Any other options than airbnb or vrbo? (Hilo: rent, hotels)

[leilaniguy]

Originally Posted by mijax

Good morning Leilaniguy,


Can you elaborate on why "Not a good idea"?

You never know what you will get on Craigslist. Airbnb and VRBO have insurance to protect you and the property owner. Most offerings on CL are illegal.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by leilaniguy

Most offerings on CL are illegal.

What would make it illegal? I was under the impression that unlike Oahu and Maui, vacation rentals aren't regulated on the Big Island......

[leilaniguy]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

What would make it illegal? I was under the impression that unlike Oahu and Maui, vacation rentals aren't regulated on the Big Island......

A couple of things come to mind. Everyone I know that is in the business charges TAT and sends it to the state, and I've seen ads for "glamping" in a tent in someone's yard, specifically illegal.

[terracore]

You can use Craigslist after you get here when you are going to meet the landlord in person and view the place before making a decision (we did, 100% good experience) but I wouldn't use it for a vacation rental. Short or long-term rentals, fine. Any situation where you asked to pay for something before you see it, NEVER.

[whtviper1]

The op said 3-6 months and that's challenging to call that short term or find a "vacation rental" with months of open availability unless open to moving around constantly. A sublet is likely to be much less expensive

[mijax]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Given me a few more ideas on how to proceed with my move.


Thanks!!

[rya96797]

Originally Posted by mijax

Yeah, I get that... But at the same time if I were an agent I'd be willing to spend a few minutes giving a list of possible rentals so somebody who might turn out to be a buyer I could represent in a real estate purchase. Maybe they've been burned by people in the past who don't actually show up to the island... but if it were me I'd still do it. Guess I'm just "hungry" by nature & willing to take a chance.


I'm talking to my agent who just sold my house and he's checking into setting me up with an agent on BI. We'll see how it goes.


As always thanks for the insight...

Winnar!


and dealing with the 100 mainland people and actually have 1 do business with them is a huge waste of their time. so most buisnesses won't bother working with you unless you fly to the island, basically putting chips on the table, so to speak.

[terracore]

I know people who contacted the owner of the VRBO and negotiated long-term rates. Some of the hotels in Hilo do that as well. I think the Hilo Seaside Hotel does it.


"and dealing with the 100 mainland people and actually have 1 do business with them is a huge waste of their time. so most buisnesses won't bother working with you unless you fly to the island, basically putting chips on the table, so to speak."


That is very true. When we were setting things up on the BI prior to our move I got COMPLETELY different responses from people and businesses after I bought a $15 Tracfone at Walmart and activated it with an 808 area code.

[rya96797]

Originally Posted by terracore

I know people who contacted the owner of the VRBO and negotiated long-term rates. Some of the hotels in Hilo do that as well. I think the Hilo Seaside Hotel does it.


"and dealing with the 100 mainland people and actually have 1 do business with them is a huge waste of their time. so most buisnesses won't bother working with you unless you fly to the island, basically putting chips on the table, so to speak."


That is very true. When we were setting things up on the BI prior to our move I got COMPLETELY different responses from people and businesses after I bought a $15 Tracfone at Walmart and activated it with an 808 area code.

that's probably a very good suggestion for people seriously looking to move and engage the services of local businesses. At the very least, you can get hopefully get the preliminary stuff out of the way, then do the face to face when you get here. Of course if they want you to come to their office upfront, you might be out of luck.

[terracore]

When we decided to move here, on one of our realty scouting trips we got a PO Box. So with that and our Tracfone we had a "local" telephone number and mailing address. The PO box proved priceless when we actually moved and needed someplace to ship a dozen or so parcel post boxes because we didn't yet have a permanent residence lined up.