Look out, Rentalo. HomeAway.com is taking over the online vacation home rental market. A new round of $250 million in financing and the acquisition of 11 vacation rental websites make it a serious competitor. For those who haven't been to the site -- it's attractive, has more than 120,000 listings and is user-friendly to boot.
What's hot: The "Travel Deals" section is a natural magnet for travelers. I found properties (that didn't look unbearable) for $30 a day in Florida, tropical hideaways on Kauai for $85 per night and condos in Puerto Vallarta and Cancun for less than $100 per night. For something different, go to the "Travelers" section and check out "Travel Ideas" for lists of inspiration. I liked the Top 10 Most Unique Vacation Rentals, which included an igloo in Connecticut, a Bohemian yurt in Santa Barbara and a floating inn in Boston. You can also search for rentals the old-fashioned way -- by destination. Are you new to the vacation rental game? No sweat. Once you're in the "Travelers" section, click on "How to Rent" for a visual diagram and instructions with a step-by-step process.
