Is Barefoot Bay, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Barefoot Bay, Florida, begin by researching Brevard County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a business tax receipt and compliance with zoning laws, as Barefoot Bay is an age-restricted community (55+) that may have specific HOA restrictions on rentals. Contact the Barefoot Bay Recreation District and review community bylaws, as many properties here prohibit or restrict short-term rentals under 30 days. Obtain necessary permits including a Florida sales tax certificate, Brevard County business license, and any required occupational licenses, which cost approximately $50-150 annually. Find a suitable property by working with local realtors familiar with Barefoot Bay's rental restrictions, focusing on condos or homes that explicitly allow short-term rentals, with prices typically ranging $80,000-200,000 for older units. Furnish the property with coastal-themed, durable furniture suitable for the 55+ demographic, including comfortable seating, quality mattresses, and essential amenities, budgeting $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms with professional photos highlighting the golf courses, clubhouse, and proximity to beaches, setting competitive rates around $60-120 per night based on seasonal demand. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider hiring a property management company familiar with Barefoot Bay's unique community requirements, as many successful hosts charge 15-25% management fees for full-service management.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Barefoot Bay, Florida, focus on waterfront or water-view properties within the 55+ community that offer easy access to the Indian River Lagoon and are close to amenities like the golf course, marina, and community center. Target 2-3 bedroom manufactured homes or condos built after 1990 with updated kitchens, screened porches, and parking, as these appeal to seasonal visitors and retirees seeking extended stays. Analyze pricing by researching comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO in the $75-150 nightly range, considering Barefoot Bay's seasonal demand peaks from December through April when northern retirees visit. Study competition by examining occupancy rates and reviews of existing STRs within the community, noting that properties with boat slips, fishing access, or golf course proximity command premium rates. Utilize tools like AirDNA and Mashvisor to analyze market data specific to the 32976 zip code, while consulting with local real estate agents familiar with Barefoot Bay's HOA restrictions and rental policies, and leverage Facebook groups and community forums to understand resident sentiment toward short-term rentals since community approval can significantly impact profitability in this tight-knit 55+ development.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Barefoot Bay, Florida, you must first contact the Brevard County Planning and Development Department since Barefoot Bay is an unincorporated community within Brevard County. Submit your application through the county's online portal or visit their office at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, parking plan, contact information for a local representative available 24/7, general liability insurance certificate, and business tax receipt. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of around $100. You must also obtain a business tax receipt from Brevard County for an additional $25-50. The approval timeline is generally 30-45 days after submitting a complete application. Specific Barefoot Bay requirements include maintaining the residential character of the neighborhood, providing adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), ensuring the property meets all building and safety codes, having a maximum occupancy limit based on bedrooms and square footage, and designating a local contact person who can respond to issues within 30 minutes. Properties must also comply with any additional homeowners association rules if applicable, and some areas may have density restrictions limiting the number of STRs per neighborhood.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Barefoot Bay, Florida are generally legal but subject to Brevard County regulations since Barefoot Bay is an unincorporated community within the county. As of 2023, Brevard County allows STRs in most residential areas but requires operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and posted emergency information. Properties must meet occupancy limits based on bedrooms and parking availability, typically allowing 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. STRs are prohibited in some HOA-restricted communities, and individual homeowners associations like those in Barefoot Bay may have their own restrictions or prohibitions on short-term rentals in their covenants. The county implemented stricter enforcement measures in 2022-2023 including complaint response protocols and potential fines for non-compliance. Property owners should verify both county regulations and any applicable HOA restrictions before operating an STR, as Barefoot Bay's community association may have specific rules governing rental activities within the development.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Barefoot Bay, Florida are primarily within the main Barefoot Bay community itself, particularly properties near the golf courses and recreational facilities, as this 55+ active adult community attracts seasonal residents and visitors year-round who come for the golf, tennis, and social activities. The waterfront areas along the Indian River Lagoon offer premium investment potential due to their scenic views and proximity to boating and fishing activities, drawing retirees and vacation rental guests seeking peaceful waterfront experiences. Properties near the Barefoot Bay Recreation District facilities, including the golf clubhouse and community centers, are highly desirable as they provide easy access to the community's extensive amenities that attract both short-term visitors and longer-term seasonal renters. The areas closest to US Highway 1 offer convenient access while still maintaining the community's quiet residential character, making them attractive to guests who want to explore nearby Sebastian, Vero Beach, and Melbourne attractions while enjoying Barefoot Bay's resort-like amenities. These locations benefit from consistent demand from retirees considering relocation who rent short-term to evaluate the community, seasonal visitors escaping northern winters, and family members visiting residents.

