Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
Where to begin decluttering? Start with a surface area, a drawer, a closet, a single room, the main thing is to simply start somewhere How Much is Too Much Stuff? Edit, Organize and Downsize Your Primary Home’s Contents I’m continually inspired to write about real …
From Summerbird to Snowbird Transition from a Summer to Winter Stay in Your Warm Weather Community Many times I’m inspired to write about questions I receive seeking insight of the snowbird life. This time our repeat vacation rental guests asked about making the transition from …
It is no longer unusual for properties of all kinds to be placed on the rental market. Couples who each retain their own residences may decide to rent one out and live together in one. Snowbirds may lease their primary home while away for the winter season. There's no shortage of anecdotal stories of guests who prefer a private residence or apartment when staying in another area for a weekend or longer.
More than ever, reputable third party online brokers such as vrbo.com, airbnb.com and bringfido.com connect owners with guests. Other web sites such as cozycozy.com gather info from hotels and third party brokers to give a comprehensive overview of what is available in an area for any budget.
Over the years I've been asked about the rental business by friends who are seriously considering placing their property on the rental market. It has lots of appeal due to popular acceptance of rentals as well as potential revenue. However, it is not without a lot of work and risks, which is why it is not a decision entered into lightly. It's perfectly OK to decide it isn't a good fit after all.
Before proceeding with any decision, thoroughly research your options and look at the best and worst case scenarios. Consult with your professional advisors for the impact on taxes, insurance, legal/liability and much more.
With many years of experience owning/managing a long term condo rental in my primary city and a few years owning a vacation rental in my southern community, I can assure anyone that there's no way to anticipate everything. Do your best and know when to hire a professional, it can be worth every penny. With our vacation rental we didn't hesitate to immediately hire the same property manager who managed it with the previous owner. It was and remains the best decision we made once we purchased the property.
In the meantime, I've created a general checklist of 15 considerations prior to placing your property into a rental program. The goal is to think about, research and be informed of what is involved and be prepared as much as possible. As they say, you never know until you try.
It's critical to identify what distinguishes your property from the competition. What does your property offer? Fully furnished? Recently updated? Water, mountain, wooded or scenic views? Privacy? Fenced yard? Covered parking? Proximity to area attractions?
Are you seeking weekend guests? Vacationers? Business travelers? Families with children? Solo travelers? Couples? Sports enthusiasts? Pet owners? Guests who are relocating to the area? Corporate housing? Tenants who are constructing new homes? Groups? Guests with special interests? Guests who are celebrating a special occasion?
Do you plan to promote your rental based on any or all of the following: Referrals? Paid advertising? Online broker sites? Signage? Local agents such as realtors and housing services? Corporate relocation services?
An online presence is essential for most short term rentals. The primary method is via a web site and/or social media landing page at the very least. Do you have enough basic knowledge to create and maintain your own web site or landing page, such as a business Facebook page? If not, are you comfortable hiring someone or a third party entity to create your site for you?
Do you plan to take your own photos or hire a photographer to promote your rental? Can you create and write the copy to promote your property?
Who will take care of the following: Cleaning? Maintenance and repairs? Pricing? Schedule, bookings and collections? Guest relations? Lock-outs? Property damage? Snow removal and yard work?
Have you figured out how much time you need in-between guests to clean and prep?
Do you plan to hire a property manager? Are you familiar with the scope of work property managers provide and their standard fees?
How will you handle dispute/conflict resolution? All of these areas and more will need to have solid systems in place. Be prepared for what you will do if your cleaning crew is ill or quits. It does happen , it's only a matter of time.
Private rentals have more flexibility to screen potential guests than hotels do. Check your local, state and federal laws of course, but you are perfectly entitled to refuse to allow pets, guests under a certain age, such as 25 and guests who exceed the maximum number of occupancy as an example.
Check your max occupancy before renting your property. As an example, if your property has three bedrooms and a sleeper sofa with a max occupancy of 8 and you have a group of 15 guests asking to book your space, they will need to be turned away. If you allow pets, check with your insurance company of the potential liability for that, including prohibited breeds. You need all of the facts before being faced with the difficult questions from potential guests. It is not worth risking everything you own because you made a bad decision to host a guest with a pet that isn't covered by your homeowner's insurance.
