The official start to summer is here. If you haven’t booked your vacation getaway yet, here’s some advice to consider before doing so.

Choose your ideal vacation destination: Whether you want to travel to the shore, the beach or a popular lake, there are numerous places to vacation throughout the United States. Once you’ve selected where you’d like to have your vacation, start your search online for a property. While it’s best to book your vacation early—often a year in advance, there are places to rent last minute.

Read about the property’s amenities: Once you’ve found a property that you’d like to rent, research its amenities. Are linens and towels provided? Does the property have waterfront access, a boat dock or other desired amenities? Vacation rental companies like Long & Foster Vacation Rentals will include details information on each rental property on their websites, so you know what you’ll have access to when you rent the property. If you’re shopping late in the season, be flexible and open to different options—many times a property is a good fit, even if it doesn’t check off all items on your “wish list.”

 Review the lodging agreement: Read the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, including your check-in and checkout dates and times, to prevent any surprises later.

Know the deposit deadlines: Typically, your rental deposit is due 30 days prior to the start date of your reservation, but this deadline can vary, so ask about the policies of the rental company with which you’re working.

Watch for cancellations: If your schedule is flexible, ask to be added to a wait list for a specific property. That way if someone has to cancel at the last minute, you might be able to book that dream home you wanted to visit.

Take a mini-vacation: Consider booking your vacation over a long weekend. While your top property might not be available for a full week, it could have availability for a shorter getaway.  

If you haven’t booked your summer vacation yet, now’s the time to do so. Most properties are going fast, but you can still find great destinations if you reserve your trip soon.

In addition, you might consider booking off-season. The crowds are gone, the weather can be awesome and the rental rates lower. You can see what Long & Foster Vacation Rentals has to offer for the peak (and off-peak) seasons here.