Florida
Central Florida Real Estate Boom: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Ranks Among Top 10 U.S. Markets For 2025
Published
2 months agoon
By
Willie David
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area, served by members of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA), has been ranked No. 6 on the Realtor.com® 2025 Top Housing Markets Forecast, according to a recent press release from one of Florida’s largest local trade associations.
This annual forecast highlights U.S. regions poised for the strongest combined increase in home sales and listing prices. The 2025 list prioritizes markets with moderately affordable homes, robust housing inventory—fueled by new construction—and a large base of younger families with military and international connections.
ORRA’s Role in Market Growth
“It’s no surprise that Central Florida was included in the forecast of top housing markets in 2025,” said ORRA president Rose Kemp. “Orlando offers a strong job market, an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, attractions like theme parks and beaches, warm weather, and no state income tax, making it popular among our locals and out-of-state buyers. With its continued growth, the Orlando region remains a top-rated choice for real estate investments, attracting homebuyers and investors looking to capitalize on the area’s dynamic and thriving market.”
2025 Housing Market Rankings
The top 10 housing markets for 2025 are exclusively in the South and West. The complete list is as follows:
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- El Paso, TX
- Richmond, VA
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
- Greensboro-High Point, NC
Growth Projections for Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford market is set to experience notable growth across key real estate indicators in 2025:
- 2025 Existing Home Sale Counts Year-over-Year: 15.2% increase
- 2025 Existing Home Sale Counts vs 2017-2019 Average: 32.1% increase
- 2025 Existing Home Median Sale Price Year-over-Year: 12.1% increase
- 2025 Existing Home Median Sale Price vs 2017-2019 Average: 82.6% increase
- Combined 2025 Existing Home Sales and Price Growth: 27.3%
These figures signal a strong upward trajectory for the Central Florida housing market, driven by increased interest from younger buyers, military families, and international investors.
Factors Driving Market Strength
Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com®, said, “While nationwide home sales are expected to see a slight uptick this year, driven by a cooling in home price growth, the top markets we’ve identified are poised for stronger sales and price gains in 2025. With mortgage rates likely to ease only modestly next year, these markets — offering relatively lower-priced homes, more new and existing houses to choose from, and mortgage products designed to give buyers a leg up — could provide some would-be buyers a better chance at entering the market next year.”
More Homes, More Choices
Despite inventory challenges nationwide, recovery is underway. By November, the number of homes for sale reached the highest level since December 2019. However, the national market still lags behind pre-pandemic levels (2017–2019) by 20%. The South and West have seen the most progress, with Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford leading the way.
Among the top 10 markets, eight have experienced year-over-year growth in single-family home construction. Builders are focusing on smaller, more affordable homes to meet rising demand. In addition to new builds, more existing homeowners are returning to the market, increasing inventory and providing buyers with a greater range of choices.
Market Demographics: Young Buyers and Military Connections
The top 10 housing markets for 2025 are characterized by young, diverse, and growing communities. Most of these areas have higher-than-average shares of households with children and residents under age 35. Military ties are also a defining factor, with more than 1 in 7 households in the top markets being active-duty or veteran homes, surpassing the national average of 1 in 8.
Additionally, international connections are strong. In Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, 17.6% of the population is foreign-born, exceeding the national metro average of 13%. These trends highlight the region’s ability to attract a wide range of buyers, from local families to international investors.
Path to Homeownership: Government-Backed Mortgages
The prevalence of younger buyers and strong military ties has also increased demand for government-backed lending options like VA, FHA, and USDA mortgages. These programs, which offer lower down payments and more favorable terms, are essential for helping first-time and military-connected buyers enter the market. ORRA’s advocacy and resources for homebuyers have played a crucial role in ensuring these options remain accessible and effective.

Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA) Headquarters. Photo by Corey Williams / Florida National News
Impact of Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA)
The growth and prominence of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford market owe much to the efforts of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA). ORRA’s initiatives to promote the region’s real estate appeal, support local buyers, and offer education on lending options like FHA, VA, and USDA loans have made Central Florida a prime location for homebuyers and investors alike.
Conclusion
The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford market’s placement in Realtor.com®’s Top 10 Housing Markets for 2025 underscores its growing influence on the national housing landscape. With strong sales projections, increasing inventory, and support from the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA), the area is poised for sustained success. Homebuyers, investors, and real estate professionals should keep a close eye on this flourishing market.
________________________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com
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Florida
Sen. Kristen Arrington and Rep. Dan Daley Push New $10,000 Tax Relief for Florida’s Disabled Veterans
Published
3 weeks agoon
January 17, 2025
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) – Florida State Senator Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and Representative Dan Daley (D-Coral Springs) have introduced a bipartisan effort to provide enhanced financial relief to disabled veterans and their families. The proposed bills, SB 218 and HB 39, aim to amend Florida law to increase the property tax exemption for disabled ex-servicemembers from $5,000 to $10,000, offering meaningful economic support.
