Kissamee STR - 1st time Canadian Investor

[Ryan Cotterill]

Hi All, Happy New Year! 

My name is Ryan Cotterill, and my wife and i have been looking for investement opportunities in recent within the Kissimee area. We have rented STR's ourselves in both Davenport, and Kissimee previously, and loved the experience. I have searched the forums and gained valuble information from local investors, agents, etc. This maybe a reiterated question, but through the search, a lot has changed in 5 months, and i am just hoping to keep current.

A few questions that would help gain some knowledge within this particular area from experienced investors:

1. Looking at the trending market, housing prices look to be at a higher value 2021/22. Im sure the pandemic has also been one of the variables in the rise to bringing life somewhat back to normal. 

2. Zillow.com - looked at homes within 25 minutes of Disney, for booking status - how many bedrooms do you generally look over for high rate of turn overs? 3 bed? 4 bed? 5bed? When we rented in the area, we had 3 families that wanted to stay in 1 home, so we rented a 8 bed, this would be out of our price range, but also we are considering buying for our own family joys also. 

3. I see many self managing their properties themselves. Are your homes part of an association with fees where lawn maintenance and basic outside care is taken? Do any of you have homes in a more residential area where you hire people for these services and what costs are associated with it?

4. Being a 1st timer, how has this year and futures look for the STR industry in that area? Any 1st time buyers that recently bought properties have a good ROI? Bookings consistant, etc?

Thanks all, enjoy your day!

[Alex F.]

@Ryan Cotterill

I'll help with your item 3. Self managing.

My wife and I have 5 str homes. We are in Minnesota and self manage our properties including one SFH in Naples, FL and in future one in the Orlando area.

Things are humming along very well. The house in Naples we have a regular pool maintenance company, yard maintenance, handy man we can call on, and very good cleaning company. And everything we could setup for remote monitoring- locks, ring, wifi, water shutoff, water leak sensors, noise monitor...

Pool - 100/month and yard - 100/month both in Naples, FL.

I typically stay away from HOAs like they are the bubonic plaque....but we may get a house with a HOA in Orlando/Kissimmee area for the amenities....pool/gym/etc....