Today, I went throught the VRBO website and emailed owners of the 5 Snowmass properties that looked vaguely interesting. We'll see what they come back with. Most of them don't look that great though.
In addition I reviewed the Aspen Times newspaper but nothing there really stuck out. I don't think we really care about the $10,000 Xmas week special offers.
I spoke with one national rental chain company, which was totally worthless. Their web site was counterproductive, and their 800 number call center staffers (which their web site steered everyone towards) was unable to answer basic questions like 1. is the property available or 2. what is the number of beds . They wanted to take your information and "get back to you". That appears to be sheer agency brokerage, and if we wanted a middling experience, we could stay at some Ramada picked out by 1 800 6969 6969 too.
Afterwards, I checked 3-4 real estate agent web sites out and the level of property quality appeared higher on them, with correspondingly higher prices, since one is paying a fee embedded in the rate, and that agent is keeping that rental rate in line with demand. This may end up being the route we choose to get a good place.
[ Often rentals by owners are not "marked to market" as owners simply decide they want to rent out their place to get some fixed dollar amount of money to cover property taxes or other fixed costs. That is how we got such good deals on the places at Vail and Sun Valley by the way. My rental in Tahoe was not such a good deal though ! ]
Lastly, I left an indication of interest on Bloomberg. I have to think there are some folks out there who have homes they simply don't rent out but if someone shook the tree a little, something might fall out. I have had success before with WTB or WTSublet ads before, especially with unusual items.
As progress happens, we will keep you posted.
RentalPlant
Posts
