Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
Proximity to local attractions such as wineries, entertainment, sports facilities, shopping and restaurants will help bring guests to your property. [Country Heritage Winery, Laotto, Indiana] Thinking of Renting Out Your Primary Home? Checklist of 15 Considerations Prior to Placing Your Primary Property on the Rental …
Snowbird Housing Deal Breakers Hint: The Deal Breakers are Personal and Nuanced Price, location, view, pet friendly and availability are all deal makers. They’re also the deal breakers. However, there’s more to it than that. It’s the nuances of a particular rental that may or …
As a long term member, and more recently a business owner who participates in social media groups for the vacation rental market, I repeatedly witness all kinds of online "arguments" about rental terminology. "It's not an ocean, it's THE GULF!" which is understandably significant in both price and technicalities. Another budget-buster relates to posts along the line of, "In search of BEACHFRONT property only" for a specific amount of money or desirable dates. Beachfront, ocean/gulf front and ocean/gulf view are quite different, which is why it's very important to make sure you and the administrators of your prospective new place are in sync with the intended meaning vs. reality. It's because of these online terminology discussions that inspired me to write about what I consider to be the top 100+ terms for snowbird and vacation rentals.
Domestic and international snowbirds tend to rent vs. buy their southern abode as well as move around fairly often. Canadian and other international snowbirds may not be as familiar with the United States' rental definitions or customs and they can also vary from state to state. Florida is the most popular destination for all snowbirds and amongst other things, has it's own unique way of addressing the beaches. As an example, a quick way to start a heated discussion is to mention Florida's "private beaches."
Like it or not, private beaches are fairly common in many areas of Florida and other states and that means you may rent a property with a direct view of the water and have no way to access the water or beach without walking or driving to a public access point. Once on the beach, private beaches typically restrict visitors to the wet sand along the coastline. How will you know if you're on a private beach? There will be plenty of signs posted both in the sand as well as at the gates or access points. Trespassing can result in being asked to leave or worse, so it's best to fully understand the set-up and ask the right questions before renting a place.
Deeded access is another term that is key to beaches -- your rental may include deeded access to a lake, bay or beach, but you will want to clarify how far it is to reach the deeded access point as well as parking options.
Test your rental term knowledge and have fun with quizzing yourself, friends and family. As much as I thought I already knew about the most common terms, I learned nuances such as a park model is legally classified as an RV; beach front, ocean/gulf front and ocean/gulf view are totally different and every state and local region has their own restrictions. Knowing what the rental terms actually mean can alleviate confusion and disappointment prior to choosing a property. For your convenience I've created a list of 100 helpful definitions and terminology. As always, do your own thorough research and ask a lot of questions.
| Accessible Vacation Rental - Accessible to guests with physical disabilities or impairments |
| Alternative accommodation - Any non-hotel property |
| Amenities – Attractive and desirable additions to a place that exceed one’s basic needs |
| Amenity Fee - Additional fee for amenities such as wifi, a pool, club house, fitness center, golf course, etc. |
| Apartment - A space within a building that is available for rent, but is owned by another entity. |
| Availability Calendar – Potential guests can see the dates that accommodations are still available and what has already been reserved. |
| Availablility Nights - The total number of nights available in exchange for a specific contracted rate. |
| Back to back booking - Consecutively booked immediately after the other |
| Balcony - A structural platform located off the ground that extends from the exterior of a building and is enclosed by a railing or half wall |
| Beach - A sandy or pebbly coastal shore, especially by the ocean or gulf between high and low water marks. |
| Beach Front – Situated near or on the area where the land meets the sand with direct and/or panoramic views and no cliffs, roads or rocky areas in-between the unit and sandy beach. You may be able to walk directly from the unit a short distance to the sand or there may be a short pathway that leads to the beach. |
| Best Available Rate (BAR) – Guests are assured the rate is the lowest available for each night of a multi-night stay to avoid confusion or to eliminate the need to continue to try source a lower rate. |
