A lot of travelers prefer to reserve vacation properties rather than staying in a hotel. Vacation rentals offer a lot more space, more amenities, and are reasonably priced.

A vacation property is a home other than the owner's primary residence that they may use for long weekends and vacations. Since the home isn't occupied most of the time, the owner will often rent the home to travelers on vacation. The home is a good investment for the owner since it can be rented out whenever it's not in use. Types of vacation homes that travelers search for most often are:

• Condos
• Cabins
• Oceanfront Homes
• Luxury Apartments

You can search for vacation properties that are oceanfront homes with a private beach, elegant apartments in the world's most exciting cities, luxurious villas for a family holiday, a log cabin in the mountains, or a secluded cottage by a lake.

You can search for vacation properties that are oceanfront homes with a private beach, elegant apartments in the world's most exciting cities, luxurious villas for a family holiday, a log cabin in the mountains, or a secluded cottage by a lake. Many vacation properties have amenities comparable to luxury hotels. You can find homes that feature an outdoor deck or patio, grilling space, a hot tub, and entertainment center with movies, music, big screen TVs, and cable.

Important Considerations

When choosing a vacation property, most people decide on the property based on photos and the description online, but there's a lot more to consider before you commit. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Safety
• Services
• Gathering Spaces
• Layout

No matter how appealing the property looks, the most important factor is safety. Check to see if the home has carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Do some research into the area. Find out if the neighborhood is safe. You want to feel that you and your family are safe inside and outdoors. Make sure there are no electrical or plumbing problems. Some property owners expect the renter to handle any problems that arise. However, you'll want to have a list of reliable service people to call if anything unexpected happens. You should have the number of a contact person in the event of an emergency.

The kitchen and living spaces are where you'll spend most of your time at the property. If you're traveling with friends, make sure that the home has sufficient space, especially in the kitchen and dining area, so you don't feel cramped. If you're vacationing at a ski resort, you'll want a living room or great room with a fireplace for when you return to the house after a day of skiing.

A property at the beach should have a lot of outdoor space since you'll be spending a lot of time at the beach. The layout of the property is a factor a lot of people don't consider when they're focused on the aesthetics. Some vacation properties may have shared bathrooms or rooms that connect; not an ideal layout if you want privacy. Some beachfront properties have bedrooms that are only accessible from outdoors, which is fine if you're traveling with friends but isn't an ideal situation for families with children.

Top Listing Websites

1. Trip Advisor is the largest travel community in the world. The website features listings of vacation rental properties from more than 200 countries.
2. VRBO is affiliated with HomeAway and offers information for vacation property owners and travelers about renting properties in 190 countries.
3. Airbnb is the vacation rental site for travelers who have a fixed budget. Search through more than 100,000 options for vacation properties.