<ul class="summary-list"><li>Reyes Corona, 34, is a construction technician and homeowner in Indio, California's <keyword id="12304766" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="coachella" source="Orion">Coachella</keyword> Valley.</li><li>Corona's normal rental rate is $180 per night. During Coachella, it jumps to $1,900.</li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Reyes Corona, a <keyword id="13645704" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="vrbo" source="Orion">Vrbo</keyword> owner in California. It has been edited for length and clarity. </em></p><p>In January, I bought a fully furnished, four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home in Indio, California for $545,000. The seller said she often listed her home on the vacation rental marketplace, <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/">Vrbo</a>, and that it was extremely profitable — including during Coachella, the annual <keyword id="11898471" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="music" source="Orion">music</keyword> festival in the area.</p><p>I remember thinking "Why not me?" So, I bought the home from her and began doing the same thing. </p><h2>The house was in great condition, and it even came with a detached casita with a monthly tenant</h2><p>I liked the way the former owner decorated, so all I had to do was buy some new bed linens for the master bedroom. Then, it was move-in ready. I live in the home, so when I rent it, I have to find another place to stay.</p><div type="image" title="Reyes Corona's house, which goes for $1,900 per night during Coachella." height="4500" width="8000" msid="90920031" hostid="261"></div><p>Ironically, the home I'd previously owned was directly across from the Polo Fields where Coachella takes place. Back then, I hadn't even considered renting out my place for the festival. I guess I should have. </p><p>Over there, they didn't allow street parking. But at my new place, you can pretty much park anywhere you want. You could even bring an RV if you wanted to.  </p><h2>To date, I've rented my home out five times for $180 per night. During Coachella, it's $1,900.</h2><p>It was early February when I first listed the property on VRBO for Coachella in April — $1,900 per night, with a four-night minimum around the dates of the festival. </p><div type="image" title="A headshot of Reyes Corona." height="2944" width="2208" msid="90920033" hostid="261"></div>Within three weeks, a group of four booked it for 4 nights. Two of those nights fall under my regular nightly rate of $180, while the two days closer to the event are running them the $1,900 rate. The renters told me they're independent contractors and working at the show, which is why they arrived earlier than attendees would.<p>Then, eight young concertgoers heard about my home through a mutual friend and booked it for 4 nights as well. They're paying my Coachella pricing for a total of $7,600.</p><p>I leave the keys for the renters, along with written instructions that include suggestions for local bars and restaurants. I also tell them they can call me at any time. </p><p>I've been to Coachella in the past, and it's really fun. I didn't get tickets this year, and it's definitely for younger people. But despite being 34, I think I could still hold my own.</p><h2>My parents live here in the Valley, so I'll be living with them while I rent my place</h2><p>I'll be with my parents for about two weeks. They charge me to stay there, which I think is fair since I'm making money renting out my own home. I also think it's my responsibility as a son. </p><div type="image" title="nside Reyes Corona's house" height="4472" width="6562" msid="90920035" hostid="261"></div>It's been a while since I've lived with them, so I kind of feel like a teenager again. I don't have the kind of privacy I have in my own home, and I can't do certain things like change the thermostat or I'll get in trouble. <p>During the day, I work for the Southern California Gas Utility, where I'm a construction technician and engineer. That's a fancy way of saying I dig holes, fix pipes, and look for leaks. </p><h2>Being a host has been a great experience, and I enjoy it</h2><p>Renting out my home is a great way to bring in additional income, and thanks to my home's close proximity to Coachella, these increased rates will now keep me worry-free about my mortgage for the rest of the year.  I plan to put any other rental profits into my savings, because you never know what's going to happen in the world during these crazy times. </p><p>I don't <keyword id="11896628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="travel" source="Orion">travel</keyword> much myself, so I've never had the chance to rent a VRBO. But having been on the other side, I definitely would now.</p><p>I guess you could say the closest I've come to renting a property is going back to stay at my parents' house. </p>

I make $12,000 in 8 days renting my home during Coachella. It helps pay my mortgage for the entire year.

