The importance of booking holiday accommodation through a letting agent

With the rapid and continuous growth of the world wide web, particularly social media, online platforms are now becoming the go-to for all our needs.

From directions, to restaurant reviews – we rely on the online world for so much, and big on the search list is property.

The festive season is here and holiday accommodation is becoming hard to find, especially in our busy coastal town which booms during this time of year.

To avoid having to go through rental agents, many people are taking to social media to look for private holiday accommodation deals, but this method often leaves many holidaymakers high and dry thanks to looming scammers.

This holiday season has already seen dozens of families from across the country caught out by scammers advertising fake accommodation in Ballito.

To avoid being a victim, here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking for accommodation, and why it’s so important to book through a letting agent:

If it’s too good to be true, it usually is

Holiday accommodation doesn’t often come cheap, so if you come across a holiday home being rented out at an unusually low price, be sure to do your research. Victims of the latest Ballito holiday accommodation scam thought they had hit the jackpot when they found a beach house advertised for only R750 a night – but this deal really was too good to be true.

Be wary of who is advertising

If you come across an advertisement on Facebook, channel your inner detective and do a bit of digging before jumping at the offer. Visit the advertiser’s profile, search for their name online (if there are any warning posts linked to their name they will usually pop up under the search results) or visit the local Facebook groups for the area you are visiting and search for holiday accommodation scam related posts.

Look out for ‘dodgy’ signs

If the person you are dealing with suddenly tells you that the offer price is a limited deal about to expire, don’t let them pressure you into taking the deal right then and there. Ask questions, request official documents, and if you live close enough arrange to meet with them. If the ‘scammer’ tries to avoid all of this by using continuous excuses, alarm bells should start ringing.

Check if the accommodation exists

Search on Google Maps, call a local real estate agency, have a friend who lives nearby visit the home or even phone the local SAPS to find out if there are any holiday accommodation scams involving that particular home – if you have any doubt, make sure you do everything you can to make sure the accommodation is legit before you go ahead with payment.

Avoid all the trouble and book through a Cyberview Letting rental agent

With hundreds of units available at some of Ballito’s most popular complexes, Cyberview Letting will leave you spoiled for choice when planning your holiday.

Their highly trained rental agents know all there is to know about the area, and will help you find the perfect place for you to spend your holiday – whether it’s you and the kids, your friends or a holiday with your furbabies.

The hassle free procedure to book your accommodation is a breeze and before you know it you will be settled in, enjoying a cocktail on the balcony while overlooking the ocean and soaking up the sun and sea breeze.

Visit Cyberview Letting’s website www.cyberview.co.za for a full list of accommodation, or give them a call on 032 946 0538 or visit them at 18 Compensation Beach Road, Ballito today.