| Best Available Rate Guarantee - Guests are guaranteed the rate is the lowest available for each night of a multi-night stay to avoid confusion or to eliminate the need to continue to try source a lower rate. |
| Blocked View/s – No view due to an obstruction such as a wall, building or other type of structure |
| Book Direct: The most direct method to reserve a property instead of paying a fee to a third party booking site or distribution channel |
| Booking Confirmation - Written notification issued by the agent, owner or property manager to confirm the price, dates and other key details of the reservation. |
| Booking Fee – An extra charge for booking a reservation |
| Breed Restrictions - Rental policies that disqualify a specific breed of dog that are high risk and/or not covered by insurance. |
| Cancellation Fee - The amount of money due for cancelling a reservation after the cancellation deadline |
| Cancellation Policy – The policies and terms relating to cancelling reservations |
| Changeover Days - Specific days of the week when bookings start and end |
| Check In - The earliest time allowed to check into the property |
| Check Out - The latest time allowed to check out of the property |
| Closed to Arrival (CTA) - A tool that makes certain dates not available for check –in |
| Coastal Dune - A landform of sand created by wind- or water-driven sand, many coastal dunes are restricted from humans walking on them or disturbing them. |
| Condo/Condominum – A residential complex of housing with separate individually owned units. The interior from the walls/ceiling/floor inward are controlled and maintained by the property owner and the exterior, including the land and amenities are owned and maintained by the Homeowner’s Association (HOA), of which all condo owners in the building or community are members. |
| Condo-Hotel / Condotel / Hotel Condo / Contel - A condominium building with shared amenities that is operated like a hotel, offering short term rentals and maintains a front desk. Legally, it is a condominium, yet owners can leverage marketing and management by a hotel chain. |
| Custom fees: Any fee that is unique to a property such as pool access fees |
| Damage Waiver Fee: Non-refundable, typical nominal fee that covers accidental property damage caused by the guest |
| Damage/Breakage/Security Deposit Fee - Refundable fee added to the overall bill, typically $200 to $300 or 10% of the rental amount that covers accidental property damage caused by the guest |
| Deck - A flat structure that is usually connected to a building and constructed of wood or plastic composite materials, often elevated from the ground. |
| Deeded Access - An easement that allows property owners access to a beach, bay, lake or other desirable feature. It may be neighborhoods or sub divisions adjacent to or near a beach or other feature who have an agreement with the local government granting deeded access. Deeded access might not necessarily be closest to the property, but it typically is not too far away. |
| Down Payment – A portion of a charge paid initially with the balance to be paid later |
| Duplex - A low density multi-unit residential structure or dwelling that share at least one common wall. The floor plans may or may not be the same in each unit. |
| End Unit - A unit on either end of the building, it is more desirable because it shares just one wall instead of two or more and may have windows on three sides vs. two sides. |
| Front Row – A residential dwelling situated closest to the shoreline, or first row compared to second and third, etc. |
| Gated Community – A residential community with restricted geographical boundaries and gates to control access to the area. Access points may be staffed or utilize an entry code. |
| Ground Floor – The ground level floor of a building, which may or may not have a view |
| Guest Fee - An additional fee not included in the rate such as pet fee, cleaning fee, hot tub fee, club house fee, parking, etc |
| Gulf - Part of an ocean or sea that extends into the land, a gulf can be expansive, such as the Gulf of Mexico, or much smaller |
| Gulf Front /Ocean Front- A direct and/or panoramic coastline view of the ocean or gulf, but not immediately connected to the sand, such as a road or cliff between the unit and the beach |
| Gulf of Mexico – Both an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, there are seven southern US states that access the Gulf of Mexico: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The area is also known as the “Third Coast” with the Atlantic and Pacific being the first two. |
| Homeowners Association (HOA) – An HOA is a legal organization of homeowners who collectively pay fees to govern and maintain all properties, amenities and common areas within the association. |
| House Rules - Rules and policies clearly stated by the host for guests and their pets and visitors |
| Installments - Fees broken into smaller partial payments |
| Key Drop Box - A publicly accessible, yet secure location to pick up or drop off keys |
| Keyless Entry - Electronic lock that does not require an access card or traditional key for access to the property |
