Furnished Homes - The Place to Find Furnished Rentals introduces new improved Nearby Map features to aide travelers in searching vacation rentals online.  This new feature allows the traveler to see the nearest coffee shops, fitness centers, movie theatres, theme parks, Italian food, and just about anything searchable on Google. 

The screen shot above shows my recent search for a Taos, New Mexico Ski Rental.  I mapped the vacation rental and then typed in coffee shop in the SEARCH the MAP and bingo!  I now see that THE BEAN coffee shop is the closest coffee shop to this Taos Ski In and Out furnished apartment!  Not a coffee addict?  Try golf courses, or 24 HR Fitness, or Bally’s, Casinos, Museums - really just about anything!

We’ve even made it easier for travelers to use the Furnished Homes ”Nearby Legend”.  Vacationers can click on the most common categories like rental cars, grocers, banks, fitness centers and more under the NEARBY tab.  Travelers are telling us they want to see where important services and attractions are in relation to vacation rentals - This allows for a better travel plan and well, it’s just plain cool!

Put your vacation rental on the map today! Furnished Homes

Furnished Homes Improves Summary View for Vacation Rentals!

Vacation rental listings at Furnished Homes will include new Big Bold Title, Property ID #, Quick buttons to view Guest Reviews, Expanded Owner Comments, Enhanced Rental Rates Page, Check Availability links, View Owner Website Link, Enhanced Images up to 25, Broader tabs to navigate and Bookmarking capabilities!  Thanks to all of you for your valuable input - especially as we continue to fine tune the testing!

Travelers and owners find each other at Furnished Homes!  List or search for your next vacation rental now.

Most vacation rental directories are in the form of a list.  Furnished Homes was developed with the Google interactive map for searches.  In testing the navigation of the site over the last few months we decided that it would be best to have the option for travelers to view listings by Map and by List.

The Furnished Homes list view allows you to mouse over the thumbnail images and they will automatically open to a much bigger view.  In this example, we moused over the Taos, New Mexico property.  Visitors can also filter the list from top to bottom or reverse by number of bedrooms, baths, sleeps, and pet policies.  You can toggle between the map and the list view anytime.

We did not take away the cool property pins or the ability to search virtually any landmark, address, city, state or country in the world - we just fine tuned the ability to see all search results in a list too!  A problem we noticed with many of the current directories for vacation home rentals is that the lists of rentals did not contain an initial photo or image of the property.  For instance, if you search San Diego, California or Orlando, Florida at most vacation rental sites you will get a little header blurb about the property and perhaps info on the size of the home.  When it comes to images you are left to open every single listing to see if you’re even interested in the looks of the place.

The List and Map View is placed just above the Google Interactive Map.  The List view will also show NEWLY LISTED notations on properties added in the last 30 days and FEATURED HOMES will be placed at the top of the list and scroll on the intro page.  Featured listings are only $5 monthly and are available in 6 and 12 month time frames.  We’ll roll out more info on enhancements to Furnished Homes soon!  Stay tuned!

Want to see your vacation rental listed here?  Easy sign-up no credit card info required - no obligation - easy 10 steps to add a property today! New vacation rental listings sign in here.

Big, Bigger, Biggest Vacation Home Images!

We have begged, pleaded, coaxed, paid and nagged our development team for excellent image presentation for your vacation rentals.  We so appreciate their patience and expertise in finding a solution for better vacation rental images!  We think they delivered in a big way!  Check these incredible pictures for this snow-bird vacation home listing - they speak for themselves and just check out how many sizes are displayed here! You can add panoramic images, oblong ones, birds eye views, any angle and just about any dimension to your listings now.  We have not seen a vacation rental directory or vacation rental by owner website that delivers better image possibilities to owners & managers.

Snow Bird Adobe Casita - 8 Acres, Tucson, Arizona 

View the New Furnishedhomes.com Image Gallery Example

YEP it’s still BETA - but it’s getting better all the time!  THANK YOU for your patience and THANK YOU for your feedback.  As you can see Furnishedhomes.com is evolving with new exciting changes.  With those exciting changes comes LIVE testing, speed issues and much more that we are monitoring constantly. We’ll keep you posted and if you experience any “bugs” in the site just let us know and we’ll get on it! 

