- Vacation Homes

How to Pet-Proof Your Orlando Vacation Rental

There’s no denying that Orlando is a popular travel destination, thanks to theme parks like Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. As a result, a vacation home owner has to compete with many other properties in the area for holiday guests. We’ve shared some ideas on how to attract rental guests in a previous article: 

How to Make Your Vacation Home Stand Out from the Competition 

Allowing guests to bring their pets to your home is an excellent way to differentiate yourself from other vacation rental properties. Nearly 65 percent of U.S. households own a pet, and many of them wouldn’t dream of leaving their dog or cat behind when they travel. Many of these people wind up staying at pet-friendly hotels because few vacation rentals allow pets…

How to Set Guest Rules for Orlando Vacation Home Rentals

Owners of Orlando vacation home rentals know that it’s important to set up house rules for their guests.Holiday travelers need to know what’s expected of them during their stay so there is no confusion, and to ensure that your property is well-cared for during their stay.

Laying out clear house rules is a professional way of stating what your guests can and cannot do during their stay, and what penalties will occur if they break the rules.

Your rules can be written in a formal language or you can have some fun with them if that suits your personality better. The style itself doesn’t matter, but the content should address these key areas:

What to Include in Your Orlando Vacation Rental House Rules

Opening Statement

The opening paragraph…

Builders Respond to Growing Demand for Orlando Vacation Homes

Home builders have been busy in Central Florida during the second quarter, constructing about 4,000 new houses – many of them vacation homes. The data comes courtesy of housing analysis firm, MetroStudy. Their survey found that the Orlando area had 14 percent year-over-year growth in homes being built, and 28 percent growth in closings. 

The home construction recovery is due in part to Orlando’s tourism industry. Many holiday visitors decide to buy new homes after they’ve spent a lot of time here. These properties are often used as a second home and as an investment property allowing owners to generate rental income from other holiday visitors. 

Osceola County, which is home to Disney World, saw a significant increase in housing starts, thanks…

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…

Margaritaville Vacation Home Resort Unveils New Cottages

Jimmy Buffet fans should feel right at home at the new Margaritaville Resort Orlando when it opens in late 2018. The developers have released the first renderings of the vacation cottages that will be available for purchase, and the vibe is definitely coastal and Caribbean.

The design of the cottages was inspired by Key West, Bahamas, Jamaica, coastal Carolina, the Florida Keys and towns along the Gulf Coast. According to Pat McBride, CEO of the company leading the design process,“…these homes are designed to reflect those diverse architectural styles and periods while capturing that unmistakable Margaritaville paradise.” 

Vacation home buyers will be able to choose from one, two or three-story designs. The rendering that was made public…

The Grove Resort & Spa Breaks Ground on New Water Park

Homeowners at the Grove Resort & Spa near Walt Disney World® will soon have a new amenity to entice rental guests. The resort recently broke ground on their new Surfari Water Park, which is scheduled to open early in 2018. 

“The water park is the centerpiece of the amenities at the Grove,” said Project Director Kevin Mays, “giving families the opportunity to play and escape while never leaving the resort.” When fully operational, the water park will feature a dual rider surf simulator, an interactive water structure with multiple 2-story water slides and a winding lazy river. 

The park will complement a variety of facilities already open at the resort in an area known as the Springs, which includes three swimming pools, a water play section and…

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Sell a Home Near Disney

More and more tourists who come to Orlando to visit the theme parks and other attractions are skipping hotels and buying or renting vacation homes. If you live near Disney World or Universal, and are thinking about selling your home, this may be the perfect time to make your move. 

New research from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management shows buyers are willing to pay an average of $269,000 for a vacation home in the attractions area. That’s because the Kissimmee/Osceola County area provides buyers with value, a desired lifestyle and safety. 

Dr. Robertico Croes, a professor at Rosen College, expects this summer to be especially appealing thanks to the Orlando-area’s hot economy, and the opening of “Pandora…

Orlando Ranks #2 in U.S. for Rental Real Estate Investors

Investors interested in vacation rental properties should find plenty of opportunities in Orlando this year. HomeUnion ranked The City Beautiful #2 in the nation for single-family rental investment opportunities in 2017, after Atlanta. 

The online real estate investment management firm ranked 31 metro areas based on several factors including yields, rental demand, investment home prices and capital markets conditions.

HomeUnion’s report noted the Orlando market has the second-highest projected employment growth of all Florida metro areas, thanks to demand for technology and tourism-related jobs. 

Orlando’s robust economy is creating demand for housing, which has placed upward pressure on median sales prices for investment homes and…

New Luxury Golf Course Homes Planned for Reunion Resort near Disney

Fans of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus will soon have an opportunity to live in a luxury vacation home community inspired by the “Golden Bear” himself. Launching in December, The Bear’s Den Club will be located along the 18th hole of Tradition, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course located in the Reunion community near Walt Disney World.

Bear’s Den Club will be a private, gated enclave offering vacation home buyers, renters and avid golfers an opportunity to live in one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations while enjoying a luxury lifestyle that’s second to none. The community will also feature a private, members-only Bear’s Den Clubhouse that will host memorabilia commemorating the golf legend’s Hall of Fame career.

Reunion is a…