Cabins are trending on VRBO and the home rental platform revealed the 5 homes most frequently saved to users' trip boards — here's a look inside each cabin

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/554cba9a6da8116661b0a52b-543-407/vacation-house.jpg" border="0" alt="vacation house "><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/boracayvillas/">Flickr/Boracay Beach Houses</a></span></p><p class="caption">Vacation homes can offer a more private experience.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Whether you're looking for a small apartment or an entire island, vacation rentals are a great alternative to staying in hotels when traveling.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">But with so many places to book a rental, it can be tough knowing where to look.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">To make things easier, we've put together a list of some of the top vacation rental websites and broken down what you'll find in each one.</span></p><h2><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/">Airbnb</a></h2><div><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">With over a million properties around the world, Airbnb.com is probably the largest rental site out there. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">It offers everything from a couch in someone's apartment to an entire castle or yacht.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">While some properties are exclusively vacation rentals, the majority of listings are actually people's homes, which they rent out. Travelers can select whether they want to rent an entire place, a private room, or a shared room. There are tons of options for shared rooms, which makes it great for travelers who are on a budget and don't mind roommates.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Airbnb also has a social component, where guests can review hosts and vice-versa, which makes it easier to feel comfortable with the exchange. You can also link your account to Facebook to see if anyone you know has stayed in a particular listing.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Airbnb doesn't pay the host until 24 hours after guests have checked in to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and there's also a </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">24-hour emergency line in case of trouble. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="http://alltherooms.com/">AlltheRooms.com</a></span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/555a5b2469bedd391135eb69-1044-783/all-the-rooms.png" border="0" alt="all the rooms "><p class="source"><span><a href="http://alltherooms.com/search#/?lng=2.3522219000000177&amp;lat=48.856614&amp;location=Paris,%20IDF,%20France&amp;city=Paris&amp;state=%C3%8Ele-de-France&amp;stateCode=IDF&amp;country=France&amp;countryCode=FR&amp;checkInDate=2015-05-27&amp;checkOutDate=2015-05-31&amp;parties=2&amp;rooms=1">AllTheRooms.com</a></span></p><p class="caption">AlltheRooms aggregates listings from several vacation rental sites.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Short on time? Search Airbnb, FlipKey, HomeAway, and VRBO simultaneously on this aggregated meta search engine. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The website offers 695,000 hotels, 2,400,000 houses or apartments, 51,000 rooms or hostels, 42,000 bed and breakfasts, and 12,000 cabins or boats for rent across the globe. </span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="http://campinmygarden.com/">Campinmygarden.com</a></span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1">This website is for the outdoor enthusiast, offering private backyards mostly in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Belgium, where you can pitch a tent.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Considering the low maintenance of the accommodations, stays are extremely cheap and start as low as 2 euros a night. The site also lists any events taking place closeby.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Some listings will provide tents with beds at a charge, typically anywhere from 10 to 15 euros. Each listing will specify whether it includes showers, bathrooms, BBQs, and space for caravans. Listers will also include when facilities have cafe, pubs, restaurants, and supermarkets nearby, as well as whether there is access to internet either outdoors or in the house. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">There is a chat service on the website if you'd like to ask posters any questions, and once you choose a listing you apply with your arrival and departure dates, group size, gender, age, and any information you'd like to provide so that the poster can make a decision on whether or not it works to allow you to rent the campsite. </span></p><h2><a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/">Couchsurfing.com</a></h2><div><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Are you looking to meet locals who can show you their favorite places in town? Then couchsurfing is the right website for you. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The online community offers host accommodations where guests can stay for free -  but of course they'll likely be staying on someone's couch or spare air mattress. The idea is that you get to meet and explore new cities with your hosts, making it a good option for backpackers. