Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 54%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$69 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 6 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

5
Posts
1
Votes
Kelsey C.
  • Riverdale, NJ
1
Votes |
5
Posts

Vacation Rental Home in the Orlando Area

Kelsey C.
  • Riverdale, NJ
Posted

I am looking to purchase a vacation rental in the area of Orlando and Walt Disney World. I am noticing some properties in the Kissimmee area, particularly in resort rental communities. Can anyone share an experience of a short term rental in this area? The biggest hole in my research has been a vacancy rate and therefore ROI has been difficult to calculate. Thank you.

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

299
Posts
139
Votes
Beth L.
  • Investor
  • Hagerstown, MD
139
Votes |
299
Posts
Beth L.
  • Investor
  • Hagerstown, MD
Replied

Hi @Kelsey C. 

I have a short term rental in Clermont, just outside Kissimmee and 10 miles from the Disney Main Gate. Now in the third year with this property. Vacancy rate is hard to determine, and for us has varied greatly. The Orlando/Disney area is flooded with short term rentals, and this market is in direct competition with the Disney resorts, since many feel the advantages of staying on Disney property outweighs the disadvantages of staying in a hotel. Plus many do not even know that you can rent a whole house with a pool for the same price as a nice hotel. So unfortunately the supply and demand is offset.

I think that you can minimize vacancy by being really active in marketing the property,  increasing the amount of advertising funds you are willing to spend, and responding to inquiries quickly. Also by decorating nicely and providing new electronics and other perks, you can appeal to more people and you can ask for a higher rate and probably get better guests. But all of this takes lots of time and money. And the operating expenses are always more than you expect them to be.

You can usually depend on booking nights during the "Peak" seasons the most. Those are Spring Break, Summer (middle of June through middle of August), and holiday weeks like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Although there is no guarantee and not every day during those times will be booked.

This year has not been very good for us. We hope it turns around. We think this is due in part by big changes made by our vacation rental listing company.

Our local long-term rental investment properties out-perform our FL short term rental right now, but the income we do get from it does help to offset the costs when we want to use it personally.

Hope this helps a little!

Loading replies...