Does the new school year already have a vacation on your mind? You’re in luck! Last month, we discussed four ways to help you find your dream rental. Here are some more tips to keep in mind while searching for your vacation home. And may these happy thoughts help you survive the new school year!

1. Look at different sites. You may have a favorite site to search for rentals, but it’s never a bad idea to search on different sites in order to find the best deal. Even better is if you know the neighborhood you want to stay in, as location-specific sites often have high-quality listings that many don’t know about.
2. Avoid areas that are heavy in tourist traffic. The more tourism in the area, the more expensive the place will be. Search for areas near public transit or are a short ride away from popular spots.
3. Spend your money wisely. While you don’t want to overspend, you also don’t want to be too cheap. Make a list of what you’ll need in a place and what you’d like to have in a place, and then go from there. It’s possible to find a place that is both affordable and enjoyable.
4. Be cautious. The majority of online listings are legitimate; however, the risk of fraud still exists. Avoid this conflict by contacting the property manager before agreeing to pay for anything. Ask them some questions, acquire all of the info you can gather about the property, and leave the situation if anything seems unusual or doesn’t feel right. There are a lot of sites that offer security measures and reviews, so you’ll get an idea of what you’re working with. When making a purchase, use your credit card since this type of payment has built-in fraud protection.