For anyone who has watched Central Florida’s skyrocketing real-estate market in the last 10 years, it hardly seems possible that the balance has tipped to the buyer’s favor.

But statistics from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association show just that.

In its July 2025 State of the Market, the ORRA reported inventory is up a whopping 21.5% from one year ago. Moreover, new contracts are down 13.5%, as are closed sales 3.8%. And although the median home price has remained steady at about $390,000, the average days on market increased 25.5%, and months of supply is up to 5.31, compared to 4.21 one year ago.

Moreover, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell last week hinted at a reduction in interest rates as early as next month.

Translation: It’s a great time to buy.

Carmelo Nuccio

RE/MAX real-estate adviser Carmelo Nuccio can’t help but smile when he thinks of the possibilities. Just like the stock market, you buy the dip.

“You have 100% leverage to buy now,” he said.

However, Nuccio is quick to remind his clients that West Orange continues to be one of the hottest markets in the state. The area’s “A”-grade schools, proximity to Walt Disney World, churches and its incredible natural amenities make it an attractive community for young marrieds, families with children and empty-nesters alike.

That popularity tends to temper swings in the hyperlocal market. Prices in Winter Garden, Ocoee, Windermere, Horizon West and the surrounding communities most certainly will remain steady and, sometimes, out of reach for those trying to buy their first home. And although there are some areas that offer homes in lower price ranges, Nuccio advises not to buy into an unsafe or unkempt neighborhood.

“We are not affordable,” he said. “Winter Garden is not affordable.”

However, all is not lost, he said. More moderately priced homes in surrounding communities, including Tavares, Sorrento, Apopka or even Lakeland, are possibilities for first-time buyers to enter the market. And once they’re in the market, they can begin to build equity that can help them enter the West Orange market in the future.

And that equity may come sooner than one would expect.

“2025 is a hustle,” Nuccio said. “It’s going to be a very different market after the first quarter of 2026. People are desperate for change. If we enter the new year with (interest rates) around 6%, we’re going to have a much more healthy year.”

For more information, call Nuccio at (321) 441-6951 or connect with him on Facebook, @CarmeloNuccioRealtor, or Instagram, @carmelonuccio.