South West Florida Connections

[Ben Weatherhead]

Hi! My name is Ben Weatherhead and I feel so fortune I have found Bigger Pockets with the great resources available and of course the community!

I am reaching out to see if anyone might be able to connect me or point me in the right direction. Over the last 12+ years I have worked in the hotel industry covering nearly every aspect of the day to day operations and the goal I had when I graduated college was to own and operate my own hotel. I now understand this takes a lot of equity to get a venture like this off the ground. I have since decided to pivot and concentrate on rentals (both long and short term) with concentrating on short term rentals in the beginning. The immediate future is to run these properties as a 'side hustle' until I can build my portfolio large enough to jump into it full time.

I have put together a business plan and my goal is start with two properties and expand from there. My two properties will be in different seasons, one will be in Northern Michigan and the other I am looking at South West Florida. With my background I am connected in Northern Michigan and have successfully connected with a team and performed a market analysis. All my ducks are in a row and now looking to purchase. Now I am looking to do the same work in Florida.

I am looking to see if there is anyone on Bigger Pockets who might be able to get me in contact with a realtor, or short term vacation rental manager to understand the following:

• - Local Rules and Regulations
• - Various Association Dues
• - Tax Information
• - Connections to cleaning crews, maintenance team or a full service property management
• - Resources in area to perform market analysis - occ rate, adr, etc

Thank you in advance for the direction you may be able to point me in. Look forward to connecting and engaging in the community!!

Best,

Ben Weatherhead