Booking from the single owner of an South Beach accommodation unit

Miami's beautiful beaches and vibrant, young population have made it one of the largest vacation spots in the United States. Many people want to have vacation homes in the area and choose to offer their properties as South Beach accommodations; as a result, countless monthly Miami rentals are run by individual owners that use the income from the rent to help pay for the mortgages on their homes. Internet websites list numerous monthly Miami rentals that are available directly from the owner. While it may be tempting to select one of these homes for your South Beach accommodations, there are some important things that you must take into consideration when renting directly from an owner.

Since most of the homes and condos available for owner-direct Miami extended stay vacations are used as vacation homes, it is likely that the person from which you will be renting does not live in Miami. Usually, these homes are a personal getaway for someone who lives outside of Miami or even out of the state of Florida or in another country. In these instances, the owner may only set foot on the property when it is time for their annual or semiannual vacation in Miami.

In between the owner's visits, a number of problems can occur. Like any home, vacation properties need regular care and upkeep to be safe and comfortable. Without regular inspections and cleanings, homes can fall into disrepair or be covered with dust inside. If you arrive at such a home, you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise that can put an unexpected damper on your Miami Beach vacation.

Another problem with renting an extended stay property from an absentee owner is the chance that something could go awry during your stay. If an appliance doesn't work or you cannot operate some amenity, like the Wi-Fi, the owner will be too far away to assist you. Sometimes, you can reach them by phone, but with people's busy schedules, you may not even be able to ask for help, let alone receive it. Often, when you hear horror stories from people who were forced to settle for an unsatisfactory extended stay facility or who had to scramble to find other accommodations while on a trip, it is because the person involved dealt with a private owner.