Airbnb properties in Barefoot Bay, Florida are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Florida's state transient rental tax of 6% and Brevard County's tourist development tax of 5%, totaling 11% in combined lodging taxes. The Florida Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a sales tax certificate and collect the 6% state tax from guests, with monthly remittance due by the 20th of the following month for properties with regular bookings. Brevard County's 5% tourist development tax must be collected separately and remitted quarterly to the Brevard County Tax Collector's office, with returns due by the last day of the month following each quarter. Airbnb typically collects and remits these taxes automatically for hosts using their platform as of 2018, but hosts renting through other channels or direct bookings must handle collection and remittance themselves. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient rental taxes, and some small-scale operators with minimal rental income may qualify for certain filing exemptions, though registration is still typically required once rental activity begins.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Barefoot Bay, Florida is approximately $285,000-$315,000. Property purchase costs around $200,000-$220,000 based on median home prices in this 55+ community. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom home runs $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, vacation rental permit, and inspection fees cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage runs $2,500-$4,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, water, internet, and cable average $300-$400 monthly. First six months operating costs including utilities ($2,400), cleaning supplies and services ($1,800), maintenance reserves ($2,000), platform fees on estimated bookings ($3,000), and miscellaneous expenses ($1,500) total approximately $10,700. Property management software and initial inventory of consumables add another $1,000-$1,500 to startup costs.

Airbnb properties in Barefoot Bay, Florida typically generate annual revenues of $18,000-$35,000 for well-managed units, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$150 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($50-$80 per turnover), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,500 annually), and maintenance reserves (5-10% of revenue). Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for successful properties, with waterfront or canal-access homes commanding premium rates and achieving higher occupancy rates of 65-80% compared to 45-65% for standard properties. Success factors in this 55+ community include targeting seasonal snowbird renters, maintaining modern furnishings and reliable WiFi, offering golf cart access, and marketing the area's proximity to Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach attractions. Properties managed by companies like Vacasa or RedAwning in the area have reported average annual net profits of $8,000-$15,000 per unit, while owner-managed properties often achieve 20-30% higher margins due to reduced management fees, though this requires significant time investment for guest communication and property maintenance coordination.

Airbnb investments in Barefoot Bay, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% for properties purchased in the $150,000-$250,000 range. The market benefits from year-round demand due to its proximity to Melbourne Beach and the Indian River Lagoon, with average daily rates of $85-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Investors can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months, factoring in initial renovation costs of $15,000-$25,000 for most properties in this 55+ community. The area's appeal to retirees and seasonal visitors from the Northeast creates consistent occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with peak seasons during winter months and summer beach periods driving higher nightly rates of $130-$180.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Barefoot Bay, Florida. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Paradise in nearby Sebastian (established 1906), RE/MAX Crown Realty, and Treasure Coast Sotheby's International Realty, with agents like Sarah Mitchell and Robert Chen focusing on vacation rental investments since 2018. National services include Awning (founded 2017) which offers full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition consulting, Mashvisor for property analysis and market data, and AirDNA for short-term rental analytics. RedAwning provides vacation rental property sourcing and management services, while local companies like Coastal Property Investments and Space Coast Vacation Rentals offer specialized consulting for Airbnb acquisitions in the Brevard County area. Additional services include BiggerPockets for investor networking, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and local property management companies like Brevard Property Management Group and Atlantic Shores Realty that assist with identifying profitable short-term rental opportunities in the Barefoot Bay market, which has seen approximately 15-20% annual growth in vacation rental demand since 2019.