12 Tips To Help You Save Big On Summer Rental Homes

Summer vacations are an excellent way for families to bond and make lasting memories. Even if you aren’t vacationing with family, a summer getaway is essential for just about everyone, but the costs associated with these trips can be astronomical. So, if you want to make your dream vacation a reality, you’ll want to know every possible way that you can save money on a summer rental home.

Some of the best ways to save big on summer rental properties include being flexible with the location and the check-in dates. Try to book your vacation early, so you have more properties to choose from and maybe even benefit from potential discounts. Opt for shoulder seasons and less touristy locations, and try to avoid renting homes during popular holiday weekends.

A summer rental can cost double your mortgage, but it doesn’t have to. If you are worried about how much your next vacation is going to cost, then you’ve come to the right place. Below is a list of all the top ways you can save big on your next summer rental property.

12 Ways To Save Money On Your Summer Vacation Rental

1. Book During The Shoulder Season

Timing is everything. When you plan a vacation and want to save as much money as possible, choose your dates wisely. A vacation can cost two or three times more or less depending on what dates you book it for. This is particularly true with destinations that have a short window of popularity.

Do your research and find out when the area you are looking into has its shoulder seasons. Shoulder seasons are usually months just before and just after the busiest tourist season. 

Things tend to be cheaper and less crowded at these times, but the weather is usually still great. If you hate crowds and paying top dollar, then booking during these times of year should suit you perfectly.

2. Avoid Major Holiday Weekends

If you want to save money on a vacation, then you need to avoid holiday weekends in the summer. Summer holidays are when just about everyone has time off and wants to travel. This means everything is at capacity. It also means hotels and rental homes charge astronomical rates.

Plan your holiday time in advance, and try to avoid any week that has a holiday in it. This can help you avoid insane crowds and prices. It will also probably mean you will have a better time wherever you are visiting.

3. Lock Down A (Refundable) Rental Months In Advance

Another great way to ensure you’ll save on a summer vacation rental is to book as far in advance as possible. Some properties get scooped up one year or even 18 months in advance. It’s usually the best and most reasonably priced accommodations that go first.

Try to lock something in at a good price as early as possible. Ensure your rental is refundable, which should be easy to determine when booking on Airbnb or another rental site. This way, you have a great and reasonably priced option in case you don’t find the perfect and cheap rental of your dreams.

4. Try To Book Directly With The Property

While sites like Vrbo and Airbnb can make booking a rental property very easy and secure, they also take a cut. The fees associated with these sites can cost hundreds of dollars, especially if you are renting a large property for longer than a week.

Instead of using these sites, try to book directly. If you find a property, locate it online and call or email the owner directly. This gets a personal connection going and can save you hundreds of dollars in administration fees. Just ensure the property is legit and it isn’t a scam, as you have fewer protections when booking directly.

5. Look For Weekly And Monthly Discounts

This might sound strange, but sometimes staying a few extra days can save you money. Many properties, especially on booking sites like Airbnb, offer weekly and monthly discounts. In some cases, a monthly (or 28-night) discount can be 50% or more. 

Therefore, if you are already planning a trip that's almost a week, or nearly one month, then look for a property offering big deals on longer stays. You may just end up paying less money to stay longer.

6. Be Flexible With Your Check-In And Check-Out Dates

When you are trying to save money on your summer rental, you must be as flexible as possible. This is particularly true when it comes to your check-in and check-out dates. If possible, find the cheapest and best check-out dates, and then request your vacation time. 

This will ensure you find the best (and cheapest) place that’s available, and you can plan around that. This option only works for those who have flexible jobs or plan very far in advance.

7. Negotiate When Possible

It might seem weird, but there is no harm in trying to negotiate, especially when you think there is an opportunity to do so. If you aren’t using the entire rental property, or if something is under renovation, then ask for a discount.

Naturally, you should always address a negotiation with kindness and respect (especially if you don’t want to lose out on the rental). While the property owner can always say no, there’s a chance they may say yes.

8. Beware Of Potential Scams And Extra Fees

Sometimes, a rental seems too good to be true, and too cheap to be real. In most cases, if it is too good to be true, it's probably a scam. Unfortunately, there are many scam artists who either scam renters or sneak in all sorts of hidden fees.

There are all sorts of real estate scam stories of people not getting huge security deposits back, and extra fees tacked on after the cancellation window has passed. To avoid these fees, ensure you read all the fine print as well as every review from previous guests.

9. Split A Larger Rental With Friends Or Family

One easy way to save on a rental property is to split it with more people. Whether you add another family to your family vacation or add friends to your friends’ trip, the more people in the home, the cheaper the cost per person.

Remember to check with the property owner first. Some places charge more when you bring more guests, and others have a limit on how many guests are allowed.

10. Consider Staying Outside Of The Main Tourist Area

If you are traveling with a vehicle or to a destination with great public transportation, then consider looking at homes outside the main tourist area. This can save you a huge chunk of money, as prices tend to drop the further you get from the most desirable location.

You’ll be surprised how many charming neighborhoods are found outside of the main tourist areas. These locations also tend to have cheaper restaurants, groceries, and a more local feel overall.

11. Prioritize Rentals With Kitchens To Save On Food Costs

If you have a lot of mouths to feed on your summer vacation, then you’ll want to find a rental with a kitchen. Your rental might cost a lot of money, but if you and everyone in the home have to eat out three times a day, that can easily cost just as much (or more) than the rental home.

Find somewhere with a fully-equipped kitchen if possible. This will allow you to cook lots of meals, which will save you a ton of money on your vacation. It can also be lots of fun.

12. Open Your Search To More Than One Destination

Lastly, another way you should try to be flexible is to think of more than just one destination for your summer vacation. Have a handful of ideas when you are brainstorming your summer trip. Then allow the price, availability, and quality of the rental homes dictate your decision.

Being open to multiple destinations is a great way to save money on your vacation, as you can always choose the cheapest option. The other destinations will still be there next year.

Summing Up Great Ways To Save On Summer Vacation Rentals

Renting a home in the summer for a big vacation can cost a small fortune, but it doesn’t have to. Try to keep your options open to multiple destinations, and book your trip on the shoulder seasons whenever possible. Avoid holiday weekends, and look outside of the main touristy areas. Prioritize homes with kitchens so you can save on meals, and consider traveling in a larger group so more people can chip in and lower the cost per person.

Related Guides:

• What To Do Around The House Before You Go On Vacation
• What To Do With Your Aquarium When You Go On Vacation
• How Should I Set My Thermostat When I Go On Vacation