Calculating your burn rate is the first step of knowing what your daily/weekly/monthly/annual costs are. How much is the mortgage? Insurance? Utilities? Cable/wi-fi? HOA fees? Taxes? Administrative and professional fees? Cleaning costs? Credit card/payment fees? Marketing and promotional fees? Maintenance/upkeep and repair expenses? Property manager fees? Damage/theft costs? Don't forget to calculate depreciation of your property and furnishings because it will wear out faster with rental guests. Replacing linens every season as well as furniture are examples of costs for your rental business.
It's easy to get starry eyed about the rental dollars rolling into your bank account. It all might seem so lucrative until you actually get into the realities of running a rental business.
Be realistic about your profit margins. If your property is available a maximum of 52 weeks of the year and your total possible revenue is $50,000 for filling all 52 weeks, don't think for a minute it will be booked solid. You will need to allow for vacant dates, reduced rates, standard expenses and unexpected costs. Loss of use from fires, floods, disasters and other problems is another potential issue that should be factored into your business plan.
Who will take care of the administration of your rental property? What method of payment will you accept? Who will collect the funds? Who will pay the bills such as mortgage, utilities, HOA, etc? Who will keep track of the bookkeeping? Refunds? Credit card and other fees? Federal, state and local taxes? Unexpected fees?
Complaints are part of any business and there's many motives for guests who complain. Some are looking for refunds and freebies and others are offering valuable feedback, no matter how difficult it may be to receive. Having a complaint resolution procedure in place is important for any rental program. There may be complaints regarding cleanliness, linens and furnishings, odors, bugs, noise, broken or missing items and even ridiculous complaints that are beyond anyone's control, such as weather and traffic. You may also find that complaints are not only from guests, but your own HOA and neighboring property owners as well. Being able to separate and resolve valid complaints is essential to managing a rental. All too often guests wield the power of posting a negative review online and you will need to be prepared for that.
Setting up an adequate security system is the lifeblood for not only the security of your property, but the security of your guests and their belongings. Deadbolts, privacy latches, key-pad coded entry systems, cameras, alarms, drive-by inspections and much more are required. Only you can decide to what degree your security will entail, but you must have a security system. It's non-negotiable.
Guests who stay in a rental home are going to expect plenty of space for their items, including closets. You will want to make sure your personal belongings are not accessible to your guests. Therefore, it's essential to create a space where you can move your stuff and keep it locked up. This is not easy for many people. Locked owner's closets, garages and entire rooms are options. However, you may encounter guests who find it irresistible to stay out of your locked areas. They may use excuses such as "the lock broke" or was left open and on and on. If you are going to store your personal items on site, be ready for anything. Do not store anything of sentimental or high value on site unless you are OK with it possibly getting ruined or coming up missing.
Rental/s are not a nine-to-five weekday business. Being ready for after-hours requests for everything from help with entry access to malfunctioning tv's or wi-fi, missing remote controls, housekeeping issues, maintenance/repairs and much more are all part of the deal when your property goes onto the rental market. Our property manager jokes that she never makes social or dinner plans on load-in day because it will almost always be interrupted.
If you are your property manager, plan on taking time to help your guests with any real or perceived problems as they arise. Never underestimate your guests. I've heard stories of guests expecting help with the TV in the middle of the night. Set boundaries, communicate what they are and stick with it.
If you are unable to politely say "No" when appropriate, it will be very difficult to run a successful rental business. Requests for mundane and outrageous demands and everything in between will come up. You may get requests for below market rental rates, extensions/modifications of dates that may not be available or reasonable and/or early check ins and late departures.
You may not want every guest to come back if you've had a bad experience with them. Family and friends may ask to stay at your place for free. If you cannot or will not say no, consider hiring a property manager to be the buffer. They are worth every penny if it will help you run a profitable business, which is the point of doing it after all.
