Calling All Florida Market Experts!

[Adam Tafel]

I've been toying with the idea of buying a winter getaway home, one I could rent out Airbnb/VRBO April-November. I live in St. Paul, Minnesota where I have a great career, investment properties, and a small vacation-rental business. I love it here, but winters kill me. I've been tempted by homes in Vieques, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, but I'm considering all options. I keep running into friends, family, and coworkers who are raving about certain areas of Florida, and I thought posting on here would be the most efficient way to get some opinions. I'm an agent, and could probably drum up some business in the winter months while I'm down there. 

Things to consider:

-I need to be in a city, walking distance to a business district of some kind

-I'd like to follow a path of progress within a city, and don't mind being close to (but not within) sketchier areas

-a market where the average 3 bed 2 bath sells for under *ideally* 250k, but up to 350k (I'll be looking for a property that needs work, but this sort of market)

-must be SF no association

-I'm 31, single/no kids. Local culture is important to me.

Ok I think that's probably enough info- and yes, I realize it's a big state. I know nothing about it. I've been to Disney World as a kid, and I have layovers in Ft Lauderdale all the time. I appreciate any/all opinions and suggestions!

[Account Closed]

@Adam Tafel, Hey from Jacksonville here. I agree with @Chai Xiong, it’s going to be hard to meet those criteria. First, you want to use the most profitable time of year for personal use, but still have strong demand the remaining time of year.

That period, April to November, does not coincide with college semesters, so universities are basically out. You really need somewhere that has high demand year round. The are that best fits that is Orlando near the Theme Parks. I don’t know the market well there, but I suspect it’s going to be hard to find what you’re looking for at that price. However, if you consider a condo, you can probably do it, plus, they rent very well. On our last visit, we rented a condo.

The other thought I had is finding a place near one of the major cancer treatment centers like Moffitt in Tampa or Mayo in Jacksonville. Sometimes patients require long term treatment, bone marrow transplants etc, that take daily treatments for several months. There is a demand for these 2-3 month rentals so that traveling patients don’t need to spend $10k+ a month living in a hotel. There is some additional sanitary and cleaning requirements that patients would need and expect, but that is not difficult to contract and would also ensure your unit is cared for.