For many buyers shopping for a second home in West Palm Beach, the ideal condo is one they can enjoy for the season and rent during the months they spend elsewhere. Rental income helps cover the cost of ownership, and an occupied unit gets looked after. That goal shapes which buildings make the shortlist, because leasing rules, location and layout all determine how easily a condo rents.
Here is what second-home buyers look for when they want a West Palm Beach condo that works both ways.
Each condominium's own documents set its leasing rules, and those rules vary widely across downtown West Palm Beach. Some buildings allow owners to lease only once a year or require long minimum terms. Others let owners rent seasonally, for a few months at a time, or for shorter stays. For a buyer who plans to be away part of the year, a building with flexible rental rules opens up far more ways to use the property.
Florida law also works in an owner's favor once they've bought. Under Section 718.110(13) of the Florida Statutes, an amendment that bans rentals or changes how long or how often owners can rent applies only to owners who vote for it and to owners who buy after it takes effect. An owner who purchases in a building that permits rentals keeps those rental rights going forward unless they agree to a change.
Renters and seasonal guests in West Palm Beach tend to want what second-home owners want. That includes walkable restaurants, performances at the Kravis Center, a quick trip to Palm Beach, and easy travel in and out of town, and downtown offers all of them. The Brightline station connects to Miami and Orlando International Airport, and Palm Beach International Airport is only a few miles away. Our guide to living in downtown West Palm Beach covers the neighborhood in detail.
Condos close to CityPlace and the arts district draw on that demand directly. The pull is strongest in the winter months, when seasonal residents, visiting families and snowbirds fill downtown.
The same features that make a condo comfortable for an owner make it easy to rent. A second bedroom widens the pool of potential tenants and gives visiting family their own space when the owner is in residence. Two full bathrooms and a split-bedroom floor plan let two people share the home with privacy. An in-unit washer and dryer suits longer stays. Assigned garage parking settles one of downtown's most common renter questions.
Building amenities round it out. A pool and spa, a fitness center and common spaces like a clubhouse or business center give renters the resort-style experience many of them want from a Florida season.
An owner who lives elsewhere part of the year benefits from a building that runs smoothly without them. Concierge service, on-site management and a secured lobby mean someone is on property to receive deliveries, greet arrivals and answer questions. Many second-home owners pair that with a local property manager who handles bookings, cleaning and tenant communication.
Owners renting for six months or less also collect Palm Beach County's 6% tourist development tax and state sales tax from guests, and they handle the required registrations. A local property manager typically takes care of that as part of the service, and the Meyer Lucas Team can help buyers find one who works downtown.
720 S Sapodilla Avenue, Unit 204 at The Courtyards in CityPlace fits this kind of ownership. Short-term rentals are permitted, giving an owner the flexibility to live there full time, spend the season there, or rent the home while away.
The updated residence has two bedrooms and two baths across 1,140 square feet. It has a split-bedroom layout, walk-in closets and an in-unit washer and dryer. The unit overlooks the pool and comes with an assigned garage space.
Residents have access to a resort-style pool and spa, fitness center, clubhouse, business center, library and bike storage. Concierge service and on-site management handle the day-to-day. The Kravis Center is directly across the street, and CityPlace is steps from the door. The residence is listed at $725,000.
The right second home in West Palm Beach should fit the way you plan to split your year. That could mean a full winter in residence, a few months of rental income or a mix of both. If you're comparing downtown buildings, the Meyer Lucas Team is glad to walk through rental rules, association documents or how a unit could perform with you. A private showing of Unit 204 at The Courtyards is a good place to start.
The Meyer Lucas Team is a luxury real estate team serving buyers, sellers, investors, and those relocating throughout Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Tequesta, West Palm Beach, and communities across Palm Beach County and Martin County. We love sharing what's happening inside our team, throughout our local communities, and across the ever-evolving world of luxury real estate.
📞 Call or Text: 561-406-5228
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Learn more and meet the team: meyerlucas.com
🔍 See homes for sale: Home Search
Mon - Fri, 9 am - 6 pm 1515 South Cypress Dr Jupiter FL 33469
Mon - Fri, 9 am - 6 pm 1515 South Cypress Dr Jupiter FL 33469