Real estate, particularly your primary home, is the largest emotional and financial investment most people make. It can be difficult to deal with the thought and/or reality of someone living in your home and very likely not treating it the way you would. Things happen. Items come up missing or break, get dirty, ruined and wear out. There's also the emotional cost of rejection of your rental property from harsh feedback or online reviews. Many properties will be vacant for periods of time due to rental cycles and competition. Not every rental earns a profit. Sometimes you might be fortunate to break even or you may even lose money. Do you have enough reserves to cover costs when your property is operating at a loss? Be honest with yourself and decide if you can cope with the ongoing stress of renting your property to strangers. It's not easy and although you may believe you're ready to let go and give it a try, it's not for everyone.
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-- Idowu Koyenikan, Internationally acclaimed organizational consultant and author
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
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Snowbird Housing Deal Breakers Hint: The Deal Breakers are Personal and Nuanced Price, location, view, pet friendly and availability are all deal makers. They’re also the deal breakers. However, there’s more to it than that. It’s the nuances of a particular rental that may or …
An example of a gulf front private home in Miramar Beach, NW Florida with full unobstructed views and two reserved off-street parking spaces Top Terminology for Snowbird Rentals 100 Terms to Know Before Renting a Vacation or Snowbird Residence As a long term member, and …
With the popularity of online shopping, online scams are also at an all time high. Rental scams can be especially devastating because guests may not even realize they've been taken until they show up to the property. Yes, it happens and it's heartbreaking.
I'm a member of several regional rental groups via Facebook where renters and rentals are matched via posts such as, "In search of a pet-friendly, 2/2 gulf front condo with pool and amenities for January/February of 2023. Max budget is $8,500, including fees." Property owners post photos and details of their units if it matches the request.
I cringe when some of the replies provide no link to "their" listing, yet ask the potential renter to "PM me for a special discount" or they provide a link and say, "Your dates aren't showing as available due to a computer gliche, but PM me and I can book your stay." These are huge red flags. Your instinct should be kicking into overdrive. If there is no direct electronic trail to the listing and/or there's explanations that aren't logical, be extremely careful or consider moving on. If it's not adding up, something is wrong.
Prior to our first season as a snowbird, my husband and I became very nervous. We booked our rental nine months in advance of our stay via a web site that promotes/manages about 50 properties. I conducted a fair amount of research to be confident enough the listing was legit. Sixty days prior to arrival, per the contract terms we pre-paid the property manager in full for the entire stay, which was a large amount of money. We had no first-hand information about the property, only the online description and photos.
A few days before we were to depart, we received a message that we would not be able to check in to our 3/3 gulf front unit due to exterior maintenance that would block our access to the door. Another much smaller 2/2 unit in a building down the street would be ours for the first week. Oh heck no! This was NOT what we signed up for. After much back and forth, we negotiated concessions to move into the 3/3 for two days, then would move down the street for 4-5 days and then back to the original unit. I was very apprehensive of the possibility that not only the property management company could be a scam, but that the rental was fake too. We were so relieved to find that we were wrong. I conducted even more research and affirmed the rental was real and the property management company has a stellar reputation.
If you are seeking a new property and are unfamiliar with it or the area you're considering, I've offered 14 tips to assist with spotting potential rental scams. Although there's no way to be 100% sure, whether staying at a new place during snowbird season or the off season, careful research can result in a better outcome.
Credible is the key word here. Well known rental web sites such as VRBO, Airbnb, Home Away and BringFido.com are a few examples. Web sites that broker thousands of listings AND have a budget to advertise their sites are typically acceptable sources. However, having said that, it doesn't guarantee the LISTINGS are legitimate. Fake listings are rampant and the images are usually stolen from actual listings. This is why it is important to conduct further research once you locate a potential rental.
Craigslist is a well known web site, but it is not devoted strictly to vacation rentals and therefore it is not what I consider a good source for vacation rentals. Regardless of the source, further research is recommended.
Some property owners don't want to pay the fees for listing on a well known web site. Smaller rental web sites may be a good option. They may have names such as "Vacation Homes by Owner" or something regional such as "Texas Vacation Rentals." If a listing is on both a smaller source and a well known source, that adds credibility. However, it is not a guarantee of anything.
