Comparison
Stay The Villages vs VRBO
VRBO is a legitimate option for Villages owners, especially for seasonal rentals. Here's how the two platforms compare on cost, features, and fit.
Side-by-Side
The Cost Difference
On a $3,000/month snowbird rental booked for 5 months ($15,000 total), here's what each platform costs:
Stay The Villages
$125 – $300
First year (50% off launch promo). Then $249-$599/yr. No renter fees.
VRBO
$499 – $1,200
$499/yr subscription or $1,200 (8% of $15,000). Plus renter pays 6-12% service fee on top.
When to Use Both
For seasonal and snowbird listings, using both platforms makes sense. Stay The Villages gives you Villages-specific SEO (your listing ranks on Google for “snowbird rentals the villages fl”), while VRBO gives you access to a broader vacation rental audience searching all of Florida.
Use Stay The Villages as your primary listing (lower cost, better tools, you own the renter relationship) and VRBO as secondary reach. Just keep your availability calendar updated on both platforms.
Start With the Platform Built for The Villages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VRBO good for renting in The Villages?
VRBO has a strong seasonal renter audience and works well as a secondary listing platform for Villages owners. However, it charges $499/year or 8% per booking, and renters pay an additional service fee that inflates the visible price.
How much does VRBO charge owners and renters?
Owners pay either $499/year (subscription) or 8% per booking (pay-per-booking). Renters pay a service fee of 6-12% on top of the listed rate. On a $3,000/month rental, the renter sees $3,180-$3,360 after VRBO fees.
Can I use both VRBO and Stay The Villages?
Yes, and we recommend it for seasonal/snowbird listings. Use Stay The Villages as your primary platform (Villages-specific SEO, owner tools, flat fee) and VRBO as secondary for broader vacation rental traffic. Just keep availability calendars synced.