[Ohiogirl]

Good idea to rent for a month - best advice (in my opinion) would be to rent the type unit you think you are interested in buying (e.g., patio villa, courtyard villa, ranch, designer) and also try to figure out which model you're most interested in and rent that. In July you shouldn't have any problem getting a particular model/style.

As for private renters, I rent out my CYV and have had NO major problems in almost 4 years, and hardly any minor problems either (once a/c needed repair, once a tenant couldn't figure out how to run DW). Most of we private landlords have a local caretaker if we are not down there, and things get taken care of as fast, or faster, than with a management co. With the internet, photos are readily available, and before you rent you can ask any questions you like, usually by phone or email.

Had one tenant who thought she wanted to buy a CYV but found out it was too private for her - she ended up buying a designer to have more spontaneous neighbor contact. She was glad she found that out before buying. Many villas and houses have garage laundries and some have inside laundries. Maybe you'll find out you're ok with a garage laundry and maybe you won't. Good to know ahead of time. Maybe you thought you'd like to get a unit with an open kitchen but find out you don't after all, and vice versa.