Vacation Rentals by Owner

Needs TLC

Guest: Jan G. (-)
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/06/11

I was one of four 60 something women who rented this home for a weekend getaway to Napa. This could be a charming home with a little TLC. Unfortunately, the home shows a good bit of wear and tear. (Eg. The cabinet around the sink in the master bedroom is badly warped. The oven door is attached by a screw to the upper oven panel to avoid falling when the door is opened) I also agree with the review by Ohiogirl that the owner needs to consider her expectations regarding her cleaning policy. In an effort to avoid charges for the following: $10 for finger marks on the glass breakfast area table top, or the shower; $10 for leaving furniture out of place; $10 for leaving dishes in the dishwasher; and $10 for leaving any trash in the trash cans, we spent a good deal of our weekend concerned over abiding by the rules to avoid the threat of not having our deposit returned. .

Owner response:Judging from the feedback from the hundreds of renters who enjoy our home annually, there is NO problem with expectations regarding our cleaning policy, except with groups who do not read or remember written correspondences, policies, or rental documents. This group rented "off season", and paid the required $100 cleaning fee for November thru February rentals. Evidently, one lady found my Departure Checklist in our WELCOME BOOK, which contains copies of all rental policies & guidelines, operating instructions for the custom features in the home, House Rules, etc. The extra cleaning charges outlined in the checklist only occur during rentals from March thru October ("on-season"), when there is NO REQUIRED CLEANING FEE. The checklist becomes one of the agreements that are signed prior to booking, along with the rental contract. When I was notified by vrbo that this review had been submitted, I phoned Judy, who reported that she had not written it, had no idea which of her friends had, and agreed that the misunderstanding was clearly their fault. They had jumped to conclusions about expectations that weren't consistent with the e-mails or documents Judy had received. Unfortunately, she never contacted me, or the property manager who is on-call 24/7 for clarification. In fact, when their security deposit was refunded, I included extra funds above the $500 deposit to help compensate for their misunderstanding because we pride ourselves on having happy, returning renters. This is an unfair review, based on inaccurate assumptions by one of the ladies in this group. We would be happy to forward copies of our rental policies, including the departure checklist. As for the home needing a little TLC, it is furnished with unique items and furnishings. There is no "cabinet" around the sink in the master bath - it is a French antique desk from one of the hotels destroyed during the Mt. St. Helen's volcano years ago. Renters leave standing water around the sink, and the surface is re-sealed annually. And, though the double wall oven works perfectly well, the hinge on one of the doors broke several years ago & replacement parts are simply not available. We've installed a lever to keep the door shut. My husband is a builder, and our home has no deferred maintenance. Most of the homes in the vrbo inventory are furnished with standard furnishings and minimal art. We understand that those homes may be a better match for some renters.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Outstanding Vacation Location

Guest: KOENINGER (NORTHERN VIRGINIA)
Date of Stay: 08/09/11 Review Submitted: 09/01/11

My bride and I spent 10 days in this house in mid-August, and we found it to be as close to perfect as any house we've ever rented. It is spacious, yet cozy, it is well-equipped (kitchen, linens, lighting), and the backyard is exceedingly private. From a location standpoint, its outstanding. Downtown Napa and its variety and multitude of restaurants is about a 3-minute drive; access to the major roads that run through the Napa wine country or connect to the Sonoma wine country is all of 10-minutes away; and yet the house is on a very quiet street in a very quiet neighborhood. We found the owners extremely accomodating and easy to work with, and their onsite assistant, Elias, was very helpful on arrival and responsive during our stay. In short, this house was in large part responsible for one of the best vacation experiences we've had, and I highly recommend it to others.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

"Beautiful Dream Home" is RIGHT!

Guest: Furrygodmother (Uniontown, PA)
Date of Stay: 07/21/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

I can't say enough but this gorgeous house and our wonderful stay there. I was a little skeptical before we arrived. I thought that the pictures could be old and surely the house isn't that way now. I was wrong...so wrong. It was so much more than I expected. I had talked to the owner when we booked the house and she explained to me how she wanted the house to have every possible item in it that a vacationer would want. She didn't sound like someone who just wanted to rent a house but someone who put so much thought and work into it to make the renter feel welcome and comfortable. It was fun looking at all the unique items around. On day nine I was still discovering things. My children and grandchildren stayed a few blocks away. They came over to make s'mores in the Elm St. Zoo. They had a blast. I enjoyed walking every morning around the beautiful neighborhood. Tis house is so convenient to everywhere we wanted to go. I hope I have the opportunity and the pleasure to make this "Beautiful Dream Home" my home again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

3 couples from Canada....loved it!!!!!!!!!1

Guest: Calgary Canuck (Calgary)
Date of Stay: 07/15/11 Review Submitted: 12/22/11

We loved the fact that this property was very unique, with much character...not the run onf the mill houses that are out there! We loved the decor, and we spent a couple of fun nights around the pool and on the large seated patio...Nancy was professional to work with and have nothing but good things to say about all transactions. So long as you leave the house relatively clean, you will not have any problems with getting your deposit back... Nancy was also very helpful in making recommendations in what to do, which wineries to see, that suited our length of stay...came out for a golf school, but the house really added to our enjoyment!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

NICE HOUSE....BUT READ YOUR CONTRACT CAREFULLY!!!!!!

