You ll have the beach, forest or mountains to yourself and come out looking like a hero. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the relative value of renting a vacation home rather than paying for a motel. Your money buys more space and, often, a more attractive, quiet and private environment than the quasi-commercial zones where all but the most expensive resorts are found. Take a family vacation in Lake Tahoe, for example. By checking out these listings, you can save a bundle and have more appealing and private accommodations.
Vacation rentals are even better bargains in the off-season.
For most beach rentals, that means after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. In ski areas, it means before November and after April, although places like Aspen, Colo., have lots of visitors in the summer months as well. Discounts vary widely among the VRMA s 250 members, which, on average, manage about 400 units each, Sarka says. Finding deals in Europe Bargains don t stop at the borders, says Sue Norrington-Davis, program manager of The Individual Traveler s Company Ltd. in West Sussex, England. Still, a bargain rate won t seem so great if your vacation home turns out to be a dump.