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Have you ever seen the Orange County Convention Center? There’s a very good chance that you have, even if you don’t live in Orlando or the Greater Orlando area. The OCCC, as it’s usually known, is the second largest convention center in the USA (the only one that’s larger is in Chicago) and its one of the jewels in the crown of the city of Orlando – though by no means its only attraction! Although it was originally planned in 1978, the final phase (Phase Five) of the OCCC didn’t get finally finished until 2003. The official opening of the OCCC happened back in 1983, and in the twenty years between its opening and the finishing of its final phase, very many conventions have been held in this huge complex. Now, common sense will tell you that if lots of people are coming to conventions in the OCCC, they’re going to need somewhere to stay during that convention. Combine this with the fact that the Greater Orlando area contains many tourist attractions, and you’ll easily see that there will be certain times of year when hotel rooms are very much in demand. So it makes sense to consider investing in holiday accommodation within the Greater Orlando area – you’ll have no shortage of clients, whether you invest in long term or short term stays. Contact the Bahia Realty Group team to locate a suitable Orlando Property to invest in or to find out where you can develop an hotel or rental condo from scratch. Raul Aleman
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Many people choose Orlando for investing in rental property – the Bahia team sees plenty of these and we have many properties throughout Tampa Bay that are suitable as rental properties. And we can take care of some of the headaches for you – finding you a good agency that will handle maintenance, rent collection and screening prospective clients – even if you live outside Florida or even outside of the USA.
But even if you want us to find you an agent to take care of the day-to-day running of the rental property, some things only you can decide on. Like whether the tenants are allowed pets or not, and, if so, what sort of pets.
Dogs are the pets that are most commonly mentioned in tenancy agreements. There are several reasons for this. Dogs can dig holes and wreck gardens, make a mess in the house if they’re not housebroken, track mud across carpets and menace people coming onto the property (like landlords, builders, plumbers and gardeners). However, as you know if you’re a dog owner, there is a world of difference between a small and perfectly trained Chihuahua, and a large and unruly Rottweiler. You can, of course, allow some leeway here. A pre-tenancy form can request potential tenants to give the breed of their dog, and you can take it from there, using your discretion.
Cats are less controversial, as they are cleaner and less prone to menacing people. And kitty litter trays mean that you can even keep cats in apartments. However, if you are letting your property as fully furnished, you may want to not allow cats, as they do scratch the furniture and upholstery.
“No pets” means just that in a tenancy agreement. Although I haven’t seen this done yet, you could always write a clause in that permits goldfish only…
Raul Aleman
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Perhaps you’re one of the many who look through our Orlando Real Estate listings to find a property in Greater Orlando area that would be suitable as a rental property. Choosing rental property as an investment can be a great way to earn a little on the side as well as putting a roof over the heads of people who haven’t yet been able to buy their own place (note to all those who are currently renting: have a look at our listings. You might find something that you can afford).
When you go into rental property as an investment, you’ve still got a few responsibilities. As a landlord, you have to be responsible for maintaining the property. And if you’re doing that, then it’s wise to check the credentials of your potential tenants to make sure that they’re going to treat YOUR place with respect.
You’ve probably got a mental picture of the tenants you want. Maybe a young couple just starting out, a lower-income family or a group of students sharing expenses. And when you choose tenants, you’re probably likely to try to let your property to people who fit that mental image. However, there are some things that you have to bear in mind.
Firstly, be careful that you’re not discriminating against anyone unfairly. This is illegal. You cannot refuse to let property to people on the grounds of race, gender, religion, age or sexual orientation. So you cannot turn people away for these reasons. “Age” includes children, so you cannot stipulate “no children” in the contract the way you can stipulate “no dogs”.
But you can decline tenants on the basis of employment or income. If people look like they’re not going to be able to pay their rent because they haven’t got a big enough wage packet or if they’ve changed jobs very frequently, you can turn them down. You have the right to be paid your rent, so it’s wise to make sure that your prospective tenants can pay it.
You can also request that your tenants be non-smokers, as cigarette smoke has a tendency to linger and leave unpleasant smells in a house, even months after the smokers have left. And some smokers often have the unpleasant habit of leaving cigarette ends in the garden where they can kill plants.
Using a pre-tenancy check can be a good way of screening out the “bad apples” who are likely to be a poor “investment”. Or you can let us do it…
At Bahia Realty Group, we can do all this for you. We are highly experienced in the Property Management field. We will take care of property and building maintenance, rent collection and selecting tenants.
