Vacation Rental Market Trends Destin, FL A Q&A with Destin realtor, Shannyn Stevenson.  Listen to Christine's podcast interview with Shannon.

How is the housing market in Destin? Destin is kind of an unusual market.  Most buyers are investors, not first-time homeowners. These are people who've bought homes before and are looking for properties that will generate income. Any trends that you've noticed?  Most buyers buy with the intention of renting. Many people buy properties sight unseen. Buyers are becoming more aware of listing sites like VRBO. The typical buyer: 35-45 and lives within driving distance of Destin.  A lot of our clientèle is from Georgia.  Though, we're seeing it expand to areas that aren't necessarily within driving distance-- some from 13 or 14 hours away. Avg. cost of a home: Low-end: 1BR condo on the gulf that sleeps 4 is typically $370-400K. A 1BR with a setup for bunk beds that sleeps 6 is $425-450K. Mid-range: 3BR condo. Looking at 700K+. High-end: Luxury, high-quality condos with a lot of square footage and amenities can run anywhere from $1.3-1.5 million.  Most people who buy these condos will not rent them out. What do prospective buyers look for in a vacation property in your area? Property Type: Properties that generate income. Houses, condos. Location: Gulf front or gulf view condos-- nothing less. For houses, investors tend to lean toward houses that are at least a block from the beach. Any specific amenities: Definitely a pool. Heated pools are nice because you get a lot of snowbirds or tourists down here in the winter time. What tourist attractions and events would pull in renters? Waterpark and go-cart track for kids.  Golf courses, great restaurants, tons of shopping for adults.  The Baytown wharf area is a lot like New Orleans and has events.  Last year, Destin hosted a huge golf tournament that brought tons of people into the town. Destin is laid back and family-oriented.  You won';t find many college students down here at Spring Break-- that's more Panama City Beach. We get more families with younger kids or families that bring their college kids down with them. Tips for buying a vacation rental home in the Destin area: When buying get all of the information, such as the condo documents.  These will contain important information about condo owner meetings, etc.  When you buy into a condo, you want to know what';s happened in the past and what may be coming up in the future of the property. Definitely make sure that you ask what the hidden costs are when signing with a management company. Many rental companies tell you that they charge a certain percent and then end up having hidden fees that it equal much more than the quoted percentage. As soon as you can, get your property rented.  If you buy a condo that needs a little fixing up, plan to do it after the rental season. And lastly, why should a buyer choose a vacation rental home in your area? Whenever I show properties I always hear “I wish I would have bought a property three years ago when it was first taking off.” What I tell buyers is that if they missed out on buying a property on the first go round, here's your second chance to get in the market. Because it is going to go back up and is going to take off again and you don't want to miss out a second time.   Shannyn Stevenson has 10 years experience in successfully buying and selling homes in the Destin and Santa Rosa Beach markets and knows the neighborhoods, condos, schools, market conditions, zoning regulations and local economy.   www.KnowTheGulfCoast.com To get a feel for the Destin Vacation Rental Market or to find a great vacation property to rent, browse Destin Vacation Rentals on HomeAway.com. Are you a realtor in a vacation market who'd like to do a Q&A? Email us.

HomeAway Listing Critique: Gated Golfing Condo (Orlando, FL)    In a competitive market like Orlando, it's important that your ad pop! This listing is solid with good pictures.

How To Use iTravex.com: A Vacation Home Travel Exchange    Learn how to fill last-minute vacancies at your vacation property and earn next-to-nothing* stays at other vacation homes.

How To Use iTravex.com: A Vacation Home Travel Exchange    Learn how to fill last-minute vacancies at your vacation property and earn next-to-nothing* stays at other vacation homes.

Buying an Investment Property in Destin, Florida: Part 1 (Transcript)    Part 1 of Christine Karpinski's podcast interview with Destin realtor, Shannyn Stevenson.

Buying an Investment Property in Provincetown, Massachusetts (Transcript)    Christine talks with realtor Rick Tourgee about the vacation rental market in Provincetown.

Foreclosures and Short Sales in the Destin, FL Vacation Rental Market (Transcript)    Real Estate Agent, Shannyn Stevenson, is back to discuss the Destin, FL market, along with foreclosures and short sales.

Vacation Rental Hot Spots (Transcript)    Christine discusses the current best buy areas for vacation homes.

Insurance for Vacation Rental Homes-- Simplified (Transcript)    Christine speaks with insurance expert D. Workman about getting homeowner's and liability insurance for vacation rental homes.

Ask Christine #11: Is It Okay to Charge Renters for Utilities? (Transcript)    Christine answers the question of charging your guests for electricty, gas, or water.

