As a seasoned real estate broker with a background in banking and tax preparation, I often speak with vacation home owners in the Orlando and Davenport area who are beginning to rethink their investment strategy. Many bought their Florida vacation home years ago to enjoy magical trips to Disney with their family, but now find themselves:
Disney’d out and not visiting as often
Primarily using the property as a short-term rental investment
Concerned about market trends and future value
If this sounds familiar, it might be time to evaluate your options to ensure your investment is working as hard as possible for you and your family.
1️⃣ The Market Reality for 2026/2027
The Central Florida vacation home market is currently in a correction cycle.
Experts predict 30–40% potential price softening by 2026/2027.
Inventory is growing, and buyers are negotiating aggressively.
Vacation homes are unlikely to appreciate at the rates we saw in 2020–2022 anytime soon.
If your home is primarily a rental investment, it’s worth comparing the actual return you’re receiving to alternative investment options in the U.S.
2️⃣ The Challenge: Ownership, Probate & Peace of Mind
One of the biggest concerns I hear from clients is:
“If something happens to me, will my property go straight to my children or will it get stuck in U.S. probate?”
Here’s the reality:
If your Florida vacation home is not titled correctly, your heirs will likely have to go through Florida probate before they can inherit the property.
Adding a child to the deed or creating a Transfer on Death / Enhanced Life Estate Deed (Lady Bird Deed) are common strategies to avoid probate, but each has tax and legal implications.
Always consult a U.S. property attorney or estate planner before making deed changes to ensure compliance.
3️⃣ Alternative Investment Options for U.S. Funds
If you are considering selling your vacation home or redeploying your equity, here are some general options many international property owners explore:
High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSA)
Rates around 5.5–5.8% (as of writing)
Funds remain liquid
Using a POD (Payable on Death) designation means your funds can transfer to heirs immediately without probate.
Index Funds & U.S. Market Investments
Options like the S&P 500 can historically outperform property appreciation in a declining market, but they are subject to market risk.
Can also be held in accounts with POD beneficiaries, avoiding probate.
Other U.S. Investment Vehicles
CDs (Certificates of Deposit) for guaranteed interest
Treasury Bonds or Money Market Funds for secure yields
All can be structured to pass directly to your beneficiaries
💡 Important: This is general financial information, not personalized advice. Always consult with your financial or tax advisor before moving large amounts of capital.
4️⃣ Should You Keep, Rent, or Reinvest?
Here are key questions I encourage vacation home owners to consider:
Am I still enjoying the property, or is it just a rental investment now?
What is my net rental return after property management, maintenance, and taxes?
Would I earn a better return moving my equity into a HYSA, index fund, or other U.S. investment vehicle?
Am I comfortable with the responsibility of owning a rental property versus the simplicity of liquid investments?
For some owners, continuing to rent the home makes sense because it can outperform a 5–6% yield. For others, liquidating and reinvesting offers:
Less stress
Probate‑free transfer to heirs
Consistent returns without the work of being a landlord
5️⃣ My Professional Insight
If you plan to own long‑term, make sure your title and estate planning are in order.
If you are ready to transition out of active vacation home management, it may be the perfect time to capitalize on your equity and explore lower‑stress U.S. investment vehicles.
Either way, planning ahead now ensures your investment works for you and your family without leaving a probate headache behind.
If you’d like to review your current property value and potential net returns, I’m happy to provide a confidential market assessment and walk through your options as both a real estate professional and former banking/tax advisor.
📞 321‑333‑1338 | ✉️ [email protected]
Vacay & Co Real Estate - Helping Vacation Home Owners Make Smart Moves