Typically, if a property is professionally managed, it will also be listed on the property manager's web site. You can compare various dates with the major web site and the property manager's web site. Both sites should show the exact same dates as open or unavailable because they are synchronized by the computer. If there is a discrepancy, that's a major red flag.
Typically, booking directly through the property manager will save additional fees. The major web sites usually add more fees to the guests with line items such as "Host fee," "Service Fee" or something similar. The fees are in addition to the cleaning, taxes and other state and local fees.
As mentioned above, online referral groups are a great way to match renters with rentals. However, as previously stated, be very careful about responses that do not have a direct link to the property and/or there are requests to private message instead of publicly message each other. The social media groups attempt to keep scammers out, but there is usually no formal vetting process. Specialized social groups are always targeted by scammers who create fake accounts with stolen photos of innocent people.
I devoted a recent post entirely to evaluating online photos and listings of vacation rentals. It is worth reading prior to booking a new or unfamiliar rental property.
Domestic and international scammers typically are not English scholars. Typos, poor grammar and punctuation are all red flags; however, perfect English is no guarantee of anything either (or vice versa). If the listing and/or correspondence are riddled with poor grammar, punctuation and typos, ask to personally speak with someone. If you can get someone on the phone, that's the first step. I doubt they will be available for a call if they are a scammer. If they can speak English, yet their written correspondence is poor, proceed with caution.
Be aware listing photos and descriptions may be stolen from legitimate properties. Conduct multiple online searches for the property and look for conflicting information, such as multiple listings for the property with differing contact information.
Perhaps a listing shows an attractive smiling woman or a family with young kids and a dog on their social media profile and refuses to correspond with you via any other method than electronically, that's a red flag. Scammers pretend to identify with their targets by appearing to be trustworthy. Chances are the photos are stolen.
Public records such as tax and property records are easily located online in the county in which the property is located. Look up the name of the owner/s, how long they've owned the property and how many other properties they own. Their primary address will also be listed in the records as well as the names of any other owners.
If a property is owner-managed and the address of the contract doesn't match the address of record, find out why, then verify the answer. Some properties are owned by siblings or partners as an example. That's fine, but it would seem odd to have differing addresses on a tax record versus a rental contract. Look up all addresses to verify the facts to tie it all together. If all of it doesn't match, beware.
If you are in the vicinity of the prospective rental, ask for a personal showing or meeting. If you cannot meet in person, a phone conversation with the owner or PM is helpful to get an idea of their opinions and feedback of whether a property may be a good fit for your needs. Especially if you are staying more than a few days. They may have other properties to recommend and you can ask questions about how many properties they manage, if they are local, how long they've been in business and so forth. Ask for references from previous guests.
Ask if the property is for sale. If it is, there is a chance your reservation may be cancelled due to the owner transferring the title, which will negate your contract. If you are unable to personally speak with someone after multiple attempts and you're only receiving electronic communication, that is a huge red flag.
Ask to speak with previous guests who have stayed in the property and can verify the advertised images are fair, the condition is what was advertised and whether they received prompt attention in the event of issues that needed resolved. Ask seemingly random questions about the neighborhood that you already know the answer from online research, such as "Where is the nearest pharmacy?" How far away and what is the name of the closest restaurant? If your "reference" hesitates or doesn't know the answers fairly quickly, they are perhaps not valid references.
Compare the cost of the prospective rental with similar properties. If the availability, terms and rate are too good to be true, that's a huge red flag. Ask a lot of questions about why the rates are so low. Is it new to the rental market? Was there a last minute cancellation? Are there any problems that may be a factor such as a bug infestation, ongoing construction or other inconveniences? What guarantees can the PM or owner make to assure their property is legitimate?
Never pay a deposit with funds that aren't protected in the event of fraud or misrepresentation. If you pay by credit card, you'll still have to go through the process of requesting a refund, but there's a better chance of recovering your deposit. Many popular money apps provide zero protection to the person sending the funds. Once the money is sent, it's gone. Do your homework prior to sending money to anyone for any reason. If the money app's policy is no refunds, you will have zero chance to recover any of it in the event of fraud or any other reason.
