Author: midlifesnowbird

How to Book Direct With Owners

How to Book Direct With Owners Where to Find Rental Owners and Avoid Extra Fees One common question I encounter from snowbirds is how and where to find rental owners and property managers. It’s a great question and with some diligence, it can be done. 

Candid Conversations with Snowbirds: An Insider’s Perspective

Candid Conversations with Snowbirds What Snowbirds Are Talking About from an Insider’s Perspective Every snowbird is different, yet there’s many common threads of conversations that all relate to core issues: the overall value and cost of housing, location, friendships/connections, community and appreciation. As a seasoned 

Housing Case Study: Not All That Glitters is Gold

view of the Gulf of Mexico with a woman standing on 4th floor balcony looking at the water
Balancing a great view with cost isn't an easy decision [Pictured: Maravilla Resort, Miramar Beach, FL, a condo complex with 188 units]

Not All That Glitters Is Gold

Snowbird Housing Case Study


My twist of William Shakespeare's famous quote, "All that glitters is not gold" is "Not all that glitters is gold." No matter which way it is stated, the point of this aphorism is not all that first appears one way is actually the most precious or best way. In the case of snowbird housing, there's many facets to consider and this is where it gets tricky. What is best for each individual and/or couple is all about their own personal priorities.

In this particular snowbird housing case study, there's a delicate triangular balance of cost, location and style/form/function. Not to mention, the non-negotiables. Pet friendly is absolutely essential. The couple featured here (names have been changed) first considered pet friendly properties within a specific area of Northwest Florida. Of the pet-friendly properties, cost was their number one priority, followed by form/style/function and location. As you will find from the case study, choosing the top vertice is not without a fair amount of trade offs and the ultimate decision is, "Will we return to the same place next year?"


Snowbird Housing: Not All That Glitters Is Gold

One of the first topics that comes up in almost any initial snowbird conversation is housing. Where are you staying? How long will you be here and do you like your place?

The goal, of course, is that you or your friends and acquaintances find your warm weather homes to be charming, clean, efficient, affordable and a great value. But what if that isn't the case?

Our Minnesota friends, Maryann and Kyle resided in a beautiful 1,900 sq foot 3 BR / 3 BA gulf front condo for many years. We got to know them as very lovely neighbors/friends who were living in our same 16 unit complex located in Miramar Beach, Florida. Then the cost of housing at the small complex increased significantly and Maryann and Kyle decided to try a new place in a different neighborhood this season.

Online Maryann found a beautifully renovated 1 BR / 1 BA unit that is not located on the beach. It's in a 210 unit complex not too far from the downtown Destin, Florida area. A ground floor unit with a pond view, it is pet friendly and was much less expensive than the spacious gulf front condo. They were able to reserve the place for two and a half months, which is longer than previous years, yet they were able to allocate a significantly smaller housing budget. Happy for an extended stay and to cut costs, Maryann and Kyle eagerly anticipated moving into their newly renovated and updated condo.

No online exterior photos were provided other than the view from the patio towards the small pond, but the interior photos show a very tastefully decorated, fully updated 750 square foot unit.

Upon arrival to the new neighborhood, Maryann and Kyle realized the dated condo buildings are typical of the 1970's. Upon doing a little research, Maryann found the community's sales prices are comparatively very low for the region, such as in the $100,000 range, although they are rising into the $200,000 range.

In December, 2022, the median listing price of real estate in Miramar Beach, Florida per realtor.com is $774.9k with a median listing price per square foot of $554 and median sold price of $575k. Per realtor.com, in December, 2022, the median listing price of real estate in Destin, Florida is $624.8k with a median listing price per square foot of $483 and median sold price of $525k.

Maryann said, "My first impression of the buildings was not good. Multiple units with eight small units in each building, four up and four down. They are not attractive on the outside. I met a sub contractor on my walk who is overseeing a reno.  She said some units are full time residents and others are being sold and remodeled to rent. The pool areas are a mess. This lady said they were to do the pool eventually. It appears they are slowly upgrading the outside areas." In addition to the currently non-usable outdoor pool, the community has a very long common area pond and tennis courts.

The reality is that although Maryann and Kyle's rental is beautifully renovated with light colored beachy plank flooring throughout; an updated bathroom with glass walk-in shower and eye-catching black and white tile flooring; a gorgeous all-white kitchen with stainless steel appliances adjacent to a living area with sofa, coffee table, area rug and large flat screen tv, the change isn't all for the better.

