Orlando | Page #6

There are many factors to consider when buying a second home, such as location, whether you need rental income and of course, how much it will cost. One of the decisions you’ll have to make as you start your vacation home search, is how big a home you need. 

There are a wide variety of housing choices to consider in the Orlando area for your vacation home. If you don’t need a lot of space, you could opt for a one or two bedroom condominium. There are several condo/hotels next to Disney that provide the amenities of a luxury hotel with the ability to rent the unit out when not in use. Properties like the Blue Heron Beach Resort or Floriday’s Resort provide on-site management that takes care of cleaning and maintenance, as well as all interactions with…

When it comes to Orlando vacation homes, one Central Florida community stands out as the premiere tourist and commercial destination: ChampionsGate. Located just southwest of Walt Disney World in Osceola County, this 1,500 acre area is made up of residential, vacation home and resort communities.     

If you’re looking to invest in a second home or buy a primary home in Central Florida, ChampionsGate is an excellent choice. The community has a lot to offer home buyers, starting with two world-renowned golf courses, designed by champion golf pro Greg Norman. There are also plenty of resort-style amenities, including a clubhouse, aerobics studio, lazy river, tiki bar, splash park, pool, tennis courts and volleyball courts. 

Another reason why…

Do you dream of owning a vacation home in Orlando? What’s holding you back from making those dreams a reality? Could it be that you find the idea a little too intimidating? Believe it or not, it’s actually easier than you may think. You just need to keep a few things in mind before you make the commitment. Here are some things to consider to help you analyze your options. 

1. Match housing choices to your lifestyle – Many people make the wrong assumption that you must own a primary residence before owning a vacation home. But that’s not a hard and fast rule you have to follow. The important thing to focus on is matching your housing choices to your lifestyle. 

Perhaps you live in a big city and want a lot of space that is just not affordable where you…

There are a number of benefits to buying an Orlando vacation home at Bahama Bay Resort. This beautiful Caribbean-style condominium resort is located in Davenport, FL, just ten minutes from Walt Disney World. Bahama Bay offers a host of amenities for you and your guests to enjoy, such as three swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, a children’s splash area and a fishing dock. 

Bahama Bay has two restaurants on-site for those times when you don’t feel like cooking in your condo. There are also a number of excellent restaurants available for dining within walking distance, or a short drive. Here are a few of the best: 

Ovation Bistro and Bar – Enjoy home-cooked barbecue ribs, chicken, beef brisket and pulled pork with a cocktail in a warm, casual…

Are you thinking about buying a second home in Orlando? Investing in real estate can be both exciting and overwhelming. If you choose to rent your property out to holiday guests, that decision adds an element of stress too. 

The good news is that the vacation rental market has grown over the past few years, and the prospects for generating rental income have never been better. More and more vacationers are forgoing the traditional hotel stay in favor of renting luxury vacation homes. 

Here are a few common mistakes to be aware of so you can minimize your risk while maximizing your profits for your Orlando vacation home.

1. Not Sticking to a Plan and Budget – It’s important to do your homework before you make any offer on a property. Research the…

If you’ve been contemplating whether to buy a second home in Orlando, now is an excellent time to do so. Forbes magazine recently rated Orlando #2 in its list of the best U.S. cities to invest in housing in 2016. While rising housing prices and stagnant wages may dissuade first-time home buyers from entering the market, current economic conditions are excellent for investors who want to put their money into rental properties. 

Forbes teamed up with data company Local Market Monitor to compile the Best Buy Cities list. Orlando and the other top cities were cited because they boast healthy job growth, strong population growth, and anticipated home price appreciation. 

Housing prices fell sharply in the Orlando area during the recession as would-be…


Are you interested in buying an Orlando vacation home at the Encore Club? If you're interested in purchasing a luxury home in a community with amazing resort amenities, this is the perfect place for you. The 350-acre vacation rental community is located within the larger Reunion Resort complex, just five minutes from Walt Disney World. Encore Club will eventually feature 742 homes, of which 225 have already been completed or are under construction. The complex offers five to 13 bedroom luxury pool homes – all zoned for daily rentals, priced from the mid-$300’s. The community's developer recently announced that home owners will be able to start renting out their properties to vacationers, beginning at the end of February, 2016. 

Encore Club Amenities

 December 'data' from the Resort Market . . . 

The final update for 2015 revealed that 26 more homes sold during December than closed during November as 288 homes changed hands across the Resort area. The December median price was up 1.1% month on month to a revised $167,856 and up 4.1% from the December 2014 recorded median price of $161,237. The number of homes listed  for sale stood at 1834 which recorded a fall month on month in all listing categories as normal owner listings fell by 52 at 172. Bank owned listings were down 23 at 75 and short sales decreased by 7 at 35. Homes that did sell during December achieved an average 96.6% of the listed price which was unchanged from November but up 0.3% compared to December 2014. The average days on market…

Thinking about buying a second home in Orlando? You’re not alone. People buy a second home in Central Florida for a variety of reasons. Some buy a home as an investment, and rent it out as a vacation property. Others buy a second home prior to retirement, with the goal of living there once they finish working full-time.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to buy a second home, it’s worth the investment to hire a real estate agent to help you locate and purchase a property. Here are a few reasons why:

Fiduciary responsibility. When you hire a real estate agent, that person will look out for your best financial interests. This is especially important when you’re buying a second home. As with your primary residence, there are a lot of costs that go into…

Many Canadians and residents of states like New York, Michigan and Ohio spend their winters in Orlando every year – trading in the cold and snow for Florida’s balmy breezes and warm sunny skies. If you’re one of these “Snowbirds,” you know that Orlando has a lot to offer, including world-class theme parks, championship golf courses, fine dining and exceptional shopping. 

Renting a home may seem like a good option for part-time residents. But it may wind up costing you more in the long run. Here are a few reasons why snowbirds should consider buying a second home in Orlando instead of renting one. 

1. No Surprises – A typical snowbird can spend upwards of $15,000 to rent a home for 3-4 months out of the year. Besides the cost, the downside of…