Real Estate Information | Page #18

Real Estate Information

The January Team Donovan community reports have now been updated and are available from the following link:

                                                                                Community Reports

When you decide to buy a vacation home in Orlando, one of the decisions you’ll have to make is whether to buy a home with a pool.

Some home buyers don’t want the upkeep or expense of a pool. Pools do require regular maintenance and over time, repair. And they can be hazardous to young children. Heating a pool can also drive up your monthly utility bill. 

However, there are some very good reasons why it’s worth the investment in a vacation pool home, especially in the Orlando area. 

The biggest reason why you should consider buying a pool home is if you plan to rent it out on a short-term basis to holiday travelers. In that case, a pool is a MUST. Vacationers look for properties with a pool because it provides a much needed break from the crowds…

Vacation rental websites like FlipKey and HolidayLettings are probably the most popular way to secure guests for your Orlando vacation rental home. But they are not the only medium available. Facebook is a terrific tool to attract new rental guests, as well as to turn existing guests into repeat visitors and generate referral business.

One reason for Facebook’s popularity is its global reach. The social networking site has over 1.79 billion monthly active users worldwide! Since Orlando attracts visitors from around the globe, it’s in your best interest to make use of this marketing tool.

The first thing you will need to do is create a Facebook page for your vacation rental. If you don’t have one yet, you can set one up here. (include link) Unlike…

If you plan to list your Orlando vacation home on a rental website like FlipKey or HomeAway, there are several things to do to ensure that your listing stands out from your competition, such as having good photos and a good description. But it's also important that you have a process in place to collect guest reviews.

Why Guest Reviews Matter

Here are a few reasons why it matters for you to acquire guest reviews for your Orlando vacation rental. 

#1 - Plain and simple, guest reviews help you rent out your property. Studies have shown that 81% of travelers find user reviews important on travel booking sites.* Prospective guests read reviews to see how much other visitors have liked a particular property, and whether there were any problems with…

The December Team Donovan community reports have now been updated and are available from the following link:

                                                                                Community Reports

Orlando is a popular area for vacation home rentals since millions of tourists come here every year to visit attractions like Walt Disney World® and Universal Studios Florida®. If you plan to purchase a home to use as a vacation rental, you need to know how to price that property to attract guests. Price it too high, and you’ll lose business to the competition in the area. Price it too low and you may not be able to make a profit. Plus, you risk attracting people who may abuse your property as a cheap rental.

Here are some tips on how to set the best rates for your Orlando vacation home. 

1. Know your expenses – Before you can determine what price to charge, you need to know your fixed expenses for the property, such as insurance, taxes,…

Renting your Orlando vacation home is a popular way to generate income, especially if you don’t plan to use the property for your own personal use too often. Listing your home on rental websites like Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO and FlipKey are a popular way to help you generate interest for your home. 

If your home is located near Disney World, you will face quite a bit of competition from other properties in the area. Since you only have about 30 seconds to grab someone’s attention, using great photos of your home will help your listing attract interest. Here are a few simple tips to get the most out of your vacation home listing’s photographs. 

1. Hire a professional – The best way to ensure high quality, high resolution photos is to hire a…

Buying a vacation home near Disney gives owners an opportunity to generate rental income, since millions of vacationers from all over the world flock to this area each year. Savvy travelers are no longer satisfied with hotel stays. They prefer the comfort and convenience that comes from staying in a private home. That also means competition among rental properties can be fierce. According to TripAdvisor, recent surveys show over 80% of travelers would prefer to book online. Here are a few ways to make your listing stand out on a vacation rental website. 

1. Display plenty of great photos – Vacation rental home website FlipKey says on average, listings with over 20 photos receive more interest and bookings than listings with fewer photos. But don’t…

After purchasing a second home in Orlando, some buyers decide they want to change how they took title to the property by adding a family member or spouse, or even transferring the property to a corporation or trust. However, it’s important to know that such a transfer could create unintended tax liabilities. That’s why Team Donovan recommends that you consider how to take title to a property before you enter into a purchase contract.

There are several ways to take title to Florida real estate. Each variation has its own potential advantages and limitations. Here are the most common options to consider when buying an Orlando vacation home: 

1. Sole Ownership – Buyers who wish to hold property in their own names may use this form of ownership.…

There’s no denying it. You get just one chance to make a first impression on a home buyer. If you plan to sell your vacation home in Orlando, it’s important to make sure the outside of your home is attractive to potential buyers. Here are a few ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal so you can get the best possible price for your property.

1. Paint – Real estate experts agree that painting your home inside and out will be worth the investment when it comes to selling it. Fresh paint makes your home look clean, bright and inviting. If you don’t have funds to paint the complete exterior, at least paint the door, door frame and foyer or the first room prospective buyers will see. When painting the outside of your home, make sure the color you choose…