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"Have you checked out Houfy yet?"  You should!

Originally written by Stephanie Libes Cole

Expedia bought VRBO and HomeAway. In 2017, an attempt to maximize their profits, Expedia  decided that the users of their companies,  VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) and HomeAway, will pay a service fee, a.k.a.  a "booking fee". This is to follow the model that AirBnB has always used. This fee, they say, is to pay for the website, customer service and advertising. For those booking Vermont Cottage Lake Amherst, the service started out at up to $399, then a year later it went up to $499, and now it is up to $599. Where will it end? Owners also pay a yearly advertising fee of $499 per listing. 

It didn't stop there- HomeAway/VRBO and the rest of the Expedia Group of OTAs (Online Travel Agencies)  found another way to get more money from our guests. The more people in your group, the more they will charge. Don't believe it? Below is a copy of a letter they sent to an owner asking why the service fee increased based on the number of guests, even though her rate stayed the same..

The service fee varies, depending on the cost of the rental and demand for the house. Renters find the service fee can fluctuate from one view to the next.

VRBO/HomeAway has also made it difficult for owners and renters to deal directly with each other. Contact information is kept from both renters and owners, and owners can be penalized for trying to take inquiries from the site, off platform, or to allow customers to book direct. The companies want their money. Is it really a deal? Before you inquire on one of these booking sites, know what you are paying for and decide if it is worth it. Wouldn't you rather have a discussion with the homeowner to see if the rental is right for you? 

Advertising. Security. Convenience. That is what the service fee is supposed to pay for. Many choose a privately owned vacation home because they want to deal with the owner instead of a customer service agent that has never been to the house; that is what you are paying for. Do you really want to pay for advertising to help them make more money? The current websites are notoriously difficult and confusing to use for both owners and renters. Is this what you are paying for? The website was maintained and functioned better, according to owners, before they charged renters a service fee.

Homeowners and managers are reporting that HomeAway has been quietly inching up the service fee, in some cases over 12%. "Since price is an important factor in determining whether a traveler books a property, it's natural to optimize and adjust the exact amount of the service fee," stated HomeAway's Community Forum.

Is HomeAway Quietly Increasing Their "Service Fee" for Travelers? - VRM Intel

 The truth is there is very little value they provide, except the use of their website. Owners pay the credit card fees and subscription fees, while renters pay to use the website. They are rated only 1 star by Consumer Affairs for service and quality. So why pay it? 

If you want fair and true pricing, check out Houfy.com! There are no service fees, so you pay less for the same home. The value you receive (for FREE) is direct contact with owners, TONS of information in the owners posts and guides, and an easy to use website to look at various homes, different seasons and their prices, and instant quotes. VRBO/HomeAway just can't compete! Check out our guides below so see what we offer and the information that is always at your fingertips!

Vermont Cottage Lake Amherst has 25 GUIDES

Alecia and her husband John are the owners of Vermont Cottage Lake Amherst in Plymouth, Vermont. You can call us directly.

John and Alecia are professionals who live and work in Vermont. They have 3 grown sons. Alecia with Rutland Mental Health Services, Rutland Regional Medical Center, and the Rutland City Police Department in Rutland, Vermont. John is semi-retired, but Alecia keeps him busy. Son Ian works at Hypertherm in Lebanon, NH as an engineer.

Alecia Armstrong - Profile

 The best part of Houfy is it's FREE! They never charge service fees, they verify owners, and they allow you to deal with owners directly. The next time you shop on AirBnb or VRBO/HomeAway or any of the big sites, ask the owner, "Are you on Houfy yet?" 

Houfy is an online network that enables its users to advertise properties, discover accommodations or find real estate for sale, and share or connect with their clients as well as make new connections on its social platform.

Vacation Rentals, Homes, Condominiums & Apartments, for Rent & Sale - HOUFY

If you ask me, I can say, "Yes! I am on Houfy!" Check us out! Vermont Cottage Lake Amherst! Make us Your Rental House too! 

