Finding the right real estate agent for your short-term rental investment can make the difference between a profitable venture and a costly mistake. Orlando’s vacation rental market offers incredible opportunities, fueled by more than 75.3 million visitors, making it the most visited U.S. destination.
With this demand, short-term rentals can easily outperform traditional long-term rentals when managed right. But success requires working with someone who truly understands the nuances of STR investing.
Mike Chen stands out as Orlando’s premier short-term rental realtor, combining hands-on hosting experience with deep market expertise and proven results.
Unlike traditional agents who simply show properties, Mike delivers the complete blueprint for vacation rental success.
What Sets Mike Chen Apart from Other Orlando Rental Realtors
Real Experience Running Short-Term Rentals
Mike Chen brings something most real estate agents can’t: firsthand experience as a successful Airbnb host. With over 10 years of hosting experience, a 4.81-star rating, and more than 2,600 guest reviews, he understands vacation rentals from both sides of the transaction. And it matters: travelers are 3.9x more likely to book highly rated properties, proving why working with a realtor who’s mastered hosting firsthand gives investors a competitive edge.
Through his company FunStay Homes, Mike manages hundreds of vacation rentals across Orlando, Kissimmee, and Davenport. This isn’t theoretical knowledge. When he recommends a neighborhood or property type, he’s speaking from experience managing properties in those exact locations.
Regulatory Expertise You Can Trust
Orlando’s short-term rental laws are complex, and Florida’s statewide STR regulations add another layer of compliance that can shut down your investment dreams overnight if ignored.
Mike’s deep expertise in BTR (Business Tax Receipt) and DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) licensing requirements ensures your property can legally operate as a short-term rental from day one.
He understands HOA restrictions in resort communities like Windsor Cay, Reunion, and ChampionsGate. This compliance knowledge isn’t optional. It’s essential for protecting your investment.
Data-Driven Market Intelligence
Successful STR investing requires understanding seasonal patterns, occupancy rates, and revenue potential by neighborhood. Mike’s dual role as agent and property manager gives him access to performance data that most agents simply don’t have.
He can show you the actual Average Daily Rate (ADR) and occupancy numbers for Windsor Island versus Windsor at Westside.
He knows which amenities move the needle on bookings and which renovations provide the best ROI. This isn’t guesswork, it’s data-driven advice from someone managing dozens of properties in your target market.
What Orlando STR Buyers and Sellers Say About Mike
Mike’s comprehensive approach consistently delivers results for his clients:
★★★★★
A B Mendlowitz
Michael made my home selling experience seamless and stress-free! Their team of professionals is knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly attentive. They took the time to understand my needs and guided me every step of the way with clear communication and expert advice. Whether it was negotiating the best deal or navigating the paperwork, they handled everything with efficiency and professionalism. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy and skilled real estate team!
★★★★★
Mrs JP Lee
Mike was referred to us by another investor, and we are so grateful!
Mike is extremely knowledgeable about the area, and has very helpful advice when selecting a property. He stayed attentive during every step of the purchase, including helping through the closing.
After closing, Mike continued to be helpful in finding vendors and giving sage advice on how to get our short-term-rental up and running.
We have been real estate investors for many years, and dealt with many agents.
Mike is in a class of his own. He goes far above the call of duty and was extremely helpful with so many things.
If you’re looking for real estate in the greater Orlando market, we recommend Realtor Mike Chen!
★★★★★
fonxud
I cannot recommend Mike Chen highly enough for his exceptional work in guiding me through a successful 1031 exchange in Kissimmee, Florida. Mike’s expertise and dedication were instrumental in helping me find and purchase two replacement properties that perfectly aligned with my investment goals.
Mike’s knowledge of the local market and understanding of 1031 exchange timelines and rules were invaluable. He was always available to answer my questions, provide guidance, and negotiate on my behalf. His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a smooth transaction were truly impressive.
I am incredibly grateful for Mike’s expertise and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone in the market for properties in and around Kissimmee Florida. If you’re looking for a realtor who will go above and beyond to help you achieve your real estate goals, Mike Chen is the one.
★★★★★
Mteto Nyati
Michael delivered an exceptional experience to my wife and I when we were purchasing property in an environment that was unfamiliar to us.
He has deep understanding of local environmental and regulations.
He took personal ownership of some of our challenges going beyond the call of duty.
He cares a lot about his clients and going the extra mile to exceed their expectations.
I chose to continue using him to market my property for short term rentals. He is someone I can recommend to other buyers.
★★★★★
Matthew Wood
Mike is everything you could want from an agent. An absolute expert in the local market…a creative tactician on making a deal and thinking through strategies…an investor friendly navigator on updates, rental income, location context, etc
And most important, he’s just a really good, likable, integral guy. In spending a few days with him on your property buying or selling journey, you’ll not only get a ton of value but make a friend in the business.
