I’m an ethics pro – you should watch out for red-flag warnings in vacation rental listings or risk ruining your trip

WHERE you’re staying is one of the most important parts of a vacation and can make or break the entire trip. 

An ethics pro revealed the red-flag warnings you should look for when booking a vacation rental before it’s too late.

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The place where you’re staying is one of the most important elements of a vaction[/caption]

Sometimes you might get lucky and you’ll book a place that looks nicer than the photos in the listing but there might be those rare moments when you’ve been duped.

Reading reviews can help, but one person’s trash is another’s treasure and vice versa, so it might not be the best option to put all your faith in them.

If you really want to do some detective work, be sure to look out for keywords in listings that could be red flags.

Short-term vacation rentals seen on Airbnb or VRBO work the same way as regular real estate listings as there are certain words that can say a lot about the property without revealing too much. 

Here are some words that are the biggest red flags in rental listings.

ECLECTIC

While not a completely negative word, it could be used to describe the decor of a listing.

It’s possible the renter mixes multiple different styles on the property. 

However, it could also mean that the only way to enter a bedroom is by crawling through a window or that your bathroom sink is located over the toilet.

If you’re still unsure what the host means by “eclectic” even after looking at the photos and reading the reviews, be sure to contact them to ensure your needs will be met.

SECLUDED

This often means that the property is far enough away from other people that you and your vacation party can turn up the volume on the stereo without worrying about being a disturbance.

But it may also mean that you’ll be far from the nearest gas station, grocery store or hospital.

If this is a big concern, make sure to always check the distance from the property to civilizations – such as a shopping district or downtown area – before making a reservation.

The listing won’t always have the exact address before you book, but you’ll at least get an idea of where it is on a map. 

SECURE

Safety is a top priority for any listing, but why would a host go out of their way to include it in the description?

It could mean that a video doorbell is installed, but it might also be a hint that the home is not located in a safe area.

You’ll want to do some research on the area you’re staying in before deciding to book.

A great tip is to use Google Street View to check out the location if you’re concerned.

RUSTIC

This word can hold multiple different meanings depending on the person.

If you see a property described as “rustic,” you should check out the reviews to see what others thought.

A 150-year-old house might be described as “rustic” because of the quirks that come with a property that age, which some people will come to love.

However, if you’re looking for a more modern listing, you might be turned off.

In other listings, a “rustic” home could mean that there’s no air conditioning or it might have limited hot water or a weak wifi signal.

Some of these things might not be a problem for some but is a total dealbreaker for others.

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‘Rustic’ won’t always mean the same thing to different people[/caption]