Are you considering staying in Myrtle Beach condo rentals?  If so, you’ll be delighted with the affordable prices, spaciousness, convenience, and amenities that rentals offer.  Unlike when you share a cramped hotel room with your friends or family, everyone can have their own bed when you book a rental.  Furthermore, a rental gives you access to a kitchen for preparing meals, which can save you a lot of money.

Although the majority of people have wonderful experiences booking rentals, sometimes unforeseen problems can arise and complicate matters.  Here are 5 things to consider before booking a rental.

1. Whether you’re renting through a management company or directly from the owner, make sure to receive the owner’s contact details.  Otherwise, if the dishwasher breaks down, the AC malfunctions, or the garage door stops working, you won’t have anyone to call and will have to take matters into your own hands.  The stress that arises from such unforeseen circumstances could practically ruin your vacation.
2. Don’t believe everything you see in the pictures.  In the pictures, Myrtle Beach condo rentals may look great, but if those pictures were taken ten years ago, expect the reality to be a little different.  To avoid unpleasant surprises, have someone you know drive by and take a look, if possible.  If you can’t get anyone to drive by and check the place out, at the very least find out from the owner when the pictures were taken.  Be wary if the pictures were taken several years ago.
3. Ask if towels and linens are provided.  Although most people don’t bother to ask, it’s good to make sure of how many towels there will be per person and if there are extra sheets available.  Also find out when the last time was that the owner bought towels and sheets and where in the house they are kept.
4. Typically, when you rent a vacation home, you have to pay a deposit of 10% to 50% of the total cost upfront, in addition to a cleaning deposit.  Protect yourself from fraud by paying with credit card.  Although many legitimate Myrtle Beach condo rentals owners accept payments via Paypal, money order, and checks, the safest way to pay is by credit card.
5. Use an online service like MapQuest or Google Earth to get a better idea of what the house’s surroundings and neighborhood are like.  In the rental description, it may say that the rental is 10 minutes away from the beach, but you’d never know that private property is blocking beach access and that the only way to get from the rental to the beach is by car unless you investigated.