Even if you are completely satisfied with your vacation rental property manager you may want to consider letting them know about the Furnished Homes website.  Let them know that there is a new vacation home rental website that will list all of their properties, including yours, for 6 months free trials! 

The listings at Furnished Homes will soon include 25 high resolution images - unique image galleries that allow for panoramic views (and all those tricky sized - but beautiful images of your rental), link back to your personal or management website, hit counter that tracks the number of times your listing has been viewed, archived inquiries, online guest reviews and feedback management and so much more.  Most vacation rental by owner sites with these features charge anywhere from $99 to $500 annually per listing!

So do your property manager a favor, or better yet, do yourself a favor and get your furnished rental listed today on Furnishedhomes.com.  By the way, our vacation ads are renewable on an annual basis for just $39!  You can even feature your home on the home page for $60 a year! This is just about the lowest cost out there for cutting edge vacation rental advertising and tools for travelers that are searching for vacation rentals!  It’s risk free, no credit card required, no obligation and no lengthy (give us your Grandma’s Social Security Number) registration sign up!

New Upgraded Version 2.0 for Furnishedhomes.com releases soon!

Vacation Renters and Vacation Homeowners be aware of scams that are perpetrated by both parties!

The most common scam aimed at the Vacation Rental Owners is that of “over-payments”.  Many of these inquiries to owners are similar in the fact that the traveler suggests that their employer will be covering all travel related expenses.  The will go into detail how their employer would like to pay by a cashiers check and the amount will be significantly higher than your posted rates.  They then kindly ask for you to deposit the cashiers check and refund the difference back to them.  DO NOT DO THIS!  Several owners have been duped in the past by depositing the check and refunding a significant balance back to the traveler only to have the original cashiers check bounce!  You can typically spot these fraudulent inquiries as they are normally from foreign countries and the wording in the inquiry is very suspicious.  For example, here is a fake inquiry to a Kauai Vacation Rental:

Property Name: Poipu Kai Resort
Property Address: 1111 Pee Road
Property URL: http://www.furnishedhomes.com/home/#listings/info/112222
Name: Dagmar Condant
Email: dagmar_C@yahoo.com
Phone: 123-446-1234
Number Of Adults: 3
Number Of Children: 3
How Did You Hear?: Internet Search Engine
Arrival Date: 12/21/2008
Departure Date: 01/21/2009
Comments:  Greetings my freinds.  My employer here is advancing moneys to travel to your area.  I wokring to be sure I can enjoy a reservation well in advance of my travel.  The advance checque is for a hotel but I am thinking my wife and kids will travel also and need bigger home place like your ad.  Get back to me fast and I will be paying right off to make you comfortable with the renting homes arrangemnt. 

The tip off here is very poor grammar, free email address and the fact that he has been advanced funds.  DO NOT REPLY to this type of email.  Report it to the website that the inquiry came from and then HIT DELETE!  Vacation Rental websites hate fraud and will work to block problem emails.

The most common scam aimed at the Vacation Renter is collecting monies on a home that does not exist.  Like any internet transaction “buyer beware”.  In our vacation rental experience we have learned that it is best to pick up the phone and make a call to the owner direct.  Most often if the ad is fraudulent the “fake owner” phone number does not even work and there is no message machine.  You should be able to interview the owners or managers to your satisfaction.  The vast majority of owners are happy to give you precise details about the property, are very familiar with the surrounding area, can provide you with the specific address, are members of a trade organization, have prior guest reviews for reference and once again - they use secure payment methods.  Most travelers want to pay by credit card - it gives them peace of mind that a transaction can be disputed if fraud is involved.  You may want to consider Paypal as a convenient opton for both you and your visitors.  This method keeps “credit card” numbers out of your possesion and potential liability in your records keeping. 

Fraud prevention is important to both owners and travelers.  Most of the internet scams out there can be detected and prevented with the old addage - “If it’s too good to be true…it’s to good to be true.”

An Easy and Very Effective Tip to turn email inquiries into reservations and really help your guests in the process!

