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Imagine…you wake up and pour yourself a cup of coffee, stepping outside to walk down to the beach…

With your toes in the sand, you reach for your cell phone and snap the perfect picture, capturing the incredible beauty of Barefoot Beach…

Then, for the best part….you send the picture to all of your friends still stuck up North! 

All jokes aside, escaping the North for a few months in a Barefoot Beach Home can be an incredible and relaxing way to escape the frigid North. Having said that, there are some things that every Barefoot Beach renter needs to know before taking the plunge. This post will walk you through all of them.

What Types Of Properties Are Available For Rent in Barefoot Beach?

Barefoot Beach is a diverse neighborhood, offering a variety of options to suite any renter's needs.

Understanding these different property types is the first step in finding the right rental for you. To get started, have a look at this drone tour of Barefoot Beach homes to get the lay of the land.

As you can see, Barefoot Beach offers a diverse set of options to renters and homeowners alike. Some renters prefer the privacy of a single family home, whereas others want to be able to interact with other residents, so they opt for condo living.

Now that you've got your bearings, let's take a more detailed look at each individual community.

Condos

The Barefoot Beach Club Condos are the most frequently rented properties in Barefoot Beach. This is thanks to their close proximity to the beach (just steps away), The Club at Barefoot Beach, and the communal feeling that comes with easily getting to know your neighbors.

The 12 condo buildings consist of over 300 units, ranging from 1 Bedroom to 3 Bedroom floor plans. Some units feature Gulf views, while others allow you to look over the amazing backwater bays. Each building also offers access to the shared Beach Club, currently under renovations to be further expanded and improved.

Depending on the floor plan and views that the individual unit offers, condo rental rates can range from $3,000 and $16,000 per month.

Single Family Homes

Want the ultimate beachfront escape? The stunning, custom Single Family Homes in Barefoot Beach offer the pinnacle of beachfront living.

Featuring breathtaking views, uncompromising privacy, ample square footage and designer level finishes, these homes will provide the serene escape you're looking for.

The single family homes in Barefoot Beach are divided into three main sections: The Beach Gardens, Southport on the Cove, and Bayfront Gardens.

The Beach Gardens consist of 100 residences thoughtfully arranged in lushly landscaped gardens lining the beach. The design of the gardens ensures each home gets a stunning view of the Gulf, featuring breathtaking sunsets.

Both Southport on the Cove and Bayfront Gardens are gated subdivisions on the bay side of Barefoot Beach. Each features charming Single Family Homes that typically offer their own private docks and swimming pools, all while still being just steps from the Gulf.

Rental rates for Single Family Homes can range from $5,000 to $35,000 per month.

Villas

Looking for something in between a Condo and a Single Family Home? The Villas may be just what you're after.

The Villas community consists of 13 buildings with a total of 50 residences. Each townhome Villa has access to two swimming pools and is just steps from the Gulf of Mexico.

Villa rentals are extremely rare, but typically rent for between $4,000 and $15,000 per month.

Cottages

The Cottages are comprised of 15  individual row homes, each of which features a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Mexico. When you walk out of your front door you’re just steps from having your toes in the sand.

But it’s not just the proximity to the Gulf that makes the location of the Cottages one of their best features. They’re also located right next to The Club At Barefoot Beach (a private club that some Barefoot Beach homeowners choose to join), their own private tennis courts, the nature preserve, and private docks just across the street for the Cottage renter who wants to have a boat easily accessible.

Cottage rentals are even more rare than Villa rentals, but typical rates fall between $5,000 and $35,000 per month.

Are There Minimum Stay Requirements?

In order to rent a Barefoot Beach property, you must plan to stay for at least 30 days. This applies to Single Family Homes, Condos, Villas and Cottages.

As this is a requirement enforced by the Barefoot Beach Home Owners Association, there is unfortunately no flexibility on this rule.

Can I Bring My Furry Friend?

Unfortunately they'll have to stay behind 😢

We know, it's tough to have to exclude a family member, but unfortunately there are no exceptions to this rule.

