Travel Tips and Long-Term Rental Q&A with Suzan Haskins

[VHULICK 0]

It was not clear this was not going to be a live Q&A on zoom or Teams - this text style is not helpful. Sorry, but very disappointed.

[HPAREK 0]

I have been on this website for 30 minutes. I don't know what is going on. This is crazy. Why not have a zoom meeting where there is sound and you know what's going on

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

Start by reaching out to IL correspondents: Italy@InternationalLiving.com and France@InternationalLiving.com. And join specific Facebook groups such as "Expats in Florence" -- just search FB for the communities you will visit.

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

I start with Google lights and Kayak. I use the flexible date functions. And once I find some options, I go directly to the airline and search further. I ALWAYS book directly with the airline and not third-party vendors cause if you get stuck along the way, the airline is always your best resource to get you unstuck.

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

Flexible dates is the best option...and play around with Google flights.

[CINMCCONNELL]

hi
i really wanted to get on this discussion but it wont let me in. I'm moving to Portugal with a target date of October 2024. My target area is Porto and vicinity. i need a rental that will allow two dogs and will begin looking at real estate for purchase over the following six months.
I'm a comfortably retired, female senior citizen, divorced. I'll be attending the IL conference in April in Portugal but would like to have some real estate advice prior to that.
regards
cynthia Munger, VIP member

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

I think this Q is better suited for the real estate experts, so I will ask our tech guys to move it there...

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

It has been a long while since I have been to Argentina but I loved Buenos Aires and Mendoza...and when I go back, I'd like to see Barriloche.

[MODOWD]

Hey Lynn here from IL, Suzan will get to your question shortly, we're having some technical issues. Thanks for your patients.

[MODOWD]

Hey Lynn here from IL, Suzan will get to your question shortly, we're having some technical issues. Thanks for your patients.

[MMILLER950]

I'm looking for a one month rental this fall on Malta
anyone with suggestions, please
let me know

[HTANDIAMA 0]

Hello IL Team,
I suggest that future Q&A sessions on travel topics, with experts like Suzan Hazkins, should be conducted on a live video session on Zoom or other video conferencing platforms. This would make the session more interactive and allow participants to engage in real-time. I believe this would be appreciated by the members and look forward to it. Thank you!

[ZACITALIA]

I agree, this is a horrible format, many questions remain unanswered. And surely most of us are very familiar with Airbnb, I was hoping for other rental suggestions rather than being asked to google my own questions. Why have an "expert" in a Q&A who doesn't have the knowledge to give answers?

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

@JOROBB17-0 Hi there, my husband and I will be your neighbors! We, too, bought at Monte Rocella. I’d suggest two things: Grab a copy of Medicare for Travelers in the IL online bookstore, written by Ron Elledge. He is a Medicare specialist and can help guide you to the best supplement plan that will cover your overseas emergencies. And secondly, join a Facebook group for Baja expats (with a focus on Cabo) and see which doctors are most recommended by expats already living there. That’s a good way to start accumulating on-the-ground resources.

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

@ELEANOR-ANGONE-0 HI Eleanor, you can start by looking on AirBnB, VRBO, etc. Keep in mind that in Panama City, some rentals legally require a minimum stay of 45 days. Others do not. Another option is to look at local realtor websites—they often have rentals. Look by location...in other words, Google “rentals Coronado.”

Another good resource is Facebook. I’m a member of a group called “Panama Real Estate Buy Sell Rent,” and you’ll often find properties there. And join specific Facebook groups such as “Expats in Coronado, Panama” and ask for rental agent recommendations

[SUZANHASKINS 0]

@SJE120656-0 Hi Susan, the answer is too long to do justice to here, but IL is just finishing up a report that should help you. You’ll need to get their health report and certificate of vaccinations done just before you travel. And of course, reserve a spot for them on your airline well ahead of time. There are lots of services that help with this kind of thing. Google “overseas pet transport” to get started.

[PAULBETTY75]

Suggestion: Have your speaker do a live Zoom or similar in person and answer the main questions once. She had to give the same answer more than a dozen times, albeit for diff locations. This was clumsy and less than practical. Hoping you utilize a better, more efficient process next time.

[SHANA1DAWN45 0]

9am EST is much to early fornme in Alaska. Is a recorded version going to be posted on the member site? I am interested in the rental portion of this forum. i am hoping to relocate to Portugal next year.
Mary, in Alaska

[IL Moderator]

Hi @CVSTAMPER

We've checked in with Suzan to get an answer to your question, this was her response,

When it comes to long-term rentals, it is best to work directly with an owner and not go through a real estate agent at all if you are looking to secure the best price. An agent has to make money, too, and they usually do that by charging some type of commission or fee which the owner will typically pass along to you. The best way to find a rental is in person. Unless I had a friend or associate who could go and check out a property I would not rent without seeing it in person. When you are on the ground, you can walk the neighbourhood where you are looking to rent and often find signs in windows/on doors, etc. Many locales—especially the most popular expat destinations— will have Facebook groups devoted to long-term rentals. Just search, for example, "Lake Chapala real estate and rentals” or some version of that…or start with “Portugal expats” and then ask if there are any FB groups specifically for rentals in the country.. Once you have found and seen (in person) a property that you wish to rent, let the negotiation begin. If you are working with an agent, there is no harm asking if you can be put in touch with the owner. If not, you will have no recourse but to work through the agent. One negotiation strategy is to offer to pay several months worth of rent in advance in exchange for a sizable discount. Be sure to have a local attorney (one NOT associated with the owner or agent) look over your contract. Make that contract as specific as possible as to your responsibilities and owners responsibilities. Never be afraid to walk away if you can’t agree on terms.

[IL Moderator]

Hi @PEACHY-IRAL

We've checked in with Suzan to get an answer to your question, this was her response,

This is the age-old dilemma everywhere in the world…one-way rentals also come with huge drop-off fees. And sometimes, taking a vehicle across a border adds to those fees. That’s why I prefer to travel by plane, train, or bus. It’s far more relaxing and often more affordable. Once I am in a city, I have no need for a car. If you are intent on renting a car, though, sometimes if you rent for an extended amount of time, you may get a discount. Here is a website with some info you may find helpful: https://www.autoeurope.com/travel-tips/one-way-car-rental/