Once you've settled on a Nantucket vacation, you're ready start the research phase of finding the
perfect rental.
Depending on your temperament, the vacation rental process can either be an exciting prospect that's
almost as fun as
the vacation itself, or it could strike you as overwhelming or confusing.
Relax.
Nantucket properties are beautiful, so it should bring you pleasure to look through gorgeous
photos of
these unique homes. As you sift through your options, you'll also have the opportunity to make some soft
plans for
your time on the island: You'll learn about area restaurants, neighborhood characteristics, and leisure
activities to enjoy
during your vacation.
The
Right Tools to Start your Search
Before you begin looking for a rental, it's wise to learn a bit about the island. Most of the restaurants,
nightlife, and
shopping
are centered in the
historic downtown district, with its cobblestoned streets and pre-Civil War-era architecture. In
general, less
bustling areas are found farther afield. For additional information, visit the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce’s website for
dining, shopping, and
entertainment suggestions.
Nantucket is small, but rentals abound. It's a good idea to focus your search either by
neighborhood
or by
price to keep from getting overwhelmed. Refer to the answers you gave to the questions in Chapter 1, then make a list of "must
have"
features, like
the number of bedrooms, and "nice to have" features, like your favorite luxury amenities. With
this
list in hand,
you'll be ready to adjust online filters and search properties to your heart's content.
Keep a scratch pad handy to jot down the property ID numbers or the addresses of the homes you
like
for
future reference. You can also register
online to save your favorites to pull them up with your login credentials at any time.
The
Rental Process
You can either start by making a list of favorite rentals that you would like to discuss further
with
an
agent, or call our office and speak with an Island Properties agent who will send you a list of
rentals that would
be a good fit for your needs.
It's strongly recommended that you book your summer rental as far in advance as possible, as high
season in
July and August fills up very quickly. Once you get assigned to an agent at our office you will
have
the opportunity
to ask any questions about the home or the area where you will be staying before you decide to
sign
a lease.
Our agents are very well versed in the different areas and nuances of Nantucket as they
are
all full-time
residents!
Once you choose your desired rental and the availability has been confirmed with the property
owner,
your
Island Properties agent will draft up the lease and send it to you for review via email. The
lease
will stipulate
things like the allowed occupancy, whether or not pets are allowed, and will spell out any
restrictions or
additional contingencies such as the number of turnover cleaning hours provided with the rental.
It
will also spell
out important payment information such as amounts and due dates. Please note, a lease is a
legally binding
contract - read more in Chapter 3
Typically first payment is due upon signature of the lease. Some rentals may be listed for rent
with
multiple offices and have multiple inquires for the same time period and homeowners generally
will
respond on a
first come, first serve basis. It is imperative once a lease is drafted up and sent to
you, to
get it signed
and returned to your Island Properties agent, along with first payment, at your earliest
convenience. Your
agent will go over this with you once they are preparing to send you the lease.
As mentioned in Chapter 1, there are security deposits required for all rentals and that amount
is
generally set at 10% of the gross rental rate. At times this may vary and include an
additional amount above
10%, for example if an additional pet deposit is required. This will be brought up to you
prior to the agent
drafting the lease. The number of payments and payment schedule will be spelled out in the
lease. All payments
are made by check or on occasion via wire transfer. Once you are provided with a fully executed
copy
of the lease
signed by you and the homeowner, you can officially begin the countdown to your Nantucket
vacation!