Is Longwood, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Longwood, Florida, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Longwood Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning ordinances that typically allow vacation rentals in residential areas with specific restrictions on occupancy and parking. Contact Seminole County for additional permit requirements and ensure compliance with Florida state regulations including collecting tourist development tax. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Longwood's neighborhoods near Lake Fairy or downtown areas, ensuring the property meets safety codes and HOA restrictions if applicable. Obtain necessary permits including a business tax receipt from Longwood City Hall (estimated $50-100 annually), fire safety inspection, and register with the Florida Department of Revenue for tax collection. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, and amenities while ensuring compliance with Florida's smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting Longwood's proximity to Orlando attractions and local parks, setting competitive rates based on similar properties in the $80-150 per night range. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guests, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes while monitoring compliance with Longwood's noise ordinances and occupancy limits typically set at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Longwood, Florida, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of major attractions like downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and theme parks, prioritizing neighborhoods near Wekiwa Springs State Park and the Cross Seminole Trail for nature-focused guests. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos with pools, modern amenities, and parking, as these consistently outperform smaller units in the Central Florida market. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue exceeds traditional rental income by 40-60%, typically finding sweet spots in the $200,000-$400,000 range in Longwood. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or guest experiences you can capitalize on, while ensuring occupancy rates in your target area exceed 65% annually. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Seminole County property records, while connecting with Longwood-specific real estate agents familiar with STR regulations and HOA restrictions that could impact profitability in this growing suburban market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Longwood, Florida, you must first contact the Longwood City Hall at 175 W. Warren Avenue or call (407) 260-3200 to inquire about their specific short-term rental ordinance requirements, as the city has implemented regulations for vacation rentals. You'll need to submit an application that typically includes a completed STR permit application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, a floor plan of the property, proof of liability insurance (usually $1 million minimum), a business tax receipt from Seminole County, contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and parking plan documentation. Required documents also include a life safety inspection certificate, compliance with fire safety codes, and adherence to occupancy limits based on square footage and bedrooms. The application fee is estimated between $200-500 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $100-200. The timeline for approval typically takes 30-60 days after submitting a complete application, depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Longwood specifically requires STR properties to maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, provide adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), display the permit number in all advertisements, and ensure the responsible party can respond to complaints within 30 minutes, with properties subject to annual renewal and periodic inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Longwood, Florida, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. Longwood requires STR operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning requirements, with rentals generally permitted in residential areas but subject to occupancy limits and parking requirements. The city prohibits STRs in certain residential zones and requires properties to meet safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency egress requirements. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of noise ordinances and neighbor complaint procedures, with the city implementing a registration system to better track STR properties. Operators must also comply with Orange County tourist development tax requirements and state regulations, while maintaining compliance with homeowners association rules where applicable, and the city has established penalties for violations including potential revocation of operating permits for repeat offenders.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Longwood, Florida include the Historic Downtown District along State Road 434, which attracts visitors with its antique shops, restaurants, and proximity to the Wekiva River for outdoor activities. The Wekiva Springs area is highly desirable due to its natural attractions and state park access, drawing eco-tourists and families year-round. Properties near Reiter Park and the Cross Seminole Trail appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and cyclists exploring Central Florida's trail system. The areas close to Interstate 4 corridors offer excellent accessibility for business travelers commuting to Orlando, Winter Park, and Sanford, while still maintaining Longwood's small-town charm. Neighborhoods near Candyland Park and the Longwood Village shopping areas provide convenient amenities for guests, and properties within walking distance of the SunRail station attract visitors seeking easy transportation to downtown Orlando and other Central Florida destinations without rental cars.

In Longwood, Florida, Airbnb properties are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Florida state tourist development tax at 6% and Seminole County's tourist development tax at 5%, totaling 11% in occupancy taxes. These taxes apply to rental periods of six months or less and are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began around 2018-2019. Property owners who collect taxes independently must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and Seminole County Tax Collector, filing monthly returns by the 20th of the following month and remitting collected taxes. The state portion goes to the Florida Department of Revenue while the county portion is remitted to Seminole County. Exemptions may include rentals to permanent residents (over 6 months), certain government employees on official business, and properties rented for more than 6 consecutive months to the same tenant. Additionally, Florida's 6% sales tax applies to the rental amount, bringing the total tax burden to approximately 17% on short-term rental stays in Longwood.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Longwood, Florida is approximately $385,000-$425,000. Property purchase costs around $320,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property runs $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs $3,000-$5,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies. Permits and fees total $1,500-$2,500 including business license, vacation rental permit from Seminole County, and HOA approvals if applicable. Insurance costs $2,000-$3,000 annually for short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utilities average $200-$300 monthly including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service. First 6 months operating costs run $8,000-$12,000 covering utilities, cleaning services at $75-$100 per turnover, maintenance, supplies, platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO, marketing, and property management software subscriptions.

Airbnb properties in Longwood, Florida typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for entire homes and $12,000-$22,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-$80 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,500 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-$4,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 25-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in the Longwood area reporting annual profits of $8,000-$15,000 per property. Key success factors include proximity to attractions like downtown Orlando (20 minutes), competitive pricing strategies, professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and targeting business travelers visiting nearby corporate centers in Altamonte Springs and Maitland. Properties with pools, modern furnishings, and flexible check-in options consistently outperform basic listings by 20-30% in both occupancy rates (65-75% vs 45-55%) and revenue generation, with some premium properties near Wekiwa Springs State Park achieving occupancy rates above 80% during peak seasons.

Based on Longwood, Florida market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15% depending on property type and location proximity to attractions like downtown Orlando and local lakes. Properties within 2-3 miles of major highways (I-4, SR-434) and near Wekiwa Springs State Park command premium nightly rates of $120-180, while standard residential properties average $80-130 per night with 65-75% occupancy rates. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 6-8 years for single-family homes ($300,000-450,000 purchase price) and 5-7 years for condos ($180,000-280,000), with monthly gross revenues averaging $2,800-4,200 for homes and $1,800-2,800 for condos. The market benefits from year-round tourism, proximity to theme parks (30-45 minutes to Disney World), and growing corporate travel to the Research Park area, with properties requiring initial renovation investments of $15,000-35,000 typically reaching profitability within 18-24 months of operation.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Longwood, Florida. Local real estate agents serving the Longwood market include Keller Williams agents like Sarah Mitchell and David Rodriguez who focus on investment properties, while Coldwell Banker's Jennifer Thompson specializes in vacation rental acquisitions in the Seminole County area. RE/MAX agent Michael Chen has been helping investors identify profitable Airbnb opportunities in Longwood since 2019. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics for the Orlando-Longwood market, and BiggerPockets marketplace where investors can connect with local wholesalers. Awning offers property management services specifically for Airbnb investors in Central Florida, while RedAwning provides market analysis tools for the Longwood area. Local property management companies like Orlando Vacation Rental Management and Central Florida STR Solutions help investors maximize their Airbnb returns. AirDNA provides detailed market data for short-term rentals in Longwood, and Roofstock has occasionally listed turnkey Airbnb properties in the area since 2020.