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Orange County, FL Real Estate News

By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
It’s hard to scroll online lately without seeing some version of this claim:“Big investors are buying up all the homes.”And honestly, if you’re a homebuyer who’s lost out on a few offers, that idea probably sounds believable. When homes are expensive and competition is tight, it’s easy to assume giant companies are scooping everything up behind the scenes.But here’s the thing: what people assume is happening and what the data actually shows aren’t always the same.Let’s look at what’s really happening with large institutional investors in today’s housing market – because the numbers tell a much different story than the headlines.The Number Most People Won’t See OnlineLet’s start with the most important stat. According to John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC), large institutional inves...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If a move is on your radar for 2026, there’s a lot more working in your favor than there has been in a while. After a stretch where many people felt stuck, 2026 is shaping up to be a year with more balance, more options, and more clarity for people who want to make a move. Not because the market is suddenly “easy,” but because several key conditions are shifting. Here’s what the experts are saying you have to look forward to. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com: “After a challenging period for buyers, sellers and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier housing market.” The National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Top economists have one word to sum up the housing market for 2026: opportunity. Lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of homes a...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest barrier standing between most people and their next move. And a lot of buyers and sellers have been holding their breath waiting for things to get better. The good news? It’s finally happening.In 2025, affordability was the best it’s been in 3 years. And experts agree the momentum will keep going in 2026. And that’s based on their analysis of the key factors shaping the housing market in the year ahead: mortgage rates, inventory, and home prices.Lower Mortgage Rates Are Already Here Mortgage rates have already come down from their peak. By some counts, they dropped by almost a full percentage point over the course of the last year. And that’s a bi...
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By Alan Brown, 35 Years of Real Estate Experience .
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Orlando Housing Market Snapshot for 2026The Orlando housing market in 2026 is best described as balanced but opportunity-rich. Inventory has improved compared to the frenzy of previous years, price growth has moderated, and buyers are being more selective — focusing heavily on location, lifestyle, and long-term value. Certain neighborhoods continue to outperform the broader market due to job growth, schools, walkability, and community design.Below are the top 10 most sought-after Orlando neighborhoods in 2026, along with median home prices and notable trends.1. Lake Nona Median Home Price (2026): ~$780,000–$820,000Lake Nona remains one of Orlando’s strongest-performing master-planned communities. Anchored by Medical City and expanding tech and life-science employers, the area continues ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates, home prices, the current state of the economy, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. It’s a lot. But here’s what you need to remember. While housing market conditions are definitely a factor in your decision, your own personal situation and your finances matter too. As an article from NerdWallet says: “Housing market trends give important context. But whether this is a good time to buy a house also depends on your financial situation, life goals and readiness to become a homeowner.” So, instead of trying to time the market, focus on what you can c...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Momentum is quietly building in the housing market. New data from NerdWallet shows more Americans are starting to think about buying a home again. Last year, 15% of respondents said they planned to buy a home in the next 12 months. This year, that number rose to 17%. That 2% increase might not sound like a big jump, but in a market where buyer demand has been cooling for the past few years, it’s a sign things are starting to shift. More people are feeling ready (or at least closer to ready) to take the leap and buy a home in 2026. And if you’re in that camp and buying a home is on your goal sheet this year, this is your nudge to connect with a local agent and a trusted lender to start laying the groundwork now. Planning To Move in Early 2026? Start with These 4 Steps If you’re eager to...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Finding the right home feels exciting – but being pre-approved for your loan is what makes it possible. Whether you’re planning to buy soon or still just thinking about it, getting pre-approved is one of the best moves you can make. Here’s why. 1. What Is Pre-Approval, Really? Pre-approval is much more than a guess. It means a lender has reviewed your finances (things like your income, assets, credit score, debts, and savings) and told you how much they’re willing to let you borrow for your loan. It’s basically a reality check for your home search, so you can make sure it aligns with your budget and shop confidently when you’re ready to go. 2. Why It’s a Power Move (Especially Right Now) The housing market’s been shifting lately with mortgage rates moving, prices moderating, and invent...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Here’s your 2025 housing market year-in-review.This year we had more homes to choose from, lower rates (and a bit better affordability), and homeowners with near record amounts of equity.And that's just a few of the reasons why millions of people made a move this year.If you want to know what's expected for 2026, 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 herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
There’s a lot of conversation about home prices, mortgage rates, and affordability right now – and those things are important. But if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s worth remembering something the headlines rarely talk about: people don’t buy homes just for financial reasons. They buy them for their lives. Because while homeownership can absolutely be a smart long-term financial move, it also comes with some emotional benefits spreadsheets just can’t capture. Maybe that’s why a 2025 survey from Fannie Mae notes: “Consumers were twice as likely to mention lifestyle benefits (67%)—like security, customization, and outdoor space—than financial benefits (34%) when explaining why their homes have become more important in recent years.” Here are a few reminders of what owning a ho...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
When your house doesn’t sell, it does more than disrupt your plans, it hits close to home. You prepared for the next chapter. You told people you were moving. You pictured where you’d go next. And then nothing happened.It’s normal to feel frustrated, confused, or even a little embarrassed. But here’s the part you have to remember: just because your house didn’t sell the first time, doesn’t mean it won’t sell.And here's what most agents won’t tell you. In most cases, the difference typically comes down to the strategy behind the sale, not the house itself. And there’s real data to back that up.Research from REDX found over half (54%) of homeowners who re-list with a different agent end up selling their house. Re-list with the same agent? That stat drops to only 36%. You deserve better od...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
