Current USNA parents - website for house rentals?

[Gnarlygoat27]

Asking for a friend who has a family member interested in listing their house near the stadium for rent during commissioning week. Which websites does everyone use to find their rentals, or do you stick pretty much to AirBnB and VRBO? Thanks!

 

[Navy2025&27]

Asking for a friend who has a family member interested in listing their house near the stadium for rent during commissioning week. Which websites does everyone use to find their rentals, or do you stick pretty much to AirBnB and VRBO? Thanks!

Some have used Midsrent.com, they can check it out.

 

[Heatherg21]

I just booked our 2024 house for commissioning week from mids rents. Amazing experience so far.

 

[Capt MJ]

Just one word of caution - read fine print about cancellations, deposits, refunds, etc., whether it’s a well-known commercial site with established procedures for both renter and property owner, including clearly stated policies and dispute resolution (business support for which they take a higher cut of the rent), or a local small business. simply acting as an open marketplace and taking no responsibility for property-owner or renter actions. Look for the fine print that isn’t there.

I haven’t gone back to look for the threads, but in the last few years there were multiple upset posters who had rented a property through one of the homegrown local sites. One property owner had canceled the rental, stating repairs had to be made, and then a few weeks later, re-advertised it at a much higher rate, having figured out it was graduation. The original renters couldn’t afford it and found themselves scrambling. There were a couple of instances of the property owners keeping the deposits or half the deposit - I can’t recall if the renters were canceling because of COVID, or whatever.

If others remember those, please help me look for them. It was quite the kerfuffle, as it came to light the local company’s stance was the issues were between the renter and property owner, and they had no involvement at all.

Edit: I found one of them, the 2020 COVID year.
See:
Thread 'Home rental cancellation 2020 USNA Commissioning Week'
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...cellation-2020-usna-commissioning-week.74300/

 

[justdoit19]

Just one word of caution - read fine print about cancellations, deposits, refunds, etc., whether it’s a well-known commercial site with established procedures for both renter and property owner, including clearly stated policies and dispute resolution (business support for which they take a higher cut of the rent), or a local small business. simply acting as an open marketplace and taking no responsibility for property-owner or renter actions. Look for the fine print that isn’t there.

I haven’t gone back to look for the threads, but in the last few years there were multiple upset posters who had rented a property through one of the homegrown local sites. One property owner had canceled the rental, stating repairs had to be made, and then a few weeks later, re-advertised it at a much higher rate, having figured out it was graduation. The original renters couldn’t afford it and found themselves scrambling. There were a couple of instances of the property owners keeping the deposits or half the deposit - I can’t recall if the renters were canceling because of COVID, or whatever.

If others remember those, please help me look for them. It was quite the kerfuffle, as it came to light the local company’s stance was the issues were between the renter and property owner, and they had no involvement at all.

Edit: I found one of them, the 2020 COVID year.
See:
Thread 'Home rental cancellation 2020 USNA Commissioning Week'
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...cellation-2020-usna-commissioning-week.74300/

I have friends caught up in all that.

There is still one lawsuit I am aware of, where the LARGE deposit (maybe even full payment? I don’t recall that piece) is disputed. Owner of the property actually sold the house and has moved out of state. Making it even more tangled.

2020 changed how lots of things are done. People who had booked with Airbnb received their money back though the company.

From the USER end? I only rent via Airbnb. There are protections for users and renters. I had one stay go south, and Airbnb found us another (more expensive, no additional fees) one. Personally I prefer the backing of a large corporation.

@Gnarlygoat27 can you list multiple places? For renting to the masses, I don’t see how you can go wrong with the name branding of Airbnb.

I have a good friend who has a property she lists. If you would like to connect, pm me and she will assist.

 

[justdoit19]

Wow, that thread CaptMJ provided brings back memories! And that was only ONE experience! Take that times HUNDREDS. What a mess. For both the owners and renters.

2020 was a YEAR!!

