Visitors who prefer to "browse" the listings can find properties listed by
location in our "property directory."
To use this method, select the "Browse all rentals"
link found under the
florida rentals
tab on any page, and you can then select your destination. The rentals for your chosen
destination are listed by occupancy, high to low, within each town. Brief
descriptions, along with one picture, for all rentals in your selected
destination will be displayed in the directory, and you can then select the
properties for which you would like to see more detailed information and
pictures. Please be aware that you will not be using our search capability or
have the ability to specify your criteria when using the Browse All method of
viewing the listings. You can find the availability and exact price for any
week by checking the listing's calendar, indicated by a symbol. Some owners
choose not to post a calendar and should be contacted about availability and
pricing for desired dates.
Visitors seeking rentals of one month or longer can browse suitable vacation
rental listings in our Long Term Rental Directory. A link to this directory is
found under the
florida rentals
tab on any page. As with our
Property Directory ("Browse all rentals"), this list includes description and one photo of the offered
rentals and a link to the full listing web page.
A specific property can be found by its unique ID number by selecting the "Find
by Property ID" option on the home page. This is helpful if
you have previously visited the site and kept a record of the property IDs of
rentals, or if a friend or family member has found a rental they wish you to
view.
If you have previously visited WeNeedaVacation.com and saved your search results
into MyVacations, you need only click on the MyVacations link to view all your
saved searches and results. Please see below for information on how this
feature works, or How does the Power Search work?
The website's design allows you to indicate your rental property preferences,
including your vacation time frame, number of bedrooms, maximum price,
proximity to beach, and key amenities. As to location, be as specific or as
vague as you wish; you might select a specific location, an entire region, or
even a combination of towns. Using your criteria, the website will return a
list of all properties that meet your particular needs. The search results will
be presented as a list of suitable properties according to price; you can
choose to view them "from most expensive" or "from least expensive." The
property list gives a brief description, a photo of each property, and a link
to a detailed individual web page. Each property page has a full description
and pictures.
Most of our properties have an availability calendar, indicated by the 
symbol. You will select a rental term (daily, weekly, or monthly); the season;
and the length of your vacation. For weekly rentals, you can choose to search
for as many as four starting dates.
See our sample property and its
calendar.
When you find a rental you are interested in, you can phone or email the
rental's contact person.
The contact information is displayed at the top and bottom of the picture page,
as well as on the calendar. To email, click on the hyperlink "email."
This will bring you to a form to complete; this form will be sent directly to
the rental's contact person. In a given session, you need to input your
information only once; you can then send email to the lister of as many
properties as you wish. You will be able to email all listers a general comment
about the composition of your party, etc.; you will also be able to send a
message to individual listers if you have specific questions about their
property.
If you would like us to, we will even remember your search criteria, results,
and your contact information. This will save you time when you return to the
site. You just provide your email address and an optional password, and your
search criteria and results will be saved into MyVacations.
MyVacations is a powerful tool that enables you to keep track of everything you
do as you plan your vacation and look for the perfect rental. It enables you to
indicate the search criteria of your ideal rental, which we will save for you.
We will also remember the rentals you find; when you return, you can rerun your
search and add to your existing list of favorites. In addition, you can take
notes about the rentals and even rate them. You can share your list with family
and friends, and they too can record notes and rate them.
In order to use MyVacations, you must register. You can do this either
before or after performing the Power Search. Once registered, when you return
to WeNeedaVacation.com, you will choose the MyVacations link on the home page.
Log in and you can either review previously set up "vacations" or start a new
one by performing a Power Search. Learn more...
We encourage you to begin your search for a rental property early to avoid
disappointment, especially if you are interested in renting during high season.
It is not unusual for rental homes to be nearly completely booked months, or
even a year, in advance. This is especially true for spring break and holiday
periods. Those seeking winter rentals for two or three months or longer should
begin looking no later than June.
High season rentals usually require a minimum stay of one week. Generally,
rentals run from Saturday to Saturday, although rentals sometimes can begin on
another day of the week. Some homeowners prefer, or are bound by municipal or
association rules requiring, a longer minimum. Off-season stays are generally
more flexible, with some rentals available for long weekends.
Generally, check-in time is early to mid-afternoon, and check-out time is mid to
late morning.
It is in your best interest, as well as in the best interest of the homeowner,
to have a signed lease that spells out the details of your tenancy, including
information about the security deposit, schedule for payment, and the
cancellation policy. Many homeowners and listing agents require at least half
of the rent due at the time of lease signing, with the remainder of the rent
due a month or so prior to tenancy. Most short-term rentals include all utility
costs, with the exception of the phone costs. It is not unusual for homeowners
to put a phone block on the home's phone, in which case a credit card must be
used for long-distance calls.
Although rental policies vary, most homeowners and realtors require a security
deposit for a rental home. Check with the homeowner or realtor for details.
