Why did I decide to write about Orlando in a generalized way? Because I realize that, despite having countless sources of information on the internet, magazines and blogs, it's difficult to understand how the real estate and brokerage business works in Orlando when it comes to finding the best property for everyone. I would like to remind you that the areas of Windermere (Windermír), Winter Garden, Kissimmee (Kissííími), are not neighborhoods but nearby cities. Perhaps an easy way would be to think of it like São Paulo and Greater São Paulo, Orlando and "Greater Orlando".
One of the first things I want to clarify today is the frequent question I get from people looking for an investment property. In the United States, unlike Brazil, there is a unified database system, the MLS, and we brokers have access to everything on the market, whether it's new, used, large or small, regardless of value, size, real estate category or broker who listed the property for sale. This is excellent, as it gives us a lot of information and options, but we also need to know how to filter in order to get as close as possible to the "right" or most suitable property.
So let's understand that we have an initial factor that can help guide us: would this investment be something for our own use or not? If so, let's think about properties that we can use for a certain period of the year and the rest of the time, instead of being closed up, we can rent out on a seasonal or daily basis. This scenario already focuses us on areas such as Kissimmee, Davenport, Clermont and the surrounding area (except for a few apartments in Orlando). These are areas where zoning allows short-term rentals. It's no coincidence that the vacation condos we always see are in this area. There, you can find apartments, townhouses and houses, in condominiums that are usually gated - not always, but most are gated in these areas - as well as apartments, which are gradually becoming more popular in the city. These condominiums usually have a larger leisure area, and the houses come equipped with all appliances, including washing machines and dryers. If there is a swimming pool, it is often included in the price of the property. Many condominiums offer hotel-like services, with a reception area. These properties may or may not generate a profit. They may or may not be the right thing for the buyer, but for this to be the direction to take, it is important to think that this is the property that the owner is looking to use during the year and depending on how much and when it is used, as well as other factors that would be studied and discussed, this may or may not be an investment with a good financial return.
Since this investment is a property that the owner won't be using, we can think of residential areas. Why? Because in this case, the owner can rent the house out to someone else and therefore doesn't need to furnish it, and will also have lower monthly maintenance costs, electricity and water bills, etc., since in this case these will be maintained by the tenant, which is not the case with the option we explored above. There are apartment options in Metrowest and Hunters Creek, and houses in these same neighborhoods, as well as in Windermere and Winter Garden, among others.
The region to be chosen depends directly on how the property will be used, which is why it is important for the broker to understand the buyer's profile and expectations regarding the investment.