Vacation Rentals

[mtngal]

Just wondering if any of you rent your "stick" homes as vacation rentals while traveling? Insights or ideas to share? Some of you know I am in CA about half the time, so am thinking about renting my condo on a weekly basis when I'm not here in TX. I do have a couple people who would be willing to "manage" the project for me.

[Bethers]

Diana,
I don't - but I do know a couple who bought a house in Fredericksburg, TX to rent out - and I've stayed in it. They haven't had any problems - rent it like a b&b through a service and works well for them.

Just be careful that you get anything special or personal out of the house when you're not there.

[retiredhappy]

When I went fulltime (last February) I turned my house over to a realtor to rent for me. The rental pays the mortgage, my storage unit, the property taxes and landlords insurance as well as the realtor's fee. He charges me 10% of the rental price and is worth it for me not to have to worry about anything when I'm on the road. I left my appliances there but noted in the rental agreement that if anything broke, I would NOT replace it. I put all my personal stuff and furniture in storage. Don't think I would want people using my furniture altho maybe a B%B wouldn't be too bad. Just take out anything that is really important to you.

[Liz]

You would definitely want someone you trust managing for you. My daughter tried to rent out her doublewide mobile home to the daughter of a co-worker who she thought would be a safe choice. The results were very disappointing: poor payment record, damage to the interior. She hasn't dared to rent it again.