Central Florida Vacation Rentals

Central Florida Vacation Rentals

Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2014 · 1 post · 0 votes

Dear all,

I wanted to see if anyone had general views on the Central Florida vacation rental market.  I'd be particularly interested in thoughts on two cities: Kissimmee and Davenport, both of which have good proximity to Disney and have a large number of developments zoned for short-term rentals.  

Overall, my initial research suggests that high short-term cap-rates may be feasible, but I'd be concerned about the lack of scarcity of land; presumably someone can just start building another newer-and-better development so supply might increase significantly.

It seems Kissimmee is slightly skewed toward families visiting Disney while Davenport may be a bit more on golfers, but would love someone to corroborate this.

Also, I would seek to invest and manage these properties (no more than 1 or 2 to start) remotely.  Does anyone have a view on the best property management companies in these areas?  In particular, I would want to handle the front-end (e.g. reservations, availability, pricing) on my own but would seek to retain someone to do cleaning, servicing, key exchange, property management, etc.  I know the full-service approach can be quite expensive -- 30%+ of gross revenues -- but am wondering if anyone is willing to perform only some services.

Last, my research indicates that bank financing is typically available at up to 80% LTV without PMI for these vacation properties, depending on credit.  Can anyone corroborate this?

Thanks so much for everyone's input.  Would love to make connections in the area as I continue to investigate.

All the best,

Jeff

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Peter R.Pro Member
Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 152 posts · 86 votes
10y
Originally posted by @Jeff Bullian:

Dear all,

 Does anyone have a view on the best property management companies in these areas?  In particular, I would want to handle the front-end (e.g. reservations, availability, pricing) on my own but would seek to retain someone to do cleaning, servicing, key exchange, property management, etc.

Hey Jeff,

If you're going to do the front-end work yourself I don't think you need a property management company.  What you need is a good cleaner and a good handyman.  And of those two, one needs to be ok with getting paid for hourly based tasks outside of their specialty area.  

A good example is cable repair, you need someone to be there between the hours BrightHouse specifies to let the repair guy in, wait while he fixes the problem, confirm the fix, and sign the paperwork.

It may only happen a few times a year but it's far cheaper to pay someone a few hours a year than a property manager.

And if you put a remotely managed keypad deadbolt on the property, make the key exchange a code exchange by email as a part of your tenant welcome flow.  Add in bulk, delete used codes after departure.

As for your location, I'd do Kissimmee over Davenport unless you're trying to split the difference between the Orlando attractions and Legoland or something like that. In which case Davenport makes some sense. 

On the loans, I'm guessing when you get into it you'll find they'll want closer to 30% than 20%.  Unless you've got a track record with a local bank in your area.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Real Estate Brokerage/Vacation Homes/Short Term Vacation Home Rental Marketing · Orlando, FL · Member since 2013 · 159 posts · 127 votes
    10y

    Jeff -

    I am in Orlando and spend a lot of time each day dealing in short term rental vacation homes in the Kissimmee and Davenport area.

    To address some of the issues and concerns you mentioned -

    There are new vacation rental developments going in now and will continue to be.  The new developments do not concern me much for investors as long as the investors are smart and purchase the right vacation homes in the right vacation home communities.  I saw a survey that 28% of tourists now stay in vacation homes.  That reveals there is still a good amount of room for growth.  More and more people are discovering that they can stay in a vacation home with a private heated pool/spa, game room, themed bedrooms, full modern kitchens, movie theaters, etc. for a cost often a good bit less than staying in a hotel especially when you take into account the cost of food, laundry, parking, etc.

    Regarding your statement about tourists staying in Davenport are more apt to be focused on golf and less on Disney than in Kissimmee - I don't think so.  A lot of people stay in Reunion Resort, which is only 10-15 minutes from Disney, and Reunion has 3 golf courses designed by Nicklaus, Watson and Palmer.  ChampionsGate, which is 15 minutes from Disney World and also north of Davenport, has 3 golf courses too.

    Regarding property managers - There are a number of good property managers that only maintain vacation homes.  They don't do any marketing of short term rentals.  You are smart to handle your own bookings.  You will save yourself anywhere from 5-15% of sales.

    Regarding loans - Loans for short term rental condos and townhouses will require 25% down.  Loans for single family vacation homes will require 15-20% down.

