Why did we buy this property?

One lesson we quickly learned while doing short-term rentals in Florida is that you need a pool. But not a community pool, a private pool. That’s the primary reason why we chose this deal. Indeed, this was our second short-term rental. The first one we bought was a beautiful house in the same community, but without pool. We sold it after a year as properties with pools generated between $30 and $50 more a night! 

Everything went perfect with this house. We bought new modern furniture, installed electronic door locks, and decorated the place with a mid-century theme. Feel free to check it out on Airbnb and save it on your wish list.  

Lessons learned

• Guests want a clean and private house with a pool, close to major attractions. In real estate it’s all about location. In short-term rentals, it’s all about location AND amenities. How can you differentiate yourself from major hotel chains? By providing your guests the same experience they expect in a hotel, but with the privacy of a house. At the same time, the private pool allows you to stand out from the competition, as a lot of Airbnb’s in Florida are located in vacation villas and communities where they share amenities.  
• For some guests, the stay at your place may be their only vacation that year, and they expect everything to go perfectly. In order to ensure a constant and consistent experience, develop strong Standard Operating Procedures and follow them. It will take time, but will save you many headaches. 
• A solar pool water heater is not worth the investment in a short-term rental in Florida. Just our opinion after having one for over a year.