Rental homes can be a great way to save money on a vacation if you have a large group to chip in. From Vera Gibbons at Kiplinger.com, here are five guidelines you would be wise to follow before signing the papers on your summer rental:

¢ Always book through a reputable site – such as Vrbo.com or HomeAway.com – that provides pictures, contact information and insights from past renters. This will cut down on surprises like finding out the listing advertised as a “waterfront cottage” wasn’t anywhere near the water.

¢ Renting a vacation home is the most affordable and convenient plan for large families. But beware of hidden costs, such as fees for additional guests, pets, house cleaning, air conditioning and Web access.

¢ Oversight. “There’s no level of protection in this industry,” says Brian Sharples, chief executive officer of HomeAway.com. “You can try to get your money back, but owners and managers will rightfully say they can’t give it back.”

Typically, if you cancel within 30 days of your stay, you will lose all the money you’ve paid.