Stay Ahead of the
Central Florida Market

You still have more leverage than you did two years ago, but the window is starting to tighten. Inventory has been pulling back steadily since January's peak of 11,741 homes, and months of supply have dropped from 7.19 in January all the way down to 4.5 in April. That is below the 6-month threshold of a balanced market, meaning sellers have a slight advantage in most price ranges. The good news is that homes are still sitting an average of 70 days, which gives you time to think, inspect, and negotiate. Get pre-approved now so you are ready to move when the right home comes along.

Prices are holding and even growing. The median sale price in April came in at $410,758, up from $404,355 in April 2025. That is real year-over-year appreciation even in a market that has slowed from its pandemic-era frenzy. The sellers winning right now are the ones pricing correctly from day one. Homes that are well-presented and priced to the current market are still moving. Overpriced homes are sitting past that 70-day mark and often end up needing price reductions. If you are thinking about listing this summer, let's talk strategy before you put a number on it.

The Central Florida rental market remains a strong performer. Population growth, ongoing job relocation, and continued affordability pressure on first-time buyers are keeping rental demand steady across the metro. Distressed inventory (foreclosures and short sales) made up just 0.7% of April sales, which tells you this market is not in distress. Submarkets worth watching for investor opportunity include Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and parts of Osceola County, where prices are softer and days on market are longer — creating more room to negotiate and find value.

With resale inventory tightening and single-family median prices climbing to $440,119, building on your own land is becoming a compelling alternative to fighting over existing homes. Our Build to Own program combines your lot purchase and construction into one single loan. If you have been thinking about it, this spring window is worth a conversation.

The window is still open — but it's starting to narrow. The supply of homes fell to 5.09 months in March, down 19.8% from 6.34 months in February. Inventory is tightening heading into the peak spring season. You still have more leverage than you did in 2022–2023, but if you've been waiting, now is the time to act. Get pre-approved and get moving before competition increases further.

March results prove that the market rewards preparation. Homes in the $350K–$500K range are seeing the strongest activity. Presentation and pricing are everything. Homes that are move-in ready and priced to today's market are selling. Those that aren't are sitting.

New construction now accounts for roughly 25% of all closed sales, and builders are aggressively using rate buydowns and closing cost incentives. This creates opportunities to negotiate directly with builders on new construction in high-growth corridors like Lake Nona, Horizon West, and the 429 corridor.

Prices rose from $370,000 in January to $375,000 in February to $385,000 in March — every month you wait to start your Build to Own journey is a month of equity growth you miss. One loan, your lot, your home — let's talk.

February 2026 was arguably the best buyer's market Central Florida has seen in nearly a decade. Active listings rose to 14,938 — the most during any February since 2011. Combined with rates dipping to 5.9%, buyers had more options, more time, and more negotiating power than they've had in years. Opportunities to negotiate on price, request seller-paid closing costs, and find the right home at a comfortable pace were all present this month.

With homes averaging 83 days on market — the highest figure since early 2016 — February was a challenging month for overpriced listings. Sellers who priced correctly and presented well still closed successfully. Your listing strategy matters more than luck. Work with a broker who understands how to position your home competitively from day one.

Condo prices fell 15.3% year over year in February — creating significant opportunity for investors willing to navigate Florida's post-Surfside inspection requirements. Meanwhile, leasing a single-family home in Orlando averages $2,395 per month, generating a steady pipeline of renters for buy-and-hold investors.

With rates at their lowest point since September 2024, February was an ideal moment to explore construction financing. A construction loan at sub-6% rates represents a meaningful opportunity for Build to Own clients. The one-loan solution covering both your lot and your build becomes dramatically more affordable as rates improve.