What's Open for Business in Orlando

The Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on life in Central Florida. Here is a rundown on what’s closed and open in the Orlando area as of March 24, 2020: 

Theme Park Closures

Walt Disney World - the theme parks and water parks are closed through March 31, 2020. All locations at Disney Springs are temporarily closed. 

Universal Orlando - the  theme parks, hotels and Universal CityWalk are temporarily closed. Universal says it anticipates remaining closed through March 31 – but will continue to evaluate the situation. Guests can call this number for more information: (877) 801-9720.

Sea World Orlando - our theme parks, effective March 16, through the end of the month. Guests can obtain the latest information on park operations by…

Orlando Real Estate Market News - March 2020

February 'financials' From The Resort Area...   The average price of a resort area home is 9.8% higher than a year ago rising from $216,125 to $237,469 after having achieved an average of 97.4% of the listed price and closing after 98 days on the market. This compares to the 97.5% and 101 days average respectively being achieved one year ago. The total number of homes available for purchase across the resort area during February stood at 1,385 which was down 1% below levels a year ago of 1,369 and also down 58 homes from last months inventory total of 1,443. Total number of homes under offer/contract at the end of February stood at 594 which compares to a 521 pipeline in February 2019 and 479 last month whilst 54 homes were withdrawn from the market…

Why Buy a Vacation Home Near Universal Orlando

Central Florida's thriving real estate market is giving today’s buyers of Orlando vacation homes a chance to benefit from developments that draw even more visitors each year. Orlando is home to popular theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and LegoLand. 

Universal is poised to give Disney some serious competition for tourist dollars in the next few years. It's already one of the most popular attractions for visitors from all over the world, featuring Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks, along with premier shopping, dining, and entertainment options for the whole family.

Holiday homes near Universal Orlando can help you get the maximum value out of your investment. You can own a home that attracts visitors…

Why Buy a Vacation Home in Orlando vs. Miami

Where you buy your vacation home can be one of the biggest decisions to make when purchasing a home that helps you achieve your financial goals. Florida is one of the most popular travel spots in the world, and home investors looking for the best condos to buy near Disney World know the demand is high for homes that put guests close to popular attractions.

Orlando and Miami offer a high quality of life and easy access to popular destinations. But which location is best for buying a vacation home you can enjoy and rent out to paying guests as an additional source of income?

The Growing Real Estate Market in Orlando

Investors from Asia, Latin America, Canada, and other parts of the world have been moving in on Florida properties for quite some…

Why 2019 is the Time to Buy a Second Home in Orlando

Orlando short-term rentals let home buyers take advantage of the growing short-term rental market fueled by sites like Airbnb and VRBO. Knowing where to buy a second home is the key to attracting renters all year round and getting the highest return out of your investment.

Now is the Time to Buy in Orlando 

More homeowners are putting their vacation homes on the short-term rental market, signaling the future growth that can make your new home a more profitable investment. 

This is especially true in Orlando, Florida, which has been ranked number one on  Forbes' list of Best Places to Buy a Second Home for 2019. This is the second recognition Forbes has bestowed on “The City Beautiful” in a year. The business magazine also rated Orlando #1 on its…

Foreign Home Buyers Continue to Favor Orlando for Property Purchases

Foreign home buyers continue to value Orlando when it comes to buying property in the state of Florida. The National Association of Realtors recently reported that Orlando held steady in 2018 as the #2 destination of choice for Florida’s international home buyers. Nine percent of all the state’s foreign home buyers chose to purchase a property in Orlando.

The realtor group’s 2018 Profile of International Residential Real Estate Activity in Florida found that Orlando area international home buyers in 2018 were mostly from Latin America and the Caribbean (47 percent), Europe (18 percent), and Asia (15 percent.)  When it comes to individual countries, investors from Brazil led the way with 20 percent of Orlando’s international transactions, followed by…

How to Help Your Vacation Rental Guests “Live Like a Local”

Travel visitors typically want to explore the renowned theme parks and other features that make Orlando one of the most popular destinations in the world.

But other rental guests prefer to “live like a local” when staying in Orlando holiday homes. They avoid the “tourist traps” and would rather see and do the things that are more familiar to those who live in Orlando and the surrounding areas. 

The following gives your rental guests a truly local experience while helping them discover the attractions that most travelers never get to enjoy. 

Be the Only Local Guide Your Guests Need 

You can be the perfect guide for your guests even if you’re not there during their stay. 

Keep your vacation rental home stocked with local guidebooks and…

Orlando Community Reports - August 2018

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

                                                                               Community Reports

Why Buy a Holiday Home in Windermere, FL

Choosing the right location for your holiday home increases the value of your property over time. In addition to its features and amenities, its location can give you even more benefits that make your second home a secure investment for the future.

Windermere holiday homes offer the features that homeowners look for in a new vacation home. More importantly, it puts you in the heart of one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. 

What Makes Windermere Unique? 

Windermere homes give you luxury living at an affordable price. A new home can put you minutes away from outdoor recreational areas and renowned theme parks.

These and other attractions have increased the value of the Windermere real estate market, giving buyers a chance…

Orange County Now Allows Short-Term Rentals... with Conditions

Orlando vacation rental homes and their unique amenities have fueled the growth of the local short-term rental industry. Online rental platforms like VRBO and Airbnb let homeowners market their properties to a larger audience. 

Many cities like Orlando have seen an increase in the number of vacation rental homes. As a result, they’ve implemented regulations that home buyers need to be aware of before investing in a short-term rental property. 

Knowing what type of vacation home you can buy in Orange County helps you choose the right property and get the greatest return on your investment. 

The Growing Orlando Short-Term Rental Market

Orlando, the county seat of Orange County, has regulations in place that direct how rental properties…