To rent the entire place, go to this listing.                                                                                                        ~~~~~ 6/7 bedrooms, futon in upstairs getaway space & 4 bathrooms. 

"There's something nostalgic about lakeside cottages-memories of warm summer days spent by the lake, autumn getaways to see the spectacular fall foliage. Lakeside cottages are the de facto settings for big family gatherings, girlfriend getaways, and celebratory weekends. So shouldn't a lake cottage be a place that draws people in, wraps them up, and invites them to stay a while?"

Vermont Cottage Lake Amherst Plymouth, Vt. - Plymouth

To rent just the downstairs for smaller groups, go to this listing.                                                                       ~~~~~4 bedrooms ~ 3 bathrooms ~ Not available summer weeks in July and August

Call or email Alecia if interested: vermontcottage@gmail.com 802-558-0040 Discuss lower rates for less people Something different.......A step back in time! Cottage overlooks Lake Amherst for very pleasant views 4 bedrooms on ground level 3 bathrooms Equidistant between Killington & Okemo Mt ski areas Woodstock 30 minutes away Ludlow 10 minutes away We offer a unique experience.

Lake Amherst Cottage~Plymouth, Vermont

To rent just the downstairs for smaller groups, go to this listing.                                                                       ~~~~~3 bedrooms ~ 3 bathrooms  ~ Not available summer weeks in July and August

Perfect for a group of 6 people. 3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. Ground level in this gem of a lakeside cottage. Equidistant between Killington & Okemo Mt ski areas. Woodstock 30 & Ludlow 10 min away. Overlooks Lake Amherst for very pleasant views.

3 BR Cottage In Vermont Lake Amherst - Plymouth

To rent just the downstairs for smaller groups, go to this listing.                                                                       ~~~~~2 bedrooms ~ 3 bathrooms  ~ Not available summer weeks in July and August

Two bedrooms on ground level in this gem of a lakeside cottage. 3 bathrooms. Equidistant between Killington & Okemo Mt ski areas. Woodstock 30 & Ludlow 10 min away. Perched at the north end, home overlooks Lake Amherst for very pleasant views..

2 BR Vermont Cottage on Lake Amherst - Plymouth

Next time #Book Direct and $ave- The next time you shop on AirBnb or VRBO/HomeAway or any of the big sites, ask the owner, "Are you listed on Houfy?"

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Vermont Cottage On Lake Amherst &  Sanctuary ~ Pet Friendly ~ Fire Pit ~ Fire place ~ Between Okemo &   Killington Areas ~ Route 100 

Vermont Cottage~Lake & Sanctuary~Lake Amherst

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 LakeAmherstRentals~Good Woods Cottage~Okemo Killington~Dog Friendly~Hot Tub~Fire Pit~

Good Woods~Okemo~Killington~Dogs~HotTub~Fireplace

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3 BR~3BA~DogFriendly~FirePlace~HotTub~FirePit~Charming~Cozy~Unique~Vintage~Okemo~Killington

Forty Winks Cottage In Vermont

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Nirvana Sanctuary House~Fire Place~Okemo Killington 2 BR 3BA

NirvanaSanctuaryHouse~Fire Place~Okemo Killington

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Vermont Cottage Amherst Lake & Sanctuary 

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1 BR  Cottage  Fireplace~Lake Views~Hot Tub~Dog Freindly~Private

Get-Away Cabin in Plymouth, Vermont.

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Poppy's Cabin~HotTub~FirePit~Dogs~Volley Ball~Croquet~

Twinkle Cottage ~HotTub~FirePit~Fireplace~Dogs

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Born in the 50s. 

I spend too much time: Over-explaining what I mean.

Pets: My dogs. 

I'm obsessed with: My cottage on Lake Amherst in Plymouth, Vermont.

My most useless skill: Psychic pops I can do nothing about. 

My biography title: That time that  Hidden 

"Have you checked out Houfy yet?" You should!

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