If you are choosing condominiums and communities in Orlando Whether you're looking to invest or live, this is your starting point. I'm Jen, a Real Estate Agent in Orlando and the surrounding area. Here, I've compiled the most popular areas for vacation rentals (STR) and long-term rentals (LTR), along with practical tips on HOAs, property types, and my MLS filter. This content complements my Complete Orlando Guide. Estimates 2025; confirm sensitive numbers and rules in official sources.

Orlando Condos and Communities — Highlights

STR only works where the zoning/HOA permits.
“Real” STR: Storey Lake, Solara, Windsor Island, ChampionsGate/The Retreat, Reunion.
For LTR and quality of life, Lake Nona is a reference.
Typical product in STR: townhomes/houses (4–7 bedrooms, many with pools/themes).
In the MLS, I cross-reference the listing with the community rules before proposing an offer.

Quick map of opportunities

🎢 STR — Vacation Rentals (internal links)

Storey Lake (Kissimmee) — Liquid STR, near 192 and Disney.
Solara (Kissimmee) — large resort, houses and townhomes with complete leisure.
Windsor Island (Davenport) —newer inventory, resort standard.
ChampionsGate/The Retreat (Davenport) — Brazilian classic, variety of plants.
Reunion Resort (Kissimmee) — golf courses and high standard.

🏡 LTR — Housing/Long Term (internal links)

Lake Nona (Orlando) — tech hub, hospitals and schools; LTR focus.

Quick tip: Seasonal income? Start at the STR communities above. Living well? Lake Nona and surrounding areas.

How to choose your community (straightforward checklist)

1) Objective

STR (season) or LTR (housing)?
Horizon: short, medium or long term?

2) Location

Access: I-4, US-192, SR-429, SR-417.
Time to Disney/Universal, MCO, hospitals and employment hubs.

3) HOA & Rules

Is STR allowed? (not all HOAs accept it).
Fees and what they include (leisure, internet, security).
Pool policy, furniture and theming.

4) Product

House, townhome or condo?
Bedrooms/bathrooms, garage, private pool.
Inventory finish and age.

5) Operation (STR)

Management, cleaning, linen and calendar.
Self-management vs. approved administrator.

6) Budget

HOA, resort fee, Property Tax, insurance, utilities.
Reservation for maintenance and linen in STR.

STR vs LTR (no beating around the bush)

Criterion	STR (Season)	LTR (Housing)
Key rule	Permitted by zoning/HOA	Conventional residential areas
Financial driver	Occupancy × Daily	Monthly rental or own use
Common product	Townhomes/houses with pool and theming	Houses/townhomes near schools and services
Operation	Management, cleaning, linen, calendar	Traditional lease management
Risks	Seasonality, operating costs	Vacancy, maintenance
Examples	Storey Lake, Solara, Windsor Island, ChampionsGate, Reunion	Lake Nona

Main sources: DBPR (Florida Seasonal Permits) · Orlando City Hall (local rules) · Osceola County (Regulations and Zoning)

How to Filter Real Offers in the MLS (Without Wasting Time)

Confirm objective and rule: In STR, look only for communities where the practice is allowed; in LTR, prioritize neighborhoods with strong schools.
Apply product filters: bedrooms/bathrooms, swimming pool (STR) or patio/garage and school/park (LTR); year of construction and condition.
Read the HOA with a magnifying glass: monthly fee, items included, minimum rental, pets, painting, furniture and, in resorts, the resort fee.
Validate recurring costs: HOA, Property Tax, insurance, utilities; in STR, cleaning/management/platforms.
Warning signs: old photos, vague description, unclear rental rules; no STR, local county/city licensing.

In practice: Send me the MLS links you like; I'll check them against the community guidelines and get back to you with pros/cons and a cost estimate. When it makes sense, I'll visit the unit, record a technical video, and send it to you.

Understanding property types (quick and direct)

House (Single Family)

More privacy, patio, and private pool. In STR, 4–7 bedroom floor plans appeal to groups/families.

Townhome

Great value for money, simple maintenance; many with splash pool. In resorts, they compete well with lower investment.

Condo

Even simpler operation; significant common areas. In STR, check minimum lease and management.

Ready to choose safely? I send you updated properties, unit video and a plan with income/cost projections.

👉 Talk to Jen on WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I do STR anywhere in Orlando?

No. STR depends on zoning and the HOA. Some communities allow it, others don't. In my guides, I clearly indicate where it is permitted.

House, townhome or condo — which yields more in STR?

It depends on the number of bedrooms, pool, and operations. 4–7-bedroom plans typically perform well. Calculate the cost, including fees and management.

How do I estimate monthly costs?

The LDP (property page) includes estimated HOA and property taxes. When you select a property, I'll send you a schedule with insurance and, in the STR, cleaning/management.

Can I finance as a foreigner?

Yes. There are lines to foreign nationals. I connect you with partners for simulation and approval.

Do you film the house I liked?

Yes. I'll go to the unit, record a video with technical comments, and send it to you for remote evaluation.

Is STR worth it all year round?

STR is seasonal. The result depends on daily rates, occupancy, and operations. I model conservative scenarios before offering.

Is high HOA always bad?

Not always. At resorts, the rate includes leisure and services that can increase the daily rate and occupancy. The point is to balance your budget with your target.

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Listings displayed via MLS; attribution to MLS and listing broker as required. Updated automatically.

Quick Glossary

Acronyms and common terms

HOA — residents' association; sets rules and fees.
STR — seasonal rental (daily rates).
LTR — long-term rental (monthly).
MLS — listings database used by brokers.
LDP — detailed property page on the MLS.
Resort fee — value in resorts that includes leisure/services.

📚 Read also

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Complete Orlando Guide

Neighborhoods, lifestyle and helpful maps.

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Real Estate Market in Orlando

Prices, trends and opportunities.

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Schools in Orlando

School zones, grades and enrollment.

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Where to eat in Orlando

Local classics and new releases.

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Leisure in Orlando

Parks, sports and nature.

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Health in Orlando

Hospitals, clinics and insurance.