After three weeks, Maryann and Kyle have not yet encountered any snowbirds in their new community and they don't have much of anything in common with the neighbors. Maryann said, "There's lots of barking dogs. The neighbors above and to our side are not the best. The people above don't seem to go to bed until 2:00 am and cigarette smoke wafts over from next door. We hear profanity and they keep strange hours -- not everyone here, I am sure."

She continued, "Our new owner is very nice and helpful, but there's not much storage. She offered to empty the owner's closet for us. There are a total of only seven spoons, although the kitchen items are nice. We do run the dishwasher more often or wash by hand."

Kyle stated, "This place wasn't set up for a two month stay. The storage for a long term renter is poor. We've had to get creative with storage."

"The washer and dryer are outside in a closet connected to the condo," per Maryann. "I already bought a small rug to put by the sliding doors as we go in and out a lot. I also bought a squeegee for the shower doors. The cupboards are very high so we might buy a step stool. Not a lot of things are available for baking and there's no hand-held mixer." The living area features a lovely new sofa, round coffee table and a beautiful blue and white area rug, but there's no easy chair in which to recline.

Maryann says, "What is here is very good taste. The bed is comfortable and the place is very clean."

When she and Kyle take neighborhood walks, instead of idyllic suburban strolls along the beach, because of the proximity to a very busy five-lane thoroughfare, "There's no nice place to walk" according to Maryann. "There's no sidewalks and it's so noisy from the traffic on the busy road, it's nearly impossible to converse."

"We're both kind of sad about not being by the water, but we'll make the best of it." Maryann added, "We are comfortable here in this small space and Kyle and I have been lost in reading, devouring books one after another. We miss the water view. The sounds of the waves. When the weather is OK, we drive to the beach and walk, it's always pleasant."

The verdict? "We miss the snowbird types. We knew quickly we will not be back here next year."

 


 

"All that glitters is not gold.”

-- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, read from a note in Act II, Scene VII


DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Snowbird Road Trip Essentials Checklist

Be prepared for planned and unplanned situations such as the loss of cell service in rural areas. Don’t forget to take photos to document the beautiful scenery. Snowbird Checklist: Road Trip Essentials Organize for a Successful Snowbird Road Trip Now that Thanksgiving, the Christmas crush 

How to Pack Your Vehicle

How to Pack Your Vehicle Strategic Organization for a Successful Snowbird Road Trip The first season we became snowbirds, I made a huge mistake. I did not get involved in packing the vehicle, only the stuff that goes in the vehicle. I was naively happy 

Decorate Your Vacation Rental with Hints of the Holidays

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Decorate Your Vacation Rental with Hints of the Holidays

Ten Tips to Bring the Holiday Feeling to Your Southern Home


A year ago, my husband and I spent Thanksgiving at the beach and I loved it! It was that much better because Courtney and Bob, our Midwestern friends and their group of eight were in the area at the same time. We met them for dinner, walks on the beach and also gave a tour of our newly renovated vacation rental. When Courtney asked if I planned to decorate for the holidays, I told her no because I truly didn't think it could happen. Now, a year later, I realized yes I can decorate for the season!

Logistics were the biggest concern, but there were also considerations about finding the right mix of fun and festive versus too much, such as installing a full-sized Christmas tree in our 792 square foot space. Let's not forget the importance of appealing to as many people as possible without offending those who are not particularly religious or find the December holidays depressing. 

Many snowbirds arrive at their warm weather home in time for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and/or New Year's Eve. Decorating with hints of the holidays is easier and less stressful, yet it feels quite homey.

For those who have vacation rental/s, providing a special touch of the holidays is memorable and may be the unexpected charm that helps build a loyal repeat client base. If you are already in the area for yearly maintenance, it's a good opportunity to add/remove the seasonal decor. If you cannot be there in person, perhaps your property manager or a local trusted friend or professional service can help out. Just make sure your decor isn't on display too early or too long past the holiday season. 

Make a plan and set a budget. Be cautious not to overspend and invest in pieces that convey quality. Cheap close-out items are not endearing. I shop at national retail stores such as Home Goods, Marshalls, Kirklands, Hobby Lobby and Tuesday Morning and seek quality items that will enhance, not detract from my overall plan. If the item doesn't meet all of the criteria and I don't absolutely love it, I don't buy it. Less is more. Know your objectives, stick with them.  