New 3% Lodging Tax in Sevier County Tennessee (Transcript)    Christine talks with Sevier County Trustee, Jettie Clabo about the new 3% occupancy/lodging tax effective July 1st.

Sales Tax and Vacation Rentals 101 (Transcript)    Christine speaks with CPA and co-owner of HotSpotTax.com K. Stephens about collecting and paying sales taxes for vacation homes.

How to Choose a Vacation Rental Property Manager (Transcript)    Christine talks with Orlando property manager, Steve Trover about how to find a good property manager.

Buying an Investment Property in Martha's Vineyard (Transcript)    Christine chats with Martha's Vineyard buyer's agent, Fred Roven about the vacation home market in the area.

Florida Sales Tax Regulations: Part 1 (Transcript)    Christine Karpinski speaks with Belinda Watson of the Florida Department of Revenue about collecting sales taxes for vacation rental properties.

Buying an Investment Property in Naples, FL Part 1 (Transcript)    Christine and real estate agent, Lynn Wilber, discuss the vacation home market in Naples, FL.

Buying an Investment Property in Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge, TN (Transcript)    A transcript of Christine's interview with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Realtor, Pat Malone.

Fighting a Short-Term Rental Ban Within an HOA (Transcript)    Palm Desert owner, Melinda DiPerna talks about her experience fighting a short-term rental ban in her complex.

One-on-One with Destin Vacation Rental Owner, Gayla Berry (Transcript)    Christine talks with Destin owner, Gayla Berry.

Buying an Investment Property on the California Gold Coast (Transcript)    Christine talks with real estate agent, Meredith McKenzie, about the vacation rental market along the California Gold Coast.

Florida Sales Tax Regulations: Part 2 (Transcript)    Second half of Christine's interview with Belinda Watson of the Florida Department of Revenue.

Buying an Investment Property in Destin, Florida: Part 2 (Transcript)    In the second part of Christine's interview with Destin realtor, Shannyn Stevenson, Stevenson discusses why more and more Destin vacation rental owners are renting by owner instead of using a property manager, why Destin isn't the typical home market, and why those interested in Destin should buy now.

Vacation Rental Bans (Transcript)    Christine addresses the issue of vacation, short-term, and transient rental bans.

Introduction to Vacation Rentals (Transcript)    Christine talks about the basics of buying a vacation rental home.

Ask Christine #14: The Benefits of Renting by Owner (Transcript)    Christine touts the pros and cons of renting your vacation home by owner.

Selling a Vacation Home, Part 2 (Transcript)    Christine talks with Washington owner, Ed Reese, about his process for selling a vacation home.

Running a Vacation Rental Business FAQs    Commonly asked questions about renting by owner including screening, insurance, and more. New FAQs added 7/29/08.

Vacation Rental Resources: Florida (FL)    Handy resources for Florida vacation rental owners including tax information, regulations, and forms.

How to Market Your Vacation Home to Fishing Enthusiasts    Guide to baiting and hooking recreational fishermen and women.

Benefits Of Networking With Other Vacation Rental Owners    The benefits of knowing your vacation rental neighbors goes well beyond borrowing a cup of sugar.

How to Write Your Ads for the Search Engines, too!    When writing your advertisements, use search engine optimization (SEO) to attract more renters.

Marketing Your Vacation Rental to International Travelers: FAQs    Answers to commonly asked questions about advertising and renting to travelers form outside the U.S.

Christine Weighs In On The Benefits Of Collecting Sales Tax    Sales tax evasion has always been a pretty hot discussion topic among vacation rental owners.

Charging by Night or by Person    Whether you charge by the person or by maximum occupancy often depends on your vacation rental market.

Sample Directions for Your Vacation Rental Guests    Learn how to make your vacation rental directions clear and thorough.

Sample Emergency Information Sheet for Your Vacation Rental Guests    It's important to have certain emergency contact information readily available to your guests.

How to Make the Switch to Renting Your Vacation Home by Owner    Renting your vacation property by owner is easier than you'd think.

Sample Vacation Rental Lease, Agreements & Contracts    Two sample rental contracts, leases or agreements, a rental invoice or confirmation, and a credit card authorization form that you can use for your vacation rental guests.

Is There a Fungus Among Us?: Detecting and Preventing Mold in Vacation Homes    How to detect and prevent mold in your vacation property.

How to Protect Your Vacation Home (and Renters) During the Holiday Season    How to protect your vacation rental home during the holiday season.

8 Essential Questions to Ask Your Vacation Home Inspector    Buying a second home is a big investment. Make sure that you choose the right home inspector for your vacation rental home.

Buying Another Vacation Rental Home    It's contagious! Your property is renting so well you that you want to buy another. Here are a few tips to consider.

Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Orlando, Florida (Disney Area)    Insight into the Orlando area vacation rental market from Central Florida realtor, Steve Schaffer.

Vacation Home Sales Rise to Record, Investment Sales Plummet in 2006     NAR reports shows vacation home purchases to be on the rise.

Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Outer Banks, North Carolina    An interview with Outer Banks, NC realtor, Beth Dobney.

Inspecting Vacation Properties: Choosing an Inspector    HGTV's "House Detective," Wally Conway weighs in on the benefits of hiring a home inspector before buying your second home.

Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Gatlinburg, Tennessee    A Q&A with Gatlinburg realtor, Pat Malone.

Bubble-Proof Buying: How to Avoid the Bubble When Purchasing a Vacation Home    How to NOT get caught in a speculators market when purchasing a vacation home.

The Different Types of Vacation Rental Travelers    A light-hearted look at the easy-to-book travelers, the tough-sells, and the ones to avoid altogether.

What to Do When Vacation Rental Guests Get Locked Out    You get the phone call, "We went to the beach, a big wave hit, I lost my keys." What do you do?

About the Author: Christine Karpinski    A short biography of bestselling author and Owner Community director, Christine Karpinski.

Christine's Blog: Back from the FVRMA Conference (5/23/07)    Christine's takeaways from the Florida Vacation Rental Manager's Association conference that she attended this week.

Christine's Blog: FVRMA and Takeaways from Traveler Focus Groups (5/21/07)    Christine sounds off on why she's attending the Florida Vacation Rental Manager's Association conference and what she learned from focus groups conducted by HomeAway this past week.

Ask Christine: Should You Offer Refunds for Acts of Nature?    Christine answers a question from an owner whose property was struck by lightning during a guest's stay.

Christine's Blog: Wrong Number Coincidence (6/20/07)    This weekend, Christine once again tranposed a number (see the Credit Card Scam blog post)... and it may result in a booking.

Christine's Blog: The Value of Snowbirds (1/29/08)    Christine describes the invaluable feedback that monthly (or longer) renters can give.

Christine's Blog: Proposed Vacation Rental Bans in Hawaii (3/2/07)    Christine addresses the reasons behind the Owner Community's new Vacation Rental Bans and Local Rental Alerts sections.

Christine's Blog: Not-So-Smooth Sailing (8/6/07)    After her claim of a smoothly-running summer last week, Christine recants as this last week was a doozy.

Christine Karpinski in the Media    A record of bestselling author Christine Karpinski's print, tv, and radio appearances.

Christine's Blog: The Vacation Real Estate Market (6/4/07)    Christine's back from the NAREE conference with advice about dealing with the softening housing market.

Buying a Hot Tub For Your Vacation Rental Property    Installing a hot tub is a big draw for potential guests.

Where to Find the Best Deals on Linens, Towels, and Decor    Vacation rental owners chime in on where they find the best deals on linens, towels, silverware, and decor.

Baby Gear Rentals in Vacation Rental Destinations    The benefits of referring your guests to baby equipment rental companies and where to find them.

May 23, 2007: Florida Property Tax Relief and Reform    Letter from CAPEC Executive Committee regarding Florida property taxes.

February 7, 2007: Representative Contact Information for Florida Letter Writing Campaign    Mailing address for Florida representatives.

Guidelines for Local Rental Alert Mass Mailings    If you have a message that you'd like sent out to other vacation rental owners in your area, here are a few guidelines.

August 29, 2007: Okaloosa Citizens Alliance in Push to Engage Voters    Group formed to examine local taxation and budgetary process.

February 7, 2007: Walton and Okaloosa County Taxpayers    How Florida taxpayers can fight back against the rising tax burden on second home owners.

February 7, 2007: Walton County, Florida Tax Relief Letter    Sample letter to be used to write Florida representatives about tax relief for second home owners.

Frequent Vacation Rental Scam Inquiries    We've added this section to our site to help owners spot vacation rental scams. Have you received a suspicious inquiry? Send it to us and we'll post it in this section.

February 7, 2007: Okaloosa County, Florida Tax Relief Letter    Sample letter to be used to write Florida representatives about tax relief for second home owners.

In the News: Clearwater, Florida    Articles about the vacation rental ban controversy in Clearwater, FL.

Vacation, Transient, and Short-Term Rental Restrictions    Christine addresses the issues driving vacation rental bans and how to fight them.

In the News: Clearwater, Florida    Articles about the vacation rental ban controversy in Clearwater, FL.

In the News: Venice, Florida    A chronicle of news articles about the conflict surrounding short-term/vacation rentals in Venice, Florida.