orlando investment

[Shawn Mcenteer]

I am considering moving to Orlando area for work. what opinion does everyone have on the housing market in the Orlando area? I am looking to purchase homes, do basic renovations, and rent the properties. Is there a good rental market in Orlando for inverters?

[Michael B.]

Like any big city 'Orlando' covers a lot of different neighborhoods. Some good for what you want to do, some bad. But here are some general thoughts on Orlando and areas where it's a little different than some cities:

-- Orlando has a lot of people with dinged credit. Many are good people who made a bad financial decision to buy at the top of the market and got their credit trampled. They are better risks as renters than their credit score shows.

-- What you want to do is very competitive in Orlando. Many rehabbers were once home builders before they got over extended and lost that business. Don't assume it will be easy.

-- Labor is cheap for some. Lots of undocumented labor used by unreputable operators. You will have trouble competing on price.

-- Demand is good. People from all over the world want to live here, at least part time.

-- Due to the housing boom we had much of the housing stock is relatively new.

So come on in. Just don't expect to be retired to your private island by this time next year :-)