Why This Family Switched to 12-Month Leases for Better Investment Returns
- By Jim Blackburn
- on
Client Profile:
- Names: Vanessa & Miguel
- Ages: 44 & 45
- Occupations: Event planner and IT consultant
- Goal: Maximize income from their vacation property
- Location: Orlando, FL
The Situation
Vanessa and Miguel purchased a 4-bedroom home 15 minutes from Disney World, intending to rent it short-term on Airbnb. During the first 9 months, they experienced strong summer bookings, but their off-season occupancy and management costs started to wear them down.
They came to us asking if short-term rentals were really worth the hassle — and whether switching to a long-term lease would sacrifice too much income.
We helped them run a detailed breakdown using the Rental Strategy Selector Worksheet.
Short-Term Rental (Airbnb)
Metric | Amount |
Gross Monthly Income (peak) | $5,400 |
Gross Monthly Income (off-season avg.) | $2,100 |
Monthly Average | $3,450 |
Expenses (cleaning, management, supplies, marketing) | ~$1,450 |
Net Monthly | ~$2,000 |
Time Commitment | 5–10 hours/week |
Long-Term Lease Option (12 Months)
Metric | Amount |
Monthly Rent | $2,700 |
Expenses (mgmt, maintenance) | ~$400 |
Net Monthly | ~$2,300 |
Time Commitment | ~1 hour/month |
The Decision
While Airbnb generated slightly more gross income, it came with more work, more stress, and inconsistent off-season earnings. With young kids and full-time jobs, they valued time over marginal profit.
They chose to lease the home long-term and secured excellent tenants within 3 weeks.
The Results (12 Months Later)
- Consistent Net Cash Flow: ~$2,200/month
- Stress Level: “Night and day difference”
- Tenant renewed lease with 6% increase
- Vanessa launched her own side hustle with freed-up time
What They Said
“Airbnb sounded sexy, but we were exhausted. We didn’t realize how much time we were spending until we stopped. Now the money is easier — and our weekends are ours again.”
Takeaway for Readers
Short-term rentals can work… but they’re not passive. When your time, peace of mind, or energy are being drained, a simple long-term lease may provide better income-to-effort returns.
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