My husband's family has a reunion in Long Beach every two years. It's always been tradition to stay at a specific hotel; however, as families' children get older, but not old enough to have their own family, some of us have started renting houses for our individual family unit, and to have our pets with us. Although we didn't spend a lot of time at the house because of reunion functions, it was perfect as our home base. The kitchen is really big, with not only a table but barstools......in case you spill over. The house is well stocked with paper goods, towels, cooking utensils, etc. All rooms are a nice size and the privacy fenced backyard is great, again offering ample seating. The pictures don't really do justice to all the space. The neighborhood is quiet and convenient to any of your needs - grocery, restaurants, beach. We were not at all disturbed by the trains even though the tracks are close.
We did not have to contact the owners other than to say we'd arrived and that we'd left, but I feel that they'd be responsive if needed. One caveat: the website states that the pet fee is refundable upon checkout, but I don't think that is the case.
This is an aside.......Now, I have to say that I've always enjoyed booking with VRBO. It WAS an excellent site to find fun and unique places to stay, while enjoying personal contact with the owners. In all the years we've used it, we had only one not so great experience. Sadly, I'll be looking for alternatives now that the site has been sold to Expedia. The (non)Service Fee that is charged is just pure money for the big guy - didn't see one benefit from paying it.