Vacation Rentals by Owners Gaining Popularity

Dying to give visiting relatives the real Petaluma experience? Book their lodgings in a restored chicken coop, an artist’s studio with a flock of sheep for neighbors or a getaway suite at a mountaintop retreat.

In addition to off-the-freeway motels or national chains, there is a growing group of Petaluma residents posting vacation homes for rent on vrbo.com, which stands for Vacation Rental by Owner.

Whether it is a sign of the tough economic times, or just a burst of creative inn-keeping, Petaluma is developing into a destination where owners offer uber-cool digs to tourists.

In the past five years, VRBO listings in Petaluma have grown from a handful to nearly 20.

“A lot of people I see are coming to see new grandchildren or they are visiting here to take training or a seminar,” said Mary Durney, a Petaluma resident who owns a rural craftsman’s bungalow that she rents out on the site.

Established in 1995 and founded by vacation rental owners who self-managed their second homes or properties, vrbo.com provides an online platform for homeowners and property managers to advertise vacation properties. With a few clicks travelers can search more than 160,000 rentals in over 100 countries.

"I had always wanted to be a tour guide," said Durney, whose property includes two houses, a barn and a studio. “Our vacation rental allows me to share this area I love with visitors. It’s hard work, but it’s really a joy.”

Do the clean lines of the streamlined Decarli House on I Street fascinate you? You're in luck because the property is listed as an eco-modern getaway starting at $430 a night.

And speaking of streamline, have you ever wanted to check into a tricked out Airstream “Bambi” travel trailer? There’s one for rent next to the Metro Hotel starting at $99 per night. It comes with a big flat screen HD TV and surround sound, maid service, a garden patio, complimentary organic coffee and free Internet.

If that’s camping, count me in.

Other rental properties on vrbo.com include a small ranch house on the property of famous culinary family - the Webers of fame, a hand-crafted artists cottage created by Aaron Crespi of , studios set amid crops with livestock for neighbors and sleek guest studios with pool privileges.

Patricia Haramati’s home near 7^th and G streets is a VRBO rental by necessity.

While one of her grown sons is doing graduate work in Mexico, the family turned it into a rental. They are working toward the day when her son will return and take over the mortgage.

The Haramati’s think of it as a labor of lovely necessity.

“I love meeting people and I love this area and I make it a point to highlight all that Petaluma has to offer. There’s in the 1960’s fridge. There’s in the freezer. And I tell every visitor about back roads to the most beautiful places,” said Haramati.

The home her kids grew up in is simple country, which includes line drying linens and leaning bicycles up against the fence. The retro kitchen looks like it jumped from an episode of “I Love Lucy.”  With all the modern amenities, it still manages to convey what wine country living was originally.

“Renting this house is what will keep it in the family, we hope. I tell my son that I’m so tired. It’s a lot of work! But I’m not complaining. Our family is living in the moment and working together,” she said.