For the first time since 2014, the Orlando metro area has crossed a major threshold: inventory is at a decade-high with over 12,000 active listings. While the headlines might suggest a slow market, the “incisive” reality is that we have finally entered a healthy rebalancing phase. For buyers in Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden, the days of desperate bidding wars are being replaced by the power of choice. With roughly 6.8 months of supply now available, the market has officially tipped from a seller-dominated frenzy to a balanced environment where buyers can actually take their time to breathe, inspect, and negotiate.
This surge in inventory isn’t a sign of falling demand—it’s a sign of a stabilizing ecosystem. As interest rates hover in the low 6% range, the “lock-in effect” (where sellers were afraid to move and lose their 3% rates) is finally beginning to thaw. More homeowners are deciding to list their properties to right-size for their current lifestyle, whether that means moving closer to the Lake Nona tech hub or finding a “lock-and-leave” townhome in Longwood. For you, this means a wider variety of floor plans, neighborhoods, and price points to explore without the fear of being outbid within minutes of a home hitting the MLS.
The true “February Advantage” lies in the Days on Market (DOM). Homes are now sitting for an average of 76 days. This “sit time” is a buyer’s best friend. It allows for a thorough due diligence period and, most importantly, opens the door for seller concessions. We are seeing a significant uptick in sellers willing to cover closing costs or fund a permanent mortgage rate buydown to get their property across the finish line. This is a strategic window where you can secure a home at a fair price while significantly lowering your out-of-pocket expenses at closing.
How Incisive Realty Can Help: At Incisive Realty, we specialize in “Inventory Mining.” We don’t just look at the new hits; we analyze the homes that have been on the market for 60+ days—where the sellers are most motivated to deal. Our team uses aggressive negotiation tactics to secure the credits and repairs you deserve, ensuring that you capitalize on this 10-year inventory high to build immediate equity.