Is Tradition, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Tradition, Florida, begin by researching local regulations through Martin County's zoning department and the Tradition Community Development District, as short-term rentals may require special permits or be restricted in certain residential areas within this master-planned community. Contact Martin County's Building Department to obtain necessary permits, which typically include a business tax receipt, possible conditional use permit, and compliance with fire safety codes. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Tradition's HOA restrictions, as many neighborhoods have covenants that may prohibit short-term rentals, so verify these restrictions before purchasing or leasing. Furnish the property with quality, durable furniture and amenities that appeal to tourists visiting nearby attractions like the Treasure Coast beaches, ensuring you include essentials like high-speed internet, air conditioning, and hurricane preparedness supplies given Florida's climate. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to Stuart, Port St. Lucie, and recreational amenities within Tradition like golf courses and community pools, setting competitive rates based on seasonal demand patterns typical to South Florida. Manage your property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and property management companies in the Stuart-Port St. Lucie area, while staying compliant with Martin County's occupancy limits, noise ordinances, and any additional requirements specific to Tradition's community standards and HOA regulations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Tradition, Florida, focus on properties within 15-20 minutes of major attractions like the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, PGA Golf Club, and spring training facilities, as well as proximity to beaches along the Treasure Coast. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes with pools, modern amenities, and parking for multiple vehicles, as families and golf groups represent the primary market. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, targeting properties where potential gross rental income exceeds 1% of purchase price monthly, with average daily rates ranging $150-300 depending on seasonality and proximity to golf courses. Research competition by examining occupancy rates and pricing strategies of similar properties within a 3-mile radius, noting that peak season runs November through April when northern visitors escape cold weather. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while partnering with local property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning who understand Tradition's unique position as a master-planned community attracting both leisure travelers and corporate guests visiting nearby businesses in the Port St. Lucie area.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Tradition, Florida, you must first apply through Martin County since Tradition is an unincorporated community within Martin County jurisdiction. Begin by contacting the Martin County Building Department at 2401 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34996, or visit their website to download the short-term rental application form. Required documents typically include a completed application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and payment of applicable fees. The application fee is approximately $200-300 with annual renewal fees around $150-200. You must also obtain a business tax receipt from Martin County, which costs about $50-75 annually. The property must comply with zoning regulations, parking requirements (typically 2 spaces per unit), and safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. The approval timeline is generally 30-60 days depending on completeness of application and any required inspections. Additionally, you must register with the Florida Department of Revenue for tourist development tax collection and remittance, and ensure compliance with any applicable homeowners association rules in Tradition, as this is a master-planned community with specific covenants that may restrict short-term rentals.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Tradition, Florida, but operate under St. Lucie County's regulations which require STR operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning restrictions. The county permits STRs in most residential areas but prohibits them in certain planned unit developments and homeowner association communities that have specific deed restrictions against short-term rentals. Tradition, being a master-planned community developed by Tradition Land Company in the early 2000s, has community covenants that may restrict or prohibit short-term rentals in many of its neighborhoods, making the practical legality dependent on specific subdivision rules rather than county law. St. Lucie County implemented stricter STR regulations in 2019-2020, including mandatory registration, occupancy limits, and noise ordinances, while some individual HOAs in Tradition have enacted their own prohibitions. Property owners must verify both county compliance and community association restrictions before operating STRs, as violations can result in fines from both the county and HOA enforcement actions.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Tradition, Florida include the Tradition Town Center district, which attracts visitors due to its walkable downtown area with shops, restaurants, and community events throughout the year, making it ideal for leisure travelers seeking a local experience. The neighborhoods near Tradition Golf Club and Martin Downs Country Club are highly attractive for golf tourism and upscale travelers, particularly during Florida's peak winter season from December through April when northern visitors escape cold weather. Areas close to the St. Lucie West Boulevard corridor offer excellent access to both Port St. Lucie's business district and recreational facilities, appealing to business travelers and families visiting nearby attractions. The residential communities near Tradition Parkway provide a suburban feel while maintaining proximity to shopping and dining, attracting longer-term stays from relocating families or extended vacation rentals. Properties within walking distance of Tradition Field, spring training home of the New York Mets, see high demand during baseball season from February through March, with rates potentially increasing 40-60% during this period due to sports tourism.

