Converting Short to Long Term Rentals – is if for you?

With the current climate of excess short term rental Villas available and the decline in guests looking to go to Florida is it an opportunity to ride the current market conditions by converting to a long term rental? It’s the first question we get asked when a villa Difference Between owner is struggling for bookings. There are still great opportunities for the property investor in Central Florida but these opportunities are now migrating away from the Vacation/Short term rental market. Here we cover some significant benefits of long term rental property ownership that we hope will help you decide if this is a better option for you.

The first point we always make is you have to be aware you are not comparing “apples with apples” – the two are in totally different sectors and should be treated as such. The 1st key consideration is that you will not be able to stay in the Long Term Rental home when you go to Florida. Some of the questions asked by Villa owners indicated that this is not 100% realised. Each Villa owner has different requirements and expectations and we will need to FULLY understand these before we can effectively advise if this is for you.

Here are some of the major benefits for the long term rental investor:-

  • Constant cash flow month on month.
  • Annually increasing rents/income
  • Asset produces both income AND capital growth
  • The same tenants may stay for many years
  • Not usually affected by any down turn in the vacation market.
  • Licensed property managers minimise owner/tenant issues
  • Pre Qualified / Background checked tenants
  • Accounting information recorded and supplied by Property Managers
  • No sales and tourist tax payable on rental income
  • No need for an occupational licence
  • The tenant pays all of the utility bills
  • Significantly reduced marketing costs and effort.
  • No need for a website and no need to hunt for short term renters which is a major saving of money,Guest Posting hassle and time.

The property owner is still responsible for:-

  • Property tax
  • Tangible property tax – this is usually less than a short term rental Villa
  • Any financing on the property
  • Property insurance
  • HOA fees
  • Long term rental management services
  • Filing 1040NR tax returns – same as for short term rentals

But is Florida a good long term rental area?

  • 1200 residents a day are moving to Florida – 2nd only to Las Vegas*
  • 3rd fastest growing state in the US*
  • Unemployment is the 6th lowest state*
  • 1 in every 5 retiree moves to Florida and rents for 2 years*
  • The best time to buy is now says a UCF study in March 2007**
  • 59.2% of homes are rented***

Properties that have pools and grounds to maintain will have an individually negotiated lease confirming who is responsible for the maintenance.

An alternative that many short term rental owners are considering is to sell up and re invest in a long term rental home right from day 1. Capital gains tax can be deferred indefinitely if you do correct tax planning (1031 exchange) so the profit from the sale goes into the new investment. Or you can use the tax “loses” generated from running a short term vacation home.

We also believe a lot of British owners will see the benefits of migrating to long term rentals or if they are in the market to purchase another home to expand their portfolio to long term rather than reinvesting in the short term rental market. This way you also have diversification in your property portfolio.