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Are You Considering an Arizona Vacation Rental?

Be Prepared with Tips and Vacation Rental Advice Before You Rent

An Arizona vacation rental can be a great lodging alternative, especially if you're staying longer than a week or if you have a large group.

However, if you're new to vacation rentals, renting a vacation house can seem more like a daunting task than a new adventure.

How do you know you're choosing a good rental?

What should you know before you go?

Before you sign that rental contract, here's a little vacation rental advice to help you decide on an Arizona vacation rental.

1) The Price is Right.

Just as with home buying, location is everything. The more desirable the area, the higher the rental rate will be.

To find lower Arizona vacation rental rates, stay in less desirable areas.

For example, avoid popular and more expensive Scottsdale and stay in north Phoenix. If you're going to Tucson, skip the luxe Santa Catalina foothills and stay in Tucson's midtown or east side.

An Arizona vacation rental in Tucson's Santa Catalina foothills is generally more expensive than one in midtown

2) Stay in the Off-Season.

An Arizona vacation rental may often be a little cheaper during the low and shoulder seasons for the area.

That means vacation rentals in Scottsdale may be a lower price in July than in March.

However, Flagstaff vacation rentals are generally less expensive in April than in June.

If you do plan to stay during an area's high season, you might be able to negotiate the price down if the property hasn't been rented.

3) Extend Your Stay.

Most Arizona vacation rental homes rent by the night, the week and the month. If you can stay one week, you'll often get a better rate than if you just stay three days.

4) What Can't You Live Without?

Before you start your vacation home search, make a list of the amenities that are most important to you.

Will there be enough space for you and your family? Is a pool with a hot tub a must? Or do you need to be near a favorite attraction or sports stadium?

Once you've got your list, it will be easier and quicker to do your search. Decide ahead of time what you can do without in order to get the best bargain.

Homes that have views, are on golf courses or on large parcels of land are more expensive than a simple home in a typical neighborhood.

Charming older houses like this one in Flagstaff have a lot of character but not as many amenities

5) Know What You're Getting.

Read the guest reviews.

If there aren't any, ask for past customer referrals before booking your Arizona vacation rental.

Don't book if you can't see a photo of the property. Ask if the photos are current.

You could also try looking up the property on Google Earth. This will give you a real idea of where it’s located and what the neighborhood is like.

Also, don't be afraid to ask the rental owner lots of questions.

Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about vacation rentals in Arizona

6) Your Home Away From Home.

Make sure the rental has what you need. Does it have dishes? Linens? Cable TV? A washer and dryer? Is it a pet-friendly rental?

8) Details, Details, Details.

Get the rental agreement in writing and get it before you hand over any money.

Read the fine print and be sure that it clearly states the dates you will be staying and the check-in/check-out times.

Other details to note: What are the payment options and cancellation policies? Is there a security deposit? A cleaning fee? A non-refundable pet deposit? A required minimum stay?

Be sure to heed all restrictions noted in the rental agreement. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of your security deposit, or even requiring you to vacate your rental early.

9) Credit Cards are Renter's Best Friend.

It's best to pay with a credit card. This way, if there are any problems, you'll have an easier time of getting your money back.

Some rental owners will only accept money orders or personal checks. You'll have to decide if you’re comfortable with this. This is where those past reviews and recommendations can really come in handy.

You can find an Arizona vacation rental in the mountains but reserve it before the busy summer season

10) Advance Reservations.

Will you be staying during one of Arizona's high seasons?

Don't wait to make your reservation until the last minute.

If you plan to stay in Phoenix or Mesa during Arizona baseball spring training, you'll need to book your Arizona vacation rental home well in advance.

Similarly, if you plan to visit Tucson in early February during the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, you need to make your reservation at least six months ahead of time.

11) Who You Gonna Call?

Before you arrive at your Arizona vacation rental home, know who to call if there's a problem with your rental. Have the rental owner's phone numbers as well as those of any repair people.

12) Stocking Up When You Get There.

Once you arrive at your Arizona vacation rental home, you'll probably want to get groceries fairly soon. In Arizona, Basha's and Fry's supermarket chains generally have the cheapest groceries. Safeway is a little more expensive. One of these markets can generally be found in most Arizona cities and midsize towns.

AJ's Market (greater Phoenix area and Tucson) is the place to go for gourmet food items plus they have a great deli with hot foods, a salad bar, sushi and even a breakfast bar. And, the deli prices are very reasonable.

For health food and organics, there's Whole Foods Market (in several locations around the Phoenix Valley and two locations in Tucson) and New Frontiers Market (stores in Flagstaff, Sedona, and Prescott).

Both markets not only have organic produce but also a good selection of tasty, prepared foods including entrees, salads, sandwiches, soups, and pastries.

Note that small Arizona towns may not have a traditional grocery store, only a small market or convenience store. In this instance, you'll need to purchase food in a larger town before going to your vacation rental. The vacation rental owner will be able to tell you what is available nearby.

Looking for an Arizona vacation home rental?

Vacation Home Rentals.com has a wide variety of vacation homes, condos and cabins for rent throughout Arizona. Search their easy to use database and you'll find a variety of vacation home rentals with photos, detailed information and reviews from travelers who've stayed there.

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Legal Disclaimer: Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.

SBI!