Renters now have the choice to view before they book.

How many times have you thought of booking your very own Florida villa? Only to be put off by the thought of not knowing where it was relative to the places where you and your family or travelling party, want to visit. Resulting in you opting for the less flexible and more expensive option of a hotel, where you have to share the amenities with other guest, find somewhere to get breakfast etc etc. Or perhaps you have booked a rental villa before, only to be disappointed upon your arrival.
Thankfully due to the highly detailed imagery, offered by Microsoft’s Virtual Earth, it is now possible not only to view many of Orlando’s rental communities, in high resolution, but you can also locate and inspect individual properties within them. The quality is such, that you can even see the size and shape of a rental properties pool! Simply click the ‘Bird’s eye’ link located at the top left of the map, and the image simply comes alive.
Some of the many other functions of the application include the ability to allow users to rotate around an area or a property. This allows you to inspect the location or property from each side Roads names and titles can be annotated onto the map, thereby making it easier for specific places to be located.
It is without doubt the best thing since the introduction of virtual tours of rental property. Now not only do you get he feel of the inside, but you also see where it is, what is near and find out how far it is from those all important theme parks, shopping malls and golf courses, which can also be inspected in the same high resolution detail.
Whilst the imagery covers a large area of the Cities popular rental zones, not all communities are available in the highest detail at this time.
This however has not prevented one of the newest and most comprehensive Florida Villa Rental Sites from utilising the technology, for the benefit of potential renters, who can now see for themselves the communities and the properties within them.
Garry Brown Director of http://www.directvillasflorida.com/ stated that his site has 56 of their featured communities available for viewing using this fantastic technology. Which he said will provide visitors with the extra confidence they need to book their very own villa direct from the owner, and thereby enjoy all the comforts and flexibility that comes with it.

Unlike some of the other similar applications available today, to achieve the best quality images, there is no cost involved, and there is no download to undertake prior to its use.
To experience this facility first hand, use any of the following links;

Florida Rentals direct from the owner. (Choose a community then look for the link in the top right corner)

If you have any questions, click here

Florida Rental Villas. Are you getting the best price?

Before you visit your local travel agent, or begin your Internet search for a holiday broker in readiness for your 2008 holiday in Florida, take a moment to consider who is the best equipped to give you what you want at a price that is right for you.
If you are one of the many thousands of visitors to the Sunshine State, who prefer the luxury of renting your very own Florida villa for the duration of your holiday, and book through a tour operator, you may not be getting the best deal on your accommodation.
Many of the major tour operator’s sub let private rental properties, which are actually owned by people like you and me. Obviously this increases the cost o the accommodation, which ultimately is transferred onto the holidaymaker. The property owner however receives less income as a result of the tour operator taking their commission.
So how do you find out if you are getting the best deal for you? Well in an effort to show the merits of spending a little bit of time at the computer before parting with your hard-earned money, I have made some comparisons of my own. The following illustrations are based on a family of four, consisting of two adults and two children aged 10 and 12 years travelling to Florida during high season in 2008. All prices shown are genuine as of 2nd October 2007, and include all taxes.

3 bedroom apartment in, Kissimmee.

Thomson; £1820

Direct from the owner; £931.84 (click here)





3 bedroom 2 Bathroom Courtyard Villa at Tuscan Hills.

Travel City Direct; £1231.50

Direct from the Owner; £950.00 (click here)

4-bedroom 2/3 bathroom Villa located in the golfing community of Highlands Reserve.

Virgin Florida; £1330 (click here)

Direct from the owner; £1260 (click here)

3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa with pool, close to the major attractions.

Cosmos; £910 (click here)

Direct from owner; £750 (click here)



Other benefits of booking direct with the owner include 24/7 support from a local property management company, who in the unlikely event of any issues arising during your stay will provide an efficient response, without having to first contact the tour operator’s representative. You will be provided with the management company contact details, prior to your arrival, which will also be more direct, as there will be no requirement for any detour to collect the keys and directions to your villa.
Prior to your arrival in Florida, you will know exactly where you are staying, relative to the places you wish to visit, as well as the whereabouts of local shops and restaurants. This allows you the time to plan your holiday, thereby negating the need to attend the tour operator’s welcome meeting, and the customary selling of tours and tickets.
Dealing direct with the owner puts you in control of your chosen accommodation. So if you want a villa, which has a south facing pool, spa and views over a conservation area, then that is exactly what you will get, or perhaps you prefer a games room for the children, you choose.
Owners will tell you what is provided in their villa, so all those towels, which are ready to be packed in your suitcases, may not be necessary. If you have a young child, you will know what facilities are available, and what you need to take with you.
You may be travelling as part of a large group, in which case you want suitable accommodation, that will suite your needs, such as a villa which has two master suites for the parents.
There are just some of the benefits of renting your next Florida villa direct from the owner, an owner who has a vested interest in ensuring that their villa is prepared, maintained and contains everything which you and your travelling party require to have a memorable holiday in Florida.

To read more Florida related articles,
visit my exclusive blog on Direct Villas Florida.

Other titles include;

Look Before You Book.

Finding A Florida Rental Villa That is Right For You

Marketing Your Florida Villa The High Resolution Way.