When you have decided that buying a Florida villa is the way that you wish to invest your money, whether it be just for friends and family to use, or if you wish to rent it as a holiday home, there are some things that you may wish to know before you make that step. You are probably feeling apprehensive, I know we were.
Probably the best advice that I can give is to fully investigate all areas of villa ownership, what are the downfalls? Who can I trust? Look at forums such as the one on Orlando Villas. com and ask the already experienced home owners questions, don’t be frightened, most owners will gladly give advice and help you on your way because most of them could have used the help that they will now give you, and lastly, make sure that you fully understand American mortgages if you are mortgaging in the States.
See if there is a Realtor who has been used by others and who can be trusted, don’t believe the new house salesmen who tell you that you can expect to fill your house with renters without much effort, it will not happen.
Find a good management company; again by asking on the forums, they can help sometimes with bookings but we prefer to get our own, if you do get bookings from your management company, make sure that you also get the money.
Your management company will also arrange things like grass cutting, pool cleaning, pest control, house cleaning etc, they will also walk through your house before and after a let to make sure that nothing is broken or missing.
Do you make money out of owning a villa, no, not in the short term but you do get free holidays in your own little piece of America, and, hopefully in the long term you do gain on the capital appreciation on the house, it also gives you lots of pleasure, not only when you visit and relax at your villa, but when others stay and make nice remarks about how they have enjoyed their stay and how they liked your villa.
So, would I recommend that anyone thinking of buying a villa in Florida goes ahead, I would say, yes, but first research the market, find the best management company, take time to really look at the area and ascertain two things, 1) would you like to stay at this villa in this area if you were renting, and 2) Are you close enough to the main attractions of Florida, that’s Disney, Sea World, Wet and Wild, Aquatica, and so on. If you are satisfied that you have fully researched all angles, go for it and the best of luck.
Probably the best advice that I can give is to fully investigate all areas of villa ownership, what are the downfalls? Who can I trust? Look at forums such as the one on Orlando Villas. com and ask the already experienced home owners questions, don’t be frightened, most owners will gladly give advice and help you on your way because most of them could have used the help that they will now give you, and lastly, make sure that you fully understand American mortgages if you are mortgaging in the States.
See if there is a Realtor who has been used by others and who can be trusted, don’t believe the new house salesmen who tell you that you can expect to fill your house with renters without much effort, it will not happen.
Find a good management company; again by asking on the forums, they can help sometimes with bookings but we prefer to get our own, if you do get bookings from your management company, make sure that you also get the money.
Your management company will also arrange things like grass cutting, pool cleaning, pest control, house cleaning etc, they will also walk through your house before and after a let to make sure that nothing is broken or missing.
Do you make money out of owning a villa, no, not in the short term but you do get free holidays in your own little piece of America, and, hopefully in the long term you do gain on the capital appreciation on the house, it also gives you lots of pleasure, not only when you visit and relax at your villa, but when others stay and make nice remarks about how they have enjoyed their stay and how they liked your villa.
So, would I recommend that anyone thinking of buying a villa in Florida goes ahead, I would say, yes, but first research the market, find the best management company, take time to really look at the area and ascertain two things, 1) would you like to stay at this villa in this area if you were renting, and 2) Are you close enough to the main attractions of Florida, that’s Disney, Sea World, Wet and Wild, Aquatica, and so on. If you are satisfied that you have fully researched all angles, go for it and the best of luck.