Buying a Home in Central Florida Before 2026? 3 Key Trends Buyers Should Watch

f you’re planning to buy a home in Central Florida before 2026, now is the time to prepare. With more homes hitting the market, mortgage rates fluctuating, and sellers making price adjustments, buyers have more opportunities than they’ve had in years. The Orlando real estate market and surrounding areas like Seminole, Orange, and Osceola Counties are shifting—and savvy buyers can take advantage.

Here are 3 key things to watch if you’re buying a home in Central Florida before the end of 2025.

1. Watch the Rate Spread: Timing Your Mortgage Lock 

Mortgage rates in Florida often follow the 10-year Treasury yield, but the spread between the two is still wider than normal in 2025.

• Right now, 30-year mortgage rates in Florida average around 6.35%, compared to a 4.1% 10-year Treasury yield. That’s a spread of about 2.25%, higher than the historical average.
• If that spread begins to shrink, buyers could see better mortgage opportunities.

 Why this matters for Central Florida buyers: Even a 0.25% rate shift equals about $17 per month per $100K financed. On a $400,000 Orlando home, that’s nearly $70 per month saved—over $800 annually. Local insight: Hot markets like Winter Park, Lake Mary, and Clermont see increased competition when rates drop, so stay in touch with your lender and be ready to act.

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. For buyers, that means more homes to choose from in areas like:

• Seminole County (Lake Mary, Sanford, Oviedo) – More resale homes hitting the market.
• Osceola County (Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana) – Affordable new construction and resale options.
• Orange County (Orlando, Winter Garden, Apopka) – Strong growth areas with expanding communities.
• Volusia County (Deltona, DeBary, DeLand) – Larger homes for the price compared to Orlando proper.

 Buyer Strategy: Don’t limit yourself to one ZIP code. Expanding your search radius by even 10–15 minutes could reveal opportunities.Example: A $450K budget may only cover a smaller townhome in Winter Garden but could stretch to a larger pool home in DeBary or Deltona.

3. Look for Price Reductions Across Central Florida 

In 2025, roughly 1 in 5 homes listed has a price reduction (Realtor.com). Central Florida sellers are adjusting to a more competitive market, especially in suburbs where new construction is strong.

• Clermont, Davenport, and Deltona: Suburbs with new builds competing against resale homes.
• Orlando, Sanford, and Lake Mary: Higher-priced homes sitting longer and seeing reductions.

 Buyer Strategy: Target homes that have been on the market 30+ days. These are prime opportunities to:

• Submit a lower offer
• Request seller-paid closing costs
• Negotiate repairs or concessions

Example: A Sanford home listed at $499K dropped to $479K after 45 days. A buyer purchased it for $465K plus $8,000 in seller credits—something unheard of just a few years ago.

Final Thoughts: Is 2025 the Right Time to Buy in Central Florida?
The Central Florida housing market is shifting from the seller-dominated days of 2021–2022. With more inventory, motivated sellers, and strategic opportunities around mortgage rates, 2025 could be the right year to make your move.
Whether you’re focused on Orlando real estate, Seminole County homes, or new construction in Osceola County, the key is to stay informed and flexible.