Vacation Rental Marketplace Focused on Whole-Home Stays
VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) is a vacation rental marketplace that specializes in entire-home accommodations. Originally founded in 1995 and now part of Expedia Group, VRBO focuses exclusively on whole-property rentals — houses, cabins, villas, and condos — rather than shared spaces, distinguishing it from platforms that also list private rooms.
Listing and Distribution for Property Managers
Property managers create listings through the VRBO owner dashboard, where they can manage availability, set rates, upload photos, and configure booking policies. Listings on VRBO also receive exposure across the Expedia Group network, providing additional reach without separate account management.
Fee Structure
VRBO offers two listing models:
- Subscription model — a flat annual fee per property (approximately $499/year)
- Commission model — a host service fee of approximately 5%, plus a traveler service fee of 6-12% per booking
Property managers with larger portfolios or steady occupancy may find the subscription model more cost-effective over time.
Channel Manager and API Connectivity
VRBO supports integration with vacation rental software and channel manager platforms through its API. This allows operators to synchronize availability and rates across VRBO and other OTAs from a central property management system.
Guest Screening and Payment Processing
The platform includes integrated payment processing and damage protection options. Guest screening tools and secure messaging allow hosts to communicate and vet inquiries before confirming bookings.
Market Position and Guest Profile
VRBO is particularly strong in the United States market and attracts travelers seeking family-friendly, whole-home stays. The platform's guest base tends toward longer average stays and higher nightly rates compared to some other vacation rental channels.