| Lodging Tax - A hotel or lodging tax is charged to travelers when they rent accommodations for 30 days or less in a hotel, inn, vacation home, motel, or other type of lodging. |
| Long Term Rental – Typically a residential lease for six months or longer |
| Low/Off-Peak Season - The least popular time of year to travel to an area, also known as off-peak |
| Maximum Occupancy - The maximum number of persons legally allowed to stay at a property |
| Minimum Stay - The lowest number of nights an owner or host will accept a reservation |
| Mobile/Manufactured Home - Built to HUD construction standards, manufactured or mobile homes are constructed in a factory and are designed to be moved to their destination on a trailer chassis. Mobile homes are sometimes placed in a mobile home park or on leased land where the owner rents a space or leases the land. |
| Monthly Rental – A unit that is rented by the month, usually from the first to last day of each calendar month |
| Mountain - A large natural elevation rising abruptly from the surrounding level; such as a large steep hill or mountain range |
| Multi-Unit - Two or more housing units that may or may not be identical |
| No Show - A guest who does not show up and provides no explanation |
| Non-Refundable Rates - A lower rate in lieu of certain conditions, such as non-refundable or non-cancellable |
| Occupancy - Residing in or on something |
| Ocean - A very large expanse of sea that is divided geographically, such as the Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean |
| Ocean/Gulf Front - A direct and/or panoramic coastline view of the ocean or gulf, but not immediately connected to the sand, such as a road or cliff between the unit and the beach |
| Ocean/Gulf View – A non-direct view of the ocean or gulf from a particular angle that may or may not be a fair distance from the water |
| Open Container/s - Any alcoholic beverage that has been opened and has a broken seal or a portion of the contents removed. |
| Outdoor Amenities - The desirable, useful exterior amenities of a property such as BBQ grill, outdoor shower/s, playground, dog park area, pool, tennis court, beach area, etc. |
| Owner’s Closet - A locked closet or interior room that contains housekeeping or personal effects of the owner or host |
| Park Model – A smaller mobile home designed for seasonal occupancy and less mobile than an RV, yet is classified as an RV. |
| Parking Fee - A fee to park a non-oversized vehicle or other boat or vehicle on the property |
| Parking Permit – A temporary or permanent sign or tag displayed in the vehicle to show it is permitted to park on the property |
| Parking Restrictions - This is a limitation or restriction of the visitor’s access to parking on the property due to multiple vehicles, oversized or commercial vehicles, RV’s, golf carts, etc. Restrictions may also apply to where a vehicle may be parked. |
| Partial View – A view of at least a sliver of the feature such as an ocean, coastline, water or mountain |
| Patio – A paved area located adjacent to a residential dwelling, typically made of concrete or stone or tile pavers |
| Peak/High Season - The most popular time of year to travel to an area |
| Pet Fee – An additional non-refundable fee for cleaning or other potential pet-related damage to the property |
| Pet friendly - Properties that allows pets, typically dogs, to stay, although there may be limitations such as age, weight or number of dogs, breed restrictions and/or additional fees |
| Price-Per-Guest - Pricing based on the number of guests |
| Pricing Structures - Different rental prices based on the rental season or time of year |
| Private Beach – Private beaches are owned by a property owner or entity with restricted access to the public. The dry part of a private sandy beach is private and the wet area is public and open to anyone. |
| Private Home/Residence – A private home/residence that is not part of a commercial establishment |
| Property Description – A written description of real estate that describes the details and features of a home for sale or lease. |
| Public Beach – Public beaches are owned by the government and generally do not restrict access to the public, although there are typically specific rules about open containers, dogs, open fires, fireworks, weddings and more. |
| Rack Rate - The listed or advertised price for a room or property per night, it is the maximum rate. |
| Recreational Vehicle (RV) – A recreational vehicle that is designed to be mobile, with hookups that can easily be disconnected. |
| Rental Agreement/Contract – A contract between and owner or property manager and a tenant who wishes to use and occupy the property for a specific period of time as well as other terms and details related to the transaction such as cost, policies and procedures. |
| Remodel – To change the shape or form of something, such as a building, by demolition and construction. |
| Renovation – The process of cosmetic work renewing, repairing, updating or restoring to good condition. |
| Repeat Guests – Guests who return to the same property are considered valuable and are typically welcomed back. |
