Vacation Smart & Book Direct

With the rise of travel websites, booking a vacation has never been easier. Condos, townhouses, and single-family homes are all right there on one convenient website. It's an incredibly useful tool, especially since you can sort your results by price, availability, amenities, distance, and other factors. It's so easy to find a place you love and click that "Book Now" button. But a smart traveler knows better and books direct with the property owner or manger.Why, when travel websites like AirBnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and Booking.com are so helpful, would you book direct? Well, there's three reasons why smart travelers go right to the source: money, availability, and knowledge.Travel websites like the aforementioned add significant traveler fees just to book through their site. So do many travel agencies. But when you book direct, you avoid those fees and save big! Don't pay just to book on a fancy travel site— pay only for what you actually need.Additionally, many owners choose not to list on big-name sites like HomeAway or AirBnb. That means you don't get the full scope of properties available for your dates. But when you book directly with a rental agency like Shoreline Properties (wink, wink), you see all the properties that are available for your desired dates. If you book on a third-party site, you may miss some of the best vacation rentals. Don't miss out when you can make out big!But, perhaps most importantly, booking direct will provide you with all the information you'll need for your vacation. Local rental agencies have insider knowledge on your destination that you can't get from big-name websites. Local property owners and managers can give you the most accurate, up-to-date information on their rentals and community. Whether that be updates to the properties, local events, or something else, you'll get the best information from those who know the property and area intimately.It's also much easier to communicate special needs when you book direct. You won't have to worry about your request being forgotten or not being passed along when you're able to tell the property owner or management company directly. Rental agencies and owners are always here to help.Moreover, rental agencies may be offering discounts or special offers that they don't list on third-party sites. Why spend extra money that you could save for your vacation?  Smart travelers remember to check with local agencies and owners for promotions you can't find anywhere else. If you don't book direct, you may miss out on a great deal.So, next time you use a third-party travel website to browse, make sure to find out who rents that property. You'll save big, stay informed, and have your pick of the litter too! Your vacation experience should be easy and stress-free. When you book direct, we can make that dream a reality.