of charge.

If you look for many of these indicators, you will not be asking yourself as vacation time approaches, “Is this vacation rental for real?” You’ll know that “yes, it is.” What do you look for when choosing a vacation rental? What would you find reassuring as an online renter?

TIPS
1. Don’t hesitate to ask if the owner will offer a discount.
2. Make an offer so the owner doesn’t have to guess how low you want him/her to go. Ask for a free night.
3. Be reasonable. Consider negotiating cleaning fees or a 10% discount off the daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Vacation owners love their homes and have considered their costs and competing properties to arrive at a fair rate.
4. Be tactful. Consider that vacation rental owners have all the costs that you have to keep the house operational including utilities, taxes, and insurances. In addition to these costs, advertising averages as much as $100 a month. Many owners are also carrying a mortgage.

When my family and I made the choice to stay at our first vacation rental home, we had some real concerns about what to expect. The price was incredibly reasonable. It seemed too good to be true. But, we decided to take the digital leap and send our deposit and payment to an internet someone. During the 11 hour ride to the cabin, we just kept our fingers crossed that the place would be habitable. Then, we pulled up to the front door. It was more than too good to be true. It was perfect. We were hooked. Vacation rental properties became the only way to travel for us. A great list of properties can be found at VRBO or Homeaway.

There are some real advantages to staying at a vacation home rented out by the owner.

1. You purchase access to an entire home usually at a nightly rate that is less than most hotels or motels.
2. Most owners do not charge extra for additional guests.
3. In some situations, pets are welcomed.
4. With multiple bedrooms plus a full living room everyone’s privacy and sleeping habits can be accommodated.
5. Unlike in a hotel, you have complete privacy from other vacationers.
6. With a full kitchen, you have the option of eating meals in for convenience, dietary needs, or cost efficiency.

I would encourage you to take the internet leap if you haven’t already. If you have, what do you like best about renting through the vacation owner system?