The ease of vacation rentals has changed the landscape of lodging, but the process and experience are far different than booking a hotel. Here’s how you can prevent making rookie mistakes.

As I drive near the address of the vacation rental I booked on Airbnb, barred windows began appearing on the homes I passed. It was my first time booking a vacation rental on a solo trip, and I had turned down offers to stay at friends’ homes because I was so mesmerized by the photos of this property I found in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.

“Location, location, location. Be sure to check the description of your vacation rental’s location and how close it is to the attractions you want to experience.”

Instead of being at a centrally located home base to enjoy the neighborhood restaurants and bars, I found myself needing to drive everywhere and then searching for parking in the dark streets before sprinting back to the building. The inside was lovely, but I’m not sure I fully exhaled until I drove away the final day.

As I discovered through this experience, vacation rental homes range widely, not just in facilities and location, but also host interactions and pricing. But one thing is for sure: There’s no better way to immerse yourself in a community than by living in a private home there. So, I talked to vacation rental experts from Airbnb, Vrbo, TurnKey Vacation Rentals, Booking.com and Salista for insight on how to avoid first-timer mistakes like my own and set equal expectations to create a more meaningful experience for both sides.

• 1. Misunderstanding the Location
1. “Location, location, location. Be sure to check the description of your vacation rental’s location and how close it is to the attractions you want to experience.
• 2. Not looking at recent reviews
1. The community feedback, especially recent reviews, can be the most insightful source of what your stay will be like. “It’s a common mistake not to read the reviews carefully to ensure the property is the right fit
• 3. Expecting Hotel-like Services
1. Like hotels, vacation rentals range in quality and amenities, from trailers and tree houses, to mansions and villas, so know what you’ve signed up for.
• 4. Not Studying the Amenities
1. Find out what your home offers before you arrive. Some hosts and property managers have limited the amenities they offer in a vacation rental
• 5. Not Following the Rules
1. Keep in mind that these hosts are opening up their homes, located in communities with rules like any other, such as HOA regulations or COVID-19 measures. Vacation rentals have house rules about occupancy, minimum age requirements for the primary renter, or whether pets are allowed.

Remember that your relationship with the host can potentially be more personal and fruitful than with other kinds of accommodations.