Guest: Ohiogirl (Sandusky, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/22/11

Be VERY careful renting this house. READ your contract carefully and be prepared to be charged fees for every little thing you do not obey in the list of departure charges. We were charged for things as petty as having fingerprints on the sliding glass door and for moving a piece of outdoor furniture and not returning it to the EXACT spot we found it. We have rented numerous houses through VRBO in the past and have NEVER had an issue with getting our security deposit back in full. The house was in a very convenient location being within walking distance to downtown Napa but due to the stringent departure checklist we would not rent this home again. Who wants to spend an entire day of your vacation throughly cleaning a house?!!?

Owner response:Yes, please do read your contract, as well as the Departure Checklist. Both outline our cleaning policy & are e-mailed before reservations are made. We believe that contracts protect both parties: our renters because they are mailing funds to someone they don't know, and us for opening our special home to strangers. My first e-mail to an inquiry explains our cleaning policy, as does the contract & Departure Checklist. All clearly state that if the house is restored to the condition it was before arrival, "EXCEPT for normal cleaning of sinks, floors, countertops, tubs, toilets, showers and linens", the entire refundable security deposit is returned. And, the Departure Checklist provides the minimal fees for cleaning itmes not included in the "normal cleaning" I pay for. Our policy was created by past renters, who felt that taking a little time to straighten-up was worth not having to pay a required $100 cleaning fee. We do not ask our renters to clean, & the vast majority of our renters do no incur deductions. Of the 40 groups we've had this year, only four groups were charged for items needing special attention & time beyond our 'normal cleaning', & two of these groups had children. The group of five "Ohio Girls" made NO attempt to leave the house as found, and had additional daytime guests who contributed to the mess. They were not charged for "a few fingerprints" because we take care of that in our normal cleaning. The house was left VERY dirty, including windows, appliances, dishes, & very messy bathroom mirrors. For example, they entered the garage without permission, helped themselves to extra beach towels & bed linens, & were charged $25 to cover my bill for washing everything, which is less than one hour labor (a very reasonable charge). They broke two large wine glasses & were charged $20. The hot tub needed draining, scrubbing dark oil rings from the sides, and refilling because they ignored the HOUSE RULES posted on the wall, the guidelines on the Departure Checklist, & the property manager's instructions. If feel it unfair to blame me for unreasonable "petty" deductions, when the deductions were legitimate. We pridre ourselves on having an absolutely awesome home, and awesome renters, and would rather rent to those who appreciate the house and take care of it. I am not happy when we have unhappy renters, and it is unfortunate that this group chose to ignore the documents they signed.

Recommended for:

Great,comfortable home for a group of people staying in Napa

Guest: Michelle (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/02/11

There were 6 adults that stayed here last weekend, it was a very enjoyable experience and everything was nicely decorated and clean. All the amentities necessary are within this home. We would highly recommend this house to ohters looking to rent a house in Napa.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

Great property for a couple or for families

Guest: Tony (Oakland)
Date of Stay: 07/02/10 Review Submitted: 07/11/10

The house is very close to downtown Napa and you can even walk to a very nice park. The best part of the house is the backyard pool and spa area. The deck area is well shaded and the jacuzzi/pool are great. You can stay outside all day and it is very relaxing.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

A Treat of a Retreat

Guest: Paolo (Edgewater, New Jersery)
Date of Stay: 04/28/10 Review Submitted: 06/25/10

What a great home for a vacation! We were surprised to find that the photos didn’t do this house justice, and each day we found unexpected details while enjoying all the rooms. The house is charming, eclectic, very clean and comfortable, well-maintained, and FUN. The custom amenities are truly custom, and hand-built by the owner. It was such fun to be able to experience amenities that are unique and not available anywhere else. For example, the small sauna was perfect for two people - - we finally figured out that the awesome light fixture was actually a grill off of an old Volvo (Swedish, of course!) The oversized shower in the master bathroom gets its water from a large, overhead exposed copper pipe, which is suspended in the air overhead. It was obvious to all 4 of us that the house was put together with very close attention to detail, and unlike other homes we’ve stayed in, the décor went beyond “normal”. We were very thankful that the owner had compiled a custom hard-bound book, which was full of photos that highlighted their favorite places in the Valley. The book became our "Bible" and kept us from being so overwhelmed at all that Napa has to offer.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

I keep coming back....over and over.