Seasoned owners and property managers will agree that most inquiries are very similar - travelers want to see if you are who you say you are, if your property is as advertised, where the property is located, what are nearby services and attractions, if you have availability and how to reserve.

Here is an insider tip that will save you money in telephone bills, save you and your staff’s time, save the traveler time and help you get more bookings.  It is simple and often over looked, but powerful.  If you have a personal vacation home website much of this and more info can be covered, but be sure to include it in your replies too!  HOW DO YOU REPLY TO YOUR RENTAL INQUIRIES?  If by email then get the most bang for your buck!

You can copy and paste this info or create your own!  Your reply to travelers should be standardized and packed with useful information.  Here is how many owners respond - especially if you have a ton of inquiries in your email.

Hello Susan - We received your request and the dates are available.  To get more info or if you have questions call me or go to my website www.fantasticrentalhomeslocatedindestinflorida.com

Thanks - Rental Owner - Phone: (123) 123-1234

OR CONSIDER USING this simple but information packed REPLY?  It’s more professional and shows that you CARE!  It conveys that you know the area, have a good product and you are easy to do business with!

Dear Susan -

Thank you so much for your inquiry about our Destin, Florida vacation rental!  We have checked our availability calendar for you and the dates you have requested are available!  It is our desire to make you feel at home and provide you with a great vacation rental experience. 

Many of our Destin guests and incoming visitors have similar questions when they are trying to find the best home to suit their needs.  For this reason we have compiled for your review some important things to consider in your decision.  Of course you can always give us a call or log onto our personal website at ………………  to view availability and more details.  Looking forward to having you as a guest to our Destin Home!

Very Important - READ THIS BEFORE BOOKING ANY DESTIN VACATION RENTAL:

Where exactly is the home located?  This home is located just a minute from the intersections of Fillmore Avenue and Lexington Blvd.  It is in the gated community of Whilshire Estates.  Once you book a reservation we supply the exact address.

How far from the airport?  The nearest International Airport is Jeff Foxworthy International located at….and it is only 10 minutes to the front door of this home.  If you are driving down the best route is…

Is the home furnished and should I bring any additional items?  This home is completely turnkey.  We have stocked the home with all cookware, dinnerware, silverware, beds, linens, tvs, dvds, vcrs.  There is even a gas bbq grill on the back patio with a table and seating for 4 to take in the sunsets.  Previous guests suggest bringing golf clubs, a good book and a bathing suit!  Just stock the refrigerator and you’ll be set!

Do you offer high speed internet and telephone service?  Yes!  This home has wifi (wireless internet) for your laptop computer and there are 2 cordless phones for free local calls and an answering machine.  You will need to use your cell phone or calling cards for international and long distance cards.

What are the nearby activities and services?  We believe this to be an excellent location to enjoy all that Destin has to offer.  The sandy beaches are just 10 minutes drive and there is plenty of public parking, for dining we recommend you try Joe’s Crab and Fish or 1 of the 50 restaurants located with 5 minutes, the Aquarium for the kids is just 2 miles away and you can find pizza, bowling, ice cream and go kart racing next door!  For a romantic getaway be sure to try the little Italian restaurant listed in our welcome book.

How do I make a reservation?  Easy just log on to our website……………….add your info here.

What are your arrival and departure requirements?  We require a minimum 7 day stay.  Any nights beyond 7 are pro-rated at the nightly rates.  Monthly rates are posted on our personal site/listing.  Arrivals must be on Sunday after 4 pm and departures must be on Sunday before 10 am. 

How do I get keys for the home?  Easy! Once your reservation is confirmed and paid for you will receive a final confirmation that includes detailed directions to the front door, the security code for the lock box, area info, emergency contact info, arrival and departure directions.  The keys for the pool and clubhouse are right inside on the kitchen table.

What is your cancellation policy?  We require a $300 reservation deposit and…………………..your info.

Do you have any guest reviews or references?  Yes!  You can view this info………………….here.

We know that you have many choices when finding a Destin vacation home and we thank you for your consideration!  If we can be of further assistance in any way just give us a call or email.  Here is the link to our personal website………….

