Found just a short drive from Orlando and the Atlantic Coast, DeLand, Florida, has become quite the hot spot for real estate investment. This historic city boasts a charming downtown, a strong local economy, and proximity to some of the state’s top amenities. DeLand has grown into one of the best small real estate markets in Florida and offers an excellent opportunity to build wealth and raise a family.
Whether you’re looking to purchase your first home or you’re a seasoned investor searching for the perfect opportunity to expand your real estate portfolio, DeLand, Florida, offers a combination of affordability and long-term growth potential.
As DeLand’s top real estate broker, Bee Realty Corp helps clients navigate this market with confidence. We’re here to share some opportunities and insights about what’s driving DeLand to become a high-growth market, what property types are selling, and who is investing in local real estate. We’ll also present an easy three-step strategy to help you add Volusia County real estate to your investment portfolio.
Why Investors Are Paying Attention To DeLand
DeLand is a small real estate market with a ton of potential. The area continues to see home price appreciation, strong population growth, and amenities that will attract both renters and buyers for years to come. It’s appealing to young professionals, retirees, and anyone looking to enjoy Florida’s beautiful climate and attractions. Here is a quick deep dive into each of these contributing factors:
1. Consistent Home Price Appreciation
Investors like Volusia County real estate because it appreciates. Florida is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and DeLand has consistently followed that trend. Over the last 10 years, home prices in DeLand have grown an average of 9.87% annually. Population growth and limited housing supply have contributed to this trend. With so much development, many experts expect home prices to continue to rise in the short and long term.
2. High Rental Demand
Rental income in DeLand is high due to a competitive rental market and a growing population. The city is home to Stetson University, which draws college student renters to the area all year long. Additionally, with SunRail now connecting DeLand to Orlando, the area is becoming a popular commuter town for young professionals. Volusia County is an excellent market for renters, and we can help you generate rental income that DeLand investors can depend on.
3. Central Location & Great Lifestyle
DeLand maintains a small-town, laid-back vibe, but it’s just a short distance from Orlando and Daytona Beach. Easy access to a great urban atmosphere and one of the country’s best vacation destinations makes DeLand highly appealing. The city itself is walkable and has one of the best downtowns of any city in Florida. Residents love the great restaurants, the vibrant art scene, and the high-quality schools. Everything you need to live a good life is highly accessible.
The Best Types Of Investment Properties In DeLand
Prior to investing in DeLand real estate, you’ll need to decide what type of property you’d like to acquire. The best choice will ultimately come down to your personal goals. Here are the most common options:
- Single-Family Homes: Single-family homes are easier to finance and offer a ton of flexibility for generating wealth. They’re optimal for long-term appreciation, but they can generate rental income, too. Single-family homes also offer the option of serving as a place to live prior to generating rental income.
- Multi-Family Properties: Duplexes, triplexes, or multi-unit apartments can support multiple tenants, and as a result, generate stronger cash flow. There is high demand for these properties among students and young professionals. However, they can be more work to manage and maintain.
- Vacation Homes: With Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and Orlando’s theme parks all a short drive away, DeLand is a fantastic spot for a vacation home. Not only can these properties generate short-term rental income, but they can also offer you a nice place to stay when they are not occupied.
When choosing the right property type, think about what kind of ROI you’re looking for (e.g., long-term appreciation vs. rental income) and how hands-on you want to be when it comes to property management.
Volusia County Real Estate Is A Great Choice For A Wide Range Of Investors
DeLand real estate is sought after by many different types of investors. Some of our clients include:
- First-Time Buyers: These are new or beginner investors who want to start with a single property (usually a single-family home) and scale over time.
- Multi-Property Investors: This group consists of seasoned investors looking to scale and diversify their portfolios by adding DeLand properties.
- Vacation Home Buyers: Whether it’s for personal use or rentals, this population is looking for vacation homes to generate both long-term appreciation and near-term rental income.
- Retirees: DeLand is a hot spot for retirees looking to downsize and relocate to warmer weather.
Whatever your investment strategy, Bee Realty Corp’s experience, professionalism, and understanding of the Volusia County housing market can help you achieve your goals.
A Simple Strategy For Investing In Volusia County Real Estate
We often hear from clients who want to acquire their first property, but they don’t know where to start. Many assume the process is intimidating, lengthy, or complicated. We also hear from experienced investors who often don’t have the bandwidth to manage an acquisition. The truth is, acquiring an investment property can be easy with the right help. Bee Realty Corp helps clients acquire investment properties every day.
Here is a simple three-step approach to get started:
1. Find An Experienced Local REALTOR®
When it comes to real estate professionals, there is no substitute for experience and local knowledge. Finding an expert like Bee Realty Corp can give you a major edge in understanding local growth trends, which areas or neighborhoods are appreciating, and which properties are likely to generate the most cash flow. Bee Realty Corp is also well-connected with the local government and developers, so we can understand what upcoming development plans could impact the local market.
Once you have a good REALTOR®, you’ll have expert guidance and a trusted partner who will handle the negotiations, paperwork, and administrative steps.
2. Evaluate Potential ROI
This step involves matching your goals to the right properties, so you’ll need to be clear on your objectives before you start. Are you looking for rental income or long-term equity? Will you be hands-on with property management? What is your expected ROI?
Once you have established your goals, Bee Realty Corp can help you crunch the numbers. By estimating taxes, maintenance, rental income, property appreciation, and other factors, we provide an informed estimate for any property to help ensure the investment aligns with your financial strategy.
3. Determine The Right Management Approach
Acquiring an investment property is the first step, but long-term management is also an important consideration. You’ll need to decide if you’ll serve as a landlord and manage maintenance and tenants or if you’ll have a third party handle this work.
Some questions to think about when making your decision:
- Will you have tenants or short-term renters?
- Do you plan to be local or live near the property?
- Do you want to be hands-on with maintenance?
- How many other investment properties do you have?
- Do you have experience with tenant management (contracts, evictions, etc.)?
The key to protecting your investment is having the right maintenance and management in place. Bee Realty Corp offers comprehensive property management services that can make ownership a breeze. Our services include:
- Tenant screening, management, and relations
- Rental contracts
- Unit turnover
- Rent collection and financial management
- On-call and preventative maintenance
- Legal and compliance
- Marketing
Property management can be a lot of work, and many landlords decide to take a hands-off approach so they can focus on scaling their investment portfolio. If you decide on a similar approach, Bee Realty Corp can help.
Trust Bee Realty Corp’s Local Expertise When Investing In Volusia County Real Estate
DeLand real estate investing can be a great way to build generational wealth. The real estate market is influenced by so many different dynamics, and it is often hard to keep track of all the trends at a small market level. This is why a “boots on the ground” partner can play such an important role.
As one of the region’s most trusted real estate brokers, Bee Realty Corp is known for helping clients make smart decisions and manage their investments with confidence. We understand the nuances of DeLand’s neighborhoods as well as the challenges and opportunities of owning investment properties in Central Florida.
If you’re ready to start exploring Volusia County real estate and investment properties that Florida investors can leverage to build wealth, our licensed REALTORS® and property management professionals are here to help every step of the way. Schedule an appointment today.
