Looking for Vacation Rental
 

Hi,
I've checked several rental websites for a vacation rental at the Villages for 1-3 months during winter/spring of 2023, but come up empty. I know that is high season, but can it be there are already no more rentals available? Do you know of an easy to search web site specializing in TV properties (flexible dates)? Thanks.

I know a lot of properties are rented by the owner, but I would work with a realtor, one at an agency that rents properties. They will have access to more homes.

VH4R Home Rentals in The Villages Florida The Villages Rentals

My rental was gone for Jan-Apr within two days of listing it this year. But It's also available Oct-Dec 2022 and May-June 2023. I've never had a single call for those months, which are generally more pleasant than Jan-Feb. It's also a third of the winter rate in the summer, but I've only had one summer rental since I've owned it. I've never been able to understand it. Summers here are heaven compared to the Texas summers we used to endure!

If a few snowbird renters were willing to think about the shoulder months, we wouldn't be forced to cover our investment in 4 months, and everyone would get a better deal!

But if they came down to the Villages when it wasn’t the winter snow season than they wouldn’t be snowbirds.

I'd consider May-June also, perhaps a long-term (12 mos. or more) as well. The problem with the web site you cited (and all the other ones I've seen) is the lack of filtering by search criteria. Any suggestions on how to choose a 'rental agent'?

If they are just looking for Jan there are several still on VacationRentalByOwner.com (use only the capital letters.). There are even a couple south of 44 available for 2 months.

You can search by house type, village, availability, keyword, special features, # bedrooms, # of TV's, whether is has a den or office, if it includes a BBQ, how close it is to the pool, view, golf cart, ... and on.. and on...

Try clicking the "Advanced Search" link on the home page.

And why would you want to pay a rental agent's 15% fee? Oh, you think that's free? It's built into the price. The Villages rental service charges the home owner 20%!