[DrThunder]

I'm new to this site, so I hope I'm posting to the correct forum.

I've just returned from a visit to TV and spent a couple of days with a real estate agent. I found an older home I really like, but my dilemma is this:

I'm old enough to purchase a home in TV, but I'm not planning to retire for another 7 - 10 years, if then. I teach at a college up north and had this idea that I'd like to buy a home there, spend my free time (summers etc.) in Florida when I'm off of school, get used to the place, make friends etc. thru the years. But the reality is that my house would be sitting vacant there during the prime winter months.

The agent tells me it is quite easy to rent out during the January to May time frame, which is perfect for me. I know it's a little nuts to spend summers in Florida and the rest of the year up in the frozen tundra, but it makes a kind of investment sense if it is manageable.

So my question is, just how hard is to truly find renters? I see hundreds of ads and I can't believe that there are really enough renters to go around. I'm on the fence about the purchase price, but if I really could any sort of rental income, it makes a difference in what I'm what I'm willing to spend etc.

I thought someone on this board might have a sense if it is exaggeration to convince me to buy, or are there truly are decent renters out there eager for a home during the winter months?

Thoughts anybody?