All Forum Posts by: Levi Bennett

I can't speak to Chicago laws, but here in Orlando we have very specific zoning for short and long term rentals. Here, it's black and white. But I know that's not the case in MOST places.. it's more of a grey area. I would make sure you don't have any HOA restrictions before diving in, if it's not mentioned, or you don't know of any county or municipal restrictions prohibiting short term rentals (or leases less than a certain amount, IE: 6 months).. then I would say go for it. They can be cash cows. And it sounds like the way you are approaching it is even better.. having ONE unit out of 4 as a vacation rental. You can't beat that.

If you are in an HOA, even though it may not be specifically defined, I would try and get short term rentals by low-key tenants who aren't going to draw a lot of attention to themselves. This will help you "fly under the radar" etc.. I've heard of plenty of success stories of people who just did a good job getting the right renters, and never had an issue with their HOA.. But there is definitely the flip side, I've heard of HOA's writing new rules to prohibit short term rentals when it's abused.

Pro tip: Don't allow one night rentals. Ever. Having at LEAST a 2 night minimum (preferably 3) will directly impact how people will respect your property. Also, try to screen people on the phone, try your hardest to get tenants on the phone. It's FAR easier to judge someone's character by phone than by online presence on your Airbnb profile. 

Anyway, GOOD LUCK. Keep us updated, I'm curious to know how it goes!

I didn't actually know that Airbnb does that. Kinda cool..  Either way, these pics will be primarily for Homeaway, and I'm hoping to find someone here that I trust and is recommended a little more organically than Airbnb. 

@Ryan Kopczyk thank you!!

I hate to be negative here, but why in the HELL is there not an android app available yet? It almost seems inexcusable. Much smaller websites have fully functioning apps for iphone and droid alike. I would've become a pro member of this site long ago if there was a mobile version for android. No plans to make one? I clicked on this forum hopeful.. this is beyond frustrating. 

Hey guys, I thought I would start here first.. looking for one or two real estate photographer contacts. I have many clients who purchase vacation homes, and after rehab need professional pictures done for sites like airbnb, homeaway, vrbo etc.. Any suggestions would be helpful, and if I can get a reliable contact, I should be able to provide business for them a few times a year. 

Thanks BP

You rock @Justin Stamper, just what i was hoping for. Thanks a lot. 

Did anyone find anything? I could really use some great references asap. 

Yes, yes and yes. Rent is astronomical here. I've seen a 15% increase in rent in some areas just in the last quarter. 

Hey BP, 

I have a client that just went under contract with a house that needs a new roof, some minor interior work, and a extensive landscaping.. they're looking for a GC ASAP that will be available to walk around with them on the property in Orlando (Azalea Park area) before they fly back home on Thursday.

@Justin Stamper, I know you're well connected, do you have any recommendations? Any leads for someone reliable would be amazing. 

The goal is to get the house to renting condition. 

Thanks everyone!!

The main thing (in Florida) is a pool. The pool needs to be big enough at the clubhouse to accommodate everyone. Some have lazy rivers, waters slides, etc.. it's not required, but for a neighborhood further from Disney, you need to have an appeal that the ones close don't have. Often you can get a lot more for less money just by going another mile or two away from Disney. Another commonly requested one, but isn't necessarily a requirement to have a successful rental, is a manned guard gate. Renters feel a lot more secure who have been traveling when they find that they have a manned guard gate to help them out and check them in. Those two things are the most expensive in an HOA.

@Cal C.

 That's it man. That's the key, that's the million dollar question down here that some ask and some don't. 

The one's that are doing well do a lot of "little things" but, in my mind, here are the biggest "little" things you can do:

1. refurbish with modern furniture. Successful units have either interior decorators, or the owners are savvy with decor so that it looks NICE in photos. 

2. That's the next point: photos. Hire a professional photographer for $200-300 to take amazing photos of your property. It makes all the difference when people are browsing 100 properties on Homeaway.com

3. TV's. Have a flatscreen in every bedroom, cleanly mounted without tacky wires. They don't have to be big in the bedrooms, just have them in there. Have a really big one (modern) in the main room. People eat that up. Flatscreens are cheap nowadays compared to when most of these homes were originally purchased.. in my mind, this should be a given. 

There are other factors like management, location, amenities, but.. it usually boils down to what people see on the internet, the better you can make it look there, vacationers don't care about the other stuff as long as it's up to standard with other communities.