 

[Jfmartin25]

For the last two summers in a row, we have lived/stayed in Annapolis while DS sailed for Annapolis Yacht Club's Junior Race Team. In 2021, we used AirBnB - and it was a nicely converted Garage attic just off Amos Garrett/West Street neighborhood. Location wasn't "great" and to enter the property, one was required to walk down the driveway, through the gates, and around back to the staircase beside the garage. It wasn't well-lit, the homeowners were always "watching" us and commenting on our activities when they would interact with us - it wasn't great - and this is the experience that I've had with nearly EVERY AirBnB. Not a fan. However, this past summer of 2022 we used a website called

Property Management

www.itrip.net

. We stayed for one week while DS attended USNA Summer Seminar, in a Dog-friendly apartment located directly across the from The Boatyard on Fourth Street, above "Details + Design" Shop. Great location, except parking was street only, which meant we parked by Davis' Pub, and had to walk. Later that summer, from July - August, we rented an actual house on Adams street in Eastport. Much more convenient, great for walking the dogs, parking in the home's driveway, even hosting dinner parties or walking to Vin 909! The experience with iTrip's Property Management was wonderful - Concierge-level class, and we will most definitely be utilizing their services again! They were able to negotiate on our behalf with the property owners, and adjust prices based on our length of stay and how well we maintained the property during our stay. Simply put - if you take care of the home you're staying in - don't trash it - be cool, pick up after your pets and leave the world a better place, they'll take care of you as well.

 

[Gnarlygoat27]

I haven’t gone back to look for the threads, but in the last few years there were multiple upset posters who had rented a property through one of the homegrown local sites. One property owner had canceled the rental, stating repairs had to be made, and then a few weeks later, re-advertised it at a much higher rate, having figured out it was graduation. The original renters couldn’t afford it and found themselves scrambling. There were a couple of instances of the property owners keeping the deposits or half the deposit - I can’t recall if the renters were canceling because of COVID, or whatever.

I have friends caught up in all that.

There is still one lawsuit I am aware of, where the LARGE deposit (maybe even full payment? I don’t recall that piece) is disputed. Owner of the property actually sold the house and has moved out of state. Making it even more tangled.

Oh that all sounds like such a nightmare! I can't imagine thinking you have your plans all set for a big family gathering maybe years in advance and then it all changes, maybe with not enough time to find something else, ick. I'd caught wind of this a little bit from a thread or two since I've been on here but didn't know it was such a big problem. Well I'll pass to her that AirBnB is the safest for her, with VRBO and midrents as suggestions too. Although @Jfmartin25 that is definitely concerning too! The owners interacting with you as they're watching you?! Oy . I'll just pass on all of these tips and let her figure out what works for them. I think it's a decent place that sleeps 11 not far from the stadium, she shouldn't have any trouble finding interest. She's just not dialed in to anyone currently on the Yard or experienced with this and I'm guessing it has changed quite a bit through the years. @justdoit19 thanks, I'll let you know if she wants to connect with someone on the owner end!

 

[justdoit19]

And I know this is a different focus…but for both owners and users: families will have 4 yrs by the bay. Or more (6 for us). We developed a relationship with the owner of the property we stayed at PPW. And have used her since. She actually gave us a 10 pct discount for re-renting. It’s a win win. She know we are good tenants, and we have confidence in our stay. 6 yrs in, she just texted me yesterday about a stay.

I’ve passed her place along to other state club members (another GREAT resource, BTW!!). So our state has kept her place booked for the big weeks for several years via referral.

So from the OWNER end, be open to developing a connection. It’s win-win, imo. I have another friend who did similar with her ‘room in a house’ stay. They actually became very good friends and she eventually stopped charging my friend

To clarify, ours is VRBO. To me, it’s the same, as they are owned by Airbnb.

 

[usna1985]

Agree with reading the fine print. In 2020, parents had to cancel rentals because COVID canceled graduation (at least parental attendance). Quite a few found that the home owners refused to refund their deposits / full payment in advance, which for some was in the thousands of dollars. Obviously, the parents were infuriated -- but they'd paid the money and signed the contract (which, I assume had a "no cancellation" provision without exceptions). I'm not sure how all the situations worked out, but there seemed to be a lot of unhappy campers among parents.