    If you would like to research the Central Florida short term rental vacation home market, let me know.  I will be happy to help you in any way that I can.

    Keith

  • Wholesaler · Miami/Dade, FL · Member since 2015 · 45 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    Hi I own manage and list short term rentals. , My fee is 20% of each booking..  I am also a travel agent which works out great when booking guest.  I own a International booking agency and am always looking for owners and listings..  Im here if you are interested or need any advice.

    Thank you

    Carlette 

    Shortstaycraze.com 

  • Investor · Woodbury, NY · Member since 2015 · 15 posts · 7 votes
    10y
    Carlette E. What qualifications do you usually look for in a vacation rental? Single family? Pool? Proximity?
  • Peter R.Pro Member
    Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 152 posts · 86 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Jeff Bullian:

    Dear all,

     Does anyone have a view on the best property management companies in these areas?  In particular, I would want to handle the front-end (e.g. reservations, availability, pricing) on my own but would seek to retain someone to do cleaning, servicing, key exchange, property management, etc.

    Hey Jeff,

    If you're going to do the front-end work yourself I don't think you need a property management company.  What you need is a good cleaner and a good handyman.  And of those two, one needs to be ok with getting paid for hourly based tasks outside of their specialty area.  

    A good example is cable repair, you need someone to be there between the hours BrightHouse specifies to let the repair guy in, wait while he fixes the problem, confirm the fix, and sign the paperwork.

    It may only happen a few times a year but it's far cheaper to pay someone a few hours a year than a property manager.

    And if you put a remotely managed keypad deadbolt on the property, make the key exchange a code exchange by email as a part of your tenant welcome flow.  Add in bulk, delete used codes after departure.

    As for your location, I'd do Kissimmee over Davenport unless you're trying to split the difference between the Orlando attractions and Legoland or something like that. In which case Davenport makes some sense. 

    On the loans, I'm guessing when you get into it you'll find they'll want closer to 30% than 20%.  Unless you've got a track record with a local bank in your area.

  • Investor · Hagerstown, MD · Member since 2014 · 299 posts · 140 votes
    10y
    I think it would be quite difficult to self manage well remotely. I have a short term rental in Clermont just up the road from Davenport and while I handle all bookings and guest communications, I have a PM local to the house. You really need someone to be there to manage and look after the lawn care, people, pool care people, meet with guests, be available for emergency call outs, arrange cleaning, inspect after the cleaners, and other maintenance issues. It really does take more than you think. Our PM also handles all necessary registrations and licenses and submits the taxes for us.
  • Chuck MastersPro Member
    Investor · Bel Air, MD · Member since 2015 · 95 posts · 57 votes
    10y

    @Beth L. Did you create your own web site to find bookings or are you using a site like airbnb and how many weeks a year do you average in bookings.

  • Investor · Hagerstown, MD · Member since 2014 · 299 posts · 140 votes
    10y

    @Chuck Masters I have strictly used VacationRentals, but the listing runs across the HomeAway and VRBO platforms as well as their oversees sites. For 2015, I rented out 159 nights (about 22 weeks) and so far this year I have 101 nights booked. 

  • Chuck MastersPro Member
    Investor · Bel Air, MD · Member since 2015 · 95 posts · 57 votes
    10y

    @Beth L. I am looking to purchase a vacation rental in the Clermont area also. I've been researching management companies in the area. I wasn't expecting a 15% management fee along with other fees on top of that. When all said and done there isn't much profit in a vacation rental if you are leveraged with a mortgage. Some of the management companies reduce their fees if you bring the booking to your home so that helps a little. Maybe someday I will retire in the area and manage my own rental along with others.

  • Investor · Hagerstown, MD · Member since 2014 · 299 posts · 140 votes
    10y

    @Chuck Masters yes if you can manage yourself then I think it could be profitable. We don't have a mortgage and honestly if we did, we would always be in the negative! Even now, sometimes we are or at least breaking even. Many don't realize everything that goes into a vacation rental. Every year we have some large expense (something with the pool or A/C) it never seems to end. The monthly recurring fees really add up. 

    Also, the market is flooded with rentals, they are building new resorts in the area, and Disney is constantly offering specials for folks to stay at their resorts. Just on HomeAway alone there are over 22,000 listings in the Disney area.

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