| Reservation Deposit – Nonrefundable money that is pre-paid to make a reservation and applied to the total bill. |
| Resort - A tourist destination that is usually in a scenic location for vacations, holidays, relaxation or recreation, or which is frequented for a particular purpose such as a spa, golf or wellness retreat. |
| Resort Fee – An additional fee that is charged to pay for a range of amenities, such as pool use, gym access, towel services, Wi-Fi, newspapers, shuttle service, daily parking, etc. |
| Row House - Similar houses in architectural style that are joined by side walls, also known as townhouses |
| Sales Tax - A consumption tax on the sale of goods and services, it is paid by the guest at the time of the sale, collected by the agent and paid to the government. |
| Service Fee – An extra charge assessed for a specific service |
| Short Term Rental – Typically a residential lease for 90 days or less |
| Shoulder Season – the period of time between peak and off peak season |
| Side View – A non-direct view from the side to see the feature such as an ocean, coastline, water or mountain |
| Single Family Home - A very low density, detached residential structure or dwelling site-built on its own land for the private use of the owner. Also known as R1, which means it’s zoned residential with one unit per lot. |
| Smart Lock - Bluetooth or wi-fi keyless locks |
| SNAD - Acronym for “significantly not as described” |
| Time Share - A timeshare is a legal arrangement for many people to share ownership of a property, such as a vacation property or condo within a resort area. Each buyer usually purchases a certain period of time to stay at the property, which may or may not be in the same unit each time. |
| Townhome/Townhouse - A narrow, non-freestanding row house connected on the sides, typically three or more floors tall. The owner possesses the land on which it is situated including the yard, patio or deck and the interior and exterior of the unit. |
| Trip/Travel Insurance – A separate insurance policy paid for by the traveler to protect the traveler from potential financial losses due to specific conditions. Coverage varies by policy for risks ranging from minor inconveniences such as missed airline connections or more serious issues including injuries or major illness. |
| Vacation Rental – Accommodations, typically located in a desirable area, that can be rented on a short term basis. |
| Value-Added Items - Amenities such as cribs, roll-away beds, high chairs, fire pits, BBQ grills, hot tubs, etc. that provide an extra value to guests |
| Walkability – A measure of characteristics that make an area easy to navigate by walking |
| Weekly Rental – A unit that is rented by the week, usually from Saturday to Saturday |
-- Lin Pernille, American Photographer, Videographer
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BE THE SNOWBIRD WHO IS WELCOME BACK How to Be Irresistible to Your Hosts Snowbirds who rent their winter residences are plentiful and there is typically not a shortage of guests who want to stay in a great property, which means it is important to …
As snowbirds return home to begin the off-season, much reflection goes into what can be done differently for the next season. Life changes happen from year to year, budgets change and energy levels for travelling to/from your destination may not be where they used to be. Snowbirds evaluate if they want to return to the same place, try a new area or whether to return at all. Because housing is the most expensive aspect of being a snowbird, rates are a major consideration of where to stay. [Costs of Snowbird Rentals: Beach, Desert, City-Metro]
Recent interactions with two readers reinforced that misconceptions related to location are far more widespread than they or I realized, which is why it is important to recognize regional differences in pricing. As the tried and true adage says, it's all about "location, location, location." Most people are well aware that being a snowbird in Maui, Hawaii is going to be much more expensive for multiple reasons. However, the cost of housing in every snowbird destination, no matter where you are headed, will be affected by peak and off-peak season. As an example, peak season in Hawaii is not January, it is summer when families are on school break. Seeking lesser known communities is another option for better housing rates. If you are considering a change, carefully take a look at what you're seeking because you may find that by making an adjustment in location based on popularity and/or peak vs. off peak season, you may be able to get so much more for your money, which can make all the difference of your snowbird lifestyle.
At the beginning of 2022, a reader from south Florida contacted me and we enjoyed a lengthy phone conversation. Cindy told me she's a longtime, now retired snowbird who lives with her husband in the Fort Myers area five months of the year and the rest of the time is devoted to their home in mid-Eastern Wisconsin. During the course of the conversation, the topic of north vs. south Florida came up.