Guest: Kathy (Denver,CO)
Date of Stay: 04/19/10 Review Submitted: 06/25/10

I have stayed at this charming vacation rental for four consecutive years. Each time I’ve stayed there I have found this home to be comfortable, homey, and clean and kept up as much as any property can be. It is obvious the owner has thought well to supply anything one would need during their stay. If you are looking for an Ethan Allen décor, this would not be the place you want. If you want a place that is eclectic, and provides “eye candy” persistently, you will find this a great fit. The soaking tub, beautiful patio and spa are especially a nice plus. Though I try to stay away from work while vacationing, I found the office area sufficient and convenient. The owner has been very professional each time I have worked with her, and upon arrival we have always felt welcome--the customer service exceptional. This home is perfect for entertaining a group of people, as well as for a romantic getaway! The pictures do not do this property justice. As long as I need to go to Napa Valley I will be returning to this delightful rental.

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Not a Beautiful Dream Home

Guest: Need Clean (Anacortes, WA)
Date of Stay: 03/29/10 Review Submitted: 04/17/10

This home did not meet our expectations. The house smelled musty and was in need of a thorough cleaning. The garden window over the kitchen sink was quite grimy; lightbulbs were burned out in numerous fixtures throughout the house and in the pool; kitchen cupboards were very disorganized (I was told this is normal); the duvet on the master bedroom comforter was held in place with baby diaper pins. Using the microwave and toaster oven at the same time trips the breaker that has these two applicances and the refrigerator. The bedroom with the king bed is accessed via the second main floor bedroom, making the second bedroom not a private space. The furnishings overall are more eclectic than elegant. The hot tub seats 3 comfortably; 4 small people. Beware of the "free" cleaning....there are many hidden charges added, including a fee for such things as not unloading the dishwasher and for moving small lamps for easier reading, so that your deposit is not refunded. The person who greeted us did not know the access code for wireless, although we were able to find it later. We were charged a fee for hot tub cleaning, although the chlorine container was empty when we arrived and the pool maintenance person did not check chemicals in the hot tub or pool when he was there. Also, don't plan on using the fire pit unless you bring your own firewood. Walkable to Napa Town center from this property, although we were disappointed to find the Town Center with many vacant storefronts.

Owner response:At the end of May, a previous renter alerted me to the testimonial “Not a Beautiful Dream Home” and its inaccuracies. I never check testimonials – almost a thousand people have stayed in our home since it became licensed in March 2007. The reports I receive after their stays are always positive; we have had only two complaints: a San Diego renter lied about her pets in the home and was unhappy about cleaning deductions (Better Business Bureau Complaint, Case #19018601, closed without prejudice), and this one. The allegations in Mr. Need Clean’s report are highly exaggerated, and his testimonial was done to apply pressure in hopes of preventing me from withholding these legitimate deductions from his security deposit. He warned me in an April 1 e-mail, that if I didn’t return his security deposit in full, he would use an intense and aggressive exposure campaign to discredit me personally and professionally, as well as my vacation home in Napa (e-mail available upon request). My full rebuttal is also available upon request. In short, funds were legitimately withheld from the security deposit because terms of the signed Short Term Rental Agreement and the signed Departure Checklist were violated. This renter left extension cords handing out of windows, admitted to turning off electronic equipment, left dishes in the dishwasher, ketchup on the sofa in the family room, etc. The house needed professional attention in order to restore it to the condition it was upon arrival. Withheld funds were reasonable, and did not end up in my pocket. Furthermore, the vast majority of our renters receive full refund on security deposits (Deposit Refund Report, rental documents also available.) Happily, our home in Napa successfully rents almost all of the time, and we enjoy returning renters. For further concerns, please contact me via e-mail or by phone. I will gladly provide the entire text of Mr. Need Clean’s threatening correspondences.

Recommended for:

Napa Dream House

Guest: DMGarr (Rochester, NY)
Date of Stay: 10/08/09 Review Submitted: 10/19/09

This property rental experience was wonderful.The owner was very receptive to all of our early questions and provided quick and accurate explanations. Once we arrived, we found everything pristine. From the personal touch of having someone meet us and show us the property to the amenities like the pool, sauna, and hot tub, everything was great. Nice quiet neighborhood to relax in.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

wonderful!

Guest: Cathy39 (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/28/08 Review Submitted: 11/05/08

This is a very cute house with a funky vibe (in a good way!) You can tell the owner is an artist or at least "artsy" and we all loved the character and charm of her decorating style. Everything you need for a comfortable stay is provided. It was the perfect location and size for my small wedding party in Napa. My only complaint is the pool (a factor in choosing the house) was definitely not heated making it impossible to use. In the owner's defense, it is not advertised as a heated pool... but I assumed it would be useable. We still had a blast hanging out on the pool deck which appears to be tailor made for entertaining. Thank Goddess for the hot tub- we spent A LOT of time of it! All in all, for the price, the pool complaint is small, this place was perfect and I highly recommend for a family, couple or small party.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.