- Walt Disney World

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,…

Why Buy a Vacation Home in Homestead at Reunion Resort

When it comes to buying vacation homes in Orlando, there is a wide variety of properties and communities from which to choose. If you’re purchasing a home as an investment to rent out to holiday travelers, you might consider one of the resort communities such as Homestead at Reunion Resort. 

Resorts are popular as short-term rentals because they provide vacationers with many of the same amenities they’d find at a world-class hotel, but for less money. And a home provides much more space for travelers, especially large families since everyone can have more privacy, and they can save money by taking advantage of a kitchen in which to cook their meals. 

Homestead at Reunion Resort is one of the more popular vacation home communities. You’ll find homes…

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…

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…

How to Set the Best Rates for Your Orlando Vacation Rental

Orlando is a popular area for vacation home rentals since millions of tourists come here every year to visit attractions like Walt Disney World® and Universal Studios Florida®. If you plan to purchase a home to use as a vacation rental, you need to know how to price that property to attract guests. Price it too high, and you’ll lose business to the competition in the area. Price it too low and you may not be able to make a profit. Plus, you risk attracting people who may abuse your property as a cheap rental.

Here are some tips on how to set the best rates for your Orlando vacation home. 

1. Know your expenses – Before you can determine what price to charge, you need to know your fixed expenses for the property, such as insurance, taxes,…

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…

Why Buy a Vacation Home in Celebration FL

Thinking about buying a second home near Disney World? If you’re looking for a community with small-town ambience and modern conveniences, the city of Celebration fits the bill perfectly. 

Celebration was originally developed by the Walt Disney Company to resemble an “old-fashioned” small town. Its combination of walkable streets, houses with front porches and a garage in back, and downtown buildings with office space or condos located above retail stores or restaurants is now called “New Urbanism” and is popular in communities around the United States. 

Celebration has a lot to offer residents, whether you’re a snowbird, empty nester or first-time home buyer with a young family to raise. You can take a stroll through one of the lush…

Why You Should Buy a Lake Buena Vista Holiday Home

Imagine spending your next holiday in a luxury apartment within walking distance of Walt Disney World™. You don’t have to imagine when you purchase a vacation home in Lake Buena Vista. This Orlando area community is the perfect location for those who want to own a second home or are looking for investment property. 

Nearly 53,000 people visit Disney’s Magic Kingdom every day. And that’s just one of the theme parks in the area. Visitors from around the world come to Orlando every year to spend time at Disney’s other parks, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, as well as Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld. 

Lake Buena Vista offers a variety of luxury condominiums for sale, which can be rented out on a short-term basis.…

ChampionsGate Vacation Home Owners to Get New Dining Options

ChampionsGate, the resort community located a few minutes southwest of Walt Disney World, is adding new restaurants to serve its residents and visitors. The new eateries will be adjacent to a new apartment complex currently under construction. The Gate will house 308 luxury apartments in five buildings, and is slated to open by the end of this year.

Two buildings in front of the Gate will house 24,000 square feet of retail space. New restaurant tenants for the buildings include Urban Hibachi, a high-end Indian fusion eatery called Blue Ginger Indian Grille, Tijuana Flats, Menchi’s Frozen Yogurt, and Ostaria Italian Restaurant. New retail tenants include Salon 720, Lee Nails and specialty pet supply retailer, Woof Gang Bakery. The restaurants and…

New Orlando Vacation Condo Resort to Open Near Disney

Buyers looking for a luxury vacation home near Disney have a brand new option to consider: The Grove Resort & Spa. This 890 unit condo resort hotel is located less than 5 minutes from Walt Disney World™ and features fully furnished two and three bedroom condos, priced from the $250s. 

The Grove Resort & Spa is situated on 110 acres around beautiful Lake Austin, and offers home buyers all the amenities you’d would expect from a luxury resort including concierge service, water park, restaurants, bars, convenience store, spa and fitness center, game room, meeting space and event lawn. 

The water park includes a lushly landscaped lagoon pool and lazy river, two-story playground pool for younger children, as well as Orlando’s only vacation home surf…