- Real Estate

Why You Should Join a Vacation Rental Forum

There’s more than enough information online for homeowners looking to rent their Orlando holiday homes. But finding the right information isn’t always easy. 

Inaccurate or outdated information can lead to unwanted and costly issues. Local regulations that affect homeowners and their vacation homes can change over time. 

Fortunately, today’s homeowners can use online forums to find out how to get the most out of renting your vacation home. The following will help you find the right vacation rental forums to join.

Understanding Online Forums

Online forums are sites that are dedicated to discussions around specific topics. Users can create new discussions or join existing conversations while connecting with others who share similar interests and…

How to Protect Your Orlando Vacation Rental

Many people buy a vacation home near Disney World so they can generate income by renting it out to holiday visitors. Buying a second home is a big investment, so it’s important to put security measures in place to protect your property. This is especially vital for home owners who live outside of the area – whether you’re a snowbird, or a resident of another country, like the U.K. or Canada. Here are several vacation rental security tips to help keep your home and its contents safe. 

Lock up your valuables

Most of the time, you’ll have no issue with a short-term rental. But theft is still a top concern for homeowners. It’s wise for you to place any valuables like jewelry, artwork, family photos, important documents like passports or financial…

How to Hire a Cleaning Service for Your Orlando Vacation Rental

Keeping your Orlando vacation rental clean is essential to keep your property looking its best for holiday guests. House cleaning is a big chore, so it’s a wise investment to hire someone else to do the work for you – especially if you don’t live in the area. 

Hiring cleaning help for a short-term rental property is NOT the same as hiring someone to clean your own home. The biggest difference is that cleaning a vacation properly requires a keen attention to detail. The cleaner should notice whether anything has been damaged by a guest, or if anything is missing. It’s also helpful for them to ensure that everything is stocked up for the next renter. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking for a cleaning service that will set you up for…

Orlando Median Home Price Rises in July

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Orlando to use as a second home or investment property, you may want to take action soon before home prices get too expensive.

The median price of Orlando homes sold during the month of July rose nearly 7 percent compared to the same period a year ago. And sales slipped 0.2 percent compared to July 2016.

One reason for the uptick in prices is the fact that there are fewer homes for sale. The Orlando Regional Realtor Association reported that inventory was down 15 percent in July compared to year ago levels.

Orlando’s overall median home price (which combines all home types) was $220,000 in July, up 6.8 percent from July 2016’s median price of $206,000.

Single family home sales fell 0.9 percent in…

The Grove Resort & Spa Honored as Top Hospitality Project

One of Orlando’s newest and largest vacation home destinations has been honored by the Orlando Business Journal in the Top Hospitality Project category. The Grove Resort & Spa was recognized as the best project in the OBJ’s 2017 Structures Awards.

The competition was open to new construction and existing structures including hotels, vacation club or timeshare properties. The Orlando Business Journal based its decision on project size, value, jobs created, real estate performance, as well as the project’s distinctive features.

Project Director Kevin Mays said in a release, “We could not be more pleased to have The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando honored with such a prestigious award.” BTI Partners developed the resort as a way to combine lifestyle,…

Team Donovan Records $250 Million in Orlando Vacation Home Sales

Team Donovan crossed a major milestone recently in our real estate business. We have passed $250 million in sales of properties in the Orlando FL area. Our first closing was in October, 2005, and since that time we have specialized in the sale of homes in the theme park/resort area of Polk, Osceola and Lake Counties. 

Most of the homes sold during the last 12 years have been furnished vacation homes, condos or townhomes. We work with clients from around the globe, especially from the UK. 

Florida has long been a popular choice for British holiday visitors searching for a break during the dreary winter. Attractive exchange rates, low air fares, and the lure of the area theme parks, have made the Orlando area in particular a popular holiday…

Canadian Home Owners May Get to Extend their U.S. Stay

Canadians who own or lease a home may get to stay in the U.S. longer if a new federal bill becomes law. Under the “Canadian Snowbird Visa Act,” Canadians who meet certain criteria would be allowed to extend their stay an extra two months.  

U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch of Florida, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the bipartisan measure would be good for business because Canadians who visit the Sunshine State add about $4.5 billion annually to Florida’s economy.    

"If our chilly neighbors to the north want to spend more time on our warm Florida beaches, we should welcome them with open arms." Deutch said in an interview for South Florida’s Sun Sentinel newspaper. 

More international visitors come to Florida from Canada than from any other nation,…

5 Mistakes Investors Make when Buying Orlando Real Estate

Orlando is a popular area for real estate investors who want rental income because it’s one of the top U.S. tourist destinations and the theme park capital of the world, thanks to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Sea World. More and more holiday travelers are opting to rent vacation homes instead of staying in hotels because they are less expensive, and you often get just as good, if not better, amenities. 

The area is a popular draw for investors from overseas, especially the U.K. But buying a property from such a great distance can be challenging, especially if you’re attempting to do it on your own. If you make a decision solely on price, for instance, you may find yourself in big trouble. Orlando has many excellent areas for rentals and…

Why UK Investors Should Buy a Vacation Home in Davenport

British investors who want to buy homes in Florida typically favor Orlando because visitors come here from around the globe to enjoy world-class theme parks, sports, music and convention venues.  Tourist appeal, as well as recent builder constraint and job growth, even prompted Forbes magazine to rate Orlando the nation’s 3rd best city to buy housing in 2017.

Most UK investors purchase properties in areas like Kissimmee and Celebration, since these communities are so close to Disney World. But some savvy buyers have discovered that they can find better deals on homes in nearby Davenport.   

This charming community offers British buyers just what they’re looking for: fun in the sun, and rental returns at a great price in a location that’s not too far…

What UK Investors Need to Know About Buying an Orlando Vacation Home

A growing number of UK investors are investing in Central Florida vacation homes. The area offers beautiful weather, world-class theme parks, golfing, recreation, and other features that have made it a popular destination for visitors from around the globe.

Investing in Orlando vacation homes lets UK investors take advantage of low property prices and earn additional income through property rentals. 

Why Invest in Orlando 

Choosing the right location is essential to investing in a vacation home. Orlando has all of the characteristics of an ideal investment location. 

Orlando’s population continues to grow and has strengthened the local economy. The area near Disney offers beautiful neighborhoods that allow short-term rentals, so you can…