How to Make a Vacation Rental Your Home

The reason many people choose vacation rentals rather than stay in hotels is that it allows them to feel more at home and is often a way to save money. From being able to cook your own meals to giving the kids separate rooms, it's a great way to truly enjoy your vacation.

Most vacation rentals come equipped with full kitchens, entertainment centers, and outdoor furniture and grills. But how those are defined can vary widely, based on the owner's view of what constitutes entertainment -- a boom box with a cassette deck, anyone? -- and whether they've made any updates in the past 10 years.

So, if you have found a vacation rental in the perfect spot, with the perfect number of bedrooms and bathrooms, make a list of what else you need to keep that vacation running perfectly and for making your home away from home.