As we’re opening the nest and taking reservations, I’m learning that a lot of people are paying high fees without realizing how easy it is to avoid them.

It’s been fun to realize you can stay at someone’s home with Airbnb, isn’t it? The reality though, and let’s be honest, is that these companies have just learned how to redirect money into their pockets (as well as the government), from the simple hospitality transaction from one friend or family member to another.

Vacation homes have always been a way to share your second home with family and friends as my family enjoyed going to the lake sometimes twice a year for a nominal fee.

In the ’70s, our family paid $40 per night to stay in a 4 bedroom cabin for 2 families with 6 kids. Now anyone can have this benefit but it will cost you. A LOT!

It was a benefit knowing someone with a cabin while the owner made a little money on the side. It was a win-win.

With the start of the internet, a couple started a website to offer many vacation homes similar to what you’d find on a corkboard in an office breakroom. However, in 1995 www.VRBO.com was born and in 2006 they were bought by HomeAway.com.

Airbnb soon started in 2008 with the simplicity of software programs that made it easier. The concept of a single room or couch could easily be offered to young travelers.

Today, a renter just made the listing site an extra $1,330 between them and the owner. Yikes! This was just a finders fee paid by both the renter and the owner, not including the nightly cost or the cleaning cost.

Today renting out a home for a short visit is all about profit and why shouldn’t it be? I get it. However, a lot of people don’t realize that the same old concept with friends and family can still be shared — today.

For example, is the convenience to easily click a button really worth an extra $725 paid by you, the renter above the nightly fee and cleaning charge? (Yes, someone did pay that.) Also, is it worth paying a non-refundable $59 to an insurance carrier who walks away with his cut instead of paying a refundable deposit to the owner? 

If you want to avoid the fees, here are 4 easy ways you can minimize your costs. Unfortunately, a lot of homes strictly rely on listing sites and property management fees but there are ways you can find the homeowner to transact directly and avoid the high fees altogether.

Here are some ways to find the homeowner.

1. Google the name of the house. 

   When the owners have taken their business seriously and have given it a name, chances are they have a website with all the contact information right on there. There are a lot of them.

   They don’t care whether you found them on a listing site or some other site. They’re in the business of renting their home and if they don’t answer, don’t care if you’re calling, or give you a hard time, move-on.

   This is telling if something goes wrong with your stay too on how they answer the phone if you’re simply calling because you’re interested in staying at their home. 

2. google Search the area for information.

If you’re looking for a friend with benefits and that friend can also count on you to take care of their home if you pay them to stay, they will have their home information all over the internet. Social media, LinkedIn, anyone?

This way you can also see what the home or location has to offer when you google information on the home. For example, how far is the home from your points of interest? What are the reviews on Google vs. just the listing site?

3. Sign up for the newsletter. 

Sometimes vacation homes (or property managers) will have a newsletter with information on events, changes to the home or the area, or practical advice on staying there that is emailed to you on occasion.

Most importantly, there might be specials just like any other business that might be offering their subscribers that are exclusive to none other than you.

If people have subscribed to my newsletter, I make sure to offer them the privileges that come with subscribing such as specials.

4. google “(location) vacation homes”

A lot of owners are now listing their homes on so many sites that just by searching the location, you’ll find a plethora of vacation homes and property management sites within that area instead of just what that one listing site your on has.

For example, you won’t find our home on Airbnb.

The bottom line is that a vacation home is someone’s home, not a hotel. Some are run by property managers but with the ease of merchant services your own bank has, it’s no wonder more people don’t do it this way. (Can you say, Zelle?)  

You won’t believe how much this can save you.

I offer free nights, a bottle of wine, recommendations, and personal concierge service because our guests have become friends. I get texts, calls, emails and I’m like, sure! If the home is available, (which you can clearly see online) I will typically ask if they remember my email to send me their payment via Zelle.

And when you have friends with second homes, how nice is that?

Oh, and don’t forget to be nice.

Let me know any other ways you search for homes below.