Judging by my own experience, this is spot-on: > When [home rental marketplaces] started, it was kind of wonderful to be able to book somebody’s house or apart

Judging by my own experience, this is spot-on: > When [home rental marketplaces] started, it was kind of wonderful to be able to book somebody’s house or apartment. They cared about it. They left you gifts and flowers and long notes about the best little restaurants in the neighborhood. > Now? I can’t remember when we were actually in somebody’s home. It’s always somebody’s side hustle. They own 10 of them and live six hours away and they don’t give a dead rodent about you. The decor is always Early Target. You got a complaint? Send an email and we’ll get back to you. Maybe by Thanksgiving. The median room in these marketplaces is converging to the equivalent of a motel room, but without any services or amenities. You're unlikely to get scammed, but if you want something nice, you must pay up... or stay in a hotel.