When going on vacation, you not only need to decide where you are going, but where you are going to stay as well. For most people, this means a hotel. For others, it's a penthouse suite, and more still a beach house. But whether you roll with a tight budget, or prefer living in luxury, vacation home rentals are a great alternative to the busy crowds that you deal with at most hotels.

In many cases, a home can be rented for less than a hotel, and the advantages are obvious: a peaceful home to yourself with no pesky neighbors on the other side of the wall. Vacation homes can also come with several upgrades that simply aren't available with most hotels:

- Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Onsite staff, including maids and cooks.
- Private laundering area.
- Private swimming pool.
- Full-sized kitchen, dining area, and living room.

Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect vacation home to fit your budget.

Use a virtual vacation home rental agent online

New services from online companies utilizing real-time database technologies allow you to search thousands of vacation home listings online with ease. Wherever you are looking to vacation, modern technology allows you to find the perfect vacation home in a snap.

Know what you're getting into

Always check pictures of a vacation home rental before committing to one. Unlike hotel rooms, vacation home rentals are privately owned homes, and every house differs. Make sure that the house you rent has the amenities you want, will provide you with appropriate comforts, and isn't some shack on a mud hill.

Not all vacation home sites provide photos. If you aren't able to get photos, try contacting the home owner directly to ask if they can email some updated photos to you.

Know the location

This may seem like an obvious one, but you'll always want to check and see how far away you'll be from the attractions you plan on attending while on vacation. For example, if you're vacationing in Las Vegas, the farther away you get from the strip and major hotels, the cheaper your rental might be. But you'll also have to do more travelling to see a show, go gambling, or enjoy the many rides available on the strip.

Check the available services that come with it

If you want an onsite cook to make you meals while you're there, you'd better be sure that one is provided. Want jetted tubs in every room, a private backyard swimming pool, laundry service, or high speed wireless Internet access? These are things that you want to look into before making your reservation.

Once you've tried out a vacation home and become accustomed to the advantages, you might not ever stay in a hotel room again!