Generally the deposit is returned two weeks to a month after tenancy, provided
there are no damages. Deductions for damages, excess cleaning fees or other
costs incurred by the owner, if made, must be detailed to you and receipts
provided. Cleaning fees may apply on some rentals. Application fees or transfer
fees may be required for community amenities. Local or state taxes may also be
imposed.
It is advisable to obtain trip insurance, especially if you are traveling to
Florida from June through October, which is known as "hurricane season."
Although it is unlikely that a hurricane will hit your destination, a mandatory
evacuation, or damage which renders the property uninhabitable, are the only
legal grounds for a refund, unless the owner states otherwise in the lease. You
may wish to ask the owner what the hurricane refund policy is in order to
determine if you should obtain trip insurance.
Regarding pets: In your search, you can indicate that you would like to be shown
only those homes whose owners will consider a pet. Many homeowners ask for an
additional deposit for a pet. Please be aware, however, that dogs are
prohibited on most beaches and must be leashed at all times.
Florida has many distinct regions that have differing peak vacation seasons.
You can find out about a region's rental seasons by reading our regional
information. You will find a link at the bottom of this page. Although the Cape
and Islands and Florida are popular destinations all year round, you can often
find some bargains if you visit during a region's off-season. Most homeowners
have a range of prices for in-season, shoulder season, and off-season.
Generally, weekly rentals run Saturday to Saturday and have a check-in time
of early to mid-afternoon and a check-out time of mid to late morning.
Monthly rentals usually begin on the first day of the month and run to the last
day of the month, although some homeowners will rent from the 15th of the
month.
Most homeowners and realtors require a security deposit for a rental
home. Check with the homeowner or realtor for details. Also, if the homeowner
allows pets, an additional pet deposit may also be required. Additional
fees that you may be required to pay include exit cleaning fee,
transfer of privileges fees, and state and county taxes.
Many residential and condominium communities in Florida require the tenant to
fill out an application for tenancy or transfer of privileges such as golf.
This process can take three weeks or more to be
approved.
Regarding pets: In your search, you can indicate that you would like to
be shown only those homes whose owners will consider a pet. Many homeowners ask
for an additional deposit for a pet.
All of the information found on the individual property pages has been provided
by the property owner or listing agent. WeNeedaVacation.com is not responsible
for the accuracy of the content provided.
We maintain a file on each homeowner and will be happy to share with you
comments about specific properties. It is in your best interest, as well as in
the best interest of the homeowner, to have a signed lease that spells out the
details of your tenancy, including information about the security deposit,
schedule for payment, and the cancellation policy. Many homeowners and listing
agents require a security deposit and at least half of the rent due at the time
of lease signing, with the remainder of the rent due a month or so prior to
tenancy. Generally the deposit is returned two weeks to a month after tenancy.
Most short-term rentals include all utility costs, with the exception of the
phone costs. It is not unusual for homeowners to put a phone block on the
home's phone, in which case a credit card must be used for long-distance calls.
Before you set out for your vacation home, be sure you have precise
directions; a key (or arrangements for picking up the key) to the home; and the
phone number of the homeowner, listing agent, or property manager, in case you
need to contact someone when you arrive at the property or during your tenancy
there. A common concern we hear is difficulty in contacting homeowners right
before tenancy; many owners travel, so do not wait until the last minute.
If anything is amiss at the home when you arrive, contact the owners or their
agent immediately. We are happy to say that we have had very few reports of
this type of situation.
Click here for
general information on Florida. To see actual properties, use our
Power Search
or our
"Browse all rentals".
We welcome your feedback on your experience with our vacation rental homes.
While we do not have a formal method of leaving feedback,
email us about your experience.
In the unlikely event that your experience is unduly negative, let us know in
detail. We will follow up with you and the homeowner to seek resolution. In
most cases, we do find that the disagreements are due to mis-set expectations:
Questions answered vaguely or not asked. So be sure that you take the time to
verify that the home you select meets your needs. Substantiated and
serious complaints have led to removal from the site of homeowners that we do
not deem responsible. We have a three strike policy: If a homeowner
receives repeated complaints, we will remove their listing.
We have had to remove an average of one listing per year since our founding in 1997.
Address any questions or concerns to us. (See contact info below.) Remember that
we do not book the properties; we help the owners advertise them and they do
all bookings. Also, all the information that we have is on the website, so if
you email us about specific needs, we will usually refer you to the website.
If you have any feedback or suggestions on how we can make our website easier for you to use,
please let us know!
Joan and Jeff Talmadge, Owners
Kathy Jones, Florida Coordinator
WeNeedaVacation.com
The premier website for vacation rentals on the Cape and Islands and all
Florida destinations
from All Seasons Vacation Rentals, LLC
(781) 239-1469 (Cape & Islands)
(239) 283-7857 (Florida)
(781) 239-0474 (fax)
E-mail: info@weneedavacation.com
