Is This Vacation Rental for Real?

TIPS
Before you rent:
1. Review photos carefully.
2. Review guests comments.
3. Establish an internet relationship with the owner.
4. Pick up the phone and talk to the owner.
5. Pay over the internet through a secure credit card processing company.

Renting a vacation home from a private owner does not have to be a leap of faith. We take a number of steps at Mystic Mountain Cabin to eliminate the doubts.

On a Local, State, National, and International Level
1. Membership in the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce shows that we are serious about our business and the community in which we operate.
2. Listing on several prominent websites including VRBO and the HomeAway networks requires a substantial financial commitment, an indication that we are a stable owner.
3. A personal website provides an additional resource for information about Mystic Mountain Cabin and the owners.
4. Registered with the state of North Carolina as a vacation rental property owner, we are listed with the Haywood County Tourism Agency.
5. Linked to a credit card processing company, we are able to accept credit cards – an indication of our stability.

On a Personal Level
1. We encourage our guests to provide feedback. Check out previous guests comments at Mystic Mountain Cabin .
2. We answer your initial inquiry in a timely manner, usually within hours, another indicator of reliability.
3. We keep an up-to-date calendar so that you can easily determine availability.
4. I maintain an internet connection with future guests by providing travel information, calendars of events, and updates on activities in and around Maggie Valley.
5. We also have a toll free number so you can request additional information free of charge.

If you look for many of these indicators, you will not be asking yourself as vacation time approaches, “Is this vacation rental for real?” You’ll know that “yes, it is.” What do you look for when choosing a vacation rental? What would you find reassuring as an online renter?