Hot IPO: Is HomeAway Worth Buying?

(TheStreet Ratings) -- The vacation-rental business is booming. Who would have known? According to PhocusWright travel research, only one in 10 U.S. travelers booked a vacation rental or rented a timeshare in 2010, evidence that most people are still turning to hotels for their getaways. But as budget-conscious travelers seek out cheaper alternatives, vacation rentals are becoming a much more familiar and cost affordable option. With the market size for U.S. and European vacation rentals estimated at $85 billion in 2010, and with only 12% of renters booking online, there is certainly opportunity ahead.

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