- VACATION HOME

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…

How an HOA Can Benefit Your Property Investment

Many home buyers hear the term HOA (Homeowners Association) and cringe. That's because the media has often portrayed HOAs as the "bad guy" because of their fees and efforts to "police" the neighborhood. But when you buy a home in an Orlando neighborhood that is covered by an HOA, your property could actually benefit in several ways. Here are a few reasons why. 

What is an HOA? 

A homeowners association is a private group formed by a community’s real estate developer to manage and keep the peace in the neighborhood. The members of the HOA live in the community, so they have a vested interest in maintaining a high quality of life for the homeowners and its tenants. 

An HOA collects monthly or annual fees from the homeowners to cover services and…

How to Write a Headline that Attracts Rental Guests

Have you decided to list your Orlando home in one of the vacation rental websites like HomeAway, FlipKey or VRBO.com? Renting out your vacation home is a great way to generate income when you’re not using your property. 

There are several factors that contribute to a great rental listing, starting with an attention-grabbing headline. In fact, the headline is the single most important text in your entire listing, since it appears at the top of your advertisement. Your headline also appears in the property summary that displays in the rental website’ s index and search results. 

In order to attract rental guests to your vacation home, your property headline must contain a few well-chosen words, up to 12 words in many cases. 

Compare these…

How to Cut Vacation Rental Cancellations in Half

Many people who decide to buy vacation homes in Orlando rent them out to holiday visitors when they’re not using them. But one of the drawbacks of owning a vacation rental is the constant need to find new guests. Since turnover is high, and holiday stays are short-term, it’s not unheard of to end up with an empty property, even if your home is located next to Disney. 

One of the most frustrating and costly issues vacation owners have to deal with is cancellations. Here are a few ways you can cut your rental cancellations in half. 

Know Your Market – It’s good practice to check out your competition in the rental market from time to time. Find out what they charge during low season and high season, and what type of amenities they offer their guests. 

How to Know Your Property Manager is doing a Good Job

Have you decided to buy a vacation home in Orlando and rent it out to holiday visitors when you’re not using it? If you don’t live in Central Florida, you will need someone to look after your interests, so you can ensure that your property is generating positive cash flow by keeping it occupied and maintained properly. 

Your local realtor should be able to recommend a rental and property manager for you when purchasing a single family home.  However, if you purchase a unit in a condominium-style resort, these services may be included, so you won’t have to hire a separate management company. 

Regardless of whether you hire a team or one is provided for you, here are some of the responsibilities that a rental and property manager should handle for…

How to Take Title of Your Orlando Vacation Home

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.…

New Federal Financing Rules Could Jumpstart Orlando Condo Market

Thinking about buying an Orlando condominium as a second home or vacation property? A new federal law set to take effect October 27 could make financing that purchase a little easier.

The new law will allow buyers to get federally-backed mortgages to purchase condos in buildings where two-thirds of current residents are renters. In the past, at least half of residents had to own units to meet the mortgage rules. 

Condo prices in Orlando and in Polk County, which is near Disney World, have been slow to recover since the housing market began its collapse a decade ago. According to Zillow, Metro Orlando’s midpoint prices for condos are $106,900 – far below their peak of $182,700 in 2006. 

Cash investors began buying properties when the market…

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,…

Community Profile: The Encore Club at Reunion

Looking for a luxurious Orlando vacation home near Disney? Look no further than The Encore Club at Reunion. Located within one of Florida’s most celebrated private resorts, The Encore Club allows you to enjoy the privacy and comfort of a second home without the hassle of maintaining it. 

The vacation homes at The Encore Club feature Florida-inspired architecture, quality construction and all the comforts that families on holiday could want, such as gourmet kitchens, media rooms, expansive patios and heated, in-ground pools. Homeowners also have 24-hour access to a concierge team that offers housekeeping, grocery shopping, home maintenance and other personal services. 

Owning a vacation home at The Enclose Club is perfect for multi-generational…

5 Ways to Save on the Bills for Your Orlando Holiday Home

Are you thinking about buying a second home in the Disney area to spend holidays with family and friends? An Orlando holiday home can be a great investment, especially when you purchase a property that’s zoned for short-term rentals. Then you can rent the home out to other vacationers when you are away. 

Buying a vacation home next to Disney means you will be responsible for expenses like taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance fees. These bills can add up, but there are ways you can save money on the monthly expenses and put that cash back into your pocket. Here are a few examples: 

1. Lighting – When you’re renting out your holiday home, be aware that your guests may leave the lights on all the time, even when they’re busy spending the day at…