Yes — and here’s why I say that with confidence. The frenzied seller’s market of 2021–2022 has cooled significantly. Buyers now have more inventory to choose from, homes are sitting on the market longer (giving you time to think), and sellers are often willing to negotiate on price, credits, or repairs. The Orlando metro is still seeing about 3.8% year-over-year price appreciation, which means values are growing — just at a sustainable pace rather than a frenzy. For buyers who are financially prepared, this is one of the more favorable entry windows in recent years.

This is the question most buyers don’t ask until it’s too late. Your true monthly cost in Florida includes: your principal and interest payment, property taxes (typically 0.8–1.2% of purchase price annually in Orange and Seminole counties), homeowners insurance (Florida’s rates are among the highest in the nation — budget $250–$500+/month depending on property age, location, and coverage), any HOA or CDD fees, and PMI if your down payment is under 20%. Use the calculator on this page to get a realistic estimate before you make an offer.

Yes — absolutely. ITIN mortgage loans are available for borrowers who have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number but not a Social Security number. These are non-QM (non-qualified mortgage) loan products that don’t follow Fannie/Freddie guidelines, which means qualification is based on your actual income and assets, not a traditional W-2 profile. I specialize in these loans through Jhenesis Mortgage and have helped many clients from Florida’s immigrant communities achieve homeownership through this path. Down payments typically start at 10–20% depending on your profile.

A DSCR loan — Debt Service Coverage Ratio loan — qualifies you based on the rental income the property generates, not your personal income or tax returns. This is a game-changer for investors. If the home rents for enough to cover the mortgage (typically a DSCR of 1.0 or higher), you can qualify. No W-2 required. No tax return analysis. Just the property’s income potential. This is ideal for short-term rental properties in areas like Davenport and vacation corridors, as well as long-term rental properties in Orlando, Casselberry, East Orlando, and throughout Central Florida.

For short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO), Davenport and Kissimmee — particularly communities close to Walt Disney World and I-192/I-4 — are among the strongest markets in the state. Many planned communities here explicitly allow STR activity. For long-term investment properties, East Orlando (32825, 32826, 32817), Casselberry, and Altamonte Springs offer strong rental demand driven by the tech corridor, UCF, and the AdventHealth campus. My advice: always verify STR zoning and HOA rules with me before purchasing — rules vary significantly by community.

Great question — and one many buyers overlook. HOA (Homeowners Association) fees are paid to a voluntary community association that maintains shared amenities and enforces community standards. CDD (Community Development District) fees are a government assessment levied on properties within a special taxing district — usually used to repay the bonds issued to build the community’s infrastructure (roads, utilities, parks). CDDs appear on your property tax bill and are not optional. Both can significantly affect your total monthly cost. When evaluating a listing, always ask specifically about both.

Yes. Florida is one of the most international real estate markets in the world, and foreign national mortgage programs exist specifically for non-US residents purchasing property here. These loans typically require 25–30% down, documented income from your home country, and strong reserves. Eligible property types include single-family homes, condos, and investment properties. Important note for Venezuelan and Cuban nationals: Florida’s SB 264 places restrictions on citizens of certain countries purchasing property in Florida — please discuss your specific situation with me before proceeding, as this requires careful navigation.

It eliminates the most common source of delays and miscommunication in a real estate transaction. When your Realtor and your lender are the same person, there’s no lag between “we found a home” and “we have financing confirmed.” Offer strategy, pre-approval details, and timeline coordination all happen in real time, not through a chain of emails between separate parties. For buyers with non-traditional income — self-employed, ITIN holders, foreign nationals, investors — this integration is even more critical, because loan program selection has to happen alongside property selection, not after. That’s the “One Agent. One Lender.” model I’ve built my practice on.