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How to Save Money on Popular Vacation Rentals (Without Sacrificing Location or Comfort!)
We planned not one, but two beach vacations this year on totally opposite coasts of the United States. I heard more than once from readers in my DM's that they'd been dreaming of going to those locations but they were finding them too expensive! If you are dreaming of the perfect family or couples getaway, the cost of accommodations at some of those popular locations can feel like a reality check. Heck, we even found that ourselves as I looked for rentals at both Kiawah Island, South Carolina and Seabrook, Washington. Both of these are resorts and master-planned vacation communities that often promote their rentals through official real estate management companies. While convenient, that booking route can also come with steep markups, resort fees, and hidden charges.
The good news? There's another way. With just a little research and flexibility, you can often rent the exact same or similar properties for significantly less without giving up the prime location or amenities. The secret is renting privately or off the official real estate listing site. I've done it myself, and it can be the difference between being priced out of a location or enjoying it well within your budget.
Here's how you can save money while still enjoying some of the most beautiful vacation communities in the United States!
How to Save Money on Popular Vacation Rentals (Without Sacrificing Location or Comfort!)
Why Rentals in Vacation Destinations Can Be Expensive
I'm going to be using master-planned vacation communities like Kiawah Island and Seabrook as my example since those are the two I booked and traveled to this year. But this can apply to other locations like OBX, Martha's Vineyard, 30A communities, and many more! Most of these communities have walkable neighborhoods, curated dining, community events, pools, and of course stunning beaches! Because of that convenience, their official rental companies charge a premium.
Keep in mind, this also includes popular ski vacation locations as well!
Booking through these official channels often includes:
Management fees that pad the nightly rate
Resort fees of "amenity access fees" that can tack on hundreds of dollars
Pro tip: if you are paying resort fees, ALWAYS know what you are paying for. You're likely missing out on extras you'll never use like free spa access, non-motorized watersport and even bike rentals.
Higher cleaning charges set by the management company rather than the homeowner
Rigid rules about minimum-night stays, check-in days, cancellation policies, and if it's important pet-friendly policies
You might be paying for peace of mind, but often you're paying more simply because it's the "official" route.
The Trick: Rent Privately or Off the Official Listings
The same house or condo you see on a resort's site may also be listed on Airbnb, Vrbo, Vacasa, or even directly through the owner's website. Almost always for MUCH less. Homeowners know they'll fill their calendars more easily by listing in multiple places, and not every platform charges the same fees.
For example:
In Kiawah Island, the one-bedroom condo managed by the resort was running for $630 per night through the official site. On Vrbo where we booked, that same property was listed directly by the management team for around $360 per night.
Pro tip: Walk through the full booking process to get to the payment section so that you can get a total with all of the final fees. Those often tack on hundreds if not thousands of dollars to your accommodation rental but without them, you won't be able to compare apples to apples.
In Seabrook, Washington, cottages are often available on Seabrook's own site, but owners also rent them privately. Booking direct might save you on booking fees, resort surcharges, or minimum-night requirements.
Pro tip: Check multiple vacation rental sites! We are returning to the same home we rented this summer at Seabook next summer. When I went to reserve it, I noticed that on Airbnb the rental was much higher than the VRBO rental. Not by hundreds of dollars, but by thousands! Of course, I booked through the cheaper option!
It pays {literally} to shop around!
Where to Look for Private or Lower-Cost Listings
If you want to skip the resort's markup, here's where to start:
These platforms are full of properties in vacation communities. As I mentioned in the example above, once you find a property, you can compare the prices on both platforms. They are usually not the same!
Booking is where most of the home rentals we rent internationally are listed.
2. Google the Property Address
A lot of these beach communities have kitschy names. Seabrook actually names all of their homes so it's easy especially if you have a home you want narrowed down. Many times this will allow you to see all of the platforms that the home is listed on so you can compare prices.
3. Facebook Groups
Search for "{Destination} Vacation Rentals" groups. Many homeowners advertise their properties directly there, bypassing both the resort and big booking sites. This also goes for Instagram as well! Many home rentals will have a dedicated page and you can DM the owner or manager directly.
