Planning ahead pays

Sorry to be gone for so long. Had some medical stuff to attend to, but that's over now and I plan (hope) to post at least weekly.

Recent client inquiries reinforce our admonition to begin your search for an apartment well ahead of your arrival date - six months is not to soon. We've had both planners and procrastinators lately, and the different results are dramatic. Here's a photo of a Barcelona apartment we just booked for a week in December:

This large 3 bedroom at the edge of El Born is perfect for the five adults in this family. But it's the only apartment of its type in the building, so by booking now the client beat out any other renters. This is the third time in less than a year we've booked this apartment, an easy task once people see the size, features and price.

On the other end of the spectrum, I've been fielding requests for an apartment for three in Paris, beginning Sunday! There are apartments available, of course, but the selection is very limited. One owner group we deal with has dozens of apartments throughout the city, and none are available for the requested nine nights.

That's another consideration if you are planning to visit one of these cities (or any others); the more days you will stay the less the selection, as your dates are more likely to overlap other renters. We just booked someone for 17 days in Barcelona; they requested a specific building and only one of the 13 apartments was available. Fortunately it was one they liked.

Here's the living area of a new apartment in Paris. We love this location, on rue Descartes. Lots of dining choices around, great cafés to hang out at around Place de la Contrescarpe, where you can channel the ghost of Ernest Hemingway, and a moderate walk to the Seine, Luxembourg gardens and other sights.

At around 125 euros per night in high season, this makes a great base from which to explore the City of Light.