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Orlando, FL Real Estate News

By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
What if you didn’t have a mortgage payment on your next house? It may sound a little unrealistic. But for a number of homeowners, it’s actually doable.Nearly 3 in 10 homes purchased today are bought in cash, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That’s far more than the pre-pandemic norm (see graph below):So, how are so many buyers pulling that off? The answer is simple: home equity.Back in 2020-2021, mortgage rates and the number of homes for sale were both at all-time lows. And that combination pushed home prices up, fast.If you owned a home during that time, it likely gained significant value – maybe even enough to buy your next house in cash. NAR explains:“. . . rising home equity has armed many existing homeowners with the financial leverage to make cash offers, ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Selling your house is absolutely possible right now. But you can’t approach it the same way you did in 2021.Buyers have more choices today, and their expectations are higher. You have to adapt your strategy based on that.I put together a breakdown of the biggest mistakes some sellers are making this year, so you know how to get ahead.Message me and I’ll send you the details. The right approach changes everything. Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the in...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country. And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective. And buyer expectations are higher. The sellers who struggle are usually approaching today’s market with yesterday’s expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they're making – and how to avoid them. 1. Pricing Based on What Their Neighbor Got a Few Years Back Setting your price is the most important decision you make when you sell – and the one that’s most often mishandled. Realtor.com data shows almost...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment.But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking… expensive, especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle.That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you'd expect based on what’s changed recently.Buying Is More Affordable Than Renting in Many Areas In a lot of places today, owning a home actually costs less each month than renting a 3-bedroom home. And recent data from ATTOM shows that’s true in nearly 58% of counties ac...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Home affordability is the best it’s been in 4 years.That’s thanks to: Lower rates. Slower home price growth. And rising wages.And while the affordability problem isn’t solved, many buyers are finding the numbers work better today.If buying didn’t make sense for you last year, take another look.Have you re-run the math on your move yet? DM me and let’s see if it changes when you're ready to buy.  Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opini...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
For a lot of parents or grandparents, watching a family member struggle to buy their first home right now is hard. That's because you saw firsthand how homeownership gave your life more stability and helped grow your net worth – and you want your loved ones to have those same opportunities.But with all the affordability challenges in recent years, that can feel like an uphill battle – even though it’s slowly improving lately. Here’s what you may not realize. You may be in a unique position to help (thanks to the equity in your current house).The Equity Advantage You May Not Be Thinking AboutYou’ve likely owned your home for years, maybe even decades. And during that time, two things happened: Home values rose Your mortgage balance shrank (or you paid it off entirely) That combination ha...
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By Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker, Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop
(https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com)
Why Orlando Gives Buyers Room to BreatheOrlando has shifted into one of the stronger buyer-friendly markets, with more homes on the market and sellers more open to discussion.For many shoppers, this means they can finally pause, compare, and think clearly instead of racing through bidding wars.Inventory and time on marketOrlando now has months of supply above the level that usually signals buyer advantage, especially in segments where listings have been sitting for a month or more.Homes that stay active longer are often the ones where sellers will consider price changes, repair credits, or help with closing costs.Buyer experience in Orlando todayBuyers who stepped back during the more intense years are returning, knowing they can view several homes, ask questions, and make measured offe...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
There’s one number that decides how your sale goes before buyers ever step inside your home – and that’s your asking price.Set it too high, and your house sits while buyers scroll past it. But set it too low and you’ll leave real money on the table.Here’s the problem. A lot of homeowners are basing their number on an online home value tool. And that’s where things can go sideways.DM me and I’ll help you get the number that’s actually working in our market right now. Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guara...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
There’s one decision you're going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later.And that’s your asking price.The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong NumberIf you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house.And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize.Where Online Estimates Fall Short Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed i...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If you saw headlines that talked about how “home sales fell sharply in January,” it probably raised an eyebrow – especially if you’re thinking about selling your house. But context matters.Yes, in January, home sales declined. But that has more to do with seasonality and the weather than it does with any big drop off in demand. What’s Really Behind the Decline? Reports coming out of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) say the pace of home sales fell roughly 8.4% last month compared to the month before. And that’s true. But it isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. Data show it’s normal for sales to dip in January. In the last 4 years, that pattern has held true all but once. And sure, the decline we saw this year was a steeper drop off than the norm (the yellow bars on the right), bu...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If there’s one number you should know as a homeowner, it’s how much your house is worth.Not your mortgage rate.Not the price you paid.What it’s valued at right now. Because home values jumped nearly 50% over the last five years, and if I were you, I’d want to know what that means for my house.If you want a free, no-pressure home value estimate, let’s connect. Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
