When going on vacation, renting a private vacation home is definitely worth considering. Unlike staying in a hotel, you will actually feel like you belong in the community you are visiting. Most vacation homes are right in the center of the area you are visiting, which makes it close to everything you are going to want to see during your stay. However, for this reason, renting a vacation home can sometimes be a bit more costly, which is why you should consider these four tips for saving money:

1. ​Rent From the Owner: Rather than go through a middle man, you can save more money by renting the vacation home directly from the owners. The reason this saves you money is because you are not paying the fee for using the middle man that is involved. Just keep in mind that it's a bit more difficult to shift through vacation rentals that are available when you are not using a middle man service, so it may be worth paying a bit extra in some cases. 
2. Book Early: As soon as you know you are going on vacation, you need to stay looking for a vacation home to stay in. You will be able to find one much more easily the sooner you start searching. Plus, when you book early, you typically receive much lower rates on the rental price. 
3. Or Wait Last Minute: If you don't end up booking early and you've waited too long, then it's better to wait until the absolute last minute where you may be able to find some great deals since vacation rental property owners will be wanting to fill space. In order to do this, they must appeal to those who are looking to stay right away by lowering the price or offering some great deals. Of course, this is risky, so it's always better to book early if you can. 
4. Be Respectful: Finally, you must be respectful of the property. This is someone's home after all, not just a hotel where maid service is available all day. There may be certain things in the home that are sentimental for the owner, so it's important to be respectful. Otherwise, you can be subject to high fees for replacing any thing that is damaged or excessive clean up fees, as well if you have left the place a mess. 

When you consider these four tips, you can be sure that you make the most of your vacation home rental and save money. Look for a company like Vacation Cottages to help you find what you need.