All Forum Posts by: Andrew S.

I think the issue, when I was looking at it, was that two different realtors told me you couldn't rent out most condo's month to month or short term.  Even long term was not an option for a lot of them? 

So I continue to look into the Bahamas, and went back a second time to fish.  I can sure think of nicer places to be, but there is something about the people and laid back atmosphere that attracts me to it.  And then I ran into someone who has a condo and rents it out, about 100% booked during peak season (Coral Isle).  So I believe in turning over leaves and seeing what's beneath them but am having ZERO luck getting any realtor to call me back!!  NONE.  One has made a half a**** attempt by calling me and always hanging up before leaving a voice mail.  I'm looking primarily at Freeport because of proximity, and a bit less tourist craziness and from there if I go one to two weeks a year can fish there or hit the other islands easily.  Any real estate agent recommendations?  Is this part of the Bahamian thing that out of three realtors NONE will call back or email back and don't seem to care?  Also, the owner of the fishing outfit (who is from the UK) said that there are many unscrupulous realtors who save the best deals for themselves as they're allowed to purchase real estate and he said deals, even in that depressed economy, are very hard to find.  My goal, which I'm not sure is attainable, is to have a property I rent out VRBO..etc and break even within 3 years, therefore paying for my place.  

Thank you Engelo.  I'd love to chat with you sometime.  

Are you able to rent them out Engelo?  I was fishing last week in Freeport out of Pelican Bay.  Great fishing! 

Jeff thank you for your help so quickly!  I will start looking at this.  The airport nearby will be crucial to my goals of fishing Cuba, Bahamas, Belize, Mexico...etc!! 

Hi everyone. Anyone have experience in Ft. Lauderdale for investing in single family home as a monthly/annual rental? What areas are best? Does anyone have recommendations on agents/management companies as we'll be long distance owners? Looked at Cape Coral and while that market seems good for investing, it's not where I'd choose to be if we convert this to a retirement home in the future. Also, I fly fish the Bahamas and if we snowbird there eventually getting to the Bahamas is quite easy and quick. Also, my wife has family there so for those reasons I'm shifting locations considering investing in Ft. Lauderdale. Would love to do a condo but afraid of rental rules and HOA fees. Many thanks in advance.

PS: still interested however... 

Hey Giordano, I did not find a property.  As I'm a fly fisherman I talked to some local guys (mostly guides and fly shop owners) who gave some doom and gloom on taxes, zoning...etc.  Then I looked at some properties and couldn't figure out how to make them cash flow properly given a few things:

1. Really good purchase price

2. Reasonable weekly rental rate

3. Limited season we have for fishermen up here (short!!)

I probably limited myself by looking at fly fishing only, as that's what I'm most familiar with.  I thought about a winter "artists retreat" at a reduced rate and maybe deer hunters, never pursued it past that. Thanks for reaching out and posting.  

Terry I appreciate the offer.   I would love to here what you have to say.  You can message me and would welcome a five minute conversation too. Thank you.  

Looking with a realtor and friend at single families in Cape Coral.  Also looked at student housing in my town but the university overbuilt and I think it's getting soft now so I am passing for now.  Then a discussion with a friend over dinner last night told me he's buying multi family in the Boston and that market is good for him.  So the question is, how do you avoid buying at the top of the bubble?  Are there benchmarks or websites that give price and sales/occupancy trends?  For example one RE agent in the SW Florida market told me the prices are just starting to go up and I should buy now, while another told me the prices are nearing a top and that is driving more people to rent seasonally rather than to buy and there are some opportunities in single family homes.  Who to believe?  I guess I'm looking for unbiased opinions, which I suppose is an oxymoron of sorts.  Thank you.