4. Owner Website
Some owners create their own booking pages. If you spot a host's name on Vrbo or Airbnb, see if they have a direct site for inquiries. This can save you the platform's service fees.
5. Vacation Rental Agencies {Independent of the Resort}
In Kiawah, for example, there are independent rental agencies that manage homes at lower rates than the official resort company. In fact, the condo we rented was through a rental company that managed multiple homes in the community.
How Much Can You Really Save?
Honestly, quite a bit! Savings will vary depending on the property and season, and how early you book but here are some realistic examples:
$150-$300 per night difference isn't unusual between a resort listing and a private listing for the same house.
Service fees on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo can range from 10-15% of your stay. Booking directly with an owner might waive those fees entirely.
Cleaning fees may also be lower with private rentals. Resorts often have set {and high} rates, while private owners may charge less.
Over a weeklong stay, that could add up to thousands of dollars in savings which is enough to cover flights, dining out, or extra activities. It could also make a vacation you didn't think was affordable, fit more in line with the budget.
What to Watch Out For
Saving money is great, but you also want to make sure you're booking smart. Here are a few things to keep in mind when renting privately:
Verify legitimacy: Use secure platforms {Like Vrbo or Airbnb} or well-reviewed agencies if you're new to direct booking. If you go through a private site, pay with a credit card for protection.
Amenity access: Some resort-managed rentals include perks like pool access or shuttle service. Ask if private bookings still allow you to use community amenities. This may or may not be important to you. For example at Seabrook, we didn't have access to the community pool. This would have been an issue if we had younger kids, but since we rented a home with a hot tub, that solved any of issues of wanting to relax in warm water!
Check cancellation policies: Private owners may have stricter policies than big resort management companies.
Communication: When renting privately, you'll be dealing with the owner directly. Make sure they're responsive and provide clear instructions.
Pro tip: If it feels weird don't do it!
We rented a lake house several years ago and really enjoyed it. We decided to go again a few years later. We reached out to the owners directly via text since we had their number. We had also met them in person since they lived next door to the home we were renting. We spent time talking to them and they were incredibly kind {offering their garden to pick fresh vegetables from} and generous. They offered their home to rent for the week with a 20% discount if we paid in cash. It saved them the fees from the booking site, and we paid directly to them.
This raised our neck hairs a bit when they asked, but also we already had a relationship with this family, so it didn't feel too out of the ordinary. It was still a risk on our part because there was no reason for them to "hold" the week for us. What if we arrived and the home was rented out? It all turned out well, and we enjoyed our time!
However, this was also asked of us at another lake house rental. One we'd never stayed at before. It had good reviews, but we didn't have any relationship with this owner, so we declined.
To note: This is also likely against some owner TOS. I think they could get kicked off a listing site by offering this backwards arrangement. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it to save a buck!
Why It's Worth the Effort
Taking an extra 20-30 minutes to cross-check listings can pay off in big ways:
You'll stretch your budget further
You'll often have a more personal experience dealing with an owner rather than a management company
You may find more flexibility on length of stay, pet policies, or early check-in/late check-out
For families, this can mean the difference between staying a few days versus enjoying a full week, or even taking the trip at all!
Vacation communities like Kiawah Island and Seabrook, WA are beautiful, but their "official" rental prices can make them feel out of reach. By doing a little extra digging and renting privately, you can often cut costs without sacrificing comfort or the dream location that you've been eyeing.
So next time you're planning a trip, don't just stop at the resort's booking page. Google the property. Check Airbnb and Vrbo. Look for private listings. Chances are, you'll find the same home for less, giving you more money to spend on making memories once you're there.
Because the only thing better than a vacation getaway is knowing you saved enough money to start planning the next one!
disclaimer: this post may have affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing through them, I may receive a small commission. These small purchases help me to continue to keep writing content and creating at Rachel Teodoro. Thank you!
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