[l2ridehd]

I have 2 rental homes and like Toymeister I do everything myself. Even when I lived in Virginia I hired a really good homewatch person and managed everything else. Now that I live here full time I still do everything. At this point almost all my renters are repeat customers so damage is usually nothing. Sometimes a small accident happens. I now rent one home year around mainly because of the Florida and county 9% transient tax and the other is booked 8 months and I almost always pick up another one or two months. I will move the other home to year around at some point because of the 9% tax.

Tenants here are much better than all other rental properties I have owned. They are going to retire here or keep returning for a month or two every year. They take care of your home. The biggest problem I have is by not living there you miss the small issues unless they tell you about them. A draw sticks, a faucet has a small drip, the oven light quits, an electric cord is frayed, sheets are worn, a knob is loose, those kind of small things. Once a year during the summer I try to do a complete 100% inspection so I can fix those things, but I still will miss something. I always ask them to leave me a list so I can fix them, but most don't. Still with everything considered it has been a very profitable and rewarding experience. I have met many wonderful people and had both homes paid for by my renters.

Paying a property manager 20%, Florida and county 9% taxes makes transient rentals not worthwhile. It's a business that taxes and management fees will eliminate.