Short term rental (preferably beachfront condo) investment PCB

Short term rental (preferably beachfront condo) investment PCB

Investor · Fort Collins · Member since 2020 · 21 posts · 14 votes

Hello all,

I'm looking to start getting some advice for purchasing a property in the next 6 months to a year in PCB. I've traveled there several times for the last few years and love the area. Ideally, the properties main use would be STR, but I love multiple exit strategies.

To start, I’d love to strategize with boots on the ground types in the following areas of expertise:

1). Investment focused real estate agents that understand the area and preferably own investment properties themselves.

2). Lenders that specialize in many loan types including conventional, vacation home loans, dscr to name a few.

3). Property managers that are vertically integrated and have their own handymen, cleaners etc on payroll. 

4). Any contractors/cleaners in the area that aren’t already too swamped to read this post.

5). Any investors in the area with success in unconventional terms of financing real estate ie subto, contract for deed, seller finance etc. 

My typical investment in Colorado has been around a ~500k purchase price, and I really strive to purchase property that is $20,000 to $25,000 under market value and that is break even cash flow minimum after operating expense/debt. This is something I would want to continue in PCB for margin of safety. 

Ideally, I would like something with unobstructed views of the beach. I’ve seen the premium for beachfront, but in my head never having a development in front you warrants it. 

I would love to hear from people in the area of condo complexes that have opportunity, are warrantable, and on the beach as well as what I’ll need to work on to be ready when opportunity arises. 

Thanks y’all

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Jeff ChisumPro Member
Lender · All 50 States · Member since 2020 · 248 posts · 142 votes
2y
Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

@Jeff Chisum Is another lender that can help you with a vacation home loan. It will be hard to find a condo that is warrantable but there may be a couple still in the PCB area. Depending on the returns you're looking for in a STR, Destin may be a better area for you. PCB is great, but the returns are higher further west on the coast. If you decide to look around the Destin area, I have a wonderful realtor I can connect you with!


Thank you! 100% my business is helping with the financing to buy in the STR asset class. 90% of my clients use our unicorn 10% down second home occupancy loan that has lower fees and rates compared to Fannie and Freddie.

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  • Jason WrayPro Member
    Banker · Nationwide · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    Adam,

    My advice from a Banker/Lender point of view is if you can buy it as a vacation home it will only run you 10% down. Great thing about a vacation home is it can be rented out as an STR and there is No prepay. You can refinance in 12 months and transition it into a full time LTR and if the LTV is there pull out some cash.

    If you can find a 2-4 unit near the beach that will run you 15% down as an investment. I am over here in Saint Petersburg and there are a lot of duplex/beach cottage homes available. The VRBO over here is through the roof but so is Panama for the most part. You have a lot of condo's available as well but the HOA's and insurances are making it tough to cash flow.

  • New to Real Estate · Grand Prairie, TX · Member since 2023 · 54 posts · 30 votes
    2y

    Adam, 

    I'm trying, but unable to tag a realtor from the Short Term Shop @January Johnson. I'm unfamiliar with all the spots in Florida, but I remember her from the Short Term Investor bootcamp and she may be a great resource! Good luck!

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    2y

    Go on Vrbo and Airbnb and do a search like you were looking to rent a condo in that area and see how many there are and what the rates look like.

    I know in other beach towns there are so many of them that it keeps the prices down.

    Also you have to worry about HOA fees and rules and possible special assements.

    I would look for a beach front house.  This is a much better investment and money maker.

  • Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 706 posts · 634 votes
    2y
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    Go on Vrbo and Airbnb and do a search like you were looking to rent a condo in that area and see how many there are and what the rates look like.

    I know in other beach towns there are so many of them that it keeps the prices down.

    Also you have to worry about HOA fees and rules and possible special assements.

    I would look for a beach front house.  This is a much better investment and money maker.


     i can tell you for PCB area, beachfront house is over $2mil. so sounds a little out of his budget.

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Trent Reeve:
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    Go on Vrbo and Airbnb and do a search like you were looking to rent a condo in that area and see how many there are and what the rates look like.

    I know in other beach towns there are so many of them that it keeps the prices down.

    Also you have to worry about HOA fees and rules and possible special assements.

    I would look for a beach front house.  This is a much better investment and money maker.


     i can tell you for PCB area, beachfront house is over $2mil. so sounds a little out of his budget.


    You could still do a DSCR loan and bring on some money partners to help with the downpayment.

  • Investor · Fort Collins · Member since 2020 · 21 posts · 14 votes
    2y

    Jason,

    Having not done a vacation home loan before, how does it compare to a single family home loan as far as back end DTI ratios, interest rate (I'm assuming it's due to risk), and any other differences that may be important to note?

    I  love the idea about duplex/beach cottage homes but felt that would be out of the budget. I will take a look into that. 

  • Investor · Fort Collins · Member since 2020 · 21 posts · 14 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Lauren Lockett:

    Adam, 

    I'm trying, but unable to tag a realtor from the Short Term Shop @January Johnson. I'm unfamiliar with all the spots in Florida, but I remember her from the Short Term Investor bootcamp and she may be a great resource! Good luck!


     Lauren,

    Thanks for the great networking suggestion. I sent her a message to connect!

