New Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association data shows highest inventory in nearly ten years.
State of the Market
Inventory for September was recorded at 11,560, up 0.4% from August when inventory was recorded at 11,511. This is the ninth month in a row inventory has risen. The last time inventory was this high was September 2015.
Inventory in September 2024 was 71.1% higher than in September 2023.
September’s interest rate was recorded at 5.9%, down from 6.1% in August. This is the lowest interest rates have been since August 2022.
Homes spent an average of 58 days on the market (DOM) in September – up slightly from 57 in August.
This is a 41.5% increase compared to September 2023 when homes spent an average of 41 days on the market.
The median home price for September was recorded at $380,000, down from $384,500 in August.
Overall sales decreased by 15.3% from August to September. There were 2,655 sales in August and 2,249 sales in September.
Pending sales fell by 1.9%, with 3,556 in August and 3,490 in September.
New listings fell 8.5% from August to September, with 3,530 new homes on the market in September, compared to 3,856 in August.
“Lower interest rates and rising inventory levels are setting the stage for a balanced Orlando housing market as we enter Q4,” said Rose Kemp, President of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. “With the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts and a significant increase in available homes, many buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines are now finding opportunities to achieve the American dream of homeownership.”
Market Snapshot
Interest rates fell from 6.1% in August to 5.9% in September.
Pending sales fell 1.9%, with 3,556 in August and 3,490 in September.
17 distressed homes (bank-owned properties and short sales) accounted for 0.8% of all home sales in September. This is a 54.5% increase from August, when 11 distressed homes sold.
Inventory
Orlando area inventory rose 0.4% from August to September. Inventory in August was 11,511, and inventory in September was 11,560.
The supply of homes rose to 5.14 months in September, up 18.6% from 4.34 months in August. A balanced market is six months of supply.
This is the highest supply of homes has been since January 2015.
The number of new listings decreased from August to September by 8.5% – from 3.856 homes to 3,530 homes.
ORRA’s full State of the Market Report for September can be found here.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Every Monday, ORRA’s Monday Morning Quarterback Report gives you a snapshot of the previous week’s market activity, including sales, prices, days on market, and much, much more.
Monday Morning Quarterback for October 6th, 2024 – October 12th, 2024
Single-family existing homes
Sales of single-family homes decreased to 142 during the week of October 06, from 452 the week prior
The median price of single family homes increased to $439,950 a change of 3.5%
The number of single-family home foreclosure transactions decreased to 2 from 5 the week prior
The number of single-family short-sale transactions decreased to 0 from 3 the week prior
Single-family inventory decreased by 119, and now sits at 7,542.
Condos, townhomes, and villas
Sales of condos, townhomes, and villas decreased to 42 during the week of October 06, from 123 the week prior
The median price of condos, townhomes, and villas decreased to $282,500 a change of -5.8%
The number of condo, townhome, and villa foreclosure transactions remains constant at 0
The number of condo, townhome and villa short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
Condo inventory decreased by 13, and now sits at 3,720.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Every Monday, ORRA’s Monday Morning Quarterback Report gives you a snapshot of the previous week’s market activity, including sales, prices, days on market, and much, much more.
Monday Morning Quarterback for September 29th, 2024 – October 5th, 2024
Single-family existing homes
Sales of single-family homes increased to 452 during the week of September 29, from 392 the week prior
The median price of single family homes increased to $424,900 a change of 1.2%
The number of single-family home foreclosure transactions increased to 5 from 1 the week prior
The number of single-family short-sale transactions increased to 3 from 2 the week prior
Single-family inventory increased by 37, and now sits at 7,66.
Condos, townhomes, and villas
Sales of condos, townhomes, and villas increased to 123 during the week of September 29, from 111 the week prior
The median price of condos, townhomes, and villas increased to $300,000 a change of 17.6%
The number of condo, townhome, and villa foreclosure transactions decreased to 0 from 1 the week prior
The number of condo, townhome and villa short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
Condo inventory decreased by 18, and now sits at 3,733.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
What is home equity? The Balance explains it this way: home equity “…is the amount that you own, or what you would get after paying off your mortgage after selling.” For most Americans, their home is their largest investment, so keeping a watchful eye on the equity and taking action when it is necessary is their first defense.
