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Step 1
Drive around the Cape in the off season if possible. See the different towns and look for homes in the towns you like best. Houses with handwritten rental signs mean you won't have to pay a Realtor's fee and may be worth the phone call.
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Step 2
Check online if you can't get to the Cape. Several websites highlight rentals either directly from the owners or through Cape Cod Realtors.
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Step 3
Set your budget and have in mind a set of vacation dates. If you're planning to visit the Cape from June through September, prepare yourself for some larger rental price tags. This is peak season and even that tiny house in Orleans can become expensive the week of July 4th. Consider an off season visit, but if you're set on a summer visit, call about a year in advance to book the rental property.
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Step 4
Ask questions about the location. If you're visiting during the peak season, having a place that's within walking distance of the beach is a smart idea. You don't want to spend your vacation in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Route 28.
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Step 5
Make sure the place can accommodate your family and has everything you might need. Several places don't provide bedding, towels or paper products. Find out where the closest grocer is so that you can stock your kitchen when you arrive.
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Step 6
Prepare to stay from Saturday to Saturday. Most places require you stay for a week, some have minimum stays of three or five nights. Some places are available for a month's stay.
