Essential Checklist 2025: How to Choose the Best Short-Term Real Estate in Orlando for a Successful Investment

If you own a vacation home in Orlando, Florida’s tourist hub, you know its revenue potential is immense. However, turning that potential into a consistent reality of high occupancy and profits, without the headaches of daily management, is the real challenge. Choosing the right real estate agency to manage your short-term rental property is no small task; it can be the difference between a profitable investment and a source of constant frustration..

In a market as dynamic and competitive as Orlando’s, where millions of tourists search for their ideal accommodations each year, you need a strategic partner who understands the intricacies of platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, and who can anticipate the needs of both your property and your guests.

This essential checklist for 2025It’s designed to help you identify the key factors and the right questions to ask to make an informed and sound decision. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear guide to selecting the company that will truly drive your investment success.

1. Do you really specialize in short-term rentals and the Orlando tourist market?

This is the fundamental starting point. Many real estate agencies manage residential properties or long-term rentals, but managing short-term rentals is a completely different beast. It requires a deep understanding of tourism, seasonality, specific laws, and the dynamics of vacation rental platforms.

• Proven experience:Make sure the company has a solid track record and demonstrable experience in vacation rental property management. How long have they been operating in this specific niche?
• Focus on Key Platforms:They must be experts in how Airbnb works,Vrbo, Booking.com, and other distribution channels. This includes everything from listing optimization to review management and dispute resolution.
• Local Market Knowledge:Orlando isn’t just “Florida.” Each area (Kissimmee, Davenport, Celebration, Lake Buena Vista) has its own unique characteristics, regulations, and demand. Real estate agents should be fully aware of these differences.

Key question:How many vacation properties do you currently manage in the Orlando area? A significant number of successfully managed properties is a good indicator of experience and capability. Can you show us examples of properties similar to yours in their portfolio?

2. Do you have a strong digital presence and a robust marketing strategy?

In the digital age, visibility is everything. If a real estate agent doesn’t know how to effectively position themselves online, how do you expect them to do so with your property? A strong digital presence is a reflection of their ability to attract guests.

• Professional and optimized website:Your website should be modern, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. It should clearly display your services, your properties, and how to contact you.
• Active and relevant social networks:Are you present on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn? Do you publish valuable and relevant content for landlords and tenants?
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO/SEM):A good real estate agency invests in SEO to appear at the top of Google results when guests or owners search for “vacation homes in Orlando” or “Airbnb Orlando management.”
• Online reputation management:They should have an active process for monitoring and responding to reviews across all platforms, maintaining a high average rating.

 Search:Reviews and ratings on Google My Business, Airbnb,Vrbo, and testimonials on their own website. Don’t just rely on what they say about themselves; what others say is much more valuable. Do they have a blog or educational resources that demonstrate their expertise?

3. Do you offer 24/7 guest service and a world-class experience?

Success on short-term rental platforms is directly measured by guest satisfaction, which depends largely on the speed and quality of service. Today’s travelers expect immediate responses, regardless of the time or day.

• Continuous availability:The real estate agency should have a dedicated customer service team available 24/7 to handle any questions, last-minute requests, late-night arrivals, or emergencies (a lock problem, a water leak, etc.).
• Proactive communication:Not just reactive. They should send clear instructions before arrival, important reminders, and stay in touch throughout the stay to ensure everything goes smoothly.
• Quick troubleshooting:A minor issue can turn into a 1-star review if not handled efficiently. Ask about their protocols for resolving complaints or incidents.

 Verify:Do you have an in-house customer service team or do you outsource it? What’s your average response time? Do you offer multilingual communication if your guests are often international?

4. Do you include Professional Cleaning, Proactive Maintenance and Property Security?

These two factors are absolutely critical to maintaining 5-star reviews, protecting your long-term investment, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

• Hotel-quality cleaning:Ask if they work with certified cleaning companies, with specific protocols for vacation properties and rigorous disinfection between each stay. Is there a cleaning inspection system?
• Preventive maintenance:A good real estate agent doesn’t wait for something to break down. They should have a regular preventative maintenance plan for air conditioners, pools, gardens, appliances, etc. This saves money in the long run and prevents booking interruptions.
• Corrective maintenance and supplier network:In case of breakdowns, they should have a reliable network of local technicians (plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians) available for quick repairs. How do they handle maintenance emergencies? Do they need your approval for minor repairs?
• Property security:What security measures do you implement? This includes everything from smart locks to smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and pool barriers (if applicable), all in compliance with Florida regulations.

