Investing in Orlando? This Agent Knows The Mouse-House Market

In This Article

Real estate can be a rollercoaster, especially for investors. Having the right agent along for the ride makes all the difference between a deal that makes you soar and a deal that makes you sick.

In Florida’s Orlando area, investors can count on Tyler Gibson to be the kind of real estate agent who makes each experience a pleasant one. As an investor himself, Gibson is always ready to navigate the twists and turns of Central Florida real estate with his hands in the air, so to speak.

Learn more about the thrilling Orlando investment landscape in Gibson’s own words.

My real estate background

I am a relatively new real estate agent here in Orlando, but I’ve been investing in real estate myself for more than seven years. My firsthand experience in the investment market has helped inform my career as an agent. Recently I was nominated for the top 20 under 40. While I will work with anyone looking to buy or sell, the focus of my business has been on investors and investment-minded people.

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What makes the Orlando market unique?

The Orlando market is unique because of its diverse investment opportunities. Long-term rentals are a solid investment, but short-term rentals are a nice option too.

Additionally, there are many tertiary markets within an hour’s drive, which can often present opportunities for investors looking for higher cash flow.

What can investors expect in Orlando right now?

The Orlando market is challenging right now due to the rise in prices. But the appreciation we have seen in recent years is not going to slow down, and the demand for rentals is through the roof. An okay deal this year will become a great deal in the next two years.

The Orlando market is also very competitive right now. Some properties sell in hours, not days. For that reason, we often look for deals within an hour of Orlando where the numbers are more attractive and the competition is a bit less.

What do you personally love about the Orlando area?

What’s not to love? It is one of the top vacation destinations in the United States—probably the world. Between the amusement parks, the world-class attractions, and the beaches just an hour away, Orlando has it all.

Owning investment property here in Central Florida would allow the savvy investor to come and visit their investment, write off the plane ticket, then enjoy all that Central Florida has to offer.

What types of properties should investors consider?

Investors interested in Central Florida should definitely consider long-term rentals. Rental demand in Orlando is insane right now. One Realtor I was working with told me that rental listings are easily seeing 15 tenant applications on day one.

Short-term rentals near Disney are also a great investment. Right now vacation rentals are absolutely killing it. That is mostly due to pent-up demand from COVID-19, but I believe that the consumer’s travel habits have made a permanent shift.

What does the job market look like in Orlando?

This area has a very diverse economy. While most people are familiar with the tourism side of things, I think people would be surprised to find out that Lockheed Martin has a couple of facilities here in Orlando, along with some other Department of Defense contractors. There is a budding tech industry here in Orlando as well.

Can investors depend on you for referrals post-closing?

Yes. I focus on building strong relationships with property managers who have been in the industry much longer than I have. They tend to have the best relationships with all the vendors that investors need. I can connect investors with some great property managers here in the areas that I serve.

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.