Cindy's perception of northern Florida is that it can be quite chilly in the winter (true) and that winter, which is peak season in south Florida, is also peak season in northern Florida (false). Cindy was surprised to learn summer is peak season in northern Florida because it's when families come to the beach for summer vacation. South Florida is considered by many to be too hot in the summer. Some people, such as myself, consider south Florida to be too hot in the winter as well. I don't mind Northwest Florida's jacket weather and truthfully am not interested in residing in hot weather all year round.
This brings us to the crux of the North Florida vs. South Florida rental rates. South Florida is desirable in the winter because of the consistently warm weather with temps in the 70's and '80s. That's an attractive quality and prices in South and Central Florida are reflective of the climate. Due to supply and demand, rental prices are significantly higher, even as much as two or three times higher to get the same square footage, amenities and views as their counterparts to the north. Just ask my friend Vicki. She looked into moving closer to her daughter who was based in Key West and was shocked at the gulf front prices of south Florida. Vicki stayed where she was in Northwest Florida, it was too good to pass up.
Another reader, Bill, recently wrote to me and said, "I was a solo snowbird last year and met some folks. It worked out fairly well. However, I would prefer to buddy-up with someone for companionship and sharing of expenses. Do you have suggestions of where to find someone?... Thank you and best wishes."
I asked Bill the area where he stayed and whether he preferred to remain there, then brainstormed many ideas of where to find a roommate. Finally, I offered one last thought and suggested, "It can be expensive to be a snowbird and reducing the amount of time away, staying in an area that is not as warm or moving inland to a less expensive spot may be helpful. As an example, south Florida is incredibly expensive during the winter months because it is their peak season. Northwest Florida in the winter is the off season and peak is during spring and summer."
Bill said, "Thank you so much for the prompt reply. I was in south Florida (Cape Coral) and it was very nice (and expensive). I drove down so I wouldn't need to get a rental car. I'm in southeastern Wisconsin and it was 1,400 miles each way, and I swore I'd never do that drive again 🙂 I really hadn't considered northwest Florida since the weather can be iffy and I assumed prices would still be on the high side since peak season... but, you have enlightened me with understanding that winter is NOT peak season (using Destin as an example) and rentals are very reasonable per VRBO search. An added bonus is that the drive is 400 miles shorter so It would be a two day drive instead of three. So thanks for planting this seed. I will also explore some of your other suggestions."
Don't overlook checking into less well-known snowbird areas. During correspondence with an extended family member I'm newly acquainted with, we discovered we both enjoy the snowbird lifestyle. Mike and his wife travel extensively in their RV throughout the year. He said, "If things go as planned, we are hoping to spend next winter in Biloxi, Pass Christian or Waveland, all are in coastal Mississippi. We actually really love Florida for a lot of reasons, there are so many things that we enjoy, but anywhere on the Gulf Coast makes us happy. Now that we are older, I think Mississippi makes us happiest... We get the beach, ocean and warm weather without having to fight the crowds or the traffic."
Mike stated, "It’s half the cost and living on a limited budget it makes a lot of difference. Biloxi is really nice, it has everything we need. Most things are within walking distance from our RV park. Plus, we are right across the road from the beach. I get up and walk along the beach for an hour, then an hour back, starting at 5:00 am every other morning. It’s so nice, there’s a 27 mile sugar white sand beach. At that hour, it’s like I have the whole beach to myself. Well, if you don’t include the seagulls, terns and pelicans."
For property owners, here's another huge advantage to buy in an area that is off-peak in the winter. No matter whether it's north vs. south Florida or north vs. south Arizona, central vs. south Texas or elsewhere, the strategy is the same. If you buy a property where winter is off-peak and stay in it for the snowbird season, then you can return home and rent it out for premium rates while you are home and your rental guests are enjoying the peak summer vacation season.
Many times I've been asked by non-snowbird friends and family, "Why don't you stay further south?" It's all about location, location, location and I love where we are in Northwest Florida.
-- Tasha Bee, UK-based community artist
Location, outdoor space and a gorgeous view are all tops on the list of the most sought-after rentals in snowbird communities What to Look for in A Snowbird Rental Figuring out your warm weather rental home is the single-largest factor to being happy when away …