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Orlando, FL Real Estate News

By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If there was one simple step that could help make your home sale a seamless process, wouldn't you want to know about it?There’s a lot that happens from the time your house goes under contract to closing day. And a few things still have to go right for the deal to go through. But here’s what a lot of sellers may not know.There's one part of the process where some homeowners are hitting a road bump that’s causing buyers to back out these days. But don’t worry. The majority of these snags are completely avoidable, especially when you understand what’s causing them and how to be proactive.That’s where a great agent (and a little prep) can make all the difference.What’s Causing Some Buyers To Back OutThe latest data from Redfin says 15% of pending home sales are falling through. And that’s n...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
How low will mortgage rates go? Here's what the experts are saying in their latest forecasts.While no one is calling for a big drop, experts think there will be slow improvement over the next year.But it won’t be a straight line down. You’ll want to brace for some bumps along the road as new economic data comes out.And here's what you need to remember. We don't have to see a big drop for you to feel the difference. Any downward movement should help your bottom line.If you want to see a rough ballpark of what your future monthly payment could look like as rates ease, DM me. 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 opinion...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is offering something you haven’t had in a while: options.Experts agree, buyers are in a better spot right now than they’ve been in quite a long time. Here’s what they have to say.Affordability Is Finally Improving Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says affordability is finally starting to turn the corner:“Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market.”Mortgage rates have eased f...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.”But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later.The Magic NumberAccording to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):“. . . a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households—including 1.6 million renters. If rates were to hit that magic number, it’s likely that about 10%—or 550,000—of those additional households would buy a home over the next 12 or 18 months.”When the market hits that mortgage rate sweet spot, as expert forecasters are starting to say is more likely in 2026, the psychological shift to lower rates will kick in f...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If your house isn’t selling, it may be your price.The #1 reason homes aren't bringing in offers today is because they’re priced too high for the current market, and that’s turning off buyers.But here’s the good news: you probably don’t need a big price cut to get results.Data shows the typical price reduction right now is only about 4%. And that small shift in your pricing strategy can make a real difference.If you’re ready for something to change, you have to be willing to make a change.Ask your agent how much they recommend based on what’s selling in your neighborhood 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...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
A few years ago, inventory hit a record low. Just about anything sold – and fast. But now, there are far more homes on the market. Listings are up almost 20% from this time last year. And in some areas, supply is even back to levels we last saw in 2017–2019. For sellers, that means one thing:Your house needs to stand out and grab attention from day one.That’s especially true when you consider why the number of homes for sale is up. Here’s how it works. Available inventory is a mix of:  Active Listings: homes that have been sitting on the market, but haven’t sold yet New Listings: homes that were just put on the market Data from Realtor.com shows most of the inventory growth lately is actually from active listings that are staying on the market and taking longer to sell (see the graph be...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Planning to sell in 2026? Don’t wait for the new year to start getting ready.There are more homes on the market right now, so buyers finally have options again. Your house will sell if it’s prepped right, so hear me on that. But it means you’ve got some prep work to do if you want your house to be the one that grabs their attention.Now, you don’t have to do a full-on renovation, but you will want to tackle some strategic repairs. And that’s a lot easier (and less stressful) if you start that work now.But the key is knowing which updates are worth it, and which ones aren’t. You want to be sure you’re spending your time and effort on projects that’ll actually pay off.That’s why having the right agent really helps. Want some advice on what’s worth tackling in our market? DM me. Contact us:...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Scroll through your feed and you’ll see plenty of finger-pointing about why homes cost so much. And according to a national survey, a lot of people believe big investors are to blame.Even though data shows that’s not true, nearly half of Americans surveyed (48%) think investors are the top reason housing feels so expensive (see graph below): But that theory doesn’t actually hold up once you look at the data. The Truth About Investors Investors do play a role in the housing market, especially in certain areas. But they’re not buying up all the homes like so many people on social media say. Nationwide, Realtor.com found only 2.8% of all home purchases last year were made by big investors (who own more than 50 properties). That means roughly 97% of homes were bought and sold by regular peo...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
You’ve got big plans for 2026. But what you do this year could be the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one. If you’re thinking of selling next spring (the busiest season in real estate), the smartest move you can make is to start prepping now. As Realtor.com says:“If you’re aiming to sell in 2026, now is the time to start preparing, especially if you want to maximize the spring market’s higher buyer activity.” Because the reality is, from small repairs to touch-ups and decluttering, the earlier you start, the easier it’ll be when you’re ready to list. And, the better your house will look when it’s time for it to hit the market.Why Starting Now MattersTalk to any good agent and they’ll tell you that you can’t afford to skip repairs in today’s market. There are more homes ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Staged homes get up to 10% more views, and they sell 73% faster than homes that aren’t staged.That’s not a coincidence. But it is what happens when your house stands out online.If selling quickly is your goal, staging may be a smart strategy – especially now that there are more homes for sale.To go over your options and my recommendation based on your budget (and timeline), DM me. 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 h...