Raul Aleman
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In my last post, I wrote about some ways to reduce energy consumption at home by reducing your need for electricity-powered air conditioning. But I realize that in many Orlando Homes, air conditioning is necessary to cope with the warm Florida climate we have. Florida is a sunny place, so when you’re building or renovating (see our listings for suitable properties for renovation), you should consider the sunshine. At midday, when the sun it at its strongest, it’s in the south, so you should take care with windows and walls facing the southern side of the house. A good old-fashioned way of keeping the heat of direct sunshine out while still allowing light to enter is by constructing a porch or deck on that side (with ranch sliders or French windows leading out) with a roof over the porch. It makes a great place to entertain or relax, too! If you don’t want to construct one, then look for a house with a porch already in place on the southern side – see our listings to find one. But don’t forget that sunshine has its flip side when conserving energy. Sunshine isn’t the bad guy. Even if you’re looking at Bahia Real Estate’s housing list for a new Orlando Home that doesn’t need renovation – you’re too busy for that – then remember that sunshine’s perfect for drying clothing. I can’t believe how many people put a load of laundry in the tumble dryer on a sunny Florida day when quickly throwing the clothes and towels over a rack or even a couple of chairs will get them dry in just the same amount of time – and without expending any energy (except a few calories on your part – which is no bad thing!) Jenn Cook
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Lately, these days, we’ve heard a lot about global warming and the need to reduce emissions. And, as with all environmental issues, the best way to do your bit to save the planet is to start close to home… in your home, as a matter of fact. If you’re building a new Orlando Home or renovating an old, beat up house (and check out Bahia Realty Group’s listings to find suitable empty plots ready for development or run-down houses just ripe for doing up), then this is a good time to consider sustainable houses. In the USA, most of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels or by nuclear energy, both of which have unwanted environmental side-effects. So by planning your house carefully, you can reduce your energy consumption and thus reduce fossil fuel dependence – not a bad thing in these days of soaring oil prices. Now, in the Orlando area which Bahia Realty Group services, we’re lucky to have plenty of sunshine. In fact, when you’re considering the energy needs of your new house, you’re more likely to need to consider air conditioning and keeping cool rather than keeping warm. After all, the Orlando area has a long history of being a winter retreat from the cold. Your air conditioning is often run by electricity. If you can find ways of keeping your house cool without relying on air conditioning, then you can reduce your energy consumption. Keeping the air moving is the key here. Remember all those pictures of southern belles fluttering fans to keep cool? While you shouldn’t have to fan yourself, making sure your house is well ventilated so air can keep moving is one sure-fire way to keep cool. Check out the windows when considering a new house. Can they open freely to let air in but not so freely as to let criminals in? Do you have scope for ventilation slits? Open plan housing is also great for allowing air to circulate freely to keep you cool. Look at our Orlando Property listings to find open plan home of all shapes and sizes in the Greater Orlando area. More in my next post on sustainable, energy-efficient Orlando Real Estate homes. Jenn Cook
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I’ve discussed solar power for “off the grid” living if you’re building a new property. But while many people look through the listings at Bahia Realty Group for vacant lots to build a home in Orlando (and the Greater Orlando area is one place where new areas are being opened up for development at a very rapid rate), this may not be you case. You can still take advantage of solar power, though. Studies have shown that the biggest consumer of domestic energy is heating water. I know that a hot shower is a great pick-me-up after a long day’s work, and, like most women, I find a hot bubble bath is a favourite stress-beater. Solar energy can heat your all water, reducing your energy bills dramatically. This is done by an arrangement of pipes mounted on the roof facing the right direction and at the right angle. The pipes are surrounded by materials that will absorb and retain the heat of the sun, and the water uses convection to flow through the pipe and back into your hot water cylinder again. Even in winter, you can get enough solar energy to meet your hot water needs (unless you’re particularly extravagant). Sunshine, like other good things in life, is free. Why not make the most of it and do your bit to beat global warming? Raul Aleman
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In my previous posts, I’ve been talking about sustainable housing and how to make the most of the wonderful climate we have here in the Greater Orlando area in Florida and all the sunshine we have. Of course, the ultimate way to make use of all that free sunshine is to consider solar energy. The sort of solar energy that suits you best depends on whether you’re building a new home or if you are thinking of renovating or adding to an already constructed house. If you are buying an empty section for development, the team here at Bahia real estate can help you get in touch with the builders so you can put your sustainable living (and other) requirements into place. For a totally new house, it is possible to live completely “off the grid” with solar power and not rely on mains electricity at all. If this appeals to you, then siting your house correctly is a must. The solar panels must face in the right direction (due south) and be tilted at the right angle to catch the most sunshine. You’ll also have to choose your deep cycle battery (the way the sunlight is “stored” and released at night) carefully – the sort of deep cycle battery used for RV campers doesn’t suit “off the grid” living. Once it’s all set up, you’re underway. Even at night, even at winter and even when on cloudy days, you can harvest enough solar power for your energy needs. Raul Aleman
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There are a couple of old sayings that have been going through my mind recently. One is “Every cloud has its silver lining” and the other is “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.” And there are a couple of situations in real estate that live up to these sayings. The one I want to talk about today is foreclosures. This is a really dark cloud for anyone who is in that situation. Nobody plans to have an investment go sour on them and end up having to sell quick to avoid the bank or lending company foreclosing on their mortgage. But in the boom-and-bust housing market we’ve had recently in the Orlando real estate area and throughout Florida, it happens. But this is good news for anyone who is just starting out in investing property (or looking for a first home). Foreclosure means that there are some nice houses in good areas going at a bargain price. Now that’s good for you! The team here at Bahia real estate keep our eyes open for foreclosure homes and make them available to you as one of our many services. Talk to us today and see if someone else’s ill wind has blown you some good.
