Next best site (after VRBO)? Opinions wanted...

**NewUrbanGirl** · 12-16-2008, 07:28 PM

Has anyone used homeaway.com? I am thinking of switching my vacationrentals.com listing to this one. I realize they are owned by the same company, but wondered if either of them was distinctly better at generating rentals for our neck of the woods. (Of course, this site would be in addition to the sowal.com "rentals" section!) homeaway.com is running a special right now that makes it the same price as vacationrentals.com; normally it is more expensive, so I wondered if it was worth it?

**SWGB** · 12-16-2008, 09:11 PM

I think you're better off with VRBO. Although I believe there is a discount if you use both.

**swantree** · 12-16-2008, 09:27 PM

VRBO claims to have the most hits on the web of all rental sites of this kind, even beating out its own, homeaway.com. you can go on Alexa.com and put any website in and find out how many hits they are getting. VRBO claims to be generating close to a million hits a month or something like that.
IMO, i think it is more about what people are using word of mouth vs. websites. I would gather that VRBO is very popular in this area vs. homeaway just because it has been around a bit longer. i forsee them merging at some point because of ownership, and getting people to focus on one site vs two. at this point they can't be doing bad because they still get people to sign up for both and that sets you back $299 a site (excluding the special offer). I liken it to ebay buying out Craigslist at some time; offer two levels of service get the same thing basically.

**Minnie** · 12-16-2008, 09:46 PM

I have not used either as an owner, as we don't rent our property at Hilton Head, but I do love Homeaway's lay out better than VRBO, even though they are now connected. I am have used both as renter and prefer Homeaway.

**kurt** · 12-17-2008, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by NewUrbanGirl

Has anyone used homeaway.com? I am thinking of switching my vacationrentals.com listing to this one. I realize they are owned by the same company, but wondered if either of them was distinctly better at generating rentals for our neck of the woods. (Of course, this site would be in addition to the sowal.com "rentals" section!) homeaway.com is running a special right now that makes it the same price as vacationrentals.com; normally it is more expensive, so I wondered if it was worth it?

Thanks for the plug and thanks for your business! You help support this site.

**SWGB** · 12-17-2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by swantree

VRBO claims to have the most hits on the web of all rental sites of this kind, even beating out its own, homeaway.com. you can go on Alexa.com and put any website in and find out how many hits they are getting. VRBO claims to be generating close to a million hits a month or something like that.
IMO, i think it is more about what people are using word of mouth vs. websites. I would gather that VRBO is very popular in this area vs. homeaway just because it has been around a bit longer. i forsee them merging at some point because of ownership, and getting people to focus on one site vs two. at this point they can't be doing bad because they still get people to sign up for both and that sets you back $299 a site (excluding the special offer). I liken it to ebay buying out Craigslist at some time; offer two levels of service get the same thing basically.

Alexa.com is only an estimate, and is usually incorrect. Punch in sowal.com and it won't even register even though kurt gets plenty of hits.

VRBO.com has been taking on more and more look and feel of homeaway.com.

Originally Posted by Minnie

I have not used either as an owner, as we don't rent our property at Hilton Head, but I do love Homeaway's lay out better than VRBO, even though they are now connected. I am have used both as renter and prefer Homeaway.

As above, homeaway is slowly replacing the old VRBO layout.

**Philip_Atlanta** · 12-17-2008, 12:57 PM

VRBO is the most popular site right now and has been for a while, but there are a lot of sites with better functionality for the users (homeaway and their related sites being some of them).

Certainly, sowal.com and affiliated sites (graytonbeach.com) would be a great source for targeted leads.

Additionally, there are new sites that have interesting thoughts, but again not as much traffic. Some are pay for performance. (clearstay.com, bidmyrental.com (local owner), rockbottomvacations.com, thesociety.com, vacapedia.com.

Also, I've often thought craigslist would be good to list on, I've seen some rental agencies do it (Ocean Reef as an example).

**JUL** · 12-17-2008, 01:55 PM

we use vrbo when searching for cottages....i wish there was a site where i could put in bedrooms baths community date and price and have selections list based on selected data....but i do like that vrbo breaks down into neighborhoods

**ckralich** · 01-09-2009, 10:52 AM

This is our first trip to SoWal this year. To find a place to rent I first looked at a map to see where I could get from Charlotte in 10 hours (wife's limit). I then looked on VRBO because that's just what I have always done and a generic Internet search generally takes you to one of their listings. I find VRBO is good for narrowing a search. You can get a good quick idea of what locations are more populated by condos or houses.

However, I find VRBO frustrating because the pictures aren't that great and it just seems tough to navigate. So, I started poking around some more and came across Homeaway.com and in my opinion it is far superior to VRBO. It feels like someone took the concept of VRBO and made it better.

We ended up booking something we found on Homeaway and in the future I will start my searches there. It's much easier.

**ShallowsNole** · 01-16-2009, 09:00 AM

If I'm not mistaken, HomeAway either owns VRBO now, or they have partnered. I've noticed that VRBO's format has changed slightly over the past few weeks.

**kurt** · 01-16-2009, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

If I'm not mistaken, HomeAway either owns VRBO now, or they have partnered. I've noticed that VRBO's format has changed slightly over the past few weeks.

Yes- lots of changes at VRBO. They have added a video tab so we've been producing those for owners and agents.

**Ocean Lover** · 01-16-2009, 12:09 PM

I found VRBO very frustrating because all the condos we were interested in recently (ft myers/sanibel) never returned my phone calls or emails. I know it's the owners choice. I ended up giving up on the site all together.

**sylviaguarino** · 01-30-2009, 12:29 PM

Hi. I just joined this site and found your post.

As a vacation rental owner on Sanibel Island and a member of VRBO, I am sorry for your experience.

I am wondering if you bundled your inquiries when you sent notes to owners and if your message was not sent.

That has happened to me a couple of times and I just never received the renter's email.

Otherwise, when I get inquiries on our two properties on Sanibel, I generally reply within the hour. If I am travelling, it may take me a day to get back to a renter, but never more than that.

All the best, Sylvia

**jackmills1946** · 02-01-2009, 06:23 PM

I use both sites. I probably get more hits from Home Away but I am please with both.

**Seagrove Lover** · 02-02-2009, 12:01 AM

I also use both Home away and VRBO. VRBO owns Homeaway or vice versa however you want to look at it. Easy to set up rentals transfering to one another. I guess they don't merge for percieved competition and they make more money?

Watercolors uses vacationrentals.com also a good bit and it helps me rent.

**psaund9860** · 08-07-2009, 03:00 PM

I am in Sarasota and just started using homeaway.com; and I find it easier to post and to read. Appears to have better quality. I have already received many inquiries on my golf course condo. It is listing #251506. You can see it is easier to get thru this site than VRBO

Pete