(ARA) – Despite today’s economic woes, people are still traveling; they are just doing so in a much more budget-minded manner. Scouring for deals and methods to cut costs while on vacation has never been more important. One budget-friendly trend has emerged as the solution for those who want to travel for less: vacation home rental.

Travelers may wonder how renting a vacation home will actually cost less in the end. First, vacation homes usually come equipped with all the necessities to cook meals. Just cutting one group meal a day out of a vacation budget can save hundreds of dollars over the course of the trip. By eliminating all of those little extra food outings and instead stocking up at local grocery stores, travelers could possibly cut trip costs in half.

“Eating out is certainly a big part of most vacations, but when people are cutting back, the ability to stay in and cook provides a more affordable alternative, and one to which many vacationers are drawn,” says Ryan Swaim of Dunes Realty, one of the largest vacation rental agencies in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., area.

When calling to inquire about a vacation home, travelers should ask what supplies are provided in the kitchen and how far away the grocery store is from the home’s location. This will help determine whether dining at home will be a good option for that property.

In addition to saving money by not eating out, a vacation home is a larger space so more people can travel together and split the cost of the rental. And with multigenerational travel on the rise — grandma, aunt, mom, dad and kids all traveling together — it’s an easy way to be comfortable and share intimate travel memories together in a larger space.

Do the math. If renting a four-bedroom villa for a week costs $1,000, two families of four will pay only $500 each for accommodations; that same price sometimes only covers two to three nights in a hotel. In addition, many homes have amenities at no additional cost, meaning none of those pesky “resort fees” to use the pool or other extras. Financially, vacation rentals make a lot of sense.

“The ability to truly feel ‘at home’ while on vacation is a big draw, especially for families with children,” says Swaim. “Many of Myrtle Beach’s vacation rental properties offer private pools, deepwater dockage, hot tubs, large porches and easy access to the beach and ocean.”

Myrtle Beach is a fantastic place to look for vacation rentals because they are so plentiful along the 60-mile stretch of coastline. Choose from a condo with a full kitchen or a massive home on the beach. With thousands of rental options and agencies, travelers are sure to find one to fit specific needs and price ranges.

“The Myrtle Beach Area is blessed with a wide selection of vacation home accommodations most situated near or with in walking distance to the beach,” says Rick Elliott of Elliott Realty. “Value-added amenities and friendly service are what set us apart. That is why so many families return each year.”

Besides having a spectrum of vacation rentals to choose from, Myrtle Beach offers many attractions and activities that are free or very affordable, adding even greater value to your trip. Whether it’s hitting Myrtle Beach State Park to enjoy the pristine beach, window shopping in a historic community, or playing a quick game of miniature golf — Myrtle Beach is the miniature golf capital of the world — there are plenty of options to have fun on a budget. Plus, all attractions are within driving distance of each other, so getting to different places of interest is a breeze.

With vacation rentals, there is no need to feel guilty about taking the annual family vacation. Consider a rental property in the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina to get the most for your dollar. For more information, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle1 (697-8531.)

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Here are just a few of the vacation home rental agencies ready to assist travelers interested in a Myrtle Beach area vacation:

Dunes Realty
www.dunes.com
(888) 889-0312

Elliott Realty
www.elliottrealty.com
(888) 669-7853

Garden City Realty
www.GardenCityRealty.com/myr
(800) 395-5930

Seaside Rentals
www.Seasiderentalsonline.com
(866) 613-7983

Surfside Realty Company
www.Surfsiderealty.org
(800) 542-2503

Barefoot Paradise Vacations
www.barefootparadisevacations.com
(866) 737-8802

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Investing in a vacation property is an investment in memories. It promotes relaxation and spending quality time with friends and family. But with all the options available, there are a lot of things that should be considered before making a final decision.

“Choosing the right vacation property is complex,” comments Steve Greer, CEO at The LUSSO Collection, an organization that specializes in luxury vacation residences. “It’s not as simple as buying a second home or participating in a shared-usage program. People need to take a close look at their expectations and all the cost considerations, so years down the road they are happy with their choice.”

Second-home ownership is one option. This could include buying a home by the slopes, a villa on the beach, or a penthouse in the city. Club membership is another option. This is a situation in which a group of people share the use of a collection of properties. Here’s how both of these options compare:

Second Home — Vacation homes are permanent destinations that work well for those who know they enjoy one area, want to return time and time again and might need to stay for an extended period of time.

* Positive
Owning the home gives the person the freedom to decorate, organize and change the home to fit their needs.

* Negative
Home maintenance often takes a lot of time and can be costly. If you live away from your vacation home for most of the year, you will need to hire someone to clean and care for the yard. When you are at the property, this maintenance can take time away from more preferred activities. And with any home ownership, there is bound to be unanticipated problems and expenses.

“Owning a second home is an option that seems to make sense in the beginning, but if you investigate the restrictions and maintenance costs associated with this ownership, many people think twice,” comments Greer.

Destination Clubs — Destination clubs consist of members who join a country club type of organization to utilize a portfolio of properties that the club owns.

* Positive
The clubs work well for people who enjoy the privacy, space and conveniences a home offers, but don’t want to be tied down to just one location. Additionally, members don’t have to worry about maintenance because the organization takes care of each property. Certain destination clubs also provide vacation planning and on-site concierge services that you would normally find at a luxury hotel.

* Negative
Decor and amenities are determined by the club. Although this freedom is forfeited, this could also be viewed as a positive depending on what you value. Some people prefer not to spend their own time on these items and find comfort in knowing the organization is consistently keeping the properties in top shape.

Chris Cowan of Dallas, Texas, has experienced the hassles of second-home ownership and decided to become a member of the LUSSO Collection. “My wife and I have owned mountain houses, ranches, and still have a lake house. LUSSO is such a relief. They eliminate the maintenance, staffing, and upkeep hassles,” comments Cowan.

With a single-tier membership structure and a members-to-residence ratio of 5.5-to-1, LUSSO is a choice that makes sense for a lot of people. Residences are fully equipped with all needed items including a Lincoln Navigator, golf clubs, a gourmet kitchen stocked with pre-arrival groceries and amenities for all travelers regardless of age.

With an economic structure that is similar to a country club, members pay a fully refundable deposit (currently $425,000) and annual dues for unlimited access to the club’s portfolio of residences and services. Properties are in locations such as Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Aspen, Colo.; Manhattan; Hawaii; the Bahamas and other choice destinations. For more information, visit www.lussocollection.com, or call (866) GO LUSSO.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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