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The new year is always an exciting time. I like getting out my new diary for the year, filling in the important dates that I know are coming up (like family birthdays and anniversaries) and wondering what will fill up those blank pages in the year ahead. Some people choose the new year to have a new beginning, complete with a move to a new house for one reason or another. Perhaps they’ve got a new job, or perhaps they’ve decided it’s time to retire. Or maybe, it’s just time for a change. Many people contact the Bahia Real Estate team to find a new property in the Orlando area, at this time of year and at others, especially if they’ve got fed up with the cold in other parts of the country and want to move to a more benign climate (this is why so many towns and suburbs in the greater Orlando area have “winter” in their names: these were the warm-climate resorts for those who wanted to escape the snow that is picturesque enough at Christmas but dreary the rest of the year.). But for the ultimate in new beginnings for a new year, some people buy an empty section of land for development. If this is one new beginning that appeals to you, talk to the Bahia Real Estate team and check out our listings – perhaps we’ve got the perfect new beginning and blank canvas for you.
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The greater Orlando area sees more than its fair share of tourists coming through it in a year to enjoy the theme parks, beaches and other attractions. And all these tourists need somewhere to stay. While you may not want to invest as heavily into the tourist industry to buy a hotel (although, if you do, the Bahia Realty Group team can help you find one for sale), you may want to consider going into providing bed and breakfast accommodation. The simplest form of bed and breakfast (or B&B) accommodation involves more or less keeping a guest room ready in your home and renting it out per night. Your guest will share your bathroom and kitchen facilities, and you will provide the linen, a room and breakfast for your paying guests. It’s a great way to meet people. Alternatively, you can rent out a unit on your property (like a sleepout or a studio) that has separate facilities, allowing both you and your guest to have a little more privacy. Running a bed and breakfast is a way to invest in real estate and have a roof over your head all in one package. To find suitable properties that have bed and breakfast potential in the Orlando area, see the Bahia Real Esate team’s listings.
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Winter Garden One of the incorporated urban areas in Orange County serviced by Bahia Realty Group of Orlando is Winter Garden. In spite of the name, which suggests bare branches and bare earth waiting for the quickening of spring sunshine, Winter Garden is an area of great growth, with housing projects being continually developed. Located 14 miles to the west of downtown Orlando, Winter Garden is nicknamed “the land of pleasant living.” And with the justly famous Orange County climate and attractions, it well deserves this name. Warm and humid, its subtropical climate is much balmier than the name suggests. Probably, the city got its name because it was the winter retreat to warmer climes for the wealthy in days gone by. Winter Garden was originally founded in 1857 by W.C. Roper, who wanted a place for his wife and ten children to live. Horticulture provided the initial wealth for Winter Garden, with the scent of hundreds of orange blossoms scenting the air. But tourism was also growing as a means of Winter Garden’s economic success, and this has continued to this day. Winter Garden is proud of its heritage and has preserved much of its history in the Winter Garden Heritage Museum and elsewhere. Winter Garden has undergone much redevelopment recently with the aim of preserving the charm and easy-going lifestyle of the area but ensuring that its citizens are well serviced with up-to-date transport systems, utilities and other conveniences of modern life. Call us if you are interested in buying a beautiful Winter Garden home. Raul Aleman
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Anyone with the slightest interest in cars has heard of the Daytona International Speedway. Throughout the racing season, the crowds flock to this super speedway located in Volusia County to catch the action. The Indy 500, the Daytona 500, and other big NASCAR events are held here. The stadium itself seats 168,000 spectators – there are respectable urban centers with populations smaller than this! While Daytona International Speedway is best know as a place where cars, motorbikes and even pick-up trucks scream around bends at high speeds, the speedway also has a lake inside it, Lake Lloyd. This lake measures 29 acres in area and is used for powerboat racing – motorsport of another type. The huge crowds attracted by the thousands that come to take in the atmosphere, smell the gasoline and watch the pros burn some serious rubber will, of course, need somewhere to sleep, eat and hang out when they’re not trackside. This means that short-term rental accommodation, motels, hotels and other forms of accommodation-for-rent make a very smart business proposition for those who want to invest in property in the Volusia area. Of course, Daytona Beach itself is the best place to buy this type of property – preferably close to the track itself – but other locations in Volusia County would also make a pretty hot buy. The team here at Bahia Real Estate can help you find one that suits you. Or if you’re a serious petrol-head, you may want to live where you can catch the trackside action whenever you fancy. Daytona Beach doesn’t only boast the speedway. The beach itself is a superb place to chill out and enjoy the water. Have a look for yourself.
