For those of you who weren’t born with an iPhone in hand, Snapchat, Instagram and Smartphones, Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO might well be as foreign to you as “Je ne sais pas”. However, it is time to make you aware of the latest accommodation craze. No more backpacking around Europe or staying in fancy 5 star hotels'; nowadays, holidaymakers are taking on a much more homely approach – the short term rental.

Before all else, the most important thing to familiarise yourself with is the definition of a short term rental. Often known as a holiday rental, a short term rental is when the owner leases out a furnished property short term, on a day by day or week by week basis. Although some rentals are shared spaces, it has become very common for people travelling to stay in rented homes or apartments and reach a happy medium; instead of shelling out on overpriced hotel rates or living minimally via backpacking.

1. All the Comforts of Home

The obvious pro of a short let is the luxury of living in the comfort and privacy of your very own temporary, fully furnished home for the duration of your stay. The wonderful thing about short term rentals is that you will be able to have the luxuries and amenities that you’d usually have right at your fingertips – even if you are thousands of miles away from home!

There are different reasons people rent out their homes to vacationers. It could be that they are struggling to make ends meet and need the extra cash. Another possible reason is that it's their second home so in order to generate some extra income, they put it on rent for holidayers.

Whatever the reason may be, businesses like Housebuyers4u are genuine cash house buyers and will buy any house regardless of condition. So if you're looking for a quick cash sale and to get rid of your home, or a home you simply don't have the time to manage anymore, they could be the perfect solution for you!

2. Cost Effective

There is no doubt that short term rentals can be a budget-friendly alternative to traditional hotels.  Staying in a fully furnished unit provides a lot more flexibility and is a lot more cost effective than hotels. Staying in a rental effectively minimises the money spent on dining out, the laundry service and so forth. This in particular is an amazing bonus if you are planning to stay somewhere for more than a couple of days, and someone in your family has a specific dietary requirement.

3. Living Like a Local

The awesome thing about staying in a short term rental rather than a fancy hotel is that you fully immerse yourself in the local culture. Imagine, walking home after a day out to a cosy two bedroom holiday rental located just 5 minutes away from the nearest subway, whilst greeting all your neighbours along the way. Or perhaps you’ve booked a cosy apartment in the middle of a large metropolitan city, and you’re in the dining room overlooking the beautiful night view while eating a a relaxed, homemade dinner after a long day out!

There are just so many more opportunities for you to explore areas less frequently travelled to by tourists if you opt for a short term rental and will give you plenty of opportunities to meet the locals!

4. Experiencing a Customised Holiday

If you choose to live in a short term rental, you will have the ability to select the style, type of property, and your required amenities. Your home away from home will be truly unique to you. For example, some renters prefer a sleek, modern apartment amongst the hustle and bustle of the city centre whereas others prefer a cosy, bohemian vibe in a larger apartment on the outskirts.

The Bottom Line

The great thing about short term rentals is that you have the luxury of choosing what type of property you’d like to live in for a truly unique getaway!