Whether you're heading to the big city or a remote town in the mountains, always keep in mind that occupancy at vacation rentals is strictly limited. While some vacation rentals (such as Bed-and-Breakfasts) may offer several different rooms for rent, most are single-occupancy units where availability is usually based on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure that you get the property you want, be sure to book a reservation as soon as your vacationing plans become certain.

Demand for rentals is primarily the product of two factors: the time of year, and location. All vacationing locations have "peak seasons", where both availability and rental cost are at premiums. It is especially important to book rentals during peak seasons as soon as possible in vacationing hotspots, as this is when demand is the greatest and availability is the lowest.

Getting your first choice home may always not be an option given the occupancy limitations of vacation rentals. However, the owners/managers of vacation rentals may have availability on either the leading or trailing edges of your requested rental dates; if you're willing to adjust your travel plans a bit, it may still be possible to stay in your first choice rental.

If there simply isn't any availability at the property of your choosing, you might want to ask the owner/manager of the property for recommendations at other rentals. Typically, vacation rental owners/managers have connections in the surrounding vacation rental community which can work to your advantage if you're willing to be flexible.

There's usually no better source of vacationing information than from the owners/managers of vacation rental properties. As these individuals typically stay at their rentals during at least part of the year, they are well-acquainted and familiar with the area surrounding their rentals and what it has to offer. For everything from dining advice to tips on escaping the "beaten path", vacation rental owners/managers are willing to share their knowledge with you to help ensure that you have the best time possible while staying at their rental.

Many vacation rental owners/managers are willing to discount the standard rates for their rentals for a variety of reasons. Whether you're planning an especially long rental, are looking to book multiple reservations at the same property, or are a repeat customer, be sure to shop around to see who is offering the best deals.

Planning your vacation during destination "off-seasons" can also provide you with significant savings over peak-season rates. In addition to great savings on accommodations, you can also look forward to less crowded surroundings by vacationing in the off-season.

Also be sure to check out the Deals and Last Minute Specials section of this site for great owner-run discounts on accommodations!

Food and beverage expenses are often the second most expensive part of any vacation, but don't let that get in the way of having a great time! Vacation rentals typically offer full or partial kitchens (and in some cases, full-scale gourmet kitchens!) allowing you to prepare quick meals or picnic lunches so that you always have an alternative to dining out. While almost everyone wants to escape the kitchen when they're on vacation, be sure to take advantage of the kitchen amenities for smaller meals so that you can splurge even more when you check out the local dining scene!

When you're on vacation, you want the best possible accommodations for your needs. Be sure to ask the owners/managers of vacation rentals any questions you have about property amenities, location, rental policies, etc. so that there are not misunderstandings at the time of rental. Some questions you may want to ask include:

• What is the deposit policy?
• What is the refund policy?
• Do you have any references?
• What is the parking situation?
• How do I get the key and maps to your property?
• Who should I contact if I have difficulties at your property?
• For families: Is this property good for children?
• For properties in beach areas: How far from the beach is this property? Is the property located on the beach?