Winter Rental in SE Valley? (Chandler, Gilbert: 2013, renter, how much)

[JTW2013]

My parents are considering spending next winter here. We live in South Chandler and they would like to be close to us so probably Chandler or Gilbert.

When do people begin looking for winter rentals? Should they use Airbnb, VRBO or another service? How much more expensive is rent when you only rent for a few months in the winter?

[Burning Madolf]

Originally Posted by JTW2013

My parents are considering spending next winter here. We live in South Chandler and they would like to be close to us so probably Chandler or Gilbert.

When do people begin looking for winter rentals? Should they use Airbnb, VRBO or another service? How much more expensive is rent when you only rent for a few months in the winter?

Are you talking regular communities? Active adult?

[JTW2013]

Originally Posted by Burning Madolf

Are you talking regular communities? Active adult?

I think they'd rather be in a regular community instead of an active adult community but they'd be open to an active adult community if the location and price were right.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by JTW2013

My parents are considering spending next winter here. We live in South Chandler and they would like to be close to us so probably Chandler or Gilbert.

When do people begin looking for winter rentals? Should they use Airbnb, VRBO or another service? How much more expensive is rent when you only rent for a few months in the winter?

A few years back, I use to rent my PHX area furnished home on VRBO. I used other services as well. People start looking for rentals a year in advance all the way to the last minute. The good stuff gets picked up quickly. You are still in fine shape if you are looking at next winter but it is time to book.

As far as which service is best, I don't like Airbnb because I cannot talk with the person live until they actually book. As a renter or a rental, I won't commit until I talk on the phone with them 1st. Needless to say, I don't like Airbnb's business model.

When you cherry pick a few months, you are going to pay a premium. Also, the rental owner is paying for the overhead all year long. So in reality, your parents will help pay for the down time when no one wants to rent it. When you rent for 3 months, generally all utilities are included which isn't the case for any single family home rental. So calculating the difference between renting your own spot all year long versus something furnished for three months is not so simple math. It will always be cheaper renting a portion of the season versus paying the whole year and leaving it empty the remainder of the year.