Best Regards -

Destin Vacation Homeowner

Phone - (888)-000-1234

Email:  destindestindestin@destin.com

You can standardize your email replies by creating a template like this one customized with your info and saving it as a draft in your email account or on your computer.  Each time you get a vacation rental request just copy and paste your new “thorough” response into your reply.  Be sure to customize it to your liking. It will take you just a few minutes to create and will save you time and money!  You really can’t provide too much info to your potential guests!

Any other ideas on how to turn inquiries into reservations?  Share your tips here!

Vacation Rentals are not just for vacations!  We’ve written about this before but it’s worth bringing up again.  If you are looking for new sources of visitors trade shows, events and seminars may be the ticket?  In my latest “internet surfing” adventures I found something that caught my eye.  It was a banner ad somewhere, on some site, that advertised “Welcome to Coffee Fest Seattle” September 12-14, 2008.

At first, I was interested in the coffee and the cool new gadgets to brew the perfect cup a Joe!  The event will include the Millrock Latte Free Pour Latte Art Championships!  40 Baristas will square off to create the best looking latte with the prettiest crema.  More importantly, what a great market for vacation homeowners and managers to tap into “The Trade Shows and Events Market”.

So you may be asking how will I know what trade shows, seminars and events will be in my area anyway?  I’m glad you asked that question!  In addition, to your local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau….check out this site - The Ultimate Trade Show Directory(tsnn.com).  The search and data provided by this site is great.  Search by date, location, trade, seminar and more.  You will see all kinds of events like Gem and Mineral shows, Custom Electronic designs, Dental and Doctors conventions and just too many to list!  If it is trade show related or seminar in your city, state or country it’s probably listed here.

Now as to the LIST.  You need to subscribe to get all the contact info and it’s not cheap!  But that’s not the point anyway.  This is to get you thinking beyond just the vacationer.  Hotels and resorts are always looking to conventions and events to boost occupancy - vacation rental owners may want to consider this too?  If you are a member of your local visitors bureau you may be entitled to “The List” for conventions, events and more.  Often these lists will include contact info for key people who are looking for accommodations.  It may require a little digging on your part, but you may find a new niche to cater to?

Find Furnished Homes for Coffee Fest Seattle Sept 12-14, 2008, Hong Kong Nov 07-09, 2008, Chicago Feb 20-22, 2009 or Las Vegas June 12-14, 2009

We may only be into the first weeks of back to school and summer vacations are all but done, but now is the time to get a jump on the best selection for your winter vacation plans.  Whether you are looking for a cozy cabin to relax by the fire and read a good book or you need to strap on some skis or a snowboard and roar down the ski slopes it is best to get a jump on the holiday travelers now!

Fully furnished vacation condos and homes are especially attractive to families.  This year you may want to reserve a place that has a washer and dryer in the home.  You won’t have to lug your clothes to the laundromat or community laundry room!  Most vacation condos have fully functional kitchens outfitted with all cookware, dishwasher and more.  You’ll be surprised just how much money you can save by dining in.

Here are a few questions that you may want to ask the owner manager when securing a winter vacation home:

• Parking?  Where do I park?  How many cars can I park?  Is the parking indoors/outdoors?  Do I have to pay any extra parking fees?  Heated garages are great - no scrapping ice of the windshield!
• Heating?  Is there a fireplace?  If yes, do you supply firewood or gas?  Does the home have central heating?  Will the home be “heated” prior to my arrival?  A home in very cold temps can take 8-10 hours to get comfortably warm.
• Access?  How hard is it to access the home in the winter?  Do I need 4 wheel drive?  Are the streets graded daily?  How far to nearby dining, coffee shops, movie theatres and attractions?  What level is the condo on, steps, elevator, one level or steps in the home, is there a unit above this?
• How far to Ski Lifts and Slopes?  Is this a ski-in and ski-out unit? 
• Ski Lift Discounts?  Do you offer or have recommendations for discounted lift tickets? Often, the owners have “insider” tips on the best deals!
• Heated Spa or Hot Tub available?  Great feature to help those “sore” ski muscles!

Start planning now - Winter vacations will be here before you know it!  Search vacation rentals online.