STR in Orlando - Summary

STR in Orlando - Summary

Toronto, ON · Member since 2018 · 102 posts · 61 votes

Hi BP Fam - while researching STR in Orlando, I created a summary of some key neighborhoods, criteria and helpful links. I am sharing this with the community as others may find this useful.
Please feel free to add or critique in comments. 

Good Neighborhoods for STR :
Champions Gate (17 min / 12 miles)
Celebration (12 min / 6 miles)
Windsor Hills (14 min / 5 miles)
Kissimmee Area (Storey Lake) (26 min / 14 miles) - Not all communities allow STR
Davenport (Town) (33 min / 18 miles) - Many communities in Davenport allow STR but not all
Solara (22 mins / 13 miles)

STR Not allowed in these neighborhoods (as of writing this post):

Windermere (18 min / 10 miles)
Harmony (17 min / 12 miles)
Winter Gardens (26 min / 13 miles)

Notes and Criteria:

- there may be STR restrictions by Orange County so research before investing
- Any property zone for STR is going to have an HOA that allows it. You only want to be in communities than allow it
- closer to Disney is preferred (15-30 min drive)
- Updated decor increases desirability (Disney themes)
- Preference given to larger homes (3+ bedrooms) vs. townhomes
- Games room (arcade and other equipment, sound and lighting)
- Pools are preferred
- If you're buying in community with HOA, check STR rules and any other costs
- invest in good photography to make your listings stand out

Helpful links:

COMMUNITIES ZONED FOR SHORT- TERM RENTALS IN KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA (thanks to @Valentina Naumenko)
https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

LOCAL MEETUP

https://www.cfri.net/default.a...

Thanks for insights provided by experts in the area:
Mike Shulman @strrealtor (Realtor)
Alice Horn @aliceh27 (Property Manager)

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Shawn McCormickPro Member
Realtor · Central Florida-Orlando · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 892 votes
4y

@Kash Jawed I'll piggy back off of what @Jay Breitlow said with regards to Celebration and Orange county being correct. There are several great communities that have been left off of your list and some others need clarification as well. Not trying to nit pick, but for those out of the area looking to research, it is important.

Championsgate also has residential sections that have minimum lease requirements of 7 months, so you have to know neighborhoods inside of the community allow it, the same with Storey Lake.

I am also going to challenge your distances. It doesn't say distance to what, but assuming its Disney. And in that case, depends on what part of the massive Disney property you are measuring to. Windsor Hills is less than 3.4 miles to Animal Kingdom, so in your marketing...you could show Disney is much less than 3 miles to be on property....and that is also true for all of your other distances. For example, Storey Lake is only about 9 miles, not 14.

The link for 'communities zoned for STR' is from 2015. Some of the best communities either were still being build or didn't exist in 2015 when that list was created, for example. What most people call Championsgate is actually deeded as 'Stoneybrook South', the original name of the development. It' missing Solar, Solterra, Windsor at Westside, Windsor Island and several others.

Thanks for your time and input, just trying to clarify on some of the details.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Jay BreitlowPro Member
    Property Manager · Orlando, FL · Member since 2020 · 138 posts · 85 votes
    4y

    Hi @Kash Jawed! GREAT start. Can't have a STR map without windsor westside, solterra, veranda palms oh and paradise palms also! Celebration tends to be a big waah-waah for investors as there are huge restrictions that are enforced by Disney here. Would probably lead that off my hot list. I have a map that pinpoints the best 13.5 areas if that would help.

    Your point on Orange county is spot on - really only looking at Vista Cay and the $on$ return is poor there due to that fact. again waah-waaah. The only other thing is that the BR to me should really be 5+ if budget allows. The bigger the better and the more ROI and greater occ %.

  • Shawn McCormickPro Member
    Realtor · Central Florida-Orlando · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 892 votes
    4y

    @Kash Jawed I'll piggy back off of what @Jay Breitlow said with regards to Celebration and Orange county being correct. There are several great communities that have been left off of your list and some others need clarification as well. Not trying to nit pick, but for those out of the area looking to research, it is important.

    Championsgate also has residential sections that have minimum lease requirements of 7 months, so you have to know neighborhoods inside of the community allow it, the same with Storey Lake.

    I am also going to challenge your distances. It doesn't say distance to what, but assuming its Disney. And in that case, depends on what part of the massive Disney property you are measuring to. Windsor Hills is less than 3.4 miles to Animal Kingdom, so in your marketing...you could show Disney is much less than 3 miles to be on property....and that is also true for all of your other distances. For example, Storey Lake is only about 9 miles, not 14.

    The link for 'communities zoned for STR' is from 2015. Some of the best communities either were still being build or didn't exist in 2015 when that list was created, for example. What most people call Championsgate is actually deeded as 'Stoneybrook South', the original name of the development. It' missing Solar, Solterra, Windsor at Westside, Windsor Island and several others.

    Thanks for your time and input, just trying to clarify on some of the details.

  • Jay BreitlowPro Member
    Property Manager · Orlando, FL · Member since 2020 · 138 posts · 85 votes
    4y

    @Shawn McCormick is spot on.  BTW the logjam of traffic that is Championsgate is getting closer and closer by the day to finally getting the relief valve.  Thank god!  It's popular for a reason tho.  

  • Toronto, ON · Member since 2018 · 102 posts · 61 votes
    4y

    Update to Post on Mar-27-2022:

    Addition - Good Neighborhoods for STR :

    Windsor at Westside
    Solterra
    Veranda Palms
    paradise Palms

    Update - Good Neighborhoods for STR :

    Champions Gate (some restrictions may apply)
    Celebration (some restrictions may apply)

    (thank you Jay Breitlow and Shawn McCormick for the update)

  • Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    @Jay Breitlow I would really enjoy seeing your map of the 13.5 best areas for STRs as you mentioned in your post. 

    --Jack

  • Jay BreitlowPro Member
    Property Manager · Orlando, FL · Member since 2020 · 138 posts · 85 votes
    4y

    @Jack Stephens send me a message with ur email. I got u!

  • Member since 2022 · 1 post · 0 votes
    4y

    What about the Orange Tree community?  I am seeing more listings in that community and they say STRs are allowed.  Thoughts? 

  • Property Manager · Central Florida · Member since 2020 · 236 posts · 128 votes
    4y

    I also host another meetup for short-term rental investors/managers to network in Downtown Orlando. The next one is Tuesday, May 10. Let me know if interested!

  • Member since 2019 · 1 post · 1 vote
    4y

    Great thread here! Any more planning meetups for this fall? Interested in meeting up and getting more local info! 

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