Renters Paid for It All: The Smart Beach Investor Strategy in Action

Why So Many Condo Owners Never Sell

I talk to a lot of folks who bought their beach condo 20–30 years ago, and most have no plans to sell.

Even though I know why (I’m doing the same thing with mine), I’ll still ask:
“Is it a rental, or do you get to use it?”
Most say: “I use it some, but it’s mostly a rental.”

Then I’ll ask, “How are the rents doing?”
The answer is almost always the same: “Great.”

Here’s the story that unfolds almost every time:
They put some money down back then.
Renters covered the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
Now the condo is paid off, worth multiples of what they paid, and throwing off strong cash flow.

And the best part? Renters paid for it all.

The Power of Time and Appreciation in Destin Condos

Back in the day (1995), the median condo price in Destin was $117,900. With a typical 20% down payment of about $23,580, you could have bought one.

Fast forward to today: the median condo price is $505,000. That’s a 328.3% gain — and that doesn’t even include the rental income collected all along the way.

This is why so many long-time owners tell me the same thing: “I’ll never sell it. I’m glad I bought when I did.”

What About Today’s Investors?

Yes, investing feels more expensive now. But smart investors are still building wealth with vacation rentals.

For example, one investor I know is buying a $900,000 property. He’s putting $135,000 down (15%) and another $100,000 into renovations. Once it’s stabilized, the projected cash flow (after expenses) is $70,000 a year — about a 30% return on his cash.

And here’s where it gets interesting:

• Renovations push the property value to $1.1M (that’s forced equity).
  
  

• At some point, he can do a cash-out refinance and get his $235,000 back.
  
  

• He’ll still own the property, still collect rental income, and renters will continue paying down the loan.
  
  

In 30 years, if appreciation follows historic averages, that property could be worth $3.56 million — throwing off the kind of cash flow that funds a retirement lifestyle.

And again, renters paid for it all.

That’s How Wealth Gets Built at the Beach

• That’s how retirement gets funded.
  
  

• That’s why I love my vacation rental properties.
  
  

• And that’s why every long-term condo owner I talk to says the same thing: they’re glad they bought their condo at the beach.
  
  

I’m glad I have mine too.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

If you’d like to see how renters could pay for your retirement, [message me here] and I’ll run the numbers on any condo or house you’re considering.

Or, if you’re just starting out, [request my Free Investor Criteria Worksheet] — it’s a simple way to figure out what kind of property could work best for you.

Either way, the first step is easy. Let’s explore what this strategy could look like for you.

Bottom line: Vacation rentals aren’t just about vacations. They’re about wealth, retirement security, and legacy — all paid for by renters.