Before purchasing a new home, consider adding more to the down payment. This simple action creates equity by reducing the amount of your mortgage loan.
The smaller the loan term, the faster the loan is paid off. Your payments will be higher, but if it is affordable, it is a fantastic way to gain equity quickly.
Every monthly payment you pay towards your mortgage automatically builds equity unless your mortgage is an interest-only loan. Discuss this with your lender before you begin because you want to be certain that you are paying down the principal.
Adding to your payment each month not only builds the equity, but it will save money on interest in the long-term.
Consider dividing your monthly payment into two payments every other week. This plan makes it easier for you to squeeze in one extra payment per year. (26 half-payments=13 monthly payments)
Less expensive ways to pay the principal down sooner: round up your monthly payment, budget a smaller amount each month to be paid on your loan, or use a tax refund or work bonuses to pay towards the principal.
Properly maintaining your home will at least keep up the value, depending on the market, of course. Roof leaking? Repair it. Paint peeling? Grab a paintbrush. Sweat equity does not cost you anything, but if you must, hire a pro so that the job is done right.
Adding value to your home is possible, but only if you are not spending too much out-of-pocket or dipping into a home equity loan to make the upgrades.
Refinance your mortgage only if it is necessary or if you are decreasing the loan term.
If you are unsure about the local market, call a Realtor® and ask them to pull recent sales in your neighborhood so you can compare selling prices of similar homes with your mortgage balance. Now may be a good time to sell if you have enough equity in your home, and the agent will help you every step of the way!
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Thoughts of lounging by the pool are on the horizon, and it is time to wash winter grime off the car, and clean winter linens and clothing for storage. While all of those are important things to do, conserving water is important this time of year, and there are lots of ways to save!
When the car needs cleaning, take the bucket and sponge to a car wash instead of washing it at home. This could save one hundred gallons of water per wash.
If you have a sprinkler system, set the timer for morning or evening. Pay close attention to the weather and turn off the timer whenever a good chance of rain is predicted.
Use a drip irrigation system instead of sprinklers or hand-watering with the hose for your veggie garden and landscaping. This allows water to soak directly in near the roots.
Growing native plants and grasses will help cut down on water usage, as they are adapted to your local climate. Contact your local cooperative extension agent to find out how to plant a native plant garden.
Trees and large shrubs can be hydrated efficiently by placing a five-gallon bucket with small holes drilled in the bottom nearby and filling the bucket with water. The holes will allow the water to trickle slowly, soaking the ground and roots–not the leaves.
Use a pool cover on the pool to help keep the water from evaporating. There are plenty of ways you can conserve while enjoying your pool.
Shortening your shower time by just two minutes per day saves 150 gallons of water per month!
Bathe fresh veggies in a bowl filled with water instead of under running water. Once they are clean, use the leftover water for houseplants or potted plants outside.
Keep a pitcher filled with water inside the fridge for a thirst quencher instead of running water from the faucet and waiting for it to get cool.
Not only will your bank account appreciate some water conservation, the environment benefits as well. If you are interested in learning more about using less water year-round, check out the Water Calculator website to get an idea of your water footprint, and learn how to use it more efficiently.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Your new home charmed you as soon as you walked into the entryway, despite rooms with dark paneling, a pink tile bathroom, or a small galley kitchen. You knew you wanted to make some changes when you bought it, but is it worth the added stress, not to mention the stress on your new budget?
The home-buying process and moving are no small feats and undertaking a renovation can take another toll. Give yourself a break before starting something new.
Getting used to living where you are could cause you to rethink your plans. For instance, you wanted a bay window to replace the two smaller windows in the dining area, but after feeling the hot afternoon sun shining in, you change your mind. Little things like this are not noticeable from a few walkthroughs and virtual tours.
Many fixups are inexpensive and can tide you over until you make your final decision on whether to renovate or not: painting, fixing up the floors, or purchasing new furniture are all ways you can satisfy that itch and make the new house feel like your own.
