How to find the perfect beach house for your summer getaway

Many families opt to ditch spring break trips in favor of a summer getaway. Renting the perfect summer beach house is a great way to make the most of the season. Vacations are terrific, but they go by very fast. With the right beach house, you’ll be able to enjoy vacation-level relaxation all summer…. from long weekends to extended stays. The trick, of course, is choosing the right beach house. The perfect destination will match all the perks you are looking for with all the conveniences you need. To help make the process of choosing a beach house a little easier, here is a checklist of important things to keep in mind:

1- Research beach towns

There’s more to beach towns than easy access to the beach. Some towns are serene, quiet and geared for families. Others are close to bars and clubs and attract partiers. Which is right for you? Do some research online before you start exploring your beach house rental options.

2- Think about bedrooms and bathrooms

There’s a difference between how many people a beach house can sleep and the number of bedrooms in the house. For many beach houses, you will see listings that talk about how many it can sleep. That includes bedrooms as well as pull out sofas or cots in living rooms and common areas. If that’s not right for you, focus on the number of bedrooms instead. And don’t forget to factor in how many bathrooms you might need to share in the beach house.

3- House or condo?

Do you want access to a big kitchen, a yard, lots of bedrooms and common areas that can accommodate large groups? Then a beach house is definitely the way to go. But if you are a smaller group (say, four people or fewer) and you’d rather eat out than cook, you might find a beach condo is a better option. Condos may also offer more amenities like front desk service, pools, and workout rooms.

4- Availability and budget 

Beach house rentals can be for a weekend, a week, or even the full summer. If you want a beach house for a specific summer weekend or week, it helps to book well in advance. By late winter, most people are planning their summer vacations and booking beach houses. If you are more flexible, and it doesn’t really matter when you’re at the beach house, you will probably find better deals by booking the beach house when there is a vacancy that the owner wants to fill. Also, know that most property owners give priority to full-season renters, so read the fine print in the beach house rental agreement about cancellation policies and refunds.

5- Don’t just trust the pictures 

If you are searching for a beach house rental online, there are probably lots of beautiful pictures that have you super excited about the property and the great time you’ll have there this summer. But remember: this could be a bait-&-switch as pictures can be deceiving. Rooms in the beach house will probably look larger in the photos, you don’t really know how long ago the photos were taken, and most homeowners don’t show you the less appealing aspects of the property (like nearby highways or rooms in need of repair). If you are able, use photos to narrow your options then pay a visit to the beach house property before you put down a deposit.

6- Check and double-check what is included in the beach house rental

A beach house rental is all about relaxation, so make sure you know what’s at the house and what you might need to pack so you don’t encounter stressful surprises. This includes towels, linens, pots and pans and dishes. Also, check to see if your beach house rental includes beach badges. If it doesn’t, make sure you understand what is required to secure beach badges on your own.

7- Read the beach house rental policies thoroughly

What happens if you need to cancel your beach house stay unexpectedly? Or there’s damage to the property? Or you arrive and the beach house doesn’t meet your expectations? You should understand the answers to questions like these before you book your beach house. To further protect yourself from any unforeseen situations, consider booking through a website with built-in protection policies such as Flipkey. This site offers a $1,000 peace of mind guarantee against a vacation rental that doesn't match the description substantially. It also covers you if you have made the payment correctly, but the owner does not receive it.

The warm weather is coming and a beach house rental can be just what you need to get the most out of the precious days of summer. With some basic planning and preparation now, you’ll be able to kick back and relax later.

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