7 tips to book a vacation rental during the holidays

4. SEE IF YOU CAN SAVE MONEY BY USING LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENCIES. They often manage houses that also appear on rental websites, so by going through the agencies directly, you may be able to 

save a bundle by not paying the high “service” fees that the online sites charge. We learned that the hard way: After renting a house through Vrbo in Saranac Lake, in New York’s Adirondack

Mountains, we realized that we could have shaved nearly $800 off a six-night rental by going through a local rental agency. Sometimes the big online sites are your only option for getting

the home you want, but it’s worth investigating alternatives. 5. BEFORE YOU BOOK, DO DUE DILIGENCE. Are there houses or businesses next door? Is the property in a noisy location? Are linens

provided and how well stocked is the kitchen? Is it accessible for those with disabilities? Ask questions and try to get the address before booking to check the location on an online map. I

didn’t do that when booking an apartment in Schenectady, New York, that turned out to be in a sketchy part of town. When my friends and I arrived, the Airbnb host warned us to have house

keys in hand and sprint to the door when exiting our rental car. And always read the reviews of the property posted by past guests. Give more weight to well-written comments with lots of

specifics. 6. READ THE HOUSE RULES CAREFULLY. Are pets welcome? Are you expected to take out garbage, strip beds and start a load of laundry when leaving? The owners of our Saranac Lake

rental forbade the burning of candles, for example. Not following the rules or doing damage could mean forfeiting some or all of your deposit. If you notice a problem or something broken

when you check in, photograph it and tell the landlord or manager right away. When staying in a pricey house, consider short-term insurance to cover mishaps. 7. DIVVY UP RESPONSIBILITIES FOR

BRINGING SUPPLIES, BUYING FOOD, MAKING MEALS AND DOING OTHER CHORES. Those who are driving from their homes can bring basics like paper towels, condiments and plastic wrap, in case the

house doesn’t have them. They also may need to bring sheets and towels, depending on whether they're provided (be sure to check before your trip). Different family members might be

assigned to make meals for the group or help clean up after dinner. If your crew is big and you can afford it, consider a catering service or take-out food to cut down on kitchen time. 8.

AVOID SKIRMISHES OVER SLEEPING QUARTERS. If someone has special needs or is paying more, they should get first choice. You also can draw numbered pieces of paper to determine who picks

first, second, third and so on. Or let the oldest select first, and go down the line. It may seem petty, but insensitive bedroom assignments can spark resentment — and who needs another

reason for family tension during the holidays?