[CassieInVa]

We have purchased a 2/2 CYV within 5 to 10 minute walk of LSL. We are trying to decide if we should do long term rentals (the unit is already furnished) or short term rental (and may be only able to rent for 3 or 4 months). How likely will someone want 6 mos to 1 year if furnished?

We also are debating whether we can do it ourselves (we are here in the Villages) or possibly going with a local firm to get more exposure to renters.

I'm deciding between a few firms, namely Remax, Realty Executives, Down Home and JD&V.

Any advice from others who have investment properties or who have rented their homes out would be helpful. This is stressful! Thanks in advance

[neilbcox]

I also have a 3 bd 2 bath courtyard villa in the village of Pinellas. We use **** premium listing with outstanding results. **** is the number one vacation rentals by owners in the world. They handle all payments by credit cards, communications and agreements.

I did not like villages for rent...they are a small time village cheap website. The main scary thing about them is they DONOT even verify if the property is even legality owned...this is fraud waiting to happen. That is even stated in their contract that most people never reads.

Go ****..my property was rented for 52 weeks last year.

[outahere]

We don't have a rental property, so I can't help there. However, when we moved down here from MA we rented a house from Tom Jones at JD&V and he was great! Very personable, and responsive when we had any issue. I have no idea what his fee is, but if you do decide to go with a property manager, I would highly recommend him.

[neilbcox]

For some reason this site will not let me post the best vacation rentals...I do not work for this company so why block recommendations? There are plenty of companies that get recommendations.

Vacation rental. By. Owner

Call me directly at 210-363-3035 if they block this information.

Neil

[CassieInVa]

Neil, I left you a voicemail but I think I figured it out... 4 letters and starts with V, correct? Annual subscription? Thanks!

[Abby10]

We have also received postcards in the mail from VIR rentals. Anyone know anything about them?

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by neilbcox

I also have a 3 bd 2 bath courtyard villa in the village of Pinellas. We use **** premium listing with outstanding results. **** is the number one vacation rentals by owners in the world. They handle all payments by credit cards, communications and agreements.

I did not like villages for rent...they are a small time village cheap website. The main scary thing about them is they DONOT even verify if the property is even legality owned...this is fraud waiting to happen. That is even stated in their contract that most people never reads.

Go ****..my property was rented for 52 weeks last year.

We have used the villages for rent website with great success - we are basically rented out. Have never had a problem and it gets GREAT traffic. BTW, they are changing the name because the developer filed a lawsuit - now it will be called Villagershomes4rent I highly recommend it.

Ed

[CassieInVa]

Ed, it seems there are so many rentals and renting outside high season might be really tough. With our location, I'm hoping we get more than Jan through Mar.
How do you decide who to rent to? What process to help ensure good renters?

[mixsonci]

I used Down Home Property (Vicki and Stacey Joy) to manage and rent my house the first year. Although I will not say they were bad, they weren't really, but they also were not that good. They never reported anything to me. I had to ask them about everything. My tenants had a hard time getting them to respond, although they responded to me when I emailed them. They did what they were supposed to do, but never went beyond, never took any initiative, they just were almost invisible. I guess if I was pushed, I would not recommend them. But as I said they were not bad and did not really do anything bad.

[bookseller61]

Try JD&V. I am very happy with there service.

[Fraugoofy]

Originally Posted by alice66

I have been using VIR for a year now and I am so happy with them. My villa stays rented. It was rented mostly all of the summer this year except a couple weeks.. which it has never been rented in the summer. I can always get ahold of them anytime I need them. I don't have to wait days before they return my call like I did with other companies in the past. They don't charge you to stay in your own house. I highly recommend them to anyone. Two of my friends use them now as well and love them. They are a top notch management company.

Could you please send me their number? I'd like to contact them and see what they offer. Thanks.

[CassieInVa]

I wanted to post an update . Within 3 to 4 weeks of settlement, I had our unit rented furnished for the next 14 or 15 months straight through. Short-term until November, then a one-year lease. I had a lot of interest for short-term during the high season, obviously but I also had a lot of interest for yearly leases and longer term, which surprised me.

I took my own pictures and posted them on villagers homes for rent.com . We also put a for rent sign with phone number in the window of the villa. Most of our traffic came from villagers homes for rent.com.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. Now I need to go "knock on wood".

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by CassieInVa

I wanted to post an update . Within 3 to 4 weeks of settlement, I had our unit rented furnished for the next 14 or 15 months straight through. Short-term until November, then a one-year lease. I had a lot of interest for short-term during the high season, obviously but I also had a lot of interest for yearly leases and longer term, which surprised me.

I took my own pictures and posted them on villagers homes for rent.com . We also put a for rent sign with phone number in the window of the villa. Most of our traffic came from villagers homes for rent.com.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. Now I need to go "knock on wood".

Wow.....great results! Do you use a home watch service to take care of any issues your tenants might have, or do you just handle everything yourself?

I've used the website you mentioned to obtain rentals before buying my own place and had wonderful experiences with each home that I rented. I think it's a great, easy to use site and often recommend it to others.