Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2305669)

Airbnb is being sued by multiple agencies. There isn’t any clear place where everything will land because there are so many suits. They have been flooding Florida campaigns with cash. I’m not sure where it will get them.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2305859)

I would be worried that any local government at any time can ban short term rentals. It can happen in any of the cities TV is in, i.e. Leesburg.

It can happen on a whim. Coronado, California banned STR and the enforcement is tough. In TV, you know neighbors will report STR if they are banned.

So be prepared to support the property without rentals.

If you think it can’t happen or won’t happen? All it takes is one election.

Originally Posted by Raywatkins (Post 2305185)

We are Brits - so can only stay in the US for 6 months each year. We started out along the lines of trying to cover our costs through renting year round when we were not staying.
Eventually we realised that we were getting around 80% of our costs covered from about 3 rentals per year. The first was the Jan thru March period (high season). It’s seems just now you can charge just about what you want and get someone to pay. But a word of caution, our home is situated mid way between Lake Sumter and Spanish Springs. So our success rate may be through location.
The second rental is for April.
These two periods are now regular returners so no great concern over their looking after the house properly.
The third rental is over Xmas but ending no later than 30th Dec.
We did get enough rental income during the summer, but they were all short term (normally a week). They were the least tidy, caused most damage and gave us the most headaches.
We have come to realise that over the 8 years we have owned our home, the value of the house has increased, each year, by far more than the annual costs.
We are fortunate that our income and savings/investments, allow us to take the hit on lower rentals. We also realised that our costs were lower as a result, and over the last couple of years we have only had to cover around 10-12% of the yearly costs. For us that’s about $3000 per year.
So, best advice we can give is to think about location, starting with where you want to be. Then see what rentals might be possible, by looking at the nearest developed area and what other renters are charging. You can do that by going on the various sites and looking at rates in those areas.
Once you have a fix on the possible rates at various times of the year, for the nearest locations, you can work on your costs. Don’t just take what The Villages say in their blurb. We found lots of other costs were necessary.
Then plan your strategy.
If you want to know more - DM me. Happy to help.
Ray

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2305859)

I would be worried that any local government at any time can ban short term rentals. It can happen in any of the cities TV is in, i.e. Leesburg.

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Originally Posted by Daddymac (Post 2305671)

So you want “THE BEST MONTHS” for yourself!! So no, it will not pay for itself. Remember you have 5000 other people looking to rent at the same time, “The off months”. Just something to think about, Don’t let people bull$hit you… If you don’t have the extra $$$$ to hold the house, Don’t do it…

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2305871)

Florida law prohibits cities & counties from banning STR's. There's zero chance of it happening in Leesburg or anywhere else, that didn't have the law on the books, prior to Florida adopting the original legislation in 2011.

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2305669)

Airbnb is being sued by multiple agencies. There isn’t any clear place where everything will land because there are so many suits. They have been flooding Florida campaigns with cash. I’m not sure where it will get them.

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2305883)

They can’t ban, but they can manage and regulate. Rental periods are unapproachable, but city codes can stipulate on site residence of management, fire codes etc. Where there is a will, there certainly is a way.

I found this article interesting on a new AI approach to busting and fining those not compliant with laws. Those who tried to skirt laws will find it much more difficult if they aren’t registered and paying every dime in taxes. Isn’t technology grand…
Here’s how AI can help find illegal short-term rentals in Central Florida

Originally Posted by Villager2be (Post 2305916)

I am by no means an expert, but I would imagine that TV would be a very different place (and not necessarily better), if STRs got banned. What will that do to property values? Many snowbirds and snowflakes could either be forced to sell, or just choose to sell, and many of your future snowbird/flake buyers and investors would no longer be interested in buying. Not to mention all of the snowbird renters who would no longer be able to stay short term. There go your crowds, for better or worse, and the huge influx of money they bring to the area, and a ton of participants for all the activities, I imagine a lot of what makes TV such a vibrant and wonderful place. Maybe I am wrong but just saying IMHO, be careful what you wish for... it could have a huge unintended impact.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2305871)

Florida law prohibits cities & counties from banning STR's. There's zero chance of it happening in Leesburg or anywhere else, that didn't have the law on the books, prior to Florida adopting the original legislation in 2011.

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star (Post 2305976)

Do you have any evidence at all for your imagination of The Villages? Hopefully some snowbirds will contribute, but of the snowbirds I know personally & I know quite a few, they spend the winter months here in Florida & those months vary depending on the people but generally late fall to early spring, then they close up their house & travel to their house up north. No unintended impacts. It is quieter here in the lovely summer months & busier in the lovely winter months. I'm fond of our snowbirds & look forward to seeing them return in the fall.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2305985)

Florida Senate approves vacation rental regulations as websites like Airbnb, **** become more popular

2/1/24…

Short-term vacation homes are closer to having new rules. The Florida Senate approved a proposal Thursday putting new regulations for vacation rentals.