Need help with renting condo in Windsor palms

[HeatherT]

My family (dh, ds, dd, dm, df and myself) are going to Disney 1/9 - 1/14. I've done a lot of research and have decided that Windsor palms is the place for us. We need a 3 bdrm, so using Hotelkingdom is out so I found a condo on vrbo.com that I really like. I've spoken with the owner and I like her, but it seems she is as new at this as I am. My concern is that her management company isn't listed as a member of the Central Fl Property Managers Assoc or the BBB. I checked their website and they do rent out property, but I still have to call them to see if they act as property managers as well. I also did a tax search and her name, as well as her partners name, didn't come up as owners of property in Fl. Am I making a mistake trusting this person?? I've seen pics of the place, but no address yet. How can I be sure everything will be ok??

Thanks - can you tell I'm more than a little nervous about renting a private condo??

Heather

 

[Robinrs]

Yikes, Heather, you ARE thorough!

I've rented three times and never thought to do that kind of investigation!

I'm sure you'll get lots of posts to answer your detailed questions but I have a suggestion... why not go through a proven management company so you don't have to worry about a private owner? If it doesn't make you feel comfortable, and from your post I would say you are not, you might want to try a company instead of an individual. It might put your mind at ease.

Just a suggestion!

 

[JANNYANS]

Heather a couple of things come to mind .First of all are you checking in the right county records for the owners details and secondly the property may be listed under the man co names if they sort out the txes and such like .I f she is anew owner then she may not be paying her bills through her own name but that of her man co .Most owners are reluctant to give out the address of their homes until all the monies have been paid so don't worry about that .Phone her man co and ask if they manage a home for xxxx and if so where is it ? The info should tie up .As for not belonging to any "official "body I wouldn't worry too much over that -although there are those who will say the opposite -even big companies go under .If you feel the property is right for you then go with it after all -all that a large company does is the same as a small one only on a bigger scale .Have faith

 

[Daisy57b]

I'm right there with you!!

I want to do the exact same thing as you! Rent a condo in Windsor Palms, but I'm waiting to hear back from an owner. I have no idea what the reservation process is, so I'm curious to find out in anyone else posts!

 

[FLeisure]

Check what Jannyans has posted in regard to the county as it is a possibility. The chances are that the county is being slow processing the deed. Osceola County isn't the fastest in the World !

However, I wouldn't agree that the property is in the name of the MC . The deed is virtually always recorded in the owners name...or whatever legal structure they have set up for tax reasons. There is no reason for it to be in any other entity and it's actually quite dangerous if it is !

Heather..if you want to PM me, I can probably check it out for you if you have the property address.

 

[JANNYANS]

Fleisure it may be registered under the mc my own home was under the man co I had for 3 years on the county records even after I had repeatedly told them I was the owner.It wasn't until I took control of paying all the taxes and utilites myself that the records were put straight .Iagree it 's not a good idea but still a possibilty

 

[FLeisure]

Jannyans,
Just want to clear some confusion.....the best way to search a property is on the property tax records. The house should have the deed recorded in either the owners name or the entity they have selected.

Effectively, if they select a company they don't own to hold the deed, they are risking losing the home. Please don't tell me the MC made you deed the home to them in the first instance as I'd be very worried!

It is quite possible for the sales tax records to be in the name of the MC and that is perfectly acceptable but having the deed in anything than the name the owner wants is very risky !