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Plus, many people who use the website end up hosting properties down the line, allowing you to build friendships with people from all over the world. </span></p><h2><a href="https://www.flipkey.com/">FlipKey.com</a></h2><div><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Each property on this TripAdvisor-owned site is ranked with TripAdvisor's five-star review system by real travelers who have stayed there. Travelers list the pros and cons of each property, and write about their experiences with each property.</span></p><p class="p1"><span>The site features over </span><span>300,000 vacation homes located in over 11,000 cities throughout the world. Because each property has such detailed reviews, travelers can feel at ease since they'll know exactly what to expect from their accommodations.</span></p></div></div></div><h2><a href="http://www.homeaway.com/">HomeAway.com</a></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/554cbd206bb3f76b69164646-631-473/private-home.png" border="0" alt="private home"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://luxury.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p11657vb">HomeAway.com</a></span></p><p class="caption">HomeAway has over a million listings internationally.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span>For a traditional private vacation home, head to HomeAway.com, where you'll find close to a million listings internationally. A large majority of the listings are in the United States and in Europe, particularly in France and Spain. </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span>Listings include everything from top tourist spots like Paris to more secluded destinations like Vicenza, Italy.</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">You can filter your search results by price range, date, or any amenities you'd like such as a pool or pet-friendly choices.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">You can also save properties you like and post reviews to rate the accuracy of listings on a five-star scale. </span></p><h2><a href="https://www.kidandcoe.com/">KidandCoe.com</a></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1">This website caters to travelers with children, offering around 500 global listings that describe how many rooms there are that are suited for kids and whether the accommodation has items like toys, cribs, or strollers.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The website was created by mothers and fathers who have gone through the difficulty of traveling with children. So, every listing is hand-picked and reviewed by the staff to ensure it's a great choice for children. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Amenities also typically include highchairs, nurseries, and even babysitter recommendations in the area. </span></p><p class="p1"><span>The one drawback is that their listings are quite limited, so you won't always find a wide selection to choose from. </span></p><h2 class="p1"><a href="http://www.onefinestay.com/"><span><span>OneFineStay</span></span></a></h2><p class="p1">This website provides <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/using-onefinestay-airbnb-for-the-rich-2015-4">upscale home rentals</a> across Paris, London, New York, and Los Angeles. Each home includes complimentary Wi-Fi, an iPhone for data and local calls, a welcome by a staff member to the home when you arrive, toiletries, towels, linens, cleaning service, and a 24/7 phone support in case of any emergencies. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">A staff member will also provide recommendations on local activities. </span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Each home is hand-selected and reviewed by members of the staff, and listings state what amenities you'll find in the property, whether children and pets are allowed, what you'll find in the local neighborhood, and homes that are similar to your current listing. </span></p><p class="p1">The website also includes helpful tabs like its "Last Minute London" section where you can find homes that are available for short-notice, or their weekly picks for New York properties. </p><div><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="http://preferredresidences.com/">PreferredResidences.com</a></span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/554cc700eab8ea0d587ab05e-684-513/private-villa-1.png" border="0" alt="private villa "><p class="source"><span><a href="http://preferredresidences.com/destinations?advanced=villa&amp;search=rezconsole">Preferredresidences.com </a></span></p><p class="caption">PreferredResidences focuses on upscale villa rentals.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">PreferredResidences.com is for those who'd like to stay in upscale bungalows, villas, and condominium rentals. The website works with a select number of partner hotels and condominium owners who offer listings. </span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Since the listings are connected to the company, cleaning services are typically complimentary with your stay. Transportation can be complimentary, but varies based on each location. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">You can search for properties based on the setting ("beach" or "mountain," for example), the style ("romantic" or "eco-friendly"), and the amenities and activities you're looking for. Services you can select for listings include baby-sitting, cooking lessons, and playgrounds. You can also search by activities of interest like biking, fishing, golfing, hiking, or water sports. