HomeEscape.com is relatively new but with the new Expedia Service charges on HomeAway/VRBO, the homeowners are moving over to HomeEscape in droves. Over the next year as the HomeAway subscriptions expire many of the homeowners will not renew with HomeAway if HomeEscape turns into a good alternative. In general we (homeowners) are pretty upset that Expedia is going to make over 4Billion in added income from our customers just in the first year of the fee, if folks continue to book through them. Many of us will feel pressure to lower our rental income but if you only knew our expenses you would know this is not really a big money maker for us - personally, these fees will actually put us well into the red. So, for our guests and ourselves, HomeAway will no longer be a site we do business with once our subscription expires. And, though we used to rent through them at least once a year, we're done with that as of now.

As an owner I am significantly dismayed by Homaway's disregard for its core business, but understand the business has changed since the expedia buyout. That said, my challenge is do I find an advertising venue in the vacation rental space or simply revert to traditional rental models. In my market space with sub 1% vacancies the options are open and still profitable without the annoyance of corporate greed.

Thanks for the heads up about HomeEscape. Anyone else know of other sites too? Please post all present and new sites that come as competitors. They are actually telling people they dont have to pay the fee but I dont see anywhere any of my renters can opt out of it. If there is a lawsuit, Ill be glad to link up to it. Let me know guys.

Since Home Away is currently the site most vacationers go to and I like their service, I will continue to list our condo with them. I will list on other sites as well and watch results for comparison.