A record 47.7 million passengers passed through Orlando International Airport in 2018, more than six million of these being international travellers. As the Sunshine State’s busiest airport and gateway to central Florida, this is encouraging news for anyone hoping to bag themselves a Disney home in 2019. Here are some pointers to help you get started…

–  For a family vacation home that will let easily to holidaymakers, choose a property in a community or resort within 20-25 minutes’ drive of Disney and the theme parks. The area to the south and west of Disney, particularly around Kissimmee, Davenport, Champions Gate and Haines City, with its easy access to Interstate 4, offers the most choice. Established communities popular with UK buyers include Highgrove, Tuscan Hills, Solana, Calabay Parc, Highlands Reserve, Highgate Park, Tuscan Ridge, and West Haven.

– Florida has designated zones where holiday lets are allowed. Check any properties you view are located within a short-term rental zone – if not, you will not be permitted to rent to holidaymakers. Also, find out if the community’s homeowners association (HOA) – an elected board of homeowners that oversees the general running of a community and its facilities – has any of their own rules governing rentals.

– Find out about a property’s running costs, including the HOA fees, which vary significantly between communities and resorts. As a rule, the more facilities and communal areas to maintain, the higher the fees charged to each residence. Typical facilities you can expect include gated security, attractive landscaping, communal pool(s) and clubhouse.

It can be false economy to choose somewhere with fewer facilities and lower HOA fees – properties with better facilities and higher HOA fees tend to command higher rents and occupancy rates. Note too, communities where the HOA is responsible for the upkeep of all gardens/lawns tend to look better. Another cost to look out for is the Community Development District (CDD) fee.

– When viewing a property, have a good look at the state of the roof and air conditioning system – these are the two most expensive things to repair in Florida, and both are essential! You may also want to check for termite damage and hurricane protection on the windows. Also ask about furniture and what is being sold with the property.

– New-build could be a savvy option in Florida right now. In the past couple of years, developers have begun building on land or completing unfinished projects, both of which they picked up cheap during or after the economic downturn a decade ago. The hope is they are passing on the savings they have made to the end-user! New-build properties have added benefits, including 10-year guarantees, the option to customise your property, modern green designs and the chance for capital appreciation.

– Remember to download your free guide to buying in the USA and get more information about the buying process there. To do this, just click here.

– It’s advisable to appoint a property management company to manage your rentals and look after your guests, as well as take care of the general upkeep of your property. Most realty firms in Florida offer a property management service but be selective about the one you use. Good ones should achieve 18-22 weeks of bookings a year for a well-maintained property in a popular community. Typically, you’ll need at least 10-12 weeks’ worth of rentals to cover your annual running costs.

– Consider buying with a mortgage, especially given the current weakness of Sterling. US mortgages are cheap right now and typically come with minimal or no redemption penalties. By choosing not to transfer the full purchase price today, savvy UK buyers can minimize their exposure to today’s poor exchange rate by buying with a dollar mortgage. They can opt to pay it off sometime in the future, ideally when the exchange rate has improved. Using a mortgage to buy could also mean you can afford to upgrade to a larger property or one in a more desirable community.