[Ohiogirl]

We rented ours for 4 years ourselves - from Ohio. We did hire a caretaker (for a monthly price - about $50, may be higher now) who usually met the tenant at the house or left keys in an arranged place and stopped by the next day for a meet & greet, q & a. Thought is was entirely fair to pay monthly even if all they did was meet and greet in beginning and pick up keys at end. usually tenant just left keys and key card on counter.

Did all of the tax set-up/paying electronically - initially by phone call. Do a search for Transient Tax (hotel tax) for Florida. In Sumter County, I think the total tax due was 9% and I just roughly figured it from the rent. Never a problem. You do have to file (paying 0) even for the months it's not rented. Think I had to pay $50 one month for not knowing that and not filing.

You can also email the permanent guest card office (which is in Spanish Springs sales office, think it still is). When we were there, would leave our id cards on file with the form for the 1st set of tenants before we left (they like a few days lead time, even if you can't leave your id's until you leave). Would then mail (but now would just scan and email - didn't have a scanner then) the next form with the check a couple of weeks prior to the next tenant. The tenant does pick up their id's at Lake Sumter Landing sales office, which is open every day (except maybe major holidays).

Caretaker was also available for any questions that came up later. 1st Caretaker could also do minor repairs, although I don't think any ever needed. Did have an a/c issue once, but we had opted for extended warranty and it was covered and also covered night/weekend service call.

I advertised on Vacationrentals.com and later thevillages4rent.com. Had success with both. Learned to not rent Feb. & March unless Jan. already rented. Last 2 yrs rented to same tenants for Jan-March. If I did it again, unless it was last minute, would only rent Jan-March to one tenant (less changeover).

I emailed leases and charged all rent money up front, due 45 days prior to onset of lease for the most part. Usually rented 6-8 months every year. Easy to rent Jan-April. Might not be worth wear and tear and utility expenses in summer-time, although I did rent at least 6 weeks ever summer, usually one month-long rental (future residents trying out summer heat) and the odd week or two of visitors.

Had a very reliable cleaning guy referred by the 1st caretaker. He would let me know by email how he found the place, etc. If I were doing it again, I would ask him to take digital photos of any questionable damage or excessive dirtiness. That only happened once or twice, and everything cleaned up. Very minor damage - probably less than when we started living there ourselves.

Made up a notebook with all necessary info (internet info, pest control, golf info, etc). Give a list of all info to caretaker as well. Also take the time to make up a general info sheet and a map marked with location, etc. Find the best golf cart path map you can and maybe give some tips about golf cart driving and where to be especially careful (for us that is probably Lake Buena Vista and Old Mill Run). Replenished free maps and golf info twice a year when we visited (usually in April and in Nov-Dec. Advised where to buy $5 map (when I left those, they disappeared).

Paid for the golf cart service in case they ever needed towing (never did). Had 2 sets of golf clubs available.

It is work to keep your website listing updated, must check email daily, etc. Probably averaged 5 hours a week, sometimes less, sometimes more. Helps to get to know neighbors and get their email addresses also.

I think ours rented easily because of location (not far from LSL), and was well-furnished and equipped and advertised as such. Had electric Foreman domed grill for their use outdoors so didn't have to be concerned about propane tank filling.