Typically, because of the credit card fees and significant expense of a long term rental, the balance is typically paid with a check 60 - 90 days before arrival. Look into the address of where the check is to be mailed. Does the address match the property manager or owner's address? If not, ask why.
You will have no protection from fraud, cancellation or any other issue without a valid signed lease agreement. The lease agreement will have the full names of you and the property manager or owner and the terms listed, including the amount of the deposit and balance, dates of stay, due dates for the balance/payments, policies including the cancellation terms as well as refund and dispute resolution policies. Never accept a contract or agreement unless it thoroughly addresses everything to cover yourself as well as the property owner. If you are getting high pressure to hurry up and pay a deposit without signing a complete valid lease, walk away. That is a huge red flag.
If your rental is offered online and there is an electronic contract that you can sign to reserve it, that's a standard industry-wide practice. Reserving electronically protects the renter and rental agency from disputes about when and what was agreed to. It also takes the unit off the market so it doesn't become double-booked. If the property you are considering does not offer an electronic contract, find out why. It may be the owner prefers signed paper contracts. Allow enough time for a contract to be prepared and signed, but ask for assurances that the rental will be held during this time.
Perhaps they don't offer any contract. They may say they don't like contracts or haven't had time to prepare one or downplay that it isn't that important. If there's no contract, there's no deal. Walk away.
If your potential property is desirable, it will have more people interested in renting it. However, if the PM or owner is using high pressure tactics such as indicating it will be off the market before the contract can be executed and signed, that's a red flag. Never agree to pay a deposit or rent a unit without first or simultaneously executing a valid contract.
If the property legitimately has multiple offers at the same time, ask how they will determine who is accepted. If they have a reasonable explanation, you can either go along with the plan or find another place. Sometimes taking a property with less demand will make it easier for you to keep coming back because there is less competition fighting for it.
Always conduct thorough research and listen to your instinct before renting a property that is new or unfamiliar. Once you are confident of your choice, you can focus on prepping for your stay.
-- Albert Einstein, German Theoretical Physicist
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Severe weather events are less problematic with a whole home standby generator PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES WHETHER HOME OR AWAY Why a Whole Home Standby Generator System Makes Sense for Snowbirds Snowbirds know a problem with your home while away is very stressful. Not only …
BE THE SNOWBIRD WHO IS WELCOME BACK How to Be Irresistible to Your Hosts Snowbirds who rent their winter residences are plentiful and there is typically not a shortage of guests who want to stay in a great property, which means it is important to …
As snowbirds return home to begin the off-season, much reflection goes into what can be done differently for the next season. Life changes happen from year to year, budgets change and energy levels for travelling to/from your destination may not be where they used to be. Snowbirds evaluate if they want to return to the same place, try a new area or whether to return at all. Because housing is the most expensive aspect of being a snowbird, rates are a major consideration of where to stay. [Costs of Snowbird Rentals: Beach, Desert, City-Metro]
Recent interactions with two readers reinforced that misconceptions related to location are far more widespread than they or I realized, which is why it is important to recognize regional differences in pricing. As the tried and true adage says, it's all about "location, location, location." Most people are well aware that being a snowbird in Maui, Hawaii is going to be much more expensive for multiple reasons. However, the cost of housing in every snowbird destination, no matter where you are headed, will be affected by peak and off-peak season. As an example, peak season in Hawaii is not January, it is summer when families are on school break. Seeking lesser known communities is another option for better housing rates. If you are considering a change, carefully take a look at what you're seeking because you may find that by making an adjustment in location based on popularity and/or peak vs. off peak season, you may be able to get so much more for your money, which can make all the difference of your snowbird lifestyle.
At the beginning of 2022, a reader from south Florida contacted me and we enjoyed a lengthy phone conversation. Cindy told me she's a longtime, now retired snowbird who lives with her husband in the Fort Myers area five months of the year and the rest of the time is devoted to their home in mid-Eastern Wisconsin. During the course of the conversation, the topic of north vs. south Florida came up.
