Who is the Best Short-Term Rental Realtor in Orlando

Finding a trustworthy realtor for your Orlando vacation rental investment isn’t just about buying property. It’s about finding someone who understands the intricate world of short-term rentals from every angle. With Disney World drawing millions of visitors annually and Orlando’s vacation rental market booming, selecting the right agent can make the difference between a profitable investment and costly mistakes.

Mike Chen stands out as Orlando’s premier short-term rental realtor because he brings something most agents simply can’t: firsthand experience as both a successful Superhost and proven investment strategist.

While other agents sell properties based on theory, Mike operates from real data gathered through years of managing vacation rentals himself.

Why Does Hosting Experience Matter When Choosing an STR Realtor?

The Superhost Advantage: Why Experience Matters

Most realtors can show you homes. Few can tell you which ones will actually generate revenue.

Mike Chen’s decade-long journey as an Airbnb Superhost with a 4.81-star rating and over 2,600 guest reviews provides unmatched insight into what makes vacation rentals successful. Through his company, FunStay Homes, he actively manages around 100 properties across Orlando, Kissimmee, and Davenport, giving him access to performance data that typical agents simply don’t have.

This hands-on experience translates into tangible benefits for investors:

Real Performance Data: Mike can share actual ADR (Average Daily Rate) and occupancy numbers from Windsor Island versus Windsor at Westside, not industry estimates
Guest Preference Insights: He knows which amenities drive bookings and which renovations provide the best ROI
Operational Knowledge: Understanding maintenance costs, seasonal patterns, and guest management challenges helps him guide investors toward smart purchases

When Mike tells you a property will perform well as a short-term rental, it’s based on years of managing similar properties in the same market.

Avg. Occupancy %

77%

Average Daily Rate

$286

Average Revenue

$56,422

Listings Growth YoY

+82%

Regulatory Expertise: Navigating Orlando’s Complex STR Laws

Orlando’s vacation rental regulations can derail inexperienced investors before they even get started. Mike’s deep understanding of BTR (Business Tax Receipt) and DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) requirements protects clients from costly compliance mistakes.

Key regulatory areas where Mike’s expertise proves invaluable:

HOA Restrictions by Resort Community

Different resort communities have varying short-term rental policies. Mike understands the specific rules for popular communities like:

Windsor Cay: New community with investor-friendly policies
Reunion Resort: Premium resort with specific rental restrictions
ChampionsGate: Established community with proven rental demand

Permit and Licensing Requirements

Many investors discover licensing requirements too late in the process. Mike ensures properties can legally operate as short-term rentals from day one, handling:

Business tax receipt applications
DBPR registration requirements
Local permit compliance
HOA approval processes

Want to see what your dream community earns in bookings?

Schedule a free 15-min STR consult with Mike Chen →

Market Intelligence: Data-Driven Investment Decisions

Success in vacation rental investing requires understanding micro-markets within Orlando’s broader tourism ecosystem. Mike’s dual role as agent and property manager provides access to performance metrics most agents lack.

International Investor Support

Orlando attracts investors worldwide, and Mike’s bilingual capabilities (English and Mandarin) make him particularly valuable for international buyers. His experience with complex transactions includes:

1031 Exchanges: Helping investors defer capital gains while building vacation rental portfolios
Remote Purchasing: Streamlined processes for out-of-state and international buyers
Vendor Networks: Established relationships with furnishing companies, maintenance providers, and property managers

Post-Purchase Support: Beyond the Closing

Most agents disappear after closing. Mike’s involvement continues through your property’s launch phase and beyond.

