Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Investing in Florida Condotels

Condotels are known to be condo hotels. Typically, they are condominiums in resorts or situated in downtown communities. A condotel looks just like a hotel or resorts; the only difference is that the residents may purchase the units. These condotels are slowly making up a new investment category in the real estate business and they also account for approximately 10% of the vacation homes and real estate properties in U.S.

Unlike in timesharing, where the buyers pay for the limited use of the resort, the buyers of a condotel immediately own their units and they can stay in it or rent it out or even sell it right away. In communities like these, a lot of in-house management companies rent out a number of units in representation of the owners for a percentage of the rent income.

Benefits of condotels

If you have your own condotel, you can make us of the amenities that the resort offers for its residents such as private fitness, spa services and concierges. Even the resident's guests can make use of these amenities. However, it sometimes depends on the rules and guidelines of the condotel development company.

Investing in a condotel

Unlike buying or managing a condominium, owning a condotel is different with regards to several respects. Because condotels are developed by companies that also develop hotels and resorts, they cost for substantially a higher price than the standard condo. The added costs are representative of the access to the amenities and special services that the in-house management company will provide for you as part of renting or buying the condotel unit.

If you are planning to invest in one, the best way to start off is to research on the local market for real estate properties. Look in the prices that are on the rise or if the real estate market is at its peak. You might also want to study condition of the tourism in the place as well as the hotel occupancy in the area. See to it that the area is a potential place for a profitable investment.

Florida is a perfect location for condotel investors as the place provides desirable tourist activities and is home to popular tourist attractions. A lot of investors in Florida claimed that they had been successful in their condotel investments because of the winning tourism of the place and because they purchased the properties at the time when the real estate prices were continually rising.

Preconstruction condotels

You can also buy a condotel before it is fully completed and you may be able to buy it at a lower cost as some developers offer very low prices during preconstruction period. However, you have to wait for the project to be completed before you can start renting out the unit.

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