Orlando Vacation Homes Buyers Guide

Lifestyle Investment of an Orlando Vacation Home

What Is The Right Vacation Home Program For You?

Personal Use, Tax Benefits, Appreciation and a Lifestyle Investment. What’s More Important?

Everyone who buys an Orlando Vacation Home has a different set of needs. Understanding those needs is the key to making sure we find you the right choices.

Understanding all the benefits is the key to a great vacation home investment.

Vacation Home Buyers Information

You will find everything you need to know about buying, owning and managing a vacation home in Orlando in this section.

Understanding the Buying Process
Understanding Property Management

Learn about the different options for marketing and management of a property.

Understanding the Financials
Out-of-State and Foreign National Buyers

Understand the process of remote purchases and ownership.

Video Tours, You Tube and Media
Important tools

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Will a vacation home make money?

The answer varies based on the specific vacation home, the identity of the owners, and the management company involved. Additionally, it is influenced by whether the home was bought outright or financed through a mortgage.
We offer an interactive calculator designed to help you understand the financial aspects and how to analyze them effectively.
We have also included a tutorial video that guides you in identifying the figures necessary to accurately estimate potential revenue.

In our experience, the primary advantage of owning a vacation home is having a lovely residence in Florida that a family can enjoy at any time, while guests contribute to covering some, if not all, of the ownership expenses. Achieving this is very attainable.

This is likely one of the most misunderstood aspects of the vacation home industry. Not everyone is focused solely on maximizing their profits. Many individuals are quite satisfied with having access to a wonderful property whenever they desire, with someone else shouldering the bulk of the costs and fees.

For owners seeking to increase their revenue significantly, it is essential to develop a competitive offering that includes enhancements to the property, making it appealing to prospective guests.
If you wish to learn how to improve a vacation home for profitability, be sure to read this article.

What is the difference between a resort and a community?

Resorts

A resort is a secured, gated area staffed with security personnel, offering a comprehensive range of amenities, beautifully landscaped grounds, a clubhouse, and facilities such as a swimming pool and possibly a restaurant.
It is highly appealing to renters since they can take advantage of the resort’s amenities on days when they are not visiting attractions like Disney, Universal Studios, LEGO LAND, or heading to the warm Gulf Coast beaches along the Space Coast.

Communities

While some communities feature electronic gated security and limited amenities, the majority are open communities without gates, lacking facilities, yet still available for short-term rentals.
Thus, we have resorts, communities, and a few options that fall in between.d we’ll get right back to you with answers!

Where should I buy?

You must buy in the Orlando short-term rental zone if you intend to rent it to guests. That is the Southwest Orlando area directly below Disney World. You can see that in our Disney Vacation Home Resort Map.
We reviewed the top 50 locations inside the short-term rental zone including, resorts and communities. We broke that down into houses, townhouses, and condos to make it easy to identify the best options. You can research more here.

If you want to fast track your search and get property options that fit exactly what you are looking for, try out our custom vacation home property finding program that was developed specifically for Orlando vacation home buyers. It’s the quickest way to find the ideal home!

Try out the vacation home finder here.

If I buy a property already in a management program does the management and bookings come with it?

By default, yes.
Generally, when you purchase a vacation home you are buying everything with it. The house, the furniture, the business, and the bookings. We classify this “as-is”. The more important question is if you should keep the current management company and the bookings. That’s where having advice from experienced representation is very important.
We find many of the homes for sale are not run well and that’s why they are being sold. Getting your vacation home into a great program to be able to generate solid occupancy with great rates is one of the most important aspects of ownership, so it may well be that the current set up is incompatible with those goals.
That would possibly mean a change of management, and that then brings in The Conveyance of Bookings and what is retained by the current management, and what would have the option to be conveyed. Good representation can greatly help with the transition of the business and reservation.you with answers!

What is the buying process like?

The first, most important stage is securing representation. Be sure to find someone who understands the Orlando short-term rental market.
There are a lot of communities and locations, each with their own rules and regulations. You also need to find someone who understands the vacation home business so they can advise you on everything from mortgages, property insurance, management, interior design, and theming.
Negotiating short term rental property acquisition, making an offer,  conducting virtual tours, home inspections, setting up an LLC if needed, and organizing remote closings are just some of the specialized skills needed to ensure a smooth process and a successful purchase.

When you have found suitable representation, they can discuss the buying process road map.
If you would like to review the Jerry Barker Group buying process, you can review it here.

What are the Closest Resorts to Disney World?

If it’s purely “as the crow flies”, Windsor Hills or Margaritaville Resort.
If it’s easiest to get to Disney, Storey Lake, Encore Club Resort or Reunion Resort.
For condos, The Grove Resort & Spa.
For Townhouses: Encantada or Windsor Hills.

All of the locations we work with are within 20 minutes of Disney World Parks.

Have a question?

There are many questions vacation home buyers might ask that we are happy to help with. Reach out anytime, and we’ll get right back to you with answers!

Orlando Vacation Home Specialist Videos

Calculate the Numbers
Short Term Rental Revenue – Running The Numbers

Easily estimate how a Vacation Home should revenue before buying.

Top 10 resorts
The Top 10 Orlando Vacation Home Resorts

Tour the best Orlando short term vacation home resorts.

International Buyer and Seller Services
International Buyer and Seller Services

Expert Guidance for Foreign Nationals Looking to Purchase in Florida.

We Review The Top 50 Short Term Rental Locations

Review the to 50 Orlando Vacation Home Resorts

Find the best and most suitable locations

We have analyzed the top 50 locations for houses, townhouses, and condos for you, providing an excellent foundation to explore locations and review the properties available.

Search All Vacation Homes

The Orlando Vacation Home Buyers Guide – The Book

“The Guide” is available at no cost for anyone interested in buying a vacation home in Orlando.

Written by vacation home Specialist Jerry Barker, he guides you through the buying process, detailing what to expect during the process of researching and purchasing a vacation home, allowing you to to focus more on finding the most suitable locations and properties that fit your criteria.

The Orlando Vacation Home Buyers Guide