If you’re planning to buy a home in Central Florida before 2026, now is the time to prepare. The local housing landscape is changing fast — with more homes hitting the market, mortgage rates fluctuating, and motivated sellers adjusting prices, buyers are gaining leverage they haven’t had in years.

The Orlando real estate market and surrounding areas — including Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Volusia Counties — are shifting. Knowing where these trends are heading can help you make a smarter move and secure the right property at the right price.

Let’s dive into three key housing trends to watch if you’re buying a home in Central Florida before 2026.

1. Watch the Rate Spread: Timing Your Mortgage Lock

When it comes to affordability, mortgage rates are everything. In Florida, rates tend to follow the 10-year Treasury yield — but in 2025, the spread between the two remains wider than usual.

Currently, 30-year mortgage rates in Florida average around 6.35%, while the 10-year Treasury yield sits near 4.1%. That’s a 2.25% spread, higher than historical norms.

Why this matters for Central Florida homebuyers:

Even a 0.25% rate shift equals about $17 per month per $100K financed. On a $400,000 Orlando home, that’s roughly $70 per month saved — or more than $800 per year.

Local insight:

Hot markets like Winter Park, Lake Mary, and Clermont often see a surge in buyer competition when rates dip. Staying in close contact with your lender or mortgage advisor will help you act fast when rates move in your favor.

As you monitor rates, you’ll also want to watch what’s happening with inventory — because that’s where real opportunities are opening up for buyers in 2025.

2. Take Advantage of Rising Inventory in Central Florida

According to Realtor.com, active listings are up more than 20% year-over-year in Central Florida. That means buyers now have more homes to choose from across a wider range of budgets and neighborhoods.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where the growth is happening:

• Seminole County (Lake Mary, Sanford, Oviedo): More resale homes coming to market.

• Osceola County (Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana): Expanding affordable new construction and resale options.

• Orange County (Orlando, Winter Garden, Apopka): Rapid growth and family-friendly communities.

• Volusia County (Deltona, DeBary, DeLand): Larger homes for the price, ideal for buyers seeking space and value.

Buyer Strategy:

Don’t limit yourself to a single ZIP code. Expanding your search radius by even 10–15 minutes could unlock major opportunities.

Example: A $450K budget might only buy a smaller townhome in Winter Garden, but that same amount could stretch to a spacious pool home in DeBary or Deltona.

And as inventory rises, sellers are responding — leading to more price adjustments and room to negotiate.

3. Look for Price Reductions Across Central Florida

In 2025, roughly 1 in 5 homes listed for sale in Central Florida experiences a price reduction. This shift signals a more balanced market, where buyers have greater negotiating power.

Local highlights:

• Clermont, Davenport, Deltona: New builds competing against resale homes — driving price flexibility.

• Orlando, Sanford, Lake Mary: Higher-end properties sitting longer and seeing markdowns.

Buyer Strategy:

Focus on homes that have been on the market 30+ days. These sellers are often more open to:

• Lower offers

• Seller-paid closing costs

• Repair credits or concessions

Is 2025 the Right Time to Buy a Home in Central Florida?

The Central Florida housing market is transitioning from the seller-dominated years of 2021–2022 to a more balanced environment. Buyers now have more inventory, motivated sellers, and strategic opportunities tied to mortgage rate fluctuations.

Whether your goal is to purchase in Orlando, Seminole County, or explore new construction in Osceola County, the key to success is staying informed, flexible, and ready to act.

Ready to explore homes for sale in Central Florida?

I’m Todd Schroth with the Todd Schroth Selling Team, your trusted resource for real estate in Orlando, Lake Mary, and surrounding Central Florida communities. Let’s connect today to build a custom plan that gets you into the right home — at the right price — before 2026.