This would be a question better answered by VRBO customer service. Good luck in getting contact info. For them.

I think you have to take extra precautions nowadays with all suppliers. I have booked twice for Cabos directly through owners and once now for Sapphire Beach Resort in Barbados for 2016 - using a Bajan property manager.

So far, so good. However, when I inquired into a property through Flipkey the owner insisted on getting a cheque deposited to a UK account for a Barbados property - very suspicious. I found a bad review about water not being available; neighbour dog barking. When I questioned all this the next thing I knew the property was gone off the Flipkey website.

I deal only with owners or managers who accept credit cards now... that's the only way to go I think, although twice I did personal cheques to the VRBO owners - lucky I guess. I would continue to use VRBO taking all precautions.

The only way to highlight your listing is to pay extra for an upgrade or for advertising a special deal. Any enhancement to your listing will cost extra.

Purchase some time as a Featured Listing.

I am not sure I understand your question. Do you mean advance your position in the order of listings on the site. There is priority for certain listings on their site and I believe they have a section on the site that answers that question if I am understanding it correctly. It would be best to contact VRBO directly for an answer.