Airbnb properties in Tradition, Florida are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Florida's state tourist development tax which varies by county but typically ranges from 4-6%, with St. Lucie County (where Tradition is located) charging approximately 5% tourist development tax on short-term rentals under 6 months. Additionally, Florida's state sales tax of 6% applies to transient accommodations, and St. Lucie County may impose an additional local option tourist tax of 1-2%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts through Airbnb's automated tax collection system, which began around 2016-2017 for most Florida jurisdictions. Hosts may still need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue and obtain a sales tax permit, file monthly or quarterly returns depending on volume, and remit any additional local taxes not collected by Airbnb. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and certain government or charitable organization bookings, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as regulations frequently change.

Starting an Airbnb in Tradition, Florida requires approximately $420,000-$480,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $350,000-$400,000 based on median home prices in this master-planned community near Port St. Lucie. Furnishing a 3-bedroom vacation rental typically costs $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive guest experience. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials run $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in St. Lucie County include business tax receipt ($50-$100), vacation rental permit ($200-$500), and potential HOA approval fees ($100-$300). Insurance for short-term rentals costs $2,500-$4,000 annually, significantly higher than standard homeowner's policies. Monthly utilities average $200-$300 for electricity, water, internet, and cable services. First six months of operating costs including cleaning services ($100-$150 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, platform fees (3% of bookings to Airbnb/VRBO), property management if outsourced (20-30% of revenue), and marketing total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates and $150-$200 average daily rates typical for the area.

Airbnb properties in Tradition, Florida, demonstrate strong profitability potential with average annual revenues ranging from $35,000-$55,000 for typical 3-4 bedroom homes, driven by the area's proximity to Port St. Lucie attractions and year-round tourist demand. Operating expenses typically run 40-50% of gross revenue, including property management fees (10-15%), cleaning costs ($75-125 per turnover), utilities ($200-300 monthly), insurance ($2,000-3,500 annually), and maintenance reserves, resulting in net profit margins of 25-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include strategic pricing during peak seasons (December-April), professional photography showcasing the community's golf courses and family amenities, maintaining 4.8+ star ratings, and leveraging Tradition's master-planned community appeal with its town center and recreational facilities. Properties within walking distance of the Tradition Town Square and those featuring pools or golf course views command premium rates of $180-250 per night compared to standard homes at $120-180 nightly, with successful hosts like those managing luxury homes near the PGA Golf Club reporting annual profits exceeding $20,000 after all expenses, particularly when combining short-term rentals with strategic long-term bookings during slower summer months.

Airbnb investments in Tradition, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, driven by the area's proximity to Port St. Lucie and growing tourism demand. Properties in Tradition's master-planned community, particularly 3-4 bedroom homes priced between $400,000-$600,000, can achieve gross rental yields of 6-9% annually with average daily rates of $150-$220 during peak season and $100-$140 in off-season months. Investors can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for initial setup costs, property management fees of 15-25%, and seasonal occupancy rates averaging 65-75% throughout the year. The market benefits from Tradition's family-friendly amenities, golf courses, and location within St. Lucie County's expanding residential corridor, with properties typically appreciating 4-6% annually while generating consistent short-term rental income from both leisure travelers and corporate guests visiting nearby business districts.

STRSearch leads the market in Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Tradition, Florida. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments in the Port St. Lucie area include Treasure Coast Sotheby's International Realty, Coldwell Banker Realty, and RE/MAX of Stuart. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa provide end-to-end Airbnb investment solutions including property identification and management. AirDNA offers market data and analytics for the Tradition market, while Mashvisor provides investment property analysis tools. Local property management companies like Coastal Vacation Rentals and Florida Keys Rental Management extend services to the Treasure Coast region. Real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature Florida short-term rental properties. Additional local agents include those from Keller Williams Realty and Century 21 agents who specialize in investment properties in St. Lucie County, with many offering specific expertise in vacation rental regulations and HOA restrictions common in Tradition's master-planned community environment.