Snowbirds who own second homes vs. vacation rentals have much more freedom to do as they wish. There's more options for the type, size and nature of the decorations, as well as whether to store them on site or transport them to/from your primary home. No matter whether a second home, rental or vacation rental, a decision is required to make space to store your decor year-round on site or choose items that can travel in a vehicle with minimal damage. "Coming up missing" and breakability are less important for second homes since no one but the owners will be handling them.

Planning as far in advance will give more time to think, research, shop, place custom orders and make changes. With that in mind, please consider the following ten tips.


Related Post: https://midlifesnowbird.com/snowbird-holiday-decor/


 

Tips for Decorating with Hints of the Holidays

One

Step one is to determine how you will handle transportation and storage. With that in mind, it will shape the framework for the rest of your plans. If your decor has to fit into your vehicle along with everything else, keeping the scale smaller is essential. Breakability is also part of this stage of planning. Fragile items should be carefully packed in bubble wrap within a sturdy box. If shipping your decorations, weight and bulk will add to the cost.

Two

Choose a theme and color scheme. The goal is to create a feeling -- an ambiance or whiff of the holidays. After much thought and online research, at first I thought I would focus only on coastal themed holiday decor -- natural elements such as starfish ornaments and blue and white kitchen towels with a smiling crab and "Santa Claws" emblazed on them. Instead of classic red/green, I envisioned watery blues, sea green and white. In hindsight I believe this is a rookie mistake.

It wasn't until I realized the decor still needs to feel "Christmas-y" that I changed my mind. Right or wrong, I decided to incorporate both traditional and coastal. Truthfully, the real turning point was I saw the most beautiful red and black buffalo plaid coffee mugs and knew I had to have them. So my theme became both coastal and red and black buffalo plaid. Ying and yang. "Christmas-y" and coastal in a fun, festive manner.

After all, when we were in our southern community for Thanksgiving, there was a beautiful mix of coastal and traditional decorations everywhere. A huge inflatable Santa in his red suit juxtaposed next to the white sandy beach of the Emerald Coast. We enjoyed rows of red poinsettias that were planted in the gardens of the public shopping areas; evergreens dripping with giant red ornaments and traditional red and green garlands draped from the exterior of the charming Seaside post office. Beautiful white lights twinkled in the evergreens as well as bejeweled the trunks of the palms. Christmas-y with a coastal twist.

Three

Determine how many spaces you will decorate. I chose to focus entirely on the open areas of our vacation rental which is the main living/dining/kitchen space, plus the front door. I did not bring anything into the bathrooms, hallways or sleeping spaces. My decision was made in part due to transportation space as well as understating rather than annoying the guests who stay at our property. Remember, we are creating hints of the holidays, not going full steam holiday overload like scenes from the movie, "Christmas Vacation."

Four

Keep it mostly neutral. Avoid too many cute messages that can quickly become annoying. Every time someone enters the front door they will be reacting to your decor. A simple wreath on the door, as an example, is less irksome than a sign proclaiming "Sand is the New Snow" or "Seas and Greetings." No thanks! These messages get old fast. Likewise, not everyone is religious or shares the same religious views. Therefore a muted version of the classics may be a better option. Quintessential boxwood or evergreen arrangements with winter berries, fuzzy white trim and red and green tartan plaid convey the season in a secular way. Instead of a religious-themed liquid soap dispenser, choose Winterberry, Frasier Fir, Peppermint or Sugar Cookie.

Five

Rethink and reimagine how to display your seasonal decor. Because we have no space for a traditional Christmas tree in our rental, a charming 7" hand-made Christmas tree constructed of starfish is a great substitute. Deconstructing elements of the Christmas tree in the form of gorgeous teal blue ornaments displayed in a driftwood bowl are fun without taking up much space. Sparkling garland in a white platter on the server buffet create another element of the tree without the tree itself. A small, charming Christmas ornament above the coffee bar area completes the concept of the deconstructed tree.

Six

Think beyond the obvious. Displaying seasonal items on the countertops and end tables is nice, but don't overlook the feeling of Christmas. As an example, I purchased a charming 500 piece puzzle with a snowy country scene, old red truck, red barn and adorable Golden Retrievers. The scene has nothing to do with the beach, desert, lakes or mountains, it is appealing to nostalgia. Puzzles and the holidays are perfect partners. You will create guest loyalty because of your thoughtfulness tying into childhood recollections of family gatherings. Holiday coffee cups and accessories such as red buffalo plaid pot holders bring up warm memories of sipping something hot and baking cookies. Your guests are "home for the holidays," your job is to make it feel like their home away from home.

