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First off, congratulations on buying your first investment property. You're about to embark on a wonderful journey of earning passive income for many years! That said, it's important that you keep an eye on your Florida rental property from time to time. That's because Florida is one of the states with one of the highest prevalence of squatters. Squatters rights exist in Florida and indeed in the rest of the country. As a matter of fact, they can legally claim ownership of your property through an adverse possession claim. An adverse po…

Key Takeaways Clear expectations and easy reporting systems help tenants feel comfortable notifying landlords about maintenance issues, no matter how small. Trust and transparency are essential—when tenants know they won’t be unfairly blamed or charged, they’re more likely to report problems early. Quick, professional responses to repair requests build tenant confidence and reinforce the importance of timely communication. Regular check-ins, reminders, and education empower tenants to recognize and report issues before they turn into costly re…

Has your short-term rental been harder to fill lately? You're not imagining things. Between rising costs, increased competition from mega-resorts, and unpredictable income, many Orlando-area investors are finding that long-term rentals offer a more stable, less stressful alternative. In this post, we’ll break down why this shift is happening, what it means for property owners in Central Florida, and how to decide if it’s time for you to make the switch. The Short-Term Rental Landscape Is Shifting Orlando has always been a hotspot for short-ter…

Key Takeaways Service animals are not considered pets and are protected under federal law, regardless of your no-pet policy. Emotional support animals also have legal protections when tenants. As a landlord, you can still request paperwork, set behavior expectations, and protect your property. As a rental property owner, you have every right to create and enforce your own pet policies. However, what happens when a tenant or prospective tenant requests to keep a service animal on your property, despite your no-pet policy? At State Property Ma…

If you own rental property in Orlando—or anywhere in Florida, for that matter—you've probably felt the sting of rising insurance premiums. Since 2020, property insurance costs have skyrocketed, doubling or even tripling in some cases. For many landlords, just finding coverage has been a struggle. But after years of chaos, there are finally signs of hope. In this article, we’ll break down why insurance rates spiked, what the state has done to address the crisis, and what you can do as a landlord to better protect your properties and your bottom …