With summer upon us, many families will be searching for a variety of rental options, from beach homes to oceanfront resorts with pools. (Photo courtesy of Vacation Rentals Jersey Shore LLC)
JERSEY SHORE – Summer is fast approaching, and rental properties in the area will soon be attracting visitors from the northern tip of the state, New York, Philadelphia and more.
Duane Whatlington, founder of Vacation Rentals Jersey Shore LLC, which has rental sites in Long Beach Island, Ocean City and the Wildwoods, offered Jersey Shore Online his thoughts on the 2024 summer season.
“The Jersey Shore has always been popular. It’s a great place to vacation and it’s affordable. There are accommodations in a range of prices, from cottages for $1,000 a week to luxury oceanfront homes with pools for $50,000 a week,” Whatlington said.
He also noted, “There’s a wide variety of experiences. The Jersey Shore has a lot to offer that is unique, and every town has its own vibe that attracts renters to the coast. We’re committed to connecting renters and owners in the three markets we serve.”
Photo courtesy of Vacation Rentals Jersey Shore LLC
“We want to keep holidays affordable for families and with inflation going up it’s really important to save wherever we can, so on our website there are no booking fees when holidaymakers get in touch with owners through our website – we call this direct rental,” Mr Whatlington explained. He urged renters to be aware that booking fees are included and to avoid that extra cost.
“If you rent directly from an owner, there are no fees and very little tax. If you stay in a hotel, rent through Vrbo (a rental booking agency) or a B&B, you have to pay short-term rental tax. If you rent directly from an owner or real estate agent, you save on that tax and don’t have to pay a booking fee to the platform,” Whatlington added.
He noted that his website is a “virtual classified listing website that connects vacationers with owners renting coastal properties. ” “I think the Jersey Shore is a great tip for anyone who is on a tight budget due to inflation and the current situation and wants to enjoy an affordable vacation.”
“These two fees together amount to an average of 25 per cent of the cost of a holiday – so if a family of four spends $3,000 to rent a house on the coast for a week, they’ll pay an additional $750 in taxes and fees,” Mr Whatlington said.
Whatlington added: “$750 goes a long way – over $100 a night for a week’s holiday. That would give that family a reasonable dinner or meal out every night of the week – enough to cover their nightly expenses.”
Asked if the economy was causing some travellers to rethink their trips or cut back on the number of days they take to escape their daily routine, Whatlington replied: “There’s much more demand for shorter stays. It’s got to do with the economy but it’s also got to do with generational changes in holiday preferences.”
Photo courtesy of Vacation Rentals Jersey Shore LLC
“Younger people under 35 prefer to take a few long weekend getaways rather than a week-long vacation. But on the Jersey Shore, there aren’t many opportunities for that in July and August. It’s mostly weekly rentals during those months,” he added.
“Families are thinking if they can afford to take a vacation this year and my answer is yes – go to the coast. First of all, you don’t have to pay for airfare and transportation. You might have to pay for gas to get there. You can rent a house and live on the coast. You don’t have to go out for dinner every night. The house is well equipped and you can cook,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Vacation Rentals Jersey Shore LLC
“There’s lots of fun things to do without spending a lot of money,” Mr Whatlington said. “You can go mini golf, go to the arcade or go to some of the more affordable places to eat. There are lots of burger places and not too expensive places to eat. There’s also walking trails to enjoy.”
“When you visit each coastal town, they each have their own unique charm. I think a coastal holiday is a great option that people should consider,” he added.