Living in your home as it is for a while could show you that a major renovation is not needed at all! One room could simply need better lighting, or a closet you wanted to enlarge simply needs a few organizational pieces.
Continue the savings habits you adopted while saving for your down payment and other costs associated with your home purchase, and you can pay for your redo in cash, one step at a time!
Go ahead with your planned decorating! It is possible that you will find those renovations unnecessary once you have new furniture, draperies, and wall color.
Some renos cannot wait and are best completed before moving in structural work, full kitchen or bathroom re-do, large room addition, or changes to the layout.
Patience is a virtue, and in today’s instant world, it is hard to wait for something you have looked forward to for months. Holding back on the revamping of your new home will not only teach patience, but it could save money and headaches for you! Architectural Digest covers other aspects of home renovation to consider.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Rising rent prices and low interest rates make purchasing your first home sound like a great boost to your monthly budget! There is much to consider: from down payments to paint, many factors of homeownership are different than when you are a tenant in someone else’s home, so you need to prepare now for a new home later.
Begin practicing a budget now if you do not already. There are more expenses involved with homeownership than there are as a tenant and you need to be able to manage your money properly.
Learn about the different types of loans available to first-time home buyers. This will help you figure out how you will finance your mortgage as well as how much you need to save for a down payment.
Once you go through the pre-approval process, you will know how much house you can afford, making house-hunting easier.
Do you love your rental? If so, let your landlord know that you are interested in purchasing the property! They may not be interested, but once they become aware that you will be moving, the thought of preparing and looking for a new renter may encourage them to agree to a sale. All you can do is ask!
Browse properties besides houses–many townhomes and condominiums are affordable and convenient and would make the perfect first home!
Purchasing a newer house can save money in the long run, because of less up-front maintenance costs and newer houses are more energy efficient.
Think about your community options–do you want to live in a managed community (HOA), a rural area, new construction in a planned community, or an older suburban neighborhood? Each can affect how much you pay in fees, taxes, or maintenance costs.
If you have renter’s insurance, and you should, you will note that a homeowner’s policy costs more, because it covers much more than just your belongings. Most mortgages will include homeowner’s insurance in the monthly payment. If your current agent can find a cheaper rate, go for it!
Think about the freedom to paint your living room firehouse red if you like or being able to have a noisy family dance party because there are no neighbor’s downstairs to disturb! As soon as you are ready, your next step is contacting a Realtor® to be your guide during the whole home-buying process.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Let’s face it: Summer heat waves can drain the energy from our bodies, but it can also drain the money right out of our bank accounts when the energy bill comes due. Turning the thermostat down seems logical, but not always the best thing to do to cool the house off. Here are some practical things we can do to help our AC keep the home comfortable:
Keeping shades drawn in rooms where the sun comes streaming in is a great first defense on staying cool inside. Doing this simple thing can lower the inside temps 30%!
When you’re away, program the thermostat to 80°, and then down to 75° once you are home. No need to cool an unoccupied house, and leaving it off completely causes not only heat, but humidity, to build up. If those settings seem warm, give it a week, and you’ll find that your body acclimates to the warmer temperatures!
Utilizing fans is an inexpensive way to help stay cool; your ceiling fan should be turning counterclockwise (find the direction toggle switch near the fan speed chain), and floor fans should blow towards you at a comfortable speed.
Planting large shrubbery and plants with heavy foliage on the sunny sides of the house not only makes the landscaping attractive, the plants help block the heat, making the outside cooler, thus, the inside will stay cooler.
Permanent awnings and shutters are easy ways to block sun, as are retractable curtain awnings.
Allowing all interior doors to stay open will help the air circulate fully and helps keep hot spots from forming. Leave air registers open, even in unoccupied rooms, to avoid putting a strain on ductwork over time.
Using a dehumidifier will, obviously, reduce the moisture in the air, making the house feel cooler.
Time your clothes-drying and dishwashing for nighttime hours andkeep the house cooler in the daytime and save on your electric bill. Most energy companies have off-peak consumption hours at night and early mornings.
