Vacation home, condo and villa rentals are becoming one of the fastest-growing categories of hospitality in North America. Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford travelers an accommodation lifestyle unlike any other, providing considerably more space, personal amenities and privacy than other lodging options.

Booking a professionally managed vacation rental through a member of the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) is also a seamless and secure process, as nearly all members offer accredited phone and Internet reservations systems, and members have made a commitment to quality hospitality, professionalism and industry excellence.

VRMA members are asked to subscribe to a Code of Ethics and Practices in the management and renting of vacation properties. The association requires all rentals to be cleaned and well maintained between visits to ensure they are presentable and comfortable for guests, and they encourage visitors to post remarks on their accommodation and overall experience.

As an added assurance, many VRMA members offer trip cancellation insurance through a national insurance company. If you need to cancel your plans at the last minute and you purchased insurance, you make your claim directly to the insurance company who is responsible for refunds.

While you are renting a property that is owned by an individual, the VRMA member manages the entire process. Think of the advantage of calling a VRMA member firm to discuss renting a vacation home and learning that they may have dozens if not hundreds of options available for you from which to choose. Thus, the VRMA member reservationist is working with you to find a property that best meets your needs.

What’s more, the reservationist for a professional vacation rental management company is trained to listen to your needs, to fit you into a qualified rental property that suits you.

Some additional benefits of renting professionally managed vacation rentals of all types include:

• Deep year round availability including holidays, major events and peak vacation periods.
• Save time with immediate online availability and confirmations.
• Independent guest reviews and testimonials.
• Last minute availability for short notice bookings.
• Great deals throughout the travel year.
• Ready accessible toll free numbers to connect consumers with knowledgeable vacation rental specialists.
• Professionally cleaned and managed properties.
• Objective ongoing inspections and consistent quality assurance standards.
• Standardized business and payment procedures.
• Concierge-type services that provide destination expert advice.
• 24 hour on-call assistance.