The legislation, titled “Tax Exemption for Disabled Ex-servicemembers,” will take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed, and will enable disabled veterans to significantly reduce their property tax burdens.
Who Qualifies for the Tax Exemption?
To be eligible, an ex-servicemember must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Florida resident.
- Have been discharged under honorable conditions.
- Possess a disability rating of 10 percent or more, resulting from either wartime service or misfortune.
Eligible veterans must present proof of their disability by providing a certificate from either the United States Government or the Department of Veterans Affairs to their county property appraiser. Additionally, the bill preserves the current provision that extends the tax exemption to the unremarried surviving spouse of a disabled ex-servicemember.
Key Benefits and Impact
The bill would exempt $10,000 of a property’s assessed value from taxation, providing substantial financial relief for Florida’s disabled veterans. This increased exemption will ease the financial strain on these veterans and their families, particularly in the face of rising living costs.
- Senator Kristen Arrington emphasized the importance of recognizing veterans’ sacrifices, stating:
“Our servicemembers risk their lives to defend our country, and this expanded tax exemption offers much-needed financial relief to veterans and their surviving spouses, easing their burden and honoring their sacrifice.”
- Representative Dan Daley highlighted the significance of this initiative, adding:
“This legislation is about showing our gratitude to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. By doubling the property tax exemption for disabled ex-servicemembers, we are taking a meaningful step to ease their financial burden and honor their dedication. It’s our responsibility to ensure these heroes and their families receive the support they’ve earned.”
Broader Implications
This measure is expected to impact thousands of veterans and their families across Florida, reinforcing the state’s commitment to supporting those who served. It also serves as an important step in addressing financial equity for veterans with disabilities.
Florida
SBA Opens Additional Business Recovery Centers in Florida: Disaster Loans Available for Hurricane Relief
Published
3 weeks agoon
January 13, 2025By
Willie David
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will open Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in Charlotte, Seminole and Volusia counties on Friday, Jan. 10 and Monday, Jan. 13 respectively, to assist small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations who sustained economic losses from Hurricane Helene and Milton.
“SBA’s BRCs are a cornerstone of our support for business owners,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At the BRCs, business owners can meet face-to-face with specialists to apply for disaster loans and access a wide range of resources to guide them through their recovery.”
Customer Service Representatives at the BRCs will assist business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents for existing applications, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Disaster Recovery Center in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The centers will operate as indicated below.
Business Recovery Center (BRC) Charlotte County Port Charlotte Town Center Mall 1441 Tamiami Trail Unit 185 Port Charlotte, FL 33948 Opening: Friday, Jan. 10, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Sunday | Business Recovery Center (BRC) Seminole County Sanford Information Center 230 E 1st St Sanford, FL 32771 Opening: Monday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Sunday |
Business Recovery Center (BRC) Volusia County Deltona Regional Library 2150 Eustace Ave. Deltona, FL 32725 Opening: Monday, Jan. 13, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Sunday |
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Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs offer working capital assistance for businesses impacted by the disaster, even if they did not sustain physical damage. Loan funds may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that would have been met if not for the disaster.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.
SBA’s Disaster Loan Program funding was replenished via the American Relief Act, 2025, which was signed into law on Dec. 21, 2024. The SBA acted immediately and, within six hours of the Act being signed into law, issued more than 21,000 outstanding commitment letters (loan offers). The SBA will continue to issue new loan offers and ensure survivors quickly understand their loan options.
With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.
Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.
Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return economic injury loan applications is June 30, 2025.
Florida
Florida Civil Rights Association President statement on the passing of President Jimmy Carter
Published
1 month agoon
December 29, 2024
The Florida Civil Rights Association joins the nation and the world in mourning the loss of President Jimmy Carter, a visionary leader and tireless advocate for humanity.
President Carter championed civil liberties and human rights throughout his life. He courageously advocated for racial equality during a time of deep division in America, set global precedents for advancing democracy, and worked tirelessly to address affordable housing for families through his partnership with Habitat for Humanity. His profound belief in the dignity of every human being continues to inspire movements for equality and justice worldwide.
Florida Civil Rights Association President J. Willie David, III:
“President Jimmy Carter was not just a former president; he was a global icon for justice and compassion. His unwavering commitment to human rights and equality stood as a beacon of hope for generations. President Carter’s legacy of fighting for civil rights, eradicating poverty, and championing affordable housing aligns perfectly with the core values of the Florida Civil Rights Association.
He reminded us that ‘the bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.’ His tireless dedication to creating a better world, even in his post-presidency, is a testament to the power of selfless service.
We join the nation and the world in mourning his loss while celebrating the monumental impact of his life. President Carter’s legacy challenges us to continue the work he began—to lift others, to advocate for justice, and to remain relentless in the pursuit of a more equitable society. He will forever remain an inspiration to us all.”
Rest in peace, President Jimmy Carter. Your legacy of service and justice will guide generations to come.
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