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">T</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">he company also allows you to book last-minute spa reservations or airport transfers as well. </span></p><h2><a href="https://www.roomorama.com/">Roomorama.com</a></h2><div><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/554cbeef69beddee22d97cdf-884-663/roomorama.png" border="0" alt="Roomorama"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.roomorama.com/short-term-rentals/new-york?max_price=100&amp;min_price=50&amp;origin=homepage">Roomorama.com</a></span></p><p class="caption">Roomarama offers guest rooms in different cities.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span>Roomarama is a good choice for someone who isn't too picky, as the circumstances of your stay typically depend on the host you get.</span></span></p><p class="p1">That being said, while the website does offer rooms, you can also find entire apartments and houses to rent across the globe.</p><p class="p1">They offer over 300,000 listings intended for short-term stays, but you can find listings where you can stay for over a month.  </p><p class="p1"><span>The site allows you to search for a city or a specific property. When you find an option you like, you can submit an inquiry for the specific dates of interest, and once the host confirms it's available, you're set to go. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">They also offer sublet options, making this a good choice if you're looking for options that offer a longer stay.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">If you find that your rental is a disappointment, the company is good about handling reimbursements.</span></p></div><h2 class="p1"><a href="http://www.vacationroost.com/"><span class="s1">Vacationroost.com</span></a></h2><p class="p2"><span class="s2">Vacationroost.com lists managed rentals in America's prime ski and beach destinations like Aspen, Park City in Utah, and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. </span></p><p class="p2"><span class="s2">Listings include rentals in the United States, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, but a large majority of properties are focused in the US and Mexico. </span></p><p class="p2"><span class="s2">The properties are managed by the company, and you can coordinate rental cars, airfare, and activities in the location directly through the site. </span></p><p class="p2"><span class="s2">You can also put in your arrival and departure dates to see which locations have the best deals if you're not set on a specific place. The website also offers experts based in various locations who you can contact with questions. </span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.visiwa.com/">Visiwa.com</a> </span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/554ccc20ecad044c4d164642-518-389/island.png" border="0" alt="island "><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.visiwa.com/islands/thai-private-island-0">Visiwa.com </a></span></p><p class="caption">Visiwa allows users to rent private islands.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">This website focuses on island rentals ranging from completely private properties to those that operate like a bed and breakfast. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">You can choose from the following themes: adventure, affordable, luxury, and nature. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Some islands can accommodate as many as 80 people. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The number of people allowed and price depends on the island owner. </span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">You can find luxury islands in Finland, private islands in Key West and Tahiti, and bed and breakfast accommodations in unexpected locations like a lighthouse in Norway. </span></p><p class="p1">Each listing has tips on the best way to get to the island, minimum stay requirements, the number of people accepted for the property, and a list of any included amenities like a butler, breakfast, and transportation. Some listings even include video tours so you can get an up-close look at the facilities. </p><h2><a href="http://www.vrbo.com/">VRBO.com</a></h2><div><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Created by the makers of HomeAway.com, VRBO focuses on United States rental options, making it the best option if you're looking for popular American getaways like Palm Springs or Maui. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">You can search the website's close to 200,000 listings based on the destination, dates, and number of rooms, but not by price. So, it's not the best bet if you're short on time, as you'll also need to scroll through each listing one by one to see specific details. </span></p></div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/most-exotic-hotels-world-2014-12">The 5 Most Exotic Hotels In The World</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="c3anc2cjo3SxPS9DPXSS0WEROnuWesYf" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'c3anc2cjo3SxPS9DPXSS0WEROnuWesYf',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

You Searched For "vrbocom" and got 3 results

I make $12,000 in 8 days renting my home during Coachella. It helps pay my mortgage for the entire year.

Jenny Powers

Cabins are trending on VRBO and the home rental platform revealed the 5 homes most frequently saved to users' trip boards — here's a look inside each cabin

Emily Hein

How to decide which vacation rental site to use

Talia Avakian