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Walt Disney World resort is one of the most popular resorts and theme parks in the world, and it’s right here in the Orlando area. First opened in 1971, this exciting and fun park has delighted of millions, young and old. The Magic Kingdom, with its classic Cinderella Castle was the first part to be opened and was part of the original dream of the man himself, Walt Disney. When Disney was planning to construct this world of wonder and imagination, he used quite a bit of cunning to prevent people spotting what he was doing. Choosing the Orlando area in Florida that was already well known as a holiday paradise with an equable and welcoming climate, he bought the real estate in smaller packages, using “dummy corporations” to make the individual purchases. Walt never got to see the dream become the reality, as construction started the year after his death. Disney World originally extended for 25 000 acres, but some of the original land has been sold off for housing developments. One of the housing projects built on land that was originally part of the land intended for Disney World is Celebration, which was, in fact, built by the Disney Corporation. And if you fancy buying property here to make your own little magic kingdom, check out the Bahia Real Estate listings to find your dream Orlando property – in ex-Disney property or elsewhere.
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Avalon Park is a beautifully planned and designed neighbourhood in the southeast Orlando area. As many parts of all the Orlando area have been seeing major developments lately, it is really good to see how Avalon Park has been planned with care, love and attention to make it a great place for families to live. The designers of Avalon Park looked to the past for inspiration. While “the good old days” are often given a golden glow from memory, it’s certainly true that many things about the past were better than some aspects of modern life. A greater importance was placed on family life and community living. This school of thought that drove the design of Avalon Park is called Neo-Traditionalism, or New Urbanism. Since the 1980s, New Urbanism has sought to plan neighbourhoods that are easy to live in, turning away from the car-only type neighbourhoods that once sprang up. Sidewalks –where people can meet, stroll, play and even commute if their job is close enough – are an important part of the design, as everything in the neighbourhood area is designed to be walkable, making it accessible for all. A neighbourhood like Avalon Park that has been planed along Neo-Traditional lines has several key features: a definable center within walking distance of all houses in the neighbourhood, a range of offices and stores to cater to the everyday needs of residents, a variety of housing styles so rich, poor, families and singles can find something suitable. Traffic calming and taking the emphasis off motorized transport is also important, and in these days of soaring petrol prices, that’s a smart move. Schools and playgrounds are also sited so that walking to the park or to school is a possibility. Avalon Park is not the only example of Neo-Traditionalism within the Orlando area. The neighbourhood community of Celebration is a high-profile example of this school of urban design that is one of the “poster children” of the movement. If this sounds like the type of Orlando community you’d like to live in, contact us here at Bahia Realty Group. We frequently have property for sale in Avalon Park and in Celebration, plus many more. Jennifer Cook Orlando Real Estate
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Between Daytona Beach and the central Orlando area, there’s a few localities that are quietly humming. You’ll find them all on our listings here at Bahia Realty Group. In the northeast Orlando area, you’ll find Seminole County and other locations such as Longwood and Winter Park. Seminole County is, of course, named after the Seminole people group. According to some sources, it’s the fastest growing area in Florida, and as Florida has a booming and burgeoning population, with new houses going in nearly every day, that really means something. As Seminole County is within commuting distance of Volusia and Orange County, it’s a popular place to live where you can get away from the office and leave it behind when the day’s over. Within Seminole County, you’ll find a number of cities, including Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs, Longwood and Lake Mary. Winter Springs is a city that has been planned carefully to make sure that the downtown area is as elegant as a Florida city should be. And this planning has paid off: The August 2007 issue of Money Magazine rated Winter Springs as the 31st best place in the USA to live, and the 2nd best place in all of Florida. Way to go! And so it’s not surprising that a lot of land in the Winter Springs area are being opened up for development – be in quick to invest in the action here. Lake Mary scored even higher when rated by Money Magazine, being ranked as the best place in Florida to live and the fourth best place in all of the USA. As Lake Mary has a high standard of living and a true sense of community, it’s not hard to see why. Currently, a huge downtown development project is being planned: the construction of the Lake Mary Events Center, which promises to be huge!
Don't hesitate to call us if you want to find out more about Orlando Real Estate and Orlando Homes for Sale! Jenn Cook
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