Seven

Balance your decor. Thanksgiving kicks off the winter holiday season and New Year's Eve wraps it up. Find the balance of the start, end and everything in between. Follow the 15 - 70 - 15 rule of 15% beginning, 70% middle and 15% end for displaying seasonal items. I chose a beautiful seafoam green glass pumpkin with flameless votive to represent the Autumn harvest and Thanksgiving (15%). For the December holidays (70%), display teal ornaments in a bowl, a starfish Christmas tree, red buffalo plaid hot pads, Winterberry liquid soap, a festive puzzle and red/green tartan and boxwood arrangement. A sparkly garland with ice bucket and coordinating wreath on the door (15%) represent New Year's Eve as well as the winter season.

Eight

Safety first. If you don't want your guests burning scented open-flame candles due to safety and insurance reasons, don't encourage it by putting real candles in your rental. Instead provide flameless candles with fresh batteries. If your vacation rental includes pets and kids, don't leave fragile glass breakables within easy reach. Place them up high or don't include that type of decor at all.

Nine

Determine what not to bring. I love soft throws for the couch, especially in the winter. However, for sanitary and other reasons, I gave up the idea of leaving any seasonal throws for the holiday guests to use. Same for holiday throw pillows. I also vetoed items such as real pumpkins or live seasonal plants of any kind. At some point you have to set boundaries of where to start and stop. Your choices will be different than mine, but decide to edit yourself to know when enough crosses into "too much."

Ten

Leave a gift for your seasonal guests and/or yourself. If you have extra holiday decorations or order customized mugs or personalized items, consider leaving a gift for your holiday guests. Twenty bucks is a good budget that brings many happy memories to you and them. It's better to give than receive. The goodwill of paying it forward will always balance out. Cheers to the holiday spirit!

 


 

"There's something about a holiday that isn't all about how much money you spend.”

-- Hilarie Burton, American actress, businesswoman, author and producer


DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Nothing Bad Ever Happens at the Beach

Our first year as snowbirds, we witnessed a raging fire that broke out at AJ’s where we had just departed just seconds earlier Nothing Bad Ever Happens at the Beach  Why Snowbirds and Tourists Should Know and Set Individual Limits For nine years and counting, 

Top Terminology for Snowbird Rentals

An example of a gulf front private home in Miramar Beach, NW Florida with full unobstructed views and two reserved off-street parking spaces Top Terminology for Snowbird Rentals  100 Terms to Know Before Renting a Vacation or Snowbird Residence As a long term member, and 

14 Tips to Avoid Rental Scams

Deposits with no recourse, high pressure tactics, pricing and terms too good to be true and no contract are all major red flags
Deposits with no recourse, high pressure tactics, pricing and terms too good to be true and no contract are all major red flags

14 Tips to Avoid Rental Scams 

With the popularity of online shopping, online scams are also at an all time high. Rental scams can be especially devastating because guests may not even realize they've been taken until they show up to the property. Yes, it happens and it's heartbreaking.

I'm a member of several regional rental groups via Facebook where renters and rentals are matched via posts such as, "In search of a pet-friendly, 2/2 gulf front condo with pool and amenities for January/February of 2023. Max budget is $8,500, including fees." Property owners post photos and details of their units if it matches the request.

I cringe when some of the replies provide no link to "their" listing, yet ask the potential renter to "PM me for a special discount" or they provide a link and say, "Your dates aren't showing as available due to a computer gliche, but PM me and I can book your stay." These are huge red flags. Your instinct should be kicking into overdrive. If there is no direct electronic trail to the listing and/or there's explanations that aren't logical, be extremely careful or consider moving on. If it's not adding up, something is wrong.  