The good news is that if you end up deciding to buy in Barefoot Beach, you'll be welcomed by a thriving community of pet owners. You'll even be just minutes from the world renowned Lover's Key Dog Beach, where you can let your dog run free along the beautiful white-sand beaches.

Are Most Rentals Furnished?

The vast majority of the available rentals are exquisitely furnished, making it easy for you to start living your stress-free Florida lifestyle even sooner.

From time to time, though, we'll have a longer term rental become available which may be unfurnished, so bear that in mind if you're planning a longer stay.

When Is The Best Time Of Year To Rent?

We might be a little biased, but there's truly never a bad time to be enjoying Southwest Florida.

Renting during the summer months offers more privacy for you and your family, while renting for the winter means you have a perfect tropical escape from the cold. The winter is also peak season (Mid-December through April), so if you're someone who wants to be here during the action, you'll want to aim for those months.

With that, summer rentals tend to offer advantaged pricing. Summer rates for condos drop to $3,000 to $6,000 per month, while home rentals drop to $5,000 to $15,000 per month.

Due to the popularity of renting during Winter, the few available properties each year fill up quickly. Therefore, we highly recommend booking your rental in advance to ensure you secure the property you're looking for.

Are Rentals Ever Available For Sale?

Many of our rentals are also available for purchasing as full-time homes.

Renting before buying can actually be a great way to “test drive” your new Florida lifestyle. Come to escape the cold and snow, stay to experience all the perks of living in a year-round beachside oasis.

Even if a rental isn't explicitly on the market, it never hurts to ask if the owner might entertain an offer.

What Amenities Can I Use?

This depends on what type of property you're renting and if you're a member at The Club At Barefoot Beach.

You can only use The Club At Barefoot Beach if you're a member, or if you've worked out an arrangement with the owner you're renting from (keep in mind, not all Barefoot Beach homeowners are members, so this would only be possible if they were a member).  If the owner agrees then the owner can no longer use the membership and the tenant must pay $250 per month to the club.

Unfortunately, you typically won't be able to sign up on your own to become a member on short notice, so if you're planning to start renting down here frequently and want to be able to access the Club, you'll want to apply well in advance (their waiting list can often be over a year long).

Luckily, even if you're not a member at The Club at Barefoot Beach, you'll still have access to other clubs and amenities.

For example, condo renters have access to the Beach Club, which features Barbecue grills, a fitness center and a community gathering room, all overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. And as we mentioned earlier, it's currently being renovated and expanded to bring even greater amenities to residents. 

Renters of Single Family Homes will enjoy access to the Barefoot Beach Club (note that this is not the same as The Club At Barefoot Beach). This private clubhouse offers fitness center, a room for get togethers, and a place to get a game of tennis or pickle ball in.

Conveniently located just before the entrance to Southport, it's walking distance to all Single Family Homes within Barefoot Beach.

Is There Typically A Security Deposit?

Yes, there's almost always a security deposit.

It ranges in amount depending on the home, but it typically falls between $1,000 and $5,000.

Are There Any Fees?

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yes, there are fees. Luckily, they're fairly nominal.

The three fees are as follows

• Application fee of $100
• 12% rental tax for rentals 6 months or less
• $250 cleaning fee upon departure

If you're renting for under 6 months, be sure to include the 12% tax, as that will be the most impactful of the fees.

What If I'm Interested In A Longer Term Rental?

While they're not as frequently available as shorter term vacation rentals, from time to time long term rentals do become available.

This can provide the perfect solution for someone looking to see if a particular home or subdivision might be right for them before pulling the trigger on buying. Some homeowners may even be willing to offer a rent-to-own contract where at any point during your rental term you have the right to buy the home at a pre-determined price.

Who Should I Talk To About Rentals?

So, you're ready to escape the frigid winter and hit the beach…Now what?

If you are ready to rent your Piece of Paradise or just need more information about renting, contact the Susan Owens Team today!