Destin and neighboring Fort Walton Beach, Florida are home to thousands of vacation condominiums, each individually owned and managed. Finding and purchasing an investment property here can be exhausting to say the least.  With each having different layouts, views, amenities, etc., how do you know if you are making the right purchase?   Ask the right questions and learn what rents, and you'll make the right decision when it comes to buying your beach rental property.

One of the first questions to ask yourself is "what do I want from my investment property?"  Most buyers are looking for a long term investment that they may someday use as a retirement home.  However, your goal may be a short term flip, or simply a property that will hold its value while your family and friends use it from time to time.  These goals, among others, will determine the property that's right for you.  For this discussion, we will be referring to the goals of long term ownership with a maximum yearly rental yield.

When inquiring about a Destin Vacation Rental, typically the first question from a perspective renter will be "Is it on the Beach?"  If you want  to be in the main stream of Destin Rentals, then the answer to this question must be YES.  Anything but a YES here will turn away over fifty percent of your potential clients.   Clients will expect to pay less if they have to cross a street or parking lot to access the beach.  Those who would consider staying in an off-beach property will certainly be looking for a bargain. 

A direct ocean view from a private balcony will pay off many times over.  Without this feature, you might as well have an  off-beach property.  Many beachfront resorts have L shaped or angular wings branching off from the beach.  This was a builder's trick to sell more beach condos on the same size lot.  Vacationers know about these architectural features, and will steer clear. If a realtor wants to show you a property on a wing, be cautious.  What may seem like a good deal isn't always a good deal. Your rental income will suffer.

Condos located between the second and seventh floor tend to be more in demand.  That's not to say the one a little higher wouldn't prosper, but definitely stay clear of a ground floor unit with an obstructed view.  One that is too high or too low will affect the ocean view and cause many potential clients to move on. 

Don't pick the wrong property. No one can say for sure what future results a beach rental purchase will produce, but if you will follow these simple guidelines, you will definitely give yourself a fighting chance.  The purchase price of the right property may be fifteen percent higher, but your annual net rental income will likely increase by twenty five to thirty percent.