Ask for:Examples of their cleaning protocols, a list of the vendors they work with, and how they handle repairs. Who covers the cost of cleaning (usually the guest, but it’s good to confirm)?

5. Do you offer transparent reporting and real-time access to revenue and occupancy?

Trust is built through transparency. You must have easy and clear access to all your financial and operational information. A modern company will provide you with technological tools to achieve this.

• Digital platforms for owners:The best real estate agencies offer an online portal or mobile app where you can view your property’s booking schedule, revenue generated, detailed expenses, and overall performance in real time. This gives you control and peace of mind no matter where you are.
• Detailed financial reports:How often will you receive reports (monthly, quarterly)? Are they easy to understand? Do they include a clear breakdown of income, expenses, commissions, and your net profit?
• Tax management and tax compliance:Ask how they manage the collection and remittance of tourist development taxes (Tourist Development Tax) and sales taxes to local and state authorities, a complex and crucial aspect in Florida.

Confirm:Can I see real-time occupancy, rates for each reservation, and payments made? How do you send me my income and how often? Can you help me with my annual tax documentation?

6. Do you charge clear and transparent fees, with no hidden surprises?

The fee structure is a critical point. Be wary of extremely low rates, as they often hide additional costs or limited services that end up being more expensive in the long run.

• Commission percentage:Most companies charge a percentage of gross booking revenue. Make sure this percentage is fixed and clearly stipulated in the contract.
• Inclusion of services:Ask specifically which services are included in the base fee and which ones have an additional cost.
• Cleaning charges:Who pays the cleaning fee per stay (usually the guest)? Does the property manager charge an administrative fee for managing the cleaning?
• Clear additional costs:Ask about any other potential charges: initial setup, license renewals, specific marketing expenses, repair fees, etc. An ideal example of clarity might be:“20% full management fee, with the cleaning fee paid directly by the guest at the time of booking.”

 Example question:What is the exact commission percentage and what are ALL the services included? Is there a fixed monthly fee or is it only charged on the revenue generated? Ask for a breakdown of all potential charges.

7. Do you have proven experience working with foreign owners?

If you live outside the United States, this point is vital. The needs and challenges of a foreign investor are different from those of a local owner.

• Multilingual support:It’s essential that the real estate agency offers support in your language (for example, Spanish) to facilitate communication, understanding of legal and financial documents, and resolving any concerns remotely.
• Knowledge of international regulations:Although the purchase is legal, there are tax and legal implications for non-residents that a good real estate agent should understand or, at least, be able to refer you to experts on the subject.
• Remote management:They should have systems and processes in place to handle all operations without you needing to be physically present in Orlando.
• Additional assistance:Can you help or refer you to lawyers, accountants, or banks that work with foreign investors to open accounts or process ITINs?

 Ask:How many of your current owners are foreigners? Do you work with investors from Latin America? Do you have staff who speak fluent Spanish and understand the specifics of operating from another country?

BONUS: Do you have verifiable success stories and genuine testimonials?

Promises are important, but results speak louder. A reliable and successful company will be proud to share its achievements and the positive impact it has had on other owners’ investments.

• Authentic testimonials:Look for testimonials in video, written form, or directly on their review profiles (Google, Airbnb,Vrbo). Detailed and specific testimonies are more credible.
• Case studies or real figures:A company that really knows what they’re doing will be able to show you concrete examples of how they’ve increased occupancy and revenue at properties similar to yours. They shouldn’t hesitate to share general metrics about their performance.

Your choice defines the success of your investment in Orlando.

Choosing the right real estate agent to manage your short-term rental property in Orlando isn’t just a matter of price; it’s a matter oftrust, experience, transparency and, above all, verifiable resultsThis checklist is your starting point for evaluating potential candidates and making an intelligent decision that protects and enhances your investment.

Remember that professional and specialized management will pay for itself, not only by maximizing your income, but also by giving you the peace of mind of knowing your property is in the best hands, protected, and generating a steady cash flow.

If you are looking for a company that meets all the above points, speaks your language, understands your needs as a foreign investor and has a proven track record of transforming properties into highly profitable assets, inHome Vacation GroupWe are ready to help you.

Don’t leave your investment to chance. Request a free consultation today and learn how we can transform your Orlando property into a worry-free source of income.

Are you ready to take your Orlando investment to the next level?