When we decided to head South and work remotely for two months during the winter, we thought about what we wanted in a rental; a fenced backyard where our dog could roam, a nice kitchen where we could cook healthy meals, a bedroom or two for guests, a place for each of us to work on our computers, and a patio with a heated pool and grill where we could hang out and entertain.

My favorite sites for rentals are Vacation Rentals by Owner (vrbo.com) and AirBNB. Also, enter the name of the place you are visiting with the words “vacation rentals” for local rental companies. You can typically enter your criteria, for example: single family home, pet friendly, neighborhood, pool and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. For the best selection, start looking early. (Since requiring a pet-friendly rental narrowed our choices dramatically, we booked our rental 12 months before our trip. Bonus: The cost of our rental increased before our stay, but we were locked in at last year’s price.) Confirm the location, read the amenities and reviews, study the photos, read the bio of the owner and then tag your favorite properties. I quickly ruled out homes that were over decorated with knick-knacks, personal photos, too much furniture, etc. because that’s not my style and I don’t want to feel like I’m living in someone else’s house. I prefer rentals with a minimalistic decor where I can add my own touches with candles, throw blankets, flowers, plants, etc.

The next step is to message with the owner. For example, even though I only saw homes with pools I couldn’t always tell if they were heated or if there was an additional charge for heating the pool. This required email exchanges with several properties and quickly narrowed our choices. Also, some properties will give you a discount for an extended stay. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Some vacation rentals are investment properties that are professionally managed and completely cleaned out after each renter, while others are vacation homes for the owner. You can typically figure out which one your rental is by reading the owner’s bio. If it’s a vacation home for the owner there may be items left behind in the cupboards, closets, etc. Since the house we rented was an owner’s vacation home, we planned to spend the first afternoon cleaning and rearranging cupboards and closets to fit our needs for the next two months. As my husband and Dad unloaded the vehicle, my Mom and I pulled out the cleaning supplies and started scrubbing down the kitchen. My Mom pulled everything out of the cupboards and drawers. I put pantry items that were left-over from the owner (or other guests) that we didn’t need or want, in an empty box and tucked it away in a back closet until the day we moved out. Then I put the dishes, glasses, cookware, etc. I planned to use regularly in easy to reach cupboards. I wiped down the inside of the fridge and dumped the old ice in the ice-maker. Once the kitchen was clean, we were ready to make a grocery run.

Here are some of my tips for making a rental feel like home:

• Scents – I always travel with candles and room sprays, even to resorts and hotels. Since we were staying for two months, I also purchased some diffusers.
• Throw blankets – if you have room and it’s important to you, bring your own. If not, I usually gather up the blankets I like and throw them in the washer.
• Bed pillow – most people have a pillow preference. If you can’t bring your own pillow, check all the guest rooms until you find a pillow you like and switch them out.
• Knives & a cutting board – I haven’t found a rental that has good, sharp knives. Since I like to cook, having good knives is important to me. A paring knife and a chef’s knife should get you through the basics.
• Kitchen essentials – everyone has kitchen tools they use on a regular basis. A few things necessary for me are a good blender, YETIs, an assortment of spices, a simple citrus juicer, an ice cube tray (to make lemon juice ice cubes for my morning hot water), a cocktail shaker and shot glass. Check the list of amenities in your rental before packing (or touch base with the owner) to see if the items you want are already there.
• Hangers – if you usually need to request extra hangers when you stay at a hotel, odds are there won’t be enough hangers in your rental. If you don’t have room to bring hangers, check the dollar store once you arrive at your destination.
• Laundry basket – not only is a laundry basket great for transporting items, it’s nice to have a basket in your closet for collecting dirty laundry.
• Beach / pool towels – many rentals have old bath towels or cheap beach towels for using at the pool. If a big fluffy towel is important to you, bring your own or plan to purchase some at your destination.
• Personal bathroom products – most rentals do not supply shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. so bring your own. I also like to bring hotel samples that I’ve collected during our travels for the guest bathroom in case our guests don’t bring any.
• Cleaning supplies – most rentals have basic cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc. If you have strong brand preferences, plan to purchase your own once you arrive.

Now that your rental is starting to feel comfortable; it’s time to invite guests and have fun.

If you have any tips for selecting a vacation rental or how to make it feel like home, please share in the comments below.