There can be all sorts of reasons that you, your mid, and Commissioning Week may not happen as planned. Some of those may arguably be "your fault" from a contract perspective (i.e., the mid getting kicked out before graduation or graduation being delayed) and some may not (acts of God, COVID-like occurrence).

Obviously, folks renting their homes want protection if you back out at the last minute for a reason within "your" control. OTOH, you want protection if something akin to COVID happens -- totally outside of your control. You want to ensure you understand who pays what if something happens, so at least you're prepared for the eventuality.

99% of the time, none of the above comes into play. But there's always Mr. Murphy.

 

[Capt MJ]

I just checked - Annapolis Accommodations is still in business, with a detailed website. Long before there was AirBnB or VRBO or other internet-based businesses in this space, this company was THE go-to local business in Annapolis for decades. as a natural outgrowth of a real estate company property management model. Between the boat shows, USNA events and state legislature, they serve the niche Annapolis short and long-term property rental business.

Worth adding to the research list for both property owners and renters.

Due diligence and risk analysis are key. Balance saving money with the protections you need for either side of the transaction.

 

[Capt MJ]

Agree with reading the fine print. In 2020, parents had to cancel rentals because COVID canceled graduation (at least parental attendance). Quite a few found that the home owners refused to refund their deposits / full payment in advance, which for some was in the thousands of dollars. Obviously, the parents were infuriated -- but they'd paid the money and signed the contract (which, I assume had a "no cancellation" provision without exceptions). I'm not sure how all the situations worked out, but there seemed to be a lot of unhappy campers among parents.

There can be all sorts of reasons that you, your mid, and Commissioning Week may not happen as planned. Some of those may arguably be "your fault" from a contract perspective (i.e., the mid getting kicked out before graduation or graduation being delayed) and some may not (acts of God, COVID-like occurrence).

Obviously, folks renting their homes want protection if you back out at the last minute for a reason within "your" control. OTOH, you want protection if something akin to COVID happens -- totally outside of your control. You want to ensure you understand who pays what if something happens, so at least you're prepared for the eventuality.

99% of the time, none of the above comes into play. But there's always Mr. Murphy.

I still think of one firstie from my BattO years who did something very stupid on his last duty weekend (military people would understand it was a series of absolute bonehead things you just do not do as a commissioned officer or someone days away from being one) as a mid, something that made the leadership have grave concerns about whether he should be commissioned or not in the Marines. He was hammered at adjudication and given restriction that extended well into the summer, but, with a great attitude and a vast leap in understanding of where the conduct bar is set, he was allowed to graduate with other deferred grad classmates in the small August ceremony in Memorial Hall. The worst part of all of this were the secondary and tertiary consequences, explaining to his fiancée and her family why their wedding, scheduled for the week after Comm Week, and all associated venue and house and hotel plans were now derailed.
I ran into him years later at the Mid Store on a reunion weekend for him. He said it was the best life lesson he ever had, woke him up, and he was still an AD Marine, still married to the woman he dragged through all of that, and is now very close with his father-in-law.

Murphy can not only show up to the party, he can be invited.

 

[USNAhopeful2025]

we have a place that we rent - and I post it on the FB group for Annapolis rentals. It is officially called USNA FAMILIES ANNAPOLIS RENTALS I have rented to only USNA families and so far it has been great. I would have your friend join the group and list it there. It will go quick!

 

[Gnarlygoat27]

The worst part of all of this were the secondary and tertiary consequences, explaining to his fiancée and her family why their wedding, scheduled for the week after Comm Week, and all associated venue and house and hotel plans were now derailed.

OH man, I'd want to kill him I'm glad he learned from it!

 

[usna1985]

The worst part of all of this were the secondary and tertiary consequences, explaining to his fiancée and her family why their wedding, scheduled for the week after Comm Week, and all associated venue and house and hotel plans were now derailed.

Marriage vows are "for better or for worse." This tested the latter before the marriage was even consummated.

 

[severn]

EBAsking for a friend who has a family memberA interested in listing their house near the stadium for rent during commissioning week. Which websites does everyone use to find their rentals, or do you stick pretty much to AirBnB and VRBO? Thanks!

If longer than a month, go to MBO, Military By Owner.

Weekly rental, use Airbnb or craigslist.