IF YOU RENT

If you're renting a house near the water this summer and you can'tsee the property in person beforehand, here are some questions youmay want to consider asking the owner or rental agent.

The answers will help you decide whether the house is right foryou, what you need to bring from home, and how much you'll have tobudget for extras like boat rentals.

(BULLET) How far is it to the water? At some resorts, all theproperties are waterfront; in other areas, you'll save a bundle ifyou're willing to walk a block to the beach. And in some places,adding a view of the water adds hundreds of dollars to the price.

(BULLET) If it's a lakefront cottage, and you have children whoare not proficient swimmers, how deep is the water? Is the beach orlake-bottom mucky, sandy or rocky?

(BULLET) How private is it? How far away is the nearest house? Themain road?

(BULLET) What are the busiest and least busy weeks of the summer?(In areas where school begins mid-August, rentals may open up towardsummer's end; in areas where school is in session until the end ofJune, you can get bargains in June.)

(BULLET) What happens if there is a problem with the facilities?Does the property manager or owner live nearby?

(BULLET) What is the square footage?

(BULLET) How many bedrooms are there? How many people can sleepcomfortably?

(BULLET) What is the price difference between houses for onefamily and houses that can be shared by two families? (You can oftensave money by getting a bigger house and splitting the cost.)

(BULLET) How many bathrooms are there?

(BULLET) How modern is the kitchen? Is there a microwave,dishwasher or toaster?

(BULLET) Are there stairs? If you have a toddler, ask about babygates.

(BULLET) Are sheets, pillows and towels provided?

(BULLET) Is there a washing machine in the house? If not, where isthe nearest laundry?

(BULLET) Are lawn chairs provided?

(BULLET) Will you have access to boats during your stay? What typeof boats? Are they free or do you need to rent them? What are thelocal regulations on wearing life jackets and are child-sizedpreservers available?

(BULLET) What is the fishing like and do you need to obtain afishing license? If so, how?

(BULLET) How hot does it get and is there air conditioning? Howcold does it get and is there heat?

(BULLET) Are pets allowed? Is smoking allowed? Even if you don'thave pets and don't smoke, if you have allergies you'll want to knowwho else has been in the house.

(BULLET) What is the refund policy? If dealing with an agency, iscancellation insurance available?

(BULLET) Where is the nearest grocery store or restaurant?

(BULLET) What are the local attractions and how far away are they?What do you do for fun if it rains? How far are the nearest movietheater and playground?

(BULLET) Are there blackflies, mosquitoes or deer ticks?

(BULLET) Is there cable TV, a DVD or VCR, or Internet access? Ifthere's TV but no cable, what is the reception like? What is thelocal cell phone service like?