Future snowbirds wanting to buy now and rent/move when we retire (Jacksonville: to rent, house)

[mr&mrssunshine]

we rented for about 10 years before we moved here, we came on vacation at least 2-3 times a year

our top priorities were , nice pool area, preferably south facing and also quiet.
the inside wasn't so key , we just wanted it nice and clean
we spent 99% of our waking time outdoors
oh and internet is a must
most homes also offer cable Tv

[Baby Boomer]

Originally Posted by MikMal

The canals in Rotonda have a lock that you pass thru to get into Charlotte Harbor. There are no locks in Port Charlotte but a general rule is that canals north of Tamiama are considered freshwater canals. They have spillways leading to the saltwater canals. If you want something that you can transit by boat to the open water of Charlotte Harbor then you have to look pretty much south of Tamiami. Then you are only limited by your bridge clearance, which in most cases is about 10 feet. Unless you want sailboat water (meaning no bridges to open water), then you need to look pretty much south and east of Edgewater and Midway respectively or off of the Manchester Waterway. Plus there are some areas north of the Rt. 41 bridge, but I don't know if that's still considered Port Charlotte or Punta Gorda.

I heard about the locks on the canals and appreciate your input! We will look into that further before moving forward.

[Baby Boomer]

Originally Posted by mr&mrssunshine

we rented for about 10 years before we moved here, we came on vacation at least 2-3 times a year

our top priorities were , nice pool area, preferably south facing and also quiet.
the inside wasn't so key , we just wanted it nice and clean
we spent 99% of our waking time outdoors
oh and internet is a must
most homes also offer cable Tv

That was a good idea vacationing in the areas first for awhile before you bought your home. I don't think we would be able to get away so often. I do wish we could get away, especially in ths cold weather! Brrrr!!

[sunshinewi]

From Mr&MrsSunshine - lastly don't think you MIGHT HAVE to use a management company, will WILL have to. you will need someone on the ground to handle the day to day stuff....making sure people move in/out ok, supervising proper cleaning, attending emergencies speedily, checking lawns and pools are attended to...it goes on.


I totally agree. They handle everything and are well worth the fee. They check your property, do backgrounds, and have handymen, electricians, plumbers etc that will actually show up and do a decent job. They will also handle the unpleasant stuff if you do get a bad renter. You need somebody down there checking on things.
Now I know VRBO is a popular site, and people have good luck with that. I talked to someone who rented their house out through VRBO and they have a trusted person who does the housekeeping after renters leave and is available in case of emergency. I don't know how other property owners do it.

[sware2cod]

If you rent it 'seasonal' or 'vacation', you will need to furnish the home...furniture, decorations, sheets, blinds, pots/pans, etc. You also pay for all utilities, often including cable and Wi-Fi. Plus pool service and lawn service.

If you rent it out annually, it's usually rented vacant except landlord usually supplies the fridge/range and blinds are usually included. Sometimes you choose to pay for lawn service and/or pool service and then charge a higher rent to cover these. It depends on what you choose to do in this area.

Seasonal rentals can sit vacant for 6-8 months of the year. Jan-Feb-Mar are the prime rental months and you might get overlap of Nov/Dec and April if you are lucky.

[CTC]

To the OP. You should be easily able to cover your expenses by renting out your place during the season. I would say a place in Rotunda-with a pool would go for at least 2500 per month.

Our modest North Port home goes for 1800-2000 during season and we are booked for 2015 already! we use Homeaway

Also if you can drop your price during the off season, you might be surprised-we have had people interested during summer months too (and book) . A pool is a major plus.

I think what helped us was cultivating connections-like neighbors who help to keep an eye on things and finding good services which we trust when we are gone (pool/AC/homewatch/electrical etc).

And when you are down there-make it a working vacation. Spend time working on your property. Make it a priority. Get to know your neighbors. Know that although you might not be able to come down during the season, May and Oct are pretty sweet as well (the two months we are able to visit) Feel good that it is yours and you have something to look forward to in the near future (ie moving to SW FL in a good financial state).

We are on track to moving down full time in 2015 with a paid off home

Good Luck!!

[Baby Boomer]

Originally Posted by CTC

To the OP. You should be easily able to cover your expenses by renting out your place during the season. I would say a place in Rotunda-with a pool would go for at least 2500 per month.

Our modest North Port home goes for 1800-2000 during season and we are booked for 2015 already! we use Homeaway

Also if you can drop your price during the off season, you might be surprised-we have had people interested during summer months too (and book) . A pool is a major plus.

I think what helped us was cultivating connections-like neighbors who help to keep an eye on things and finding good services which we trust when we are gone (pool/AC/homewatch/electrical etc).

And when you are down there-make it a working vacation. Spend time working on your property. Make it a priority. Get to know your neighbors. Know that although you might not be able to come down during the season, May and Oct are pretty sweet as well (the two months we are able to visit) Feel good that it is yours and you have something to look forward to in the near future (ie moving to SW FL in a good financial state).

We are on track to moving down full time in 2015 with a paid off home

Good Luck!!

CTC,

Thank you for all your helpful information! We will check out Homeaway too! If we did buy a house we did plan on trying to get to know our neighbors and take some "working vacations". How much of your mortgage and other expenses were you able to cover with renters? Did you only do seasonal renters?

Thanks!
BB

[CTC]

Originally Posted by Baby Boomer

CTC,

Thank you for all your helpful information! We will check out Homeaway too! If we did buy a house we did plan on trying to get to know our neighbors and take some "working vacations". How much of your mortgage and other expenses were you able to cover with renters? Did you only do seasonal renters?

Thanks!
BB

100% of our expenses-

Mortgage: not really sure-perhaps 1/3-1/2 ???

Seasonal renters-but others have long term renters.

We bought in 2011-very different than now....one could easily buy a pool home for less than 100k (like ours) back then.

Homeaway is linked to VBRO-we get inquiries from VBRO too.

[Baby Boomer]

Is Cape Coral an area that I should check out for homebuying??

[mr&mrssunshine]

i wouldn't be...nowhere near as nice