Stay Ahead of the
Central Florida Market

You still have more room to negotiate than you would in a truly hot market, but that room is shrinking. Homes are selling four days faster than they were in April, which tells us buyer activity is heating up early this summer. If you have been sitting on the sidelines, this is a good moment to get pre-approved and start touring seriously.

Homes priced right are moving quickly right now, averaging just over two months on market. With inventory down nearly 2% month over month, well-presented listings are standing out more, not less. Pricing strategy still matters more than ever since buyers have options, but the data supports listing with confidence this summer.

Single-family homes led the volume increase, with 2,126 sales in May at a median of $441,303. Condos and townhomes also picked up, with 582 sales at a median of $307,531. Rising sales pace combined with easing days on market is a healthy signal for rental demand heading into peak leasing season.

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.