Prior to our first season as a snowbird, my husband and I became very nervous. We booked our rental nine months in advance of our stay via a web site that promotes/manages about 50 properties. I conducted a fair amount of research to be confident enough the listing was legit. Sixty days prior to arrival, per the contract terms we pre-paid the property manager in full for the entire stay, which was a large amount of money. We had no first-hand information about the property, only the online description and photos

A few days before we were to depart, we received a message that we would not be able to check in to our 3/3 gulf front unit due to exterior maintenance that would block our access to the door. Another much smaller 2/2 unit in a building down the street would be ours for the first week. Oh heck no! This was NOT what we signed up for. After much back and forth, we negotiated concessions to move into the 3/3 for two days, then would move down the street for 4-5 days and then back to the original unit. I was very apprehensive of the possibility that not only the property management company could be a scam, but that the rental was fake too. We were so relieved to find that we were wrong. I conducted even more research and affirmed the rental was real and the property management company has a stellar reputation.   

If you are seeking a new property and are unfamiliar with it or the area you're considering, I've offered 14 tips to assist with spotting potential rental scams. Although there's no way to be 100% sure, whether staying at a new place during snowbird season or the off season, careful research can result in a better outcome.    


 

1. Search well known, credible rental web sites

Credible is the key word here. Well known rental web sites such as VRBO, Airbnb, Home Away and BringFido.com are a few examples. Web sites that broker thousands of listings AND have a budget to advertise their sites are typically acceptable sources. However, having said that, it doesn't guarantee the LISTINGS are legitimate. Fake listings are rampant and the images are usually stolen from actual listings. This is why it is important to conduct further research once you locate a potential rental.

Craigslist is a well known web site, but it is not devoted strictly to vacation rentals and therefore it is not what I consider a good source for vacation rentals. Regardless of the source, further research is recommended.

2. Compare with smaller, regional web sites

Some property owners don't want to pay the fees for listing on a well known web site. Smaller rental web sites may be a good option. They may have names such as "Vacation Homes by Owner" or something regional such as "Texas Vacation Rentals." If a listing is on both a smaller source and a well known source, that adds credibility. However, it is not a guarantee of anything.

3. Compare with the web site of the property manager

Typically, if a property is professionally managed, it will also be listed on the property manager's web site. You can compare various dates with the major web site and the property manager's web site. Both sites should show the exact same dates as open or unavailable because they are synchronized by the computer. If there is a discrepancy, that's a major red flag.

Typically, booking directly through the property manager will save additional fees. The major web sites usually add more fees to the guests with line items such as "Host fee," "Service Fee" or something similar. The fees are in addition to the cleaning, taxes and other state and local fees.

4. Seek feedback online through regional social media groups

As mentioned above, online referral groups are a great way to match renters with rentals. However, as previously stated, be very careful about responses that do not have a direct link to the property and/or there are requests to private message instead of publicly message each other. The social media groups attempt to keep scammers out, but there is usually no formal vetting process. Specialized social groups are always targeted by scammers who create fake accounts with stolen photos of innocent people.

5. Evaluate online photos and listings

I devoted a recent post entirely to evaluating online photos and listings of vacation rentals. It is worth reading prior to booking a new or unfamiliar rental property.

6. Spot fake listings: typos, poor grammar and punctuation are red flags

Domestic and international scammers typically are not English scholars. Typos, poor grammar and punctuation are all red flags; however, perfect English is no guarantee of anything either (or vice versa). If the listing and/or correspondence are riddled with poor grammar, punctuation and typos, ask to personally speak with someone. If you can get someone on the phone, that's the first step. I doubt they will be available for a call if they are a scammer. If they can speak English, yet their written correspondence is poor, proceed with caution.

Be aware listing photos and descriptions may be stolen from legitimate properties. Conduct multiple online searches for the property and look for conflicting information, such as multiple listings for the property with differing contact information.

Perhaps a listing shows an attractive smiling woman or a family with young kids and a dog on their social media profile and refuses to correspond with you via any other method than electronically, that's a red flag. Scammers pretend to identify with their targets by appearing to be trustworthy. Chances are the photos are stolen.

7. Review public records

Public records such as tax and property records are easily located online in the county in which the property is located. Look up the name of the owner/s, how long they've owned the property and how many other properties they own. Their primary address will also be listed in the records as well as the names of any other owners.

If a property is owner-managed and the address of the contract doesn't match the address of record, find out why, then verify the answer. Some properties are owned by siblings or partners as an example. That's fine, but it would seem odd to have differing addresses on a tax record versus a rental contract. Look up all addresses to verify the facts to tie it all together. If all of it doesn't match, beware.