Launch Phase Support

Connecting with trusted local vendors for furnishing and setup
Pricing strategy recommendations based on comparable properties
Introduction to property management companies (including his own FunStay Florida)
Guidance on permit applications and HOA approvals

Ongoing Market Intelligence

Seasonal pricing adjustments based on tourism trends
Regulatory updates that might affect operations
Market expansion opportunities for portfolio growth

What Orlando STR Investors Say

The proof of Mike’s expertise lies in client results and testimonials:

★★★★★
A B Mendlowitz

Michael made my home selling experience seamless and stress-free! Their team of professionals is knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly attentive. They took the time to understand my needs and guided me every step of the way with clear communication and expert advice. Whether it was negotiating the best deal or navigating the paperwork, they handled everything with efficiency and professionalism. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy and skilled real estate team!

★★★★★
Mrs JP Lee

Mike was referred to us by another investor, and we are so grateful!
Mike is extremely knowledgeable about the area, and has very helpful advice when selecting a property. He stayed attentive during every step of the purchase, including helping through the closing.
After closing, Mike continued to be helpful in finding vendors and giving sage advice on how to get our short-term-rental up and running.
We have been real estate investors for many years, and dealt with many agents.
Mike is in a class of his own. He goes far above the call of duty and was extremely helpful with so many things.
If you’re looking for real estate in the greater Orlando market, we recommend Realtor Mike Chen!

★★★★★
fonxud

I cannot recommend Mike Chen highly enough for his exceptional work in guiding me through a successful 1031 exchange in Kissimmee, Florida. Mike’s expertise and dedication were instrumental in helping me find and purchase two replacement properties that perfectly aligned with my investment goals.

Mike’s knowledge of the local market and understanding of 1031 exchange timelines and rules were invaluable. He was always available to answer my questions, provide guidance, and negotiate on my behalf. His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a smooth transaction were truly impressive.

I am incredibly grateful for Mike’s expertise and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone in the market for properties in and around Kissimmee Florida. If you’re looking for a realtor who will go above and beyond to help you achieve your real estate goals, Mike Chen is the one.

★★★★★
Mteto Nyati

Michael delivered an exceptional experience to my wife and I when we were purchasing property in an environment that was unfamiliar to us.
He has deep understanding of local environmental and regulations.
He took personal ownership of some of our challenges going beyond the call of duty.
He cares a lot about his clients and going the extra mile to exceed their expectations.
I chose to continue using him to market my property for short term rentals. He is someone I can recommend to other buyers.

★★★★★
Matthew Wood

Mike is everything you could want from an agent. An absolute expert in the local market…a creative tactician on making a deal and thinking through strategies…an investor friendly navigator on updates, rental income, location context, etc

And most important, he’s just a really good, likable, integral guy. In spending a few days with him on your property buying or selling journey, you’ll not only get a ton of value but make a friend in the business.

10/10 for Mike

★★★★★
RyannHickok Barker

Mike went out of his way to help us find what we were looking for. He spent so much time with us in person, on the phone, and online. As out of state buyers, we appreciated his knowledge and advice. We will use him for any future purchases!

★★★★★
Cheng Sha

Mike Chen is an outstanding real estate professional! He helped my wife and me find our dream property, and throughout the process, he was incredibly professional, responsible, and genuine. His dedication and expertise made everything smooth and stress-free. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we highly recommend Mike to anyone looking for their perfect home!

★★★★★
Irene Neri-Arboleda

Mike is very knowledgeable of the Orlando/Kissimmee market. He willingly shares his knowledge without any pressure of buying. His experience being an investor focused Realtor especially in the vacation rental space benefits his investor clients. I highly recommend Mike. So easy to communicate with, very responsive, honest, humble and personable.

★★★★★
Jack Mendlo

★★★★★
Tony Bui

Mike made the purchase of a property remotely extremely smooth and seamless. He has the paper work and all applicable documents ready to go. In addition, he provided videos of the property to walk us through I. Working with Mike has been a great experience. I highly recommend him.

★★★★★
Don Roe

We really appreciated the advice and assistance from Mike in the sale of our home in a vacation rental community. His knowledge of that business was extremely helpful, and he communicated very well throughout the entire process.