Cooking will heat up the kitchen, so learn how to cook plan your cooking early or later in the day and make use of a toaster oven creates less heat than turning the oven on.
One of the best things you can do to help your unit running well and keeping things cool is maintenance! Have a pro come and service it, change filters when they are visibly dirty, make sure the evaporator drain can run freely, and keep the air flowing nicely around the unit.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Mold is a subject that strikes fear in many people. Though the toxic form of black mold is rare, there are plenty of other types that invade our bathrooms, basements and other places in our homes. Let’s look at the best ways to get control over any mold problem anywhere we find it.
The bathroom is the most common place for mold, because it has all the right conditions for mold growth: moisture, a place to grow, and food.
Use the exhaust fan every time you shower, and if your bathroom isn’t equipped with one, crack the window to allow the steam to escape.
Wipe down the shower walls and door when you’re finished, leaving the door open until everything is completely dry.
If you use a shower curtain, use an anti-mold spray, commercial or homemade, to spray the curtain down, and pull the curtain to its fullest length to dry.
Any leaks should be repaired immediately and inspect under the sink every few weeks to make sure everything is dry in the cabinets.
If you have a tile bath, give the grout a waterproof seal once a year.
When you do find mold on hard surfaces, the CDC recommends mixing a solution of no more than 1 cup of household bleach in a gallon of water. Provide good ventilation, spray on affected areas, leave for five minutes, rinse, and allow to dry.
Other common places for molds to grow, especially this time of year when we have the heat on, are closets, window sills, basements, and floors around entryways.
Use washable mats and throw-rugs with waterproof backing at doorways.
Keep your home’s humidity below 40%. Using a humidifier is a necessity in Winter, and you may need to use a hygrometer to help you keep moisture levels in check.
Occasionally inspect your fridge’s drip pan for excessive moisture, and clean according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Attics can be the first-place mold can start in case of a leaky roof, so get the roof repaired immediately, and clean the mold as soon as you discover it. Be sure there are no leaves or other obstructions blocking the attic’s vents.
Having the crawl space of your home encapsulated can be expensive, but it is the only solution to keeping moisture from coming up from the ground and can help you see standing water in case of plumbing leaks.
There are many products available to help keep moisture in your home at bay. Desiccant bags containing silica gel are great for hanging in small places such as closets. Small non-electric dehumidifiers are also available for larger areas, and whole-house dehumidifiers are another option, just more expensive. While not all molds are toxic, they are allergens, and prevention and action are keys to a healthier, mold-free home.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Mortgage loans for more than 80% loan-to-value typically require private mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance reimburses the lender if a borrower defaults on a loan. PMI is expensive, and homeowners should be aware of how to remove it when certain conditions have been met.
A borrower can request in writing for the lender to cancel the PMI when the mortgage balance has reached 80% of the home’s original appraised value. However, they are required to eliminate it when the balance reaches 78%. It is a good idea to monitor this, especially if additional principal contributions are being made to pay off the loan early.
Other methods to eliminate PMI sooner than through normal amortization include the following:
If the value of the home has increased, the owner may consider refinancing with a loan that does not require PMI. There will be refinancing charges involved but you can determine how long it will take to recapture those costs from the monthly savings.
Some lenders will consider using a new appraisal to verify that the home’s mortgage is below the 80% requirement. Find out in advance from your lender if they will accept this procedure and get the names of approved appraisers they will recognize. The cost of an appraisal could range between $450 to $600.
Another strategy is to make additional principal contributions on a regular basis to reduce your mortgage balance to 78-80% level that would allow the lender to eliminate the PMI.
Mortgage insurance is not required on VA loans regardless of the loan-to-value. FHA mortgages made after June 3, 2013 are required to have Mortgage Insurance Premium for the life of the loan. For FHA loans made prior to that date, the MIP should automatically cancel when the loan-to-value ratio reaches 78% and has been in effect for a minimum of five years.
To obtain additional information specific to cancelling your mortgage insurance, contact info can usually be found on the annual statement provided by your mortgage servicer.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