8. Meet or talk with the property manager or owner

If you are in the vicinity of the prospective rental, ask for a personal showing or meeting. If you cannot meet in person, a phone conversation with the owner or PM is helpful to get an idea of their opinions and feedback of whether a property may be a good fit for your needs. Especially if you are staying more than a few days. They may have other properties to recommend and you can ask questions about how many properties they manage, if they are local, how long they've been in business and so forth. Ask for references from previous guests.

Ask if the property is for sale. If it is, there is a chance your reservation may be cancelled due to the owner transferring the title, which will negate your contract. If you are unable to personally speak with someone after multiple attempts and you're only receiving electronic communication, that is a huge red flag.

9. Ask for references

Ask to speak with previous guests who have stayed in the property and can verify the advertised images are fair, the condition is what was advertised and whether they received prompt attention in the event of issues that needed resolved. Ask seemingly random questions about the neighborhood that you already know the answer from online research, such as "Where is the nearest pharmacy?" How far away and what is the name of the closest restaurant? If your "reference" hesitates or doesn't know the answers fairly quickly, they are perhaps not valid references.

10. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is

Compare the cost of the prospective rental with similar properties. If the availability, terms and rate are too good to be true, that's a huge red flag. Ask a lot of questions about why the rates are so low. Is it new to the rental market? Was there a last minute cancellation? Are there any problems that may be a factor such as a bug infestation, ongoing construction or other inconveniences? What guarantees can the PM or owner make to assure their property is legitimate?

11. Only pay deposits with the protection of credit cards

Never pay a deposit with funds that aren't protected in the event of fraud or misrepresentation. If you pay by credit card, you'll still have to go through the process of requesting a refund, but there's a better chance of recovering your deposit. Many popular money apps provide zero protection to the person sending the funds. Once the money is sent, it's gone. Do your homework prior to sending money to anyone for any reason. If the money app's policy is no refunds, you will have zero chance to recover any of it in the event of fraud or any other reason.

Typically, because of the credit card fees and significant expense of a long term rental, the balance is typically paid with a check 60 - 90 days before arrival. Look into the address of where the check is to be mailed. Does the address match the property manager or owner's address? If not, ask why.

12. Never pay a deposit before signing a valid lease agreement

You will have no protection from fraud, cancellation or any other issue without a valid signed lease agreement. The lease agreement will have the full names of you and the property manager or owner and the terms listed, including the amount of the deposit and balance, dates of stay, due dates for the balance/payments, policies including the cancellation terms as well as refund and dispute resolution policies. Never accept a contract or agreement unless it thoroughly addresses everything to cover yourself as well as the property owner. If you are getting high pressure to hurry up and pay a deposit without signing a complete valid lease, walk away. That is a huge red flag.

13. Electronic contracts are a good sign

If your rental is offered online and there is an electronic contract that you can sign to reserve it, that's a standard industry-wide practice. Reserving electronically protects the renter and rental agency from disputes about when and what was agreed to. It also takes the unit off the market so it doesn't become double-booked. If the property you are considering does not offer an electronic contract, find out why. It may be the owner prefers signed paper contracts. Allow enough time for a contract to be prepared and signed, but ask for assurances that the rental will be held during this time.

Perhaps they don't offer any contract. They may say they don't like contracts or haven't had time to prepare one or downplay that it isn't that important. If there's no contract, there's no deal. Walk away.

14. High pressure tactics are a red flag

If your potential property is desirable, it will have more people interested in renting it. However, if the PM or owner is using high pressure tactics such as indicating it will be off the market before the contract can be executed and signed, that's a red flag. Never agree to pay a deposit or rent a unit without first or simultaneously executing a valid contract.

If the property legitimately has multiple offers at the same time, ask how they will determine who is accepted. If they have a reasonable explanation, you can either go along with the plan or find another place. Sometimes taking a property with less demand will make it easier for you to keep coming back because there is less competition fighting for it.

Always conduct thorough research and listen to your instinct before renting a property that is new or unfamiliar. Once you are confident of your choice, you can focus on prepping for your stay.

 


 

"A clever person solves a problem, a wise person avoids it.”

-- Albert Einstein, German Theoretical Physicist


DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Prepare for Power Outages Whether Home or Away

Severe weather events are less problematic with a whole home standby generator PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES WHETHER HOME OR AWAY Why a Whole Home Standby Generator System Makes Sense for Snowbirds Snowbirds know a problem with your home while away is very stressful. Not only