Orlando fl multi properties

[James Roux]

Hello everyone I'm ready to start investing in some properties in my area but I'm having trouble finding units in the 2% rule that aren't in the ghetto. I plan on living in one of the units doing a FHA. Does anyone have some advice on where to look for better properties I've been checking all the websites homes realtor trulia but not much luck. Should I consider looking outside of Orlando I'd like to stay close since I work here and plan on keeping my job. Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[Levi Bennett]

In my opinion, the biggest opportunity with the most upside is the short-term rental vacation community. Of anywhere in the world, Orlando has the strongest short term rental market on the planet. I don't know if Orlando holds records as tall as that one in any other real estate category.. so for me, I look at the potential there. It's super easy to rent out a home short term because the market is so strong. The other big upside is the rise in popularity of Homeaway.com, Flipkey.com, and Airbnb.com. Those websites are continuing to get better reputations as people see the value, hear the success stories, and realize they can get so much more for the same price or less than a hotel. 
Also, with massive commercial investment for in the I-drive area (eye of Orlando, the new aquarium, etc..) near Sand Lake Drive, there is a lot of bullish investors who are making the area a nicer place to visit. This is increasing demand in the luxury short term housing market (which is slim right now, prices are very high because options are so low).. so for the intermediate investor, maybe someone looking to get away from owning 5 rentals, this is an opportunity to invest $1.5M - $2M on a short term rental home that only needs 5 nights of bookings per month to break even.. (all the available units in this range are booked 18+ nights per month through next year).. so.. for the same price as buying a large multi-family in a high demand area, you could buy a luxury short term rental home in a high demand market, and be able to enjoy the entire house for you and your family while making a tremendous cash flow. 

That's what I would do if I was in the market. Not many real estate deals cash flow (that I've heard of) or have cap rates as good as these opportunities near Disney.