Who’s doing MTR in Ocala? I’d love to discuss demand, seasonality

[Zeona McIntyre]

Hi! My partner has a long term unit coming available at the end of the month and instead of finding a new long term tenant we are thinking of furnishing and going MTR. It’s a 3/2 home. The MTRs I have are in bigger cities and are smaller units (1-2 bedrooms) so I’m trying to gauge demand. There are not many on furnished finder so that could be a good or bad thing. I’d love to talk to you if you are a pioneer in this market. Thanks! 

[Elizabeth Howell]

Zeona,

Ocala is a really interesting market. "horse capital of the world." Last few years, dramatic developments in the Hunter/Jumper equestrian horse show world thanks to the creation of the TheWorld Equestrian Center (WEC). It's a crazy cool place, built by Roby Roberts, made his $$$ in the commercial shipping world, family man. WEC is a world class facility mere miles from the HITS brand (horse shows in the sun) facility. HITS Ocala used it be one of the only winter horse shows accessible to the middle class. thousands of families (daughter and moms or one mom with all the kids from one barn) from the Northeast and Midwest head down for anywhere between 2-12 weeks beginning in January. The HITS facility sucks and owner refuses to make necessary improvements to property. He's lost several Olympic level events because of it. The WEC has had to fight with HITS and USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) the national governing body for equestrian sports, to be able to host hunter/jumper horse shows due to mileage rules. The facilities are less than 10 miles apart. WEC has created work arounds - and because the facility is so spectacular - yet still affordable, they are booking all kinds of events throughout the year - concerts, dog shows, horse events in other disciplines, holiday open houses and markets, impressive calendar. Great area for MTRs and STRs, but the market is very cluttered and many current STR owners have open calendars because of the mistaken belief that horse people have $$$ to burn - for that demographic, go to WEF - the Wellington Equestrian Festival further south. With the right targeted marketing to people in the Northeast & Midwest, appropriate amenities for the audience (you'll want to have super solid washer and dryer for assorted horse laundry, places to put saddles, a solidly equipped kitchen, places for kids to study and parents to work, etc) you'd be able to distinguish yourself in the marketplace. MTRs are always in high demand for barn staff and trainers who come for the entire circuit. Happy to talk if you want more.