Is Lakewood Park, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Lakewood Park, Florida, begin by researching St. Lucie County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a business tax receipt and may have zoning restrictions for residential areas. Contact St. Lucie County's planning and zoning department to verify if your intended property location allows short-term rentals and obtain necessary permits, including a vacation rental license if required. Find a suitable property through local real estate agents or online platforms, considering proximity to attractions like Fort Pierce beaches and downtown areas, ensuring the property meets county safety codes including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with quality, durable furniture focusing on coastal Florida aesthetics, including hurricane-rated window treatments, and ensure all appliances are in working order while providing essential amenities like high-speed internet, air conditioning, and beach equipment. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting the property's proximity to the Indian River Lagoon and local attractions, set competitive pricing based on similar properties in the Port St. Lucie area, and write detailed descriptions emphasizing local features. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries and reviews, coordinating check-ins and check-outs, maintaining the property regularly especially during hurricane season, and consider hiring a local property management company if you're not residing in the area year-round.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Lakewood Park, Florida, focus on properties within 0.5-1 mile of the Intracoastal Waterway and major beaches like Fort Lauderdale Beach, prioritizing neighborhoods with easy highway access via I-95 and Florida's Turnpike for guest convenience. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with pools, updated kitchens, waterfront or water views, and parking for 2+ vehicles, as these features command premium rates of $150-300 per night in this market. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue exceeds long-term rental income by 40-60%, typically requiring purchase prices under $400,000 to maintain profitable cash flow after expenses. Research competition within a 2-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, targeting areas with fewer than 20 active listings and average occupancy rates above 65%, while ensuring compliance with Broward County's STR regulations which require business licenses and limit rentals to properties zoned for commercial or mixed-use. Utilize Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Realtor.com to analyze comparable sales, rental comps, and seasonal demand patterns, focusing on properties near attractions like Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and Las Olas Boulevard that drive consistent year-round bookings.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Lakewood Park, Florida, you must first apply through St. Lucie County since Lakewood Park is an unincorporated community within the county jurisdiction. Begin by contacting the St. Lucie County Planning and Zoning Department at 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982, or visit their website to download the short-term rental application form. Required documents typically include a completed application form, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan of the property, site plan, proof of property insurance, business tax receipt, and a $150-300 application fee (estimated). You'll also need to provide contact information for a local property manager if you don't live within 50 miles of the property, obtain a business tax receipt from St. Lucie County Tax Collector, and ensure the property complies with residential zoning requirements and parking standards (typically 2 spaces per unit). The approval process generally takes 30-60 days and includes a zoning compliance review and potential site inspection. Once approved, you'll receive a certificate of use that must be renewed annually for approximately $50-100, and you must display the permit number in all rental advertisements and maintain occupancy limits as specified by the county, typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Lakewood Park, Florida are generally legal but subject to Palm Beach County regulations since this unincorporated community falls under county jurisdiction. As of 2023, Palm Beach County allows STRs in most residential areas but requires operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning regulations, with properties typically limited to single-family homes and certain multi-family units. The county has implemented restrictions including occupancy limits based on bedrooms, parking requirements, noise ordinances, and mandatory registration with the county, while some homeowners associations in Lakewood Park may have additional covenant restrictions prohibiting or limiting rental activities. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for non-compliance, with the county requiring more detailed registration information and implementing a complaint response system. Properties in certain zoning districts may face additional restrictions, and operators must maintain liability insurance and provide emergency contact information to neighbors, making compliance with both county regulations and any applicable HOA rules essential for legal STR operation in Lakewood Park.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Lakewood Park, Florida include the neighborhoods closest to the Intracoastal Waterway and Fort Pierce Inlet, particularly around Indian River Drive and the waterfront communities near the St. Lucie County line, as these locations attract boaters, fishing enthusiasts, and water sports tourists year-round. The residential areas near Lakewood Park Elementary and along Selvitz Road offer excellent potential due to their proximity to both recreational facilities and major transportation routes like US-1, making them attractive to business travelers visiting nearby Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. Properties within walking distance of the Lakewood Park Golf Club and surrounding recreational areas perform well due to golf tourism and seasonal visitors from northern states. The neighborhoods near the Florida East Coast Railway corridor, while offering lower property acquisition costs, attract budget-conscious travelers and workers in the logistics and transportation sectors. Areas close to Indian River State College's main campus in Fort Pierce (approximately 10 minutes away) see consistent demand from visiting faculty, prospective students, and families attending college events, making them reliable investment zones with steady occupancy rates throughout the academic year.

