Had a business trip in Warren, so I figured I‘d give a Vrbo rental a try rather my norm of getting a hotel room. This particular property seemed pretty decent; 2 bedrooms, kitchen, backyard, etc. What could possibly go wrong?
Oh, so much. My first red flag was when the confirmation email asked that no guests enter the basement, while assuring guests that “no one would be in the basement.“ Ok…that‘s pretty odd. But maybe it‘s just used as storage, right?
Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed was that the pictures were strategically taken so as to avoid showing the state of disrepair to the exterior of the house, or the plastic covering the front windows. Well, whatever, I‘m not here for the cosmetics.
Upon entering the house, it became quickly clear to me that someone lived in this house and this wasn‘t just odd decor becuase it was a Vrbo. I can get over the seriously over-the-top collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia and even the ridiculously dated decor, but the children‘s toys in the closet and on top of the fridge seemed a bit odd. The framed family pictures in the kitchen? That made me think someone basically just packed up and left while renting the place out intermittently.
Still, though, it‘s a Vrbo. What do I care if someone wants to rent their house out to strangers? But the basement…
I‘m not spending 5 nights in a house without knowing what‘s going on in the basement, so…down I go, rental confirmation instructions notwithstanding.
Yes, at first, it seemed to be used as storage. Then I noticed the chaotic living room type area complete with blankets and pillows. And half-eaten bags of snacks. And then I noticed the clothes strewn about the floor. It looked like the filthy bachelor pad of an overgrown man-child that spends his days playing Call of Duty on XBox. But the bigger question was this: was he there now? Lurking in the darkness trying to avoid detection? Not gonna lie, it sure as hell felt like it.
Done exploring…back upstairs.
That‘s when I noticed the Buick Rendezvous parked in the garage. Seriously? Don‘t go in the basement, but don‘t worry, no one else is here? While there‘s a car parked in the garage? And it looks and feels like someone might peer out of the shadows at any moment to discuss putting lotion in a basket?
Nah…I‘m good. I got a hotel room, instead.