★★★★★
Rod Laver

Very happy we got to work with Mike! He educated us on all the local communities, good and bad. He was patient, always got an answer for us. During the sales process, he was very responsive, willing to negotiate our terms and was proactive thru the entire process. Post sale, he was a great resource and helped every time we asked; info, local contractors, property management companies, even helped move/dispose of furniture! If that’s not full service, I don’t know what is. We will use Mike in the future for our next purchase. My wife and I consider Mike a friend now. You will not go wrong working with Mike.

★★★★★
Otoffon Udoyen

I cannot recommend Mike Chen highly enough for his exceptional work in guiding me through a successful 1031 exchange in Kissimmee, Florida. Mike’s expertise and dedication were instrumental in helping me find and purchase two replacement properties that perfectly aligned with my investment goals.
Mike’s knowledge of the local market and understanding of 1031 exchange timelines and rules were invaluable. He was always available to answer my questions, provide guidance, and negotiate on my behalf. His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a smooth transaction were truly impressive.
I am incredibly grateful for Mike’s expertise and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone in the market for properties in and around Kissimmee Florida. If you’re looking for a realtor who will go above and beyond to help you achieve your real estate goals, Mike Chen is the one.

See reviews:

Zillow Profile →

Google Reviews →

These testimonials reflect a pattern: Mike delivers comprehensive support that extends far beyond typical real estate transactions.

Featured Orlando Vacation Home Communities

Mike specializes in investment properties across Orlando’s most profitable vacation rental markets:

Premium Resort Communities:

Reunion Resort & Bear’s Den
ChampionsGate Resort
Windsor Cay Resort (newest development)

High-Occupancy Communities:

Established Markets:

Windsor Hills Resort
Paradise Palms

Each community offers distinct advantages for different investment strategies, and Mike’s experience managing properties in all these areas provides valuable comparative insights.

Making Your Investment Decision

Choosing the right realtor for your Orlando vacation rental investment requires finding someone who understands both real estate transactions and short-term rental operations. Mike Chen’s unique combination of:

Proven hosting experience with thousands of guest interactions
Active property management across 100+ vacation rentals
Deep regulatory knowledge of Orlando’s STR requirements
Bilingual capabilities for international investors
Post-purchase support through property launch

Makes him the clear choice for serious vacation rental investors.

Mike is everything you could want from an agent—expert, tactical, and investor-friendly.

Whether you’re purchasing your first Orlando vacation rental or expanding an existing portfolio, Mike’s comprehensive expertise ensures you make informed decisions that maximize your investment potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Mike Chen different from other Orlando real estate agents?

Mike combines active short-term rental hosting experience (4.81-star Superhost rating with 2,600+ reviews) with comprehensive real estate expertise. He manages around 100 vacation rentals through FunStay Homes, giving him real performance data rather than theoretical market knowledge.

Does Mike help with properties outside the Disney area?

While Mike specializes in Disney-area vacation rentals in Orlando, Kissimmee, and Davenport, he also works with residential properties in communities like Lake Nona, Winter Garden, and Windermere. His expertise is particularly valuable for properties intended as short-term rentals.

Can Mike help international investors purchase Orlando vacation rentals?

Yes, Mike regularly works with international buyers and offers bilingual support (English and Mandarin). He has extensive experience with complex transactions, including 1031 exchanges and remote purchasing processes for out-of-state and international investors.

What support does Mike provide after closing?

Unlike most agents, Mike continues supporting clients through property launch phases. This includes vendor connections, furnishing guidance, pricing strategies, property management referrals, and ongoing market intelligence. His goal is to ensure your property becomes a successful vacation rental.

Start Your Orlando Vacation Rental Journey

Mike Chen’s combination of hosting expertise, regulatory knowledge, and proven investment success makes him Orlando’s top choice for short-term rental real estate. When you’re ready to turn your vacation rental dreams into a profitable reality, reach out to the agent who understands both sides of the business.

Contact Mike Chen today and discover why serious investors choose the realtor who’s also a successful host.

Contact Mike Chen Today

Who’s the Best Short-Term Rental Realtor in Orlando?