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If you’ve seen headlines or social posts calling for a housing crash, it’s easy to wonder if home values are about to take a hit. But here’s the simple truth.The data doesn’t point to a crash. It points to slow, continued growth.And sure, it’s going to vary by local area. Some markets will see prices rise more than others. And some may even see small, short-term declines. But the big picture is: home prices are expected to rise nationally, not fall, over the next 5 years.The Real Story Is in the Expert ForecastsIn the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae, each quarter over 100 leading housing market experts weigh in on where they project home prices will go from here. And in the report that was just released, the experts agree prices are projected to climb nationally th...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Have you heard? 1 in 5 sellers are dropping their asking price right now.And that opens the door for buyers like you to negotiate for a better price.You’ve got more leverage than you’ve had in years.Want to know which negotiation tactics are actually working for buyers here in our local market?DM me and I’ll give you the details. 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 should be construed as investm...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second look at your numbers. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that’s the 5th straight month where buying a home has started to get a little bit easier.Let’s break this down into real dollars, so you can see the difference this could make for you (and your move).Monthly Payments Are Coming DownOne of the clearest signs of this shift is in monthly payments. The latest data from Redfin shows mortgage payments on a median-priced home are now $283 lower than they were just a few months ago (see graph below): This kind of monthly savings adds up fast, and totals nearly $3,400 over the course of a year. While this isn’t enough to completely ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expected to move – and that could open the door for you to do the same.More Homes Will SellWith all of the affordability challenges at play over the past few years, many would-be movers pressed pause. But that pause button isn’t going to last forever. There are always people who need to move. And experts think more of them will start to act in 2026 (see graph below):What’s behind the change? Two key factors: mortgage rates and home prices. Let’s dive into the latest expert forecasts for both, so you can see why more people are expected to move next year.Mortgage Rates Could Continue To EaseThe #1 thing just about every buyer has ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
There’s a trend taking hold in real estate right now: more buyers are choosing newly built homes. And it’s not just about getting the latest technology or modern floorplans. It’s because they may be able to get a better deal.Builders are offering serious incentives today, and people are jumping on them. In fact, new home sales just hit their highest level in over two years (see graph below):Why Builders Are Throwing in PerksThere are more newly built homes for sale right now than there have been in years. And as a buyer, that can help you in two big ways. It gives you more options to choose from on the market, and it motivates builders to sell their inventory before they build more.That’s exactly why more buyers are scoring incentives like these: Mortgage rate buydowns to shrink your mo...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
You’ve probably seen headlines saying home prices are flat. But that’s not the full story.In half of the largest U.S. metros, prices are still rising. In the other half, they’re easing a bit. Average those together and the numbers look flat, but what’s really happening depends entirely on where you live.That’s why knowing your local trend is everything. Has anyone stopped to explain to you what’s really happening right here, right now?If you want to know the latest on our area and what it means for your plans, DM me or drop a comment below. 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 ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
These days, you’re going to want to get your price right when you get ready to sell your house. Honestly, it’s more important than ever. Why? While you may want to list high just to see what happens, that’s a plan that can easily backfire, and it’s going to cost you in today’s market.And the risk isn’t just missing out on offers, it’s missing out on the move you needed to make in the first place.The Real Pitfall of OverpricingMany homeowners remember what their neighbor’s house sold for a few years ago, and they want to chase that same sky-high number. The problem is, that was a different market.Today, there are more homes for sale. Buyers have more options to choose from. They don’t have to get into bidding wars where they offer way over asking just to compete. Now they can come in at,...
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By David Welch, Real Estate Optimist - #OrlandoRealEstate
(Charles Rutenberg Realty)
Below is a chart of mortgage rates going back to 1971. Note the average mortgage rate over the last 50 years is about 7.7%. The recent spike in interest rates over the last few years has really impacted purchasing power. There is no argument about that. However, waiting on rates may not work out.Here are two first time buyers I was working with in the spring of 2022 when interest rate began rising. Buyer #1: When we started looking at homes, buyer 1 was pre-approved for a purchase price in the mid $400's. She was not trying to max out her mortgage, so we were looking at homes under $350,000. After a short time looking at homes interest rates jumped up, and her purchasing power dropped from around $450,000 to less than $400,000. She purchased a home for about $330,000 in May of 2022. She...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If you’ve been following real estate news lately, you’ve probably seen headlines saying home prices are flat. And at first glance, that sounds simple enough. But here’s the thing. The reality isn’t quite that straightforward.In most places, prices aren’t flat at all.What the Data Really ShowsWhile we’ve definitely seen prices moderate from the rapid and unsustainable climb in 2020-2022, how much they've changed is going to be different everywhere.If you look at data from ResiClub and Zillow for the 50 largest metros, this becomes very clear. The real story is split right down the middle. Half of the metros are still seeing prices inch higher. The other half? Prices are coming down slightly (see graph below). The big takeaway here is “flat” doesn’t mean prices are holding steady everywhe...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Here’s why the right answer is so important for you to know.A lot of people overestimate how much they really need to save for a down payment.The most common answers? 10 or 20%.The truth: you may be able to put down as little as 3%.According to FirstHomeIQ, only 8 out of 100 people actually get this right.Don’t let misinformation hold you back.What did you guess? Drop a comment below. And if you want more information, talk to a trusted lender. 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 acc...
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