Short-term rentals for vacation travel have exploded in the age of mobile data. Whether you plan to stay in one of the cheapest countries around the world or a nearby town, you’ll find diverse property types and prices. But the internet is riddled with scary scenarios: bedbugs, last-minute cancellations, over-the-top host cleaning requests and bare-bones amenities. Worse, poor customer service has left guests scrambling for new digs. Whether you are booking a last minute year-end getaway or starting to plan next summer’s vacation, here are some tools and tricks for successfully booking short-term rentals.