Snowbird Lease (Kihei, Kaanapali: extended stay, 2015, leasing)

[cisaak]

My wife and I are retiring and want to lease a condo in/near Kaanapali every January and February. How easy to find an available condo? What web site should I visit? How far in advance should I look? Can I expect any discount for a longterm lease?

[whtviper1]

Go to www.vrbo.com which is a vacation rental by owner site.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Go to www.vrbo.com which is a vacation rental by owner site.

I've also thought about a longer term rental or lease. I did not see much on VRBO that rents by the month. Usually the rent is by the day or week, often a minimum stay of 3 - 7 days. The monthly rentals that I did see on VRBO were for quite a bit of money, like $5k to $8K. Are you probably stuck paying that high rate if you aren't leasing by the year?

[whtviper1]

If you want a yearly lease - go to www.craigslist.org

[cisaak]

Originally Posted by davephan

I've also thought about a longer term rental or lease. I did not see much on VRBO that rents by the month. Usually the rent is by the day or week, often a minimum stay of 3 - 7 days. The monthly rentals that I did see on VRBO were for quite a bit of money, like $5k to $8K. Are you probably stuck paying that high rate if you aren't leasing by the year?

I do not mind paying that much but I am unsure if any units are available for that long during Jan-Feb. If available, how do I find them (only vrbo)? How early should I start search? Should I expect any monthly discount?

[hothulamaui]

you won't get much of a discount if at all for only 2 months. shop and book as early as you can.

[whtviper1]

And....you might have some challenges with your dates, there will be a lot of people on Maui first week of Jan from New Years - And during Presidents Weekend in February - those are heavy travel periods and many vacation rentals are probably already booked in those timeframes.

[cisaak]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

And....you might have some challenges with your dates, there will be a lot of people on Maui first week of Jan from New Years - And during Presidents Weekend in February - those are heavy travel periods and many vacation rentals are probably already booked in those timeframes.

Thanks. I realize it is probably too late to book an extended stay for Jan-Feb 2014. Is it possible to find an available unit for Jan-Feb 2015 or do most owners frown on such an arrangement or personally use it for some of that time? Just trying to gauge how much inventory is available, when it should be booked, and how it would be priced.

[MauiPartTimer]

Originally Posted by cisaak

Thanks. I realize it is probably too late to book an extended stay for Jan-Feb 2014. Is it possible to find an available unit for Jan-Feb 2015 or do most owners frown on such an arrangement or personally use it for some of that time? Just trying to gauge how much inventory is available, when it should be booked, and how it would be priced.

I own a condo in Kihei, but believe the market dynamics are similar in West Maui. I'd rent my place out for the two months, but wouldn't be inclined to offer a big discount since that's the time of year when rents are the highest. (I'd probably figure in the reduced cleaning costs and discount it by that much.)

You'll probably be able to find something for 2015, but 2014 would be tough.

[MauiPartTimer]

One other thought to tack on to Viper's point; if you adjust your two months to Mid-January through Mid-March (or February through March), you might have much better luck.