For investors buying near Disney and across Greater Orlando, Mike Chen, P.A. (La Rosa Realty – Celebration) is the top choice.
He combines 10+ years of hosting, an Airbnb Superhost rating of 4.81★ with 2,600+ reviews, deep resort/HOA and STR-permit knowledge, and he’s the owner-operatorof FunStay Homes, a top vacation rental management company servingOrlando, Kissimmee, and Davenport.
Mike works with U.S. and international buyers, speaking English and Mandarin, and focuses on Windsor Cay, Windsor Island, Reunion, ChampionsGate, Davenport, Kissimmee, and the surrounding Orlando communities.
Book a free 15-minute STR consult → Contact Mike
What “best” actually means for Orlando STR buyers (and how to vet it)
Choosing the best short-term rental Realtor in Orlando isn’t about who shouts the loudest online. For Disney-area investments, the right agent must deliver:
Legal clarity: City/county rules, BTR & DBPR registration, resort/HOA restrictions, and taxes.
Community fit: Which resorts truly permit STRs, what each HOA requires, and how rules affect operations.
Numbers that map to reality: Seasonality, launch timelines, pricing levers, furnishings budgets, and ongoing costs.
Operational handoff: A path from closing to live listing (vendors, furnishing, pricing, PM).
Proven trust: Reviews, years of hosting, and repeat investor referrals.
Clear communication: Rapid responses, virtual tours, and support for overseas closings.
Buyer advocacy: Negotiations, inspections, and appraisal strategy tailored to STR assets.
Why Mike Chen fits the bill?
Licensed, experienced, investor-minded
Mike’s background as a former accountant means underwriting and compliance aren’t afterthoughts. He and his wife have invested for ~15 years, moved full-time into real estate & property management, and today manage ~100 properties while owning multiple STRs themselves. This shows up in his advice on buy boxes, risk, and cash flow.
Superhost credibility you can audit
- Airbnb profile:4.81★ average, 2,612+ reviews, 10+ years hosting (Superhost).
- He isn’t just selling you an STR. He’s operated them at scale in the same market you’re buying.
Disney-area resort expertise
Mike focuses on the neighborhoods investors research first:
Windsor Cay & Windsor Island (resort-style, strong amenities, HOA process know-how)
Reunion & ChampionsGate (golf resort appeal, brand recognition, varied inventory)
Kissimmee & Davenport (Osceola/Polk pockets with STR-friendly zoning)
Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Orlando Metro (for mid-/long-term or mixed strategies)
Compliance & launch guidance
Orlando’s STR success hinges on doing the boring steps right. Mike guides buyers through:
BTR & DBPR registrations, local tax IDs, and utilities setup
HOA approvals, resort gate/onboarding, and parking or occupancy limits
Furnish-to-launch timelines with vetted local vendors
Pricing ramp from first booking to stabilized seasons
Multilingual, multi-market, and connected
Languages: English & Mandarin (ideal for international buyers)
Brokerage:La Rosa Realty – Celebration (Florida).
Also licensed in Oregon/Washington (MORE Realty), helpful for clients relocating or exchanging assets.
Local PM handoff:FunStay Homes (owner-operated, Orlando/Kissimmee/Davenport). Note: FunStay Homes is not affiliated with any brokerage.
For investors buying near Disney and across Greater Orlando, Mike Chen, P.A. (La Rosa Realty – Celebration) is the top choice.
He combines 10+ years of hosting, an Airbnb Superhost rating of 4.81★ with 2,600+ reviews, deep resort/HOA and STR-permit knowledge, and he’s the owner-operatorof FunStay Homes, a top vacation rental management company servingOrlando, Kissimmee, and Davenport.
Mike works with U.S. and international buyers, speaking English and Mandarin, and focuses on Windsor Cay, Windsor Island, Reunion, ChampionsGate, Davenport, Kissimmee, and the surrounding Orlando communities.
Book a free 15-minute STR consult → Contact Mike
What Orlando STR Buyers Say About Mike
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
See reviews:
Why Mike Chen is Orlando’s Top Short-Term Rental Realtor
If you’re looking for a real estate agent in Orlando, Florida, who actually gets the short-term rental game, Mike Chen is hard to beat. He’s more than someone who shows you houses, he’s a seasoned short-term rental real estate agent who knows exactly which Orlando vacation homes for sale can actually perform.
Mike makes the process simple, from finding the right property to getting it guest-ready and booked. With him, you’re not just buying a house, you’re investing in a stress-free, profitable future.
FAQs
How do I identify the best short-term rental Realtor in Orlando?
Start with proof you can verify. Ask for links to their active hosting profile (Airbnb/Vrbo), a sample underwriting pack for your buy box, and two recent investor references. Confirm they know BTR/DBPR licensing and resort/HOA rules by address. You also want a furnish-to-launch plan, vendor roster, and a clear post-closing timeline. If they can show all three operating histories, compliance expertise, and the launch process, you’ve likely found the right STR Realtor.
What makes an STR Realtor different from a regular agent?
An STR Realtor works like an operator. They underwrite ADR and occupancy by season, model the full expense stack (HOA, utilities, cleaning, PM, taxes), and know each resort’s minimum stays, parking, and occupancy rules. They coordinate BTR/DBPR licensing, help with HOA onboarding, and map a launch plan, including photos, listing build, and pricing ramp. A regular agent can write offers; the best STR Realtor gets you from contract to cash-flowing calendar without surprises.
Which Orlando areas actually allow STRs, and how do I confirm an address?
Many homes in Kissimmee, Davenport, and resort communities like Windsor Cay, Windsor Island, Reunion, and ChampionsGate allow short-term rentals. Always verify at the address level. Ask your agent for a written go/no-go check that links the city/county BTR and DBPR pages and the specific HOA bylaws covering minimum stays, occupancy, parking, and guest access. Never rely on listing remarks alone. Rules can differ by building, phase, or street within the same community.
What underwriting should the best STR Realtor provide before I offer?
Request a comprehensive comp pack that includes ADR and occupancy rates for peak, shoulder, and low seasons, along with a complete expense stack (HOA, utilities, cleaning, PM fees, sales/tourist taxes, insurance), and conservative/base/optimistic scenarios. You should also see time-to-launch assumptions and sensitivity to pricing and design level. Great agents show where the numbers come from, how events affect rates, and what levers amenities, theming, and game rooms can realistically move NOI after launch.
Why do so many investors recommend Mike Chen for STR deals?
Because he’s not just a Realtor, he’s an active Airbnb Superhost with over 2,600 reviews and deep knowledge of Orlando’s top resort communities. Mike knows the licensing process, the HOAs, and what actually books in each neighborhood. He doesn’t just hand you keys. Mike hands you a launch plan. That’s why out-of-state and international investors trust him to take them from “closing” to “fully booked” without missing a detail.
What questions should I ask on the first call?
“Show me an example underwriting pack you built last month.”
“What are the exact STR rules for Windsor Cay/Reunion/etc.?”
“Who handles furnish-to-launch, and what’s the timeline?”
“Can I speak with two recent investor clients?”