10/10 for Mike
★★★★★
RyannHickok Barker
Mike went out of his way to help us find what we were looking for. He spent so much time with us in person, on the phone, and online. As out of state buyers, we appreciated his knowledge and advice. We will use him for any future purchases!
★★★★★
Cheng Sha
Mike Chen is an outstanding real estate professional! He helped my wife and me find our dream property, and throughout the process, he was incredibly professional, responsible, and genuine. His dedication and expertise made everything smooth and stress-free. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we highly recommend Mike to anyone looking for their perfect home!
★★★★★
Irene Neri-Arboleda
Mike is very knowledgeable of the Orlando/Kissimmee market. He willingly shares his knowledge without any pressure of buying. His experience being an investor focused Realtor especially in the vacation rental space benefits his investor clients. I highly recommend Mike. So easy to communicate with, very responsive, honest, humble and personable.
★★★★★
Jack Mendlo
Michael made my home selling experience seamless and stress-free! Their team of professionals is knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly attentive. They took the time to understand my needs and guided me every step of the way with clear communication and expert advice. Whether it was negotiating the best deal or navigating the paperwork, they handled everything with efficiency and professionalism. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy and skilled real estate team!
★★★★★
Tony Bui
Mike made the purchase of a property remotely extremely smooth and seamless. He has the paper work and all applicable documents ready to go. In addition, he provided videos of the property to walk us through I. Working with Mike has been a great experience. I highly recommend him.
★★★★★
Don Roe
We really appreciated the advice and assistance from Mike in the sale of our home in a vacation rental community. His knowledge of that business was extremely helpful, and he communicated very well throughout the entire process.
★★★★★
Rod Laver
Very happy we got to work with Mike! He educated us on all the local communities, good and bad. He was patient, always got an answer for us. During the sales process, he was very responsive, willing to negotiate our terms and was proactive thru the entire process. Post sale, he was a great resource and helped every time we asked; info, local contractors, property management companies, even helped move/dispose of furniture! If that’s not full service, I don’t know what is. We will use Mike in the future for our next purchase. My wife and I consider Mike a friend now. You will not go wrong working with Mike.
★★★★★
Otoffon Udoyen
I cannot recommend Mike Chen highly enough for his exceptional work in guiding me through a successful 1031 exchange in Kissimmee, Florida. Mike’s expertise and dedication were instrumental in helping me find and purchase two replacement properties that perfectly aligned with my investment goals.
Mike’s knowledge of the local market and understanding of 1031 exchange timelines and rules were invaluable. He was always available to answer my questions, provide guidance, and negotiate on my behalf. His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a smooth transaction were truly impressive.
I am incredibly grateful for Mike’s expertise and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone in the market for properties in and around Kissimmee Florida. If you’re looking for a realtor who will go above and beyond to help you achieve your real estate goals, Mike Chen is the one.
See reviews:
Beyond the Sale: Complete Investment Support
Most agents disappear after closing. Mike stays involved through your property’s launch phase. As the owner of FunStay Florida vacation rental management company, he connects new investors with trusted local vendors, helps with furnishing timelines, and provides pricing strategies based on real market data.
His clients consistently praise this comprehensive approach, with many becoming repeat investors who consider Mike a trusted partner rather than just their realtor.
International Expertise for Global Investors
Orlando attracts investors from around the world, and Mike serves this global clientele with English and Mandarin fluency. He’s currently one of the top producers at his brokerage, handling complex transactions for out-of-state and international buyers with expertise gained from years of specialized experience.
Featured Orlando Short-Term Rental Communities
Mike specializes in the most profitable vacation rental communities near Disney, including:
Orlando
Kissimmee
Davenport
Each community offers unique advantages for short-term rental investors, from resort-style amenities to proximity to Disney World attractions.
Your Trusted Partner for Vacation Rental Management
Success in short-term rentals extends beyond property acquisition. Mike’s partnership with FunStay Florida provides investors with comprehensive property management services. With an average occupancy rate of 77% and an average daily rate of $286, FunStay Florida has grown their listings by 82% in the past year alone.
Their full-service approach includes dynamic pricing, professional cleaning, guest communication, and local maintenance, allowing property owners to maximize returns without the daily management stress
Avg. Occupancy %
Average Daily Rate
Average Revenue
Listings Growth YoY
Ready to Start Your Orlando STR Investment Journey?
Mike Chen’s combination of active hosting experience, regulatory expertise, and post-sale support creates a complete service package that most agents can’t match.
His 5-star ratings across multiple platforms, proven track record with complex transactions, and extensive network of local vendors make him the natural choice for serious vacation rental investors.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer exploring short-term rental investments or a seasoned investor expanding your Orlando portfolio, Mike has the expertise and local knowledge to guide you toward profitable properties in the right communities.
Contact Mike Chen today to schedule your free 15-minute STR consultation and discover why he’s Orlando’s best short-term rental realtor.
