RENTER'S CHECKLIST
Before starting your rental search
One of the questions we often get asked is: How far in advance should I book my rental for the following season? Planning in advance is always a good idea to ensure a seamless vacation. In this blog post I have outlined a few things to think about when starting your Nantucket rental search. Since homes seem to book up earlier every year, it is best to start looking for a home as soon as you have a certain window of time when you know you will be able to come to the island. We are all aware the plans can change, so please make sure that you understand the cancellation policy in any lease, which is pretty standard across the island real estate offices. Before contacting an agent, ask yourself what are your most important search criteria and what are you flexible on? If your first round of results isn’t exactly what you were looking for, sometimes small changes in the search criteria should hopefully give you a few more options to choose from.
Here are a few examples of the criteria you should provide your agent with when beginning your rental search.
-
Dates – Are your dates firm or flexible? Keep in mind that most rentals in the summer have a one week minimum and start on Saturdays, some on Sundays and fewer start on a different week day. If you have a flexible schedule and live close to Nantucket, a last minute cancellation or opening could be an option that may appeal to you.
-
Budget – It is good to have a predetermined range that you’d like to spend on your vacation rental. The starting rental rates tend to begin at $5000 (+/-) and up for a basic cottage. Homes with private pools usually start around $25,000/week (+/-) and up. If the rental has a shared pool, the rate could be less. Budget will also generally predetermine the types of amenities, which is the next point to think about.
-
Amenities – What’s your wish list and your non-negotiables? Do you need a pool or a tennis court? How big of a yard do you need? Do you need a separate guest house? Are you traveling with young children and would you feel more comfortable if the pool has a pool cover? Do you need a central A/C or will you be ok with window A/C units, split units or fans? How many parking spaces will you need? Would you like to have an outdoor shower? Will you need to have access to a dock for your boat?
-
Location – Some people like to see the summer action right out their windows and others prefer a more private and serene setting out of town. Usually families who have children who can’t drive, tend to like to be closer to town. Deciding what is the right location for you can also depend on whether you will have access to a vehicle on the island or not and the type of activities you like to do.
-
Pets – Although Nantucket is a very pet friendly island, finding a rental that allows pets can be challenging. Some homeowners do not accept any pets and others consider pets on a case by case basis. Usually, there is a pet fee which is used for extra cleaning or any pet-related damage to the property. If you are planning to bring your pet, you should let your agent know the details about your pet such as breed, weight, if they are hypoallergenic or not, before starting the rental search. Also, it is important to inform your agent if anyone in the group traveling with you is severely allergic to pets. Finding alternative accommodations during the high season could be very difficult, or almost impossible. It is also advisable to think about alternative accommodations for your pets, in case your dream rental home does not allow pets.
-
Transportation – Bringing your own vehicle to the island has its advantages particularly when traveling with little ones or bringing extra luggage, golf clubs, or groceries. However, it is not necessary to have a car especially if you are renting only for one week. During the high season it is difficult to get car ferry reservations and advance ferry reservations start to get booked as early as mid-January. Some homes may offer transferable ferry tickets for weeks that are in high demand, such as the last week in July and the first two weeks in August. Other alternatives to the long “slow boat” ride could be renting a car on the island or riding the WAVE shuttle, biking or using local taxis or Uber.
These are just some general guidelines to keep in mind before starting your search. As you review rental options, keep in mind that rental availability is not instantly updated and real estate websites don’t work like you are making an instant hotel reservation. Most Nantucket homes are listed with multiple local offices which means that availability is always a subject to confirmation with the owner. Our team of year-round local agents can assist you with your specific travel preferences and match you with the right home, more than any online platform ever could. We look forward to helping you find your Nantucket rental home!