These rental contracts contain a lot of fine print you won't find in a hotel, including limits on the number of guests and a ''no parties'' clause. Which is completely understandable. Wouldn't you do the same if it were your place? But still, renting someone's home isn't for the faint-of-heart. It's a lot of responsibility, more responsibility than staying at a hotel.

SINCE THE LODGING IS NONTRADITIONAL ...: One of the things that surprised me the most when I researched this column was that there's no one right way to find a vacation rental. Chris Hosford found a lovely rental cottage in Hawaii by running a simple online search for Molokai rentals. ''It wasn't much more expensive than a nice hotel room and far more pleasant,'' remembers the vice president for a car company based in Fountain Valley, Calif. ``I had a private pool for my fiancee and I to lounge around, a full kitchen, which we used on several occasions, great living room to relax in and it was only a short drive to several beautiful beaches.''

Other travelers have used a more personal touch. When Karen Kinnane meets someone new while she's traveling, she invites them to stay in her home when they come to the States. The hospitality is reciprocated. ''I've stayed twice in a palace in India with complete household staff, and a daily ride on a polo pony, attended all functions of an Indian wedding and a funeral, just like a member of the family,'' she told me. ''I've stayed half a dozen times in a cottage on a multi-thousand acre estate outside of Dover, England.'' Now that's my kind of vacation home.

DON'T RULE OUT THE ALTERNATIVE: Sometimes the best vacation rental is a hotel. On a recent trip to California, I had the opportunity to experience two vacation rentals followed immediately by a traditional hotel. I thought the first two homes in San Diego and Lake Arrowhead were terrific, and since I had members of the extended family staying with me, it was extremely practical and cost-efficient.

But once they all left, we downsized to a room at an Aloft hotel. There were certain advantages to staying at the property, including daily maid service, amenities like a gym and pool, and not having to worry about turning the water off when I checked out. Then again, I had no kitchen to prepare any meals in, so we were forced to sustain our family on deep-dish pizzas from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse and In-N-Out burgers. Still, it's important to keep an open mind about your accommodations. Sometimes, the tried-and-true is what will work for you.

Finding the perfect vacation rental doesn't have to be difficult. By conducting a search online and offline, knowing some of the paperwork pitfalls, and keeping an open mind, you can narrow your choices to the perfect property.

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