At some point, a house that once felt perfect just… doesn’t anymore. Maybe you need more space. Maybe working from home turned your dining room into a permanent office. Maybe the layout just doesn’t match how you live now. If your current house is starting to feel like it’s holding you back instead of supporting your life, it’s natural to think about making a move. But that brings up the next big question: once you sell, where do you go? For a growing number of buyers, the answer is something brand new. New Construction Is a More Popular Choice Lately According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more people are buying new homes than they have in years. The latest annual data available shows 16% of homes purchased were newly built. At first glance you may not see why that’s ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Buying a home is getting more affordable, and this graph helps explain why.It shows how much of a household’s income typically goes toward buying a home. As a general rule, spending 30% or less of your income on housing is considered affordable.For the last couple of years, the math was still well above that threshold. But lately, things have been getting better thanks to a mix of lower mortgage rates, slower home price growth, and rising wages.While affordability isn't going to snap back overnight, the trend is finally moving in the right direction.If you want to talk through what this means for your buying power, send me a message and let’s break it down. Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLe...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down.Because your equity isn’t just a number, it’s a powerful asset that can help you take your next big step in life.How Much Equity Does the Typical Homeowner Have?Here’s how it works. As you pay down your loan and home prices rise through the years, the share of your home that you own free and clear grows. That’s your equity.And according to data from the Census and ATTOM, two-thirds of homeowners have a substantial amount of it today.39% own their home outright without owing anything on it. And another 27% have at least 50% equity in their homes (see chart below): That’s a big deal. And just in case you’re wondering how that translates into real dollars, Cotality says th...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way. According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical:Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet – and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen lately still changes how competitive the market feels. When there are more homes for sale, buyers gain time, options, and leverage. When there aren’t, the pressure ramps up quickly. In the years since 2020,...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Renting isn’t bad . . . but some relationships are meant to be temporary.For a lot of people, there comes a point when flexibility starts feeling like uncertainty, and they want something more committed, more stable.If that sounds like you, maybe it’s time to stop renewing your lease and start falling in love with homeownership instead.Ready to break up with renting? DM me and let’s talk it through. Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or o...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the numbers don’t line up the way you expected. You may know you’re ready but finding something that fits your life and your budget is the hard part.That’s where townhomes come in.Townhomes are becoming a bigger part of today’s housing supply, and that shift is opening doors for first-time buyers in a way we haven’t seen in years. That’s because they offer a more realistic path to step into homeownership without stretching yourself too thin, especially in a market where affordability can still feel tight.There Are More Townhomes To Choose FromBuilders are building more townhomes than they have in decades. In fact, when you look at data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), nearly 1 in 5 new single-family homes being built...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you may be focused on the spring market. And hoping that when spring does hit, you’ll see: Mortgage rates drop a little more. More homes hit the market. But here’s what most buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing with less stress, and feeling less rushed.Here are three reasons why accelerating your timeline over the next few weeks could actually be a better play.1. Holding Out for Lower Rates May Not Pay Off A lot of buyers are hoping mortgage rates will fall even further. But that’s not the best strategy. Here’s why. Experts are pretty aligned on this: rates are expected to stay roughly where they are.Forecasts throughout the industry all point to the same thing: rates are projected to be in the ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines.Buying a home is getting more affordable.Monthly payments have started to come down, and the squeeze buyers have been feeling for the past few years is slowly loosening. Now, that doesn’t mean everyone can suddenly afford a home, but with how tough the market’s been, the improvement we’re seeing matters.Affordability Is Finally Moving in the Right DirectionOne of the best ways to see this shift is by looking at how much of a household’s income it takes to buy a home.According to Zillow, housing is typically considered affordable when it takes 30% or less of your monthly income to cover your expenses. That includes your mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and basic maintenance.For the past few...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Buying your first home can feel like a tough matchup today – which is why so many first-time buyers stay on the sidelines, waiting for an assist from the market.But the buyers who actually win don’t wait for the market to help them out. They take the ball and run. And here are some ways you can do that.With the right prep, maybe you’re not watching the big game at someone else’s house next year. You’re watching it from your own living room.If buying before next season is on your radar, let’s build a game plan that’ll make it happen. Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not inte...
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