VBRO question

[rubytue]

I've never done one before, but it was the best deal for ours keys vacation. I found one where the owner actually lives about 20 miles from me. I figured if all went to hell, we are in the same state.

He just told me he sold it, but the new owners will honor the lease.

This will be ok, right? The panic is silly, right?

[winnied]

That would definitely make me nervous. Can he send you any documentation that they'll honor it? I would also just be nervous about these unknown people, no reviews or history, etc.

[definitelyO]

I would requeste written documentation from the new owners that they intend to keep it as a rental and that they will honor the VRBO reservation. I'm sure it will work out alright - but I would get that in writing.

[LoveTrains]

Oct 15, 2013 14:33:51 GMT -5 rubytue said:

I've never done one before, but it was the best deal for ours keys vacation. I found one where the owner actually lives about 20 miles from me. I figured if all went to hell, we are in the same state.

He just told me he sold it, but the new owners will honor the lease.

This will be ok, right? The panic is silly, right?

Did you already pay the previous owner?

[rubytue]

Oct 15, 2013 14:48:10 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Oct 15, 2013 14:33:51 GMT -5 rubytue said:

I've never done one before, but it was the best deal for ours keys vacation. I found one where the owner actually lives about 20 miles from me. I figured if all went to hell, we are in the same state.

He just told me he sold it, but the new owners will honor the lease.

This will be ok, right? The panic is silly, right?

Did you already pay the previous owner?

yes. He is transferring everything over. Said I'll get a new lease agreement and the new owners will sign.

Ugh. This place was a pain in the ass to find and I don't want to start over.

[hz80408]

I would request the new owners contact and get in touch with them just for peace of mind

[ESF]

I think the others have good advice.

Just out of curiosity, if you search for the property, is it still available for rent on other days? Ie if the new owners bought it for rental income, then I think you have less to worry about than if they bought it to retire.

[aurora]

I would be nervous, too, but most likely it will work out just fine. I think it's reasonable to ask for the contact info of the new owners; after all, they will be the emergency contacts when you rent, for example.

[LoveTrains]

Yeah the keys is clearly a vacation destination. I think many people buy vaca homes with the idea to rent them out to help offset the cost.

I would ask for their contact information and try to confirm everything with the new owner. Sorry.

[spunkarella]

It will probably work out fine, but the other posters have good advice. If it eases your mind, family members and I have used vrbo with no issues and I have never heard of a bad experience from anyone in real life. Lots of people buy vacation homes with the intent to rent them out, and most owners really want you to have a good experience.

[rubytue]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I'm going to do a bit more digging before I talk to the owner. At least see if they are still taking reservations and then call the guy. *sigh*

[hulley]

I would definitely want to speak with the new owners, if only for your own peace of mind.

[rubytue]

Ok, so I'm sending an email to the current owner, and I really can't even come up with my exact questions or reasons for being nervous. I just told him I would give him a call on Thursday (busy tomorrow).

Honestly, he doesn't have many reviews. Most of the good places were gone by the time we were looking. But, I was reassured by him being local. I did some google stalking on him to verify he was real, and, as I mentioned, local to me.

According to the VRBO website, my second choice is still available. I'm half contemplating canceling and going back to option 2. The main difference is losing the ocean view (H really, really wanted that).

[bryantpark]

Oct 15, 2013 14:33:51 GMT -5 rubytue said:

I've never done one before, but it was the best deal for ours keys vacation. I found one where the owner actually lives about 20 miles from me. I figured if all went to hell, we are in the same state.

He just told me he sold it, but the new owners will honor the lease.

This will be ok, right? The panic is silly, right?

We just bought a place and honored the existing leases - the tenants had it written into their lease that the place was on the market and they'd be given 60 days notice if we didn't want to honor the leases.  We did want them and it all went very smooth - the deposits transferred to us and the previous owner and I drafted an email to all tenants outlining the transfer of ownership.  A few people called me slightly panicked but everything was fine. I would just ask for the new owners contact information when you sign your lease so you can verify for yourself. 

[bryantpark]

Also, the old owner handled everything until we closed on the property, including taking in new bookings (he'd call me to ask if it was ok first and if I was ok with the rate). That was really to protect him in case we backed out of the deal.