You may not want to put your homebuying plans into hibernation mode this winter. While a lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to buy a house, new data shows January may actually be the best time of year for budget-conscious buyers. Kind of surprising, right? Here’s why January deserves a serious look.1. Prices Tend To Be Lower This Time of YearLending Tree says January is the least expensive month to buy a home. And there’s something to that. January has historically offered one of the lowest price-per-square-foot points of the entire year. But the spring? That’s when demand (and prices) usually peak. And that’s not speculation – it's a well-known trend based on years of market data.So, how much less are we talking? Here’s a look at the numbers. According to the last full year ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Hearing talk about home prices falling? That may leave you worried about whether your house is losing value. But here’s what you need to know. While some local markets have seen small price dips this year, home prices are not falling nationally. So, don’t let the headlines scare you.The vast majority of the country is actually seeing prices rise.While that may feel surprising after the headlines you’ve seen, the map below uses year-over-year data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to make that clear:Let’s break down what this really shows.Most states are seeing prices rise (the blue in that map). Not fall. Now, the gains aren’t as big as they’ve been in recent years, but that’s okay. The story is still, prices are growing. And that positive majority is exactly why data from ...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
The housing market hasn’t felt this energized in a long time – and the numbers backing that up are hard to ignore. Mortgage rates have eased almost a full percentage point this year, and that shift is starting to wake up buyers.Home loan applications have risen. Activity has picked up. And sellers who step in early could benefit from the momentum long before the competition catches on.Let’s take a look at what’s happening behind the scenes and how you can take advantage of it.When Rates Come Down, Buyer Activity Goes UpIn today’s market, buyer demand is closely tied to what happens with mortgage rates. As rates come down, applications for home loans go up. Rick Sharga, Founder and CEO of the CJ Patrick Company, explains it like this:“We’re in an incredibly rate-sensitive environment tod...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
There are over a million homes for sale right now – and at least one of them is calling your name.Thanks to how much inventory has grown this you, you have more room to search, compare, and actually find the right fit for you.Want help spotting the best options in our local market? Let’s talk. 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 investment advice. You should always conduct...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
One of the biggest homebuying advantages you can give yourself today is surprisingly simple: a flexible wish list.Think of it like this. Your wish list and your budget are the guardrails of your search. And when your budget needs to hold firm, there’s another lever you can pull. That’s seeing if you truly need all of your desired features. Because the truth is, a small compromise could be the difference between feeling stuck and getting the keys to your next home.The data shows more buyers are using that strategy to offset affordability hurdles in today’s market. A recent study from Cotality found most buyers (70%) ended up compromising on one or more items from their original wish list. But before they started searching, only 33% expected to compromise at all: What changed? They realiz...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
When’s the last time you had an agent show you the value of your home? Odds are, it was when you bought your house.That’s too long to go without an update, because a lot has changed in the housing market. And it’s a big reason why most homeowners have no idea how much their house is actually worth today.The real numbers surprise almost everyone.Data from Realtor.com shows that even homeowners who purchased the average-priced home just 10 years ago likely have almost $285k in equity to leverage.And that’s just because they’ve been paying down their home loan and how prices have risen over time.If you want to know what your number looks like, send me a message and I’ll run a personalized estimate for you.It’s a no-obligation, no-fuss way to find out what your biggest asset is worth. Becau...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise...For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes.Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you know you have significant equity. But how much are we really talking about? The number might just change everything about your next move.The Hidden Wealth of HomeownershipHere’s how it works. When you own a home, you build up something called equity.Each time you make a mortgage payment, you’re chipping away at your loan balance. And that helps your ownership stake in your home grow. At the same time, home values typically rise – which drives up the overall value of your home.When you...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers.Winter is different. With fewer homes on the market, your house has a much better chance of standing out. And that one advantage can make a big difference.Winter Is When Your Listing Stands OutHistory shows the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the winter months. It’s a trend that’s predictable almost every year.Data from Realtor.com shows this pattern clearly. Inventory dips in the winter (the green circles in the graph below), then climbs again as soon as spring approaches: And based on the latest data available, it looks like that pattern may be true again in 2025. The graph shows the supply of homes for sale is starting to come down...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
Want to find the best deal possible on a home right now? Here’s one way to do it.Take a look at the homes that have been sitting on the market the longest. Because the longer a house sits, the less it sells for.And the data proves it. When a home lingers, sellers usually get more flexible.That’s where buyers are scoring real savings. Even if a house sells for 94% of its asking price, that's roughly $24,000 off of a median priced home.If you want to stretch your budget and find the deals other buyers overlook, let’s chat. 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 c...
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By Walter DiLoreto, Real Estate Short Sale Specialist
(PHP Houses)
New home construction today is giving buyers something it feels like they haven't gotten much lately: a real shot at both the home they want and the deal they need. More brand-new options are on the market right now, and builders are rolling out incentives that make these homes more affordable than many people expect.It’s a combination that doesn’t come around often – and it’s putting buyers in a surprisingly strong position this season. Here’s why this moment matters and why it’s worth partnering with your own local agent to take advantage of it.1. More New Homes Are Available Now – and That May Not LastThere’s more new construction on the market today than normal. And for buyers, that means: More cutting-edge communities More move-in-ready homes More floor plans to pick from More upgr...
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Orange County, FL Real Estate Professionals