  • Investor · Fort Collins · Member since 2020 · 21 posts · 14 votes
    2y
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    Go on Vrbo and Airbnb and do a search like you were looking to rent a condo in that area and see how many there are and what the rates look like.

    I know in other beach towns there are so many of them that it keeps the prices down.

    Also you have to worry about HOA fees and rules and possible special assements.

    I would look for a beach front house.  This is a much better investment and money maker.


     John,

    That's a great idea to comp the area to find out what rental rates look like in real time rather than using airdna/awning only. 

    I would love to own a beach house investment there, but as Trent had alluded to, I think it may be out of the budge, at least by myself :D.

  • Raymond J. RodriguesBusiness Member
    Lender · Miami, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 797 votes
    2y

    Hi @Adam Rose, I would recommend reaching out to @January Johnson as well. She is the go-to realtor for all things STR in the area. I have worked with her in the past and she will be a great asset to your team.

    Regarding your interest in conventional loans to include vacation home loans, DSCR, etc, I have helped quite a few investors with the same products.

    Something important to note is that the condos in PCB are considered non-warrantable since they allow short term rentals. This means that they'll require more than the standard 10% down with a conventional vacation home loan.

    If you have any questions, always feel free to reach out directly. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 144 posts · 132 votes
    2y

    Hey @Adam Rose,

    I'm happy to answer any questions on the market here or offer some recommendations. I own a few units in PCB that I self manage as well. As an investor-agent in the area, it's a must.

    Personally, I shy people away from beachfront. The income/ purchase price ratio is just to high from what I see. Being within walking or golf cart (if a single family home) distance is where we see the best returns.

    Best of luck!

  • Adam WindhamPro Member
    Lender · San Diego | Phoenix | Miami · Member since 2019 · 39 posts · 65 votes
    2y

    Hi @Adam Rose - second what many have said here about financing, a second home/vacation home loan will get you the most leverage and possibly better rates depending on your FICO score and DTI calculation. A DSCR loan will be the easiest to qualify for as it does not require any personal income documentation such as W2's, Tax Returns, etc. DSCR rates may be comparable or even lower than the second home/vacation home loan option depending on the other deal factors.

  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    @Jeff Chisum Is another lender that can help you with a vacation home loan. It will be hard to find a condo that is warrantable but there may be a couple still in the PCB area. Depending on the returns you're looking for in a STR, Destin may be a better area for you. PCB is great, but the returns are higher further west on the coast. If you decide to look around the Destin area, I have a wonderful realtor I can connect you with!

  • Jeff ChisumPro Member
    Lender · All 50 States · Member since 2020 · 248 posts · 142 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    @Jeff Chisum Is another lender that can help you with a vacation home loan. It will be hard to find a condo that is warrantable but there may be a couple still in the PCB area. Depending on the returns you're looking for in a STR, Destin may be a better area for you. PCB is great, but the returns are higher further west on the coast. If you decide to look around the Destin area, I have a wonderful realtor I can connect you with!


    Thank you! 100% my business is helping with the financing to buy in the STR asset class. 90% of my clients use our unicorn 10% down second home occupancy loan that has lower fees and rates compared to Fannie and Freddie.

  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    2y

    @January Johnson! Where are you!  :)

  • Real Estate Agent · Emerald Coast, FL · Member since 2016 · 820 posts · 486 votes
    2y

    Thank you, everyone!  Here I am!  

    I specialize in STRs on the Emerald Coast, am native to Panama City, and I own 4 STRs here myself.  I'd love to connect and help you find your dream property.  I will also PM you!

  • Investor · Minneapolis · Member since 2023 · 265 posts · 161 votes
    2y

    Adam - a friend of mine is a great mortgage broker and can get you tons of options.  I'll DM you and introduce you if you like.  

  • Real Estate Agent · Member since 2019 · 569 posts · 257 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Adam Rose:

    Hello all,

    I'm looking to start getting some advice for purchasing a property in the next 6 months to a year in PCB. I've traveled there several times for the last few years and love the area. Ideally, the properties main use would be STR, but I love multiple exit strategies.

    To start, I’d love to strategize with boots on the ground types in the following areas of expertise:

    1). Investment focused real estate agents that understand the area and preferably own investment properties themselves.

    2). Lenders that specialize in many loan types including conventional, vacation home loans, dscr to name a few.

    3). Property managers that are vertically integrated and have their own handymen, cleaners etc on payroll. 

    4). Any contractors/cleaners in the area that aren’t already too swamped to read this post.

    5). Any investors in the area with success in unconventional terms of financing real estate ie subto, contract for deed, seller finance etc. 

    My typical investment in Colorado has been around a ~500k purchase price, and I really strive to purchase property that is $20,000 to $25,000 under market value and that is break even cash flow minimum after operating expense/debt. This is something I would want to continue in PCB for margin of safety. 

    Ideally, I would like something with unobstructed views of the beach. I’ve seen the premium for beachfront, but in my head never having a development in front you warrants it. 

    I would love to hear from people in the area of condo complexes that have opportunity, are warrantable, and on the beach as well as what I’ll need to work on to be ready when opportunity arises. 

    Thanks y’all


     Hi Adam, I have owned 4 short term rentals on the coast including in Panama City beach, I have an entire team of professional for renovation and building. Feel free to connect and share accurate data. Our PCB air bnb has been at 80% occupancy in the slow season and starting to open bookings for the season. 

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