- SECOND HOME

Davenport Ranks as a Top 10 Summer Vacation Rental City

Owning a vacation rental home can be a profitable way to invest in Central Florida’s thriving real estate market.

Davenport vacation homes are some of the most sought-after properties among buyers and holiday renters, and the city ranks in the top 10 summer vacation rental cities in the world. 

Davenport is in Good Company among World-Renowned Travel Destinations 

Vacasa, a vacation rental management company, has included Davenport in its Top 10 list based on comprehensive data that includes occupancy rates from 2017 to 2019. This ranks Davenport alongside destinations like Playa del Carmen, New Orleans, San Diego, Milan, and Rome, among others. 

Davenport gives you an escape from the winter weather while being the perfect place for holiday…

What to Do Before Listing Your Vacation Home for Sale

Selling your vacation home can be hard when you don’t attract enough buyers willing to pay your asking price. Knowing how to improve your home’s curb appeal and update your property can help you close the sale of your home in less time.

It’s important for homeowners who want to maximize the return on their investment to know what to do before listing their Orlando vacation homes for sale. Here are a few tips to consider if you’re planning to put your second home on the market.

Curb Appeal Essentials for Selling Your Vacation Home 

A home’s exterior is the first impression buyers get when looking to buy. It pays to spend some time and money on improving your property's curb appeal. Trimming your home’s trees and shrubs can highlight its design…

How to Prepare Your Vacation Rental for Summer

Summer is high season for holiday travelers making their way to Central Florida. Families with school-age children often take this time to visit the world-class theme parks in Orlando like Disney World and Universal Studios. Homeowners of vacation rentals located in the theme park area attract more guests and generate higher booking rates during the summer months. 

But you need to know how to prepare your vacation rental during summer if you want to attract a consistent stream of visitors to your home in Davenport, Florida. Villas for sale in Central Florida make it easy for home investors to find the homes that draw more visitors all year round. 

A Clean Home is One that Guests Will Visit Again 

Cleanliness is the most important feature renters…

How Much Money Can You Make on a Windsor at Westside Vacation Rental

Thinking about buying a second home to use for investment income? It’s a smart way to cash in on the growing demand for vacation rental homes in Orlando, Florida. More holiday travelers are opting to rent homes rather than stay in a hotel because vacation rentals are often more affordable, provide more space, and offer similar or even better amenities. Plus, you can cook your own food and do your own laundry in a vacation home, which can be a big cost savings for large families. 

One community to consider when looking for a vacation home to buy is Windsor at Westside in Kissimmee, Florida. Located within minutes of Walt Disney World, this stunning resort features all the outstanding resort amenities of its sister communities, Windsor Hills Resort and…

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…

Team Donovan Records Best Year Ever with 210+ Listings Sold in 2017

Team Donovan enjoyed a record-setting year in 2017. The Orlando real estate firm sold over 210 listings, the most sales in its 13-year history. And it set an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) record for the number of listings sold by an agent. CEO and Real Estate Broker James Donovan attributes the strong showing in part to attractive exchange rates, which motivated many European owners to sell their vacation homes to U.S. and foreign investors for a profit. 

Donovan says his firm’s success is unique in the Central Florida real estate market. “On the listing side, I have not seen any other real estate agent with numbers as high as ours when it comes to vacation home sales,” said Donovan. He credits the high volume of listing sales to the company’s…

Why a Second Home is the Best Investment You Can Make

Many people dream of the idea of purchasing a vacation home in Orlando. While purchasing a second home isn’t right for everyone, it could turn out to be the best investment you can make. Here are a few reasons why. 

1. Ease Stress – Everyone knows one of the best ways to relax is to take a vacation. Owning a second home in a resort area like Orlando allows you to get away from the stress of work and have some fun! You can spend time at the area theme parks, play a round of golf, go swimming, kayaking, or fishing. The possibilities for enjoyment are endless! 

2. Quality Family Time – Purchasing a vacation home is a great way to spend quality time with the family. And if your relatives live hundreds or even thousands of miles away from each other,…

What Size Vacation Home Should I Buy?

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 is the best time to buy a second home in Orlando?

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…

5 Important Questions You Need to Ask When Buying a 2nd Home

Buying a second home in Orlando for retirement or as a family vacation home requires serious thought. Choosing where to buy in Central Florida depends largely on what you can afford and whether or not you plan to rent out the property when you’re not using it. Here are a few core questions you need to ask before purchasing a home: 

How much will it cost?

When you buy a vacation home, there are additional costs to consider besides the sales price. You will have to factor the same costs you have with your primary residence such as taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance fees. Plus, when you’re not living in a home on a daily basis, you may not have the ability to tackle small problems before they become big ones. That can translate into higher…