These 4 tips can help you find the perfect summer vacation beach house in the Carolinas
Every summer, families across the Carolinas flock to the nearby coast for beach getaways.
If you’re tired of the hassle that comes along with booking a room at a beachfront resort, you may want to consider renting a beach house this year. The concept of booking an entire house may be overwhelming if you’re a first-timer, but the process is actually simple once you get the hang of it.
Here are a few tips to get you started.
Online rental home websites help streamline searches
By using Airbnb and Vrbo to help find your beach house, you’ll come across a plethora of options. However, depending on your budget, the location, and the number of guests, the options may start to dwindle.
Guests browsing through Airbnb or Vrbo should be as specific as they can be in the filter settings for both platforms. There, you can detail exactly what you’re looking and results will be populated based on specifications.
Both platforms are worthy competitors for each other and work very similarly. When it comes to pricing, they still measure up pretty closely, but ultimately it is Vrbo that tends to offer more affordable service fees, which means you’ll likely be spending less on that platform.
Identify specific trip location
You’ve probably heard the expression that location is everything. And for the most part, it’s true when it comes to renting a vacation beach home.
Beachfront homes are often the most convenient option, especially for families with small children. However, if you’re willing to book a home that’s a little farther away from the waves and dunes, you could save hundreds.
For instance, if you’re booking a beachfront home on Hilton Head Island for the first week of June, rates will range, on average, anywhere from $115 to $700 per night. However, if you are willing to sacrifice direct beach access, that range dwindles to about $200 to $300 per night.
Travelers should definitely consider both options to weigh out which is most important to them such as booking a beachfront home with instant access or saving as much money as possible by selecting a home that’s a short walk away.
Planning when to book is just as important as where
Summer is a popular travel season in general, but more specifically for beachgoers. It’s warmer and, of course, school is out, so the season makes for the perfect window for a vacation to the coast. That means bookings come at a higher cost and if you’ve waited until now to book, you could end up paying more for a house than you would have if you booked a few months ago.
You can also optimize savings by waiting until the off-season to travel. It’s not the summer vacation you dreamed of, but it will be easier on your wallet.
Right now, you can book a four-bedroom, Hilton Head Island beachfront villa in June at about $580 per night. However, the same house is available in September for around $450 a night.
Airbnb recommends hosts open their calendars six months in advance to prepare for peak seasons. Hosts will often set their peak season rates for selected months far in advance, but the earlier you check for prices the higher your chances are of finding an off-season rate.
Finding dog-friendly homes
Do you have a four-legged friend that wants to tag along? Bringing your pet on vacation isn’t as challenging as it used to be.
Airbnb and Vrbo both offer settings that allow guests to browse through a list of homes that meet their criteria. If you’re planning to bring your pet to the beach, be sure to filter your search accordingly under the “Guests” section on both platforms so you’re only viewing pet-friendly properties.
Evan Moore contributed to this article.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