Cindy's perception of northern Florida is that it can be quite chilly in the winter (true) and that winter, which is peak season in south Florida, is also peak season in northern Florida (false). Cindy was surprised to learn summer is peak season in northern Florida because it's when families come to the beach for summer vacation. South Florida is considered by many to be too hot in the summer. Some people, such as myself, consider south Florida to be too hot in the winter as well. I don't mind Northwest Florida's jacket weather and truthfully am not interested in residing in hot weather all year round.
This brings us to the crux of the North Florida vs. South Florida rental rates. South Florida is desirable in the winter because of the consistently warm weather with temps in the 70's and '80s. That's an attractive quality and prices in South and Central Florida are reflective of the climate. Due to supply and demand, rental prices are significantly higher, even as much as two or three times higher to get the same square footage, amenities and views as their counterparts to the north. Just ask my friend Vicki. She looked into moving closer to her daughter who was based in Key West and was shocked at the gulf front prices of south Florida. Vicki stayed where she was in Northwest Florida, it was too good to pass up.
Another reader, Bill, recently wrote to me and said, "I was a solo snowbird last year and met some folks. It worked out fairly well. However, I would prefer to buddy-up with someone for companionship and sharing of expenses. Do you have suggestions of where to find someone?... Thank you and best wishes."
I asked Bill the area where he stayed and whether he preferred to remain there, then brainstormed many ideas of where to find a roommate. Finally, I offered one last thought and suggested, "It can be expensive to be a snowbird and reducing the amount of time away, staying in an area that is not as warm or moving inland to a less expensive spot may be helpful. As an example, south Florida is incredibly expensive during the winter months because it is their peak season. Northwest Florida in the winter is the off season and peak is during spring and summer."
Bill said, "Thank you so much for the prompt reply. I was in south Florida (Cape Coral) and it was very nice (and expensive). I drove down so I wouldn't need to get a rental car. I'm in southeastern Wisconsin and it was 1,400 miles each way, and I swore I'd never do that drive again 🙂 I really hadn't considered northwest Florida since the weather can be iffy and I assumed prices would still be on the high side since peak season... but, you have enlightened me with understanding that winter is NOT peak season (using Destin as an example) and rentals are very reasonable per VRBO search. An added bonus is that the drive is 400 miles shorter so It would be a two day drive instead of three. So thanks for planting this seed. I will also explore some of your other suggestions."
Don't overlook checking into less well-known snowbird areas. During correspondence with an extended family member I'm newly acquainted with, we discovered we both enjoy the snowbird lifestyle. Mike and his wife travel extensively in their RV throughout the year. He said, "If things go as planned, we are hoping to spend next winter in Biloxi, Pass Christian or Waveland, all are in coastal Mississippi. We actually really love Florida for a lot of reasons, there are so many things that we enjoy, but anywhere on the Gulf Coast makes us happy. Now that we are older, I think Mississippi makes us happiest... We get the beach, ocean and warm weather without having to fight the crowds or the traffic."
Mike stated, "It’s half the cost and living on a limited budget it makes a lot of difference. Biloxi is really nice, it has everything we need. Most things are within walking distance from our RV park. Plus, we are right across the road from the beach. I get up and walk along the beach for an hour, then an hour back, starting at 5:00 am every other morning. It’s so nice, there’s a 27 mile sugar white sand beach. At that hour, it’s like I have the whole beach to myself. Well, if you don’t include the seagulls, terns and pelicans."
For property owners, here's another huge advantage to buy in an area that is off-peak in the winter. No matter whether it's north vs. south Florida or north vs. south Arizona, central vs. south Texas or elsewhere, the strategy is the same. If you buy a property where winter is off-peak and stay in it for the snowbird season, then you can return home and rent it out for premium rates while you are home and your rental guests are enjoying the peak summer vacation season.
Many times I've been asked by non-snowbird friends and family, "Why don't you stay further south?" It's all about location, location, location and I love where we are in Northwest Florida.
-- Tasha Bee, UK-based community artist