Airbnb properties in Lakewood Park, Florida are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Florida state sales tax of 6%, the Florida tourist development tax which varies by county but typically ranges from 2-6% (estimated at 4% for St. Lucie County where Lakewood Park is located), and potentially local municipal occupancy taxes that can range from 1-3%. These taxes are generally collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began implementation around 2016-2018 for most Florida jurisdictions. Airbnb typically remits these taxes monthly or quarterly to the appropriate state and local tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance and may need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue and local tax collectors. Some jurisdictions may offer exemptions for stays longer than 30 days or for certain types of accommodations, and hosts should verify current rates and requirements with the St. Lucie County Tax Collector's office and Florida Department of Revenue as rates and collection procedures can change annually.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Lakewood Park, Florida is approximately $385,000-$425,000. Property purchase costs around $320,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property runs $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. 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 for short-term rental coverage runs $2,500-$4,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($300/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing expenses ($200/month) total approximately $9,600. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees ($100-$300/month) and a cash reserve of $10,000-$15,000 for unexpected expenses and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Lakewood Park, Florida typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for single-family homes and $12,000-$22,000 for condos, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on proximity to beaches and property amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$120 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($150-$250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,400 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-$4,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 15-25% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts achieving occupancy rates of 60-75% by leveraging the area's appeal to families visiting nearby attractions like Busch Gardens Tampa and the Gulf Coast beaches. Properties within walking distance of Lake Parker or featuring pools and modern amenities command premium rates and achieve higher profitability, with some hosts reporting annual net profits of $8,000-$15,000 per property. Success factors include professional photography, responsive guest communication, strategic pricing during peak seasons (December-April and summer months), and maintaining consistently high cleanliness standards, as evidenced by top-performing properties in the Winter Haven-Lakeland metropolitan area that maintain 4.8+ star ratings and achieve 20-30% higher revenue than average competitors.

Airbnb investments in Lakewood Park, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% based on current market conditions. Properties in this St. Lucie County area, with average home prices around $280,000-$350,000, can expect gross rental yields of 15-22% annually when optimally managed as short-term rentals. The proximity to Fort Pierce beaches and Port St. Lucie attractions drives consistent occupancy rates of 65-75% year-round, with peak season rates of $120-$180 per night and off-season rates of $80-$120 per night. Initial profitability typically occurs within 8-14 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses of approximately $15,000-$25,000. Properties require down payments of 20-25% for investment purchases, and after mortgage payments, property management fees of 15-20%, cleaning costs, and maintenance expenses, net cash flow averages $800-$1,400 monthly per property. The Florida tourism market and lack of state income tax contribute to sustained demand, with properties appreciating 4-7% annually while generating positive cash flow from month one in most scenarios.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Lakewood Park, Florida, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments in the area include Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, RE/MAX, and Keller Williams Realty, with agents like those at Coastal Properties Group and Atlantic Coast Realty having expertise in vacation rental properties. National services that assist with Airbnb property acquisition include Awning (formerly RedAwning), which provides full-service property management and acquisition assistance, Mashvisor for property analysis and market research, AirDNA for short-term rental data and insights, and Roofstock, which focuses on turnkey rental properties. Additional local services include property management companies like VTrips and RedAwning that also help with property selection, while investment firms such as Techvestor and local vacation rental specialists like Sunshine State Properties assist investors in identifying high-performing Airbnb opportunities in the Lakewood Park market, typically focusing on properties within a 10-15 mile radius of major attractions and beaches that drive consistent rental demand.