Are there any snowbirds here?

[tink]

I think initially we would want one of two things. Either a) an extended rental from someone else or b) a place of our own. I'd lean toward a rental at first just to explore the area, make sure we're happy there, and figure out where we want to settle long term.

Why not buy a place and rent it out? That's not the point here. If we buy a place, we would want it to be ours. How we would furnish, decorate, and supply a rental is entirely different than how we would furnish, decorate, and supply our personal home. We wouldn't want to have to pack up all of our personal stuff every time we leave because the place will have strangers living in it while we're gone.

I realize this is a minor point among all the larger issues that need to be considered. However, most homes in the Orlando area have "owner lockouts" in them. We have three closets in the house that are locked at all times and we keep our personal belongings in them.

We do advertise on VRBO & always offer discounts for those wanting to stay long term. I think a lot of rates published on VRBO are negotiable.

[disneysteve]

I realize this is a minor point among all the larger issues that need to be considered. However, most homes in the Orlando area have "owner lockouts" in them. We have three closets in the house that are locked at all times and we keep our personal belongings in them.

We do advertise on VRBO & always offer discounts for those wanting to stay long term. I think a lot of rates published on VRBO are negotiable.

I'm familiar with the lockouts. We've rented homes many, many times. That isn't my issue.

And VRBO rates are absolutely negotiable. I've haggled over rates plenty of times, especially when we were renting for 2 weeks or when we were a returning customer to the same owner.