[Floridadream]

I am hoping to buy a vacation condo in Florida the areas I have been looking at to date are Tampa, Kissimmee and Orlando. I would like to be able to rent the condo out when I am not there. I do not live in the states so I would appreciate suggestions of possible areas that I could search in and comments on those I have listed. I have also looked at the Villages of Bloomingdale - can anybody comment on this area. Many Thanks.

[rich renter]

if you wait it out till early 2009 you will be able to buy at a much better price

[GregTraub]

The short-term vacation market is much different than the normal housing market, It has still slowed down quite a bit in the past year but prices in these neighborhoods tend to relate closer to vacancy rates and the tourism economy.

If you were looking to rent out the condo while you were away you have to consider alot of things. #1 being that the property you buy is zoned as short term rental. Or else you will be stuck with only being able to do long term leases.

I don't know much about Tampa or the villages at bloomingdale, but know quite a bit about the orlando/kissimmee area. I would think this area would be much better off in terms of being able to rent the property out while you are not there. Being as we get much more tourism due to all the parks and attractions. You have a ton of options from condo-tels, to townhome communities with onsite management, to single family homes where you hire your own management co. I'd personally buy more in the orlando area than in kissimmee, closer to the convention center and/or large hotels so you could get tourist and convention rental. There are some very nice places located ALL OVER the area.

Have you looked into how you would like to hold the mortgage (US$ or your local currency?)

[Floridadream]

Thank you both for your responses to my query. Richrenter I am not sure why it would be better for me to hold out until 2009. I thought house prices had dipped considerably and nowish was a good to buy. Greg the idea of buying a place that would appeal to both tourist and convention rental is food for thought and I will bear this in mind in my search. I do not know if I will fund my mortgage at home or abroad. The most practical I guess but I need to investigate that more. Finally should I be concerned about the property standing empty at any time or will the tourist industry - keep me afloat?

[Lilybeans]

Prices might be down now, but beware of property taxes and insurance.

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by Floridadream

I am hoping to buy a vacation condo in Florida the areas I have been looking at to date are Tampa, Kissimmee and Orlando. I would like to be able to rent the condo out when I am not there. I do not live in the states so I would appreciate suggestions of possible areas that I could search in and comments on those I have listed. I have also looked at the Villages of Bloomingdale - can anybody comment on this area. Many Thanks.

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