Area Real Estate News & Market Trends

You’ll find our blog to be a wealth of information, covering everything from local market statistics and home values to community happenings. That’s because we care about the community and want to help you find your place in it. Please reach out if you have any questions at all. We’d love to talk with you!

Sept. 9, 2026

Living in Leesburg, FL: Who It Fits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Leesburg has the cheapest price per square foot of any town in this series, lower household incomes than Tavares or Mount Dora, and it grew 25.5 percent since 2019. Those look like contradictions until you notice that half of what is for sale here is age-restricted, which is where this page starts.

$290,000
Median Sale Price
August 2026, 96 closed sales
28,461
Population
U.S. Census ACS 2023, up 25.5% since 2019
587
Active Listings
Active residential listings in the city, October 9, 2026
24.8 min
Mean Commute
Against 26.0 minutes from Tavares

Half of Leesburg Is Age-Restricted, and That Changes Everything

Half of what is for sale in Leesburg is in an age-restricted community. Those homes and the rest of the market price and sell differently, so the citywide median sits between them and describes neither.

Closed, last 12 monthsMedian pricePer sq ftDays to contractSales
55-plus communities$253,750$15371694
Everything else$300,000$17456575

An age-restricted home here runs about $46,250 less and takes about 15 more days to go under contract. The age-restricted half is also the larger half of what actually sells.

This one fact explains almost every number on this page. It is why Leesburg has the cheapest price per square foot of any town in this series and why the median household income looks so low. A 55-plus community is cheaper per foot because the product is smaller and simpler, it sells slower because the buyer pool is narrower, and the households in it are on retirement income rather than wages. None of that means the town is struggling. It means you are looking at two markets stacked on top of each other, and which one you are shopping decides everything about your price, your timeline and your negotiating position.

Who Leesburg Fits, and Who It Doesn't

Strong fit: buyers over 55 who want the widest choice of age-restricted communities in the four counties, which is genuinely what Leesburg offers; anyone paying cash from a home sale elsewhere, because the entry prices here are lower than in Tavares or Mount Dora; buyers who want lake access and space without Clermont or Mount Dora pricing; investors who understand that a slower market means more room to negotiate.

Weaker fit: buyers under 55, who should know that half the listings they see online are not available to them and should filter accordingly before falling for a floor plan; anyone who needs to resell quickly, because the age-restricted half of this market takes longer to sell than the rest; families wanting a busy school-age community, since the town skews older than its neighbors; anyone commuting to Orlando daily.

Still deciding between towns? We pulled the closed sales around a $300,000 budget and put Leesburg side by side with its neighbors: what $300,000 actually buys in each. Square footage, bedrooms, year built, and how many came with a pool.

Where Is Leesburg, and What Makes It Different?

Leesburg sits on the Harris Chain of Lakes in central Lake County, with US-27 and the turnpike running past it toward Clermont and Orlando. It grew 25.5 percent since 2019, faster than almost anywhere in this series, and that growth has been heavily weighted toward age-restricted communities on the edges of town. The mean commute is 24.8 minutes, which is shorter than several towns closer to Orlando, because a large share of residents here are retired and not commuting at all.

Leesburg Housing Market Snapshot (2026)

Over the last twelve months 1,269 homes sold in Leesburg at a median of $275,000, down 3.5% against the twelve months before. Per square foot, which strips out any change in the size of what sold, the figure fell 3.6%. In August 2026, 96 homes closed at a median of $290,000 and the typical one went under contract in 52 days. One month is too small a sample to read a direction from, which is why the twelve-month figure leads here. There are 587 active residential listings as of October 9, 2026, with a median asking price of $289,900, or $169 per square foot.

Wondering whether it is a buyer's or seller's market around Leesburg? We publish that answer for Lake County as a whole, from current MLS data: Is Lake County a buyer's or seller's market?

New Construction and Resale Are Not the Same Market

Every price figure quoted for Leesburg mixes brand new homes with existing ones. Split apart, the last twelve months looked like this.

What soldMedian, prior 12 monthsMedian, last 12 monthsChangeSales
New construction$352,000$335,221-4.8%101
Existing homes (resale)$270,000$265,000-1.9%1168
All sales combined$285,000$275,000-3.5%1269

Both halves moved the same way here, so the combined figure is a fair summary of Leesburg, which is not true everywhere.

Best Neighborhoods in Leesburg, FL: Communities to Know

Leesburg is organised more by age restriction than by geography. The practical first question is not which side of town, it is whether a community is 55-plus.

  • The 55-plus communities, half the market, generally cheaper per square foot, smaller and simpler product, and a narrower buyer pool when it comes time to sell
  • The lakefront and Lake Harris side, where the water access is, and where the general-market pricing runs highest
  • The historic downtown, the older core, small and walkable in a way the newer parts of town are not
  • The US-27 and turnpike corridor, newer general-market construction and the shortest run south toward Clermont

If you are under 55, filter for it before you shop, or you will spend a weekend touring homes you cannot buy.

Leesburg vs. Tavares vs. Mount Dora: The Honest Comparison

 LeesburgTavaresMount Dora
Median asking price$289,900$329,999$468,950
Median $/sq ft$169$189$227
Mean commute24.8 minutes26.0 minutes28.8 minutes
Median household income$47,506$57,644$69,931
Population28,46119,73816,812

Tavares is the closest comparison and shares the same shape, a third of its market age-restricted and priced a little above Leesburg. Mount Dora is the step up: a genuine downtown, considerably higher prices, and a much smaller age-restricted share. Leesburg is where the money goes furthest of the three.

Schools, Commute, and Day-to-Day Life

Lake County Schools serves the city, and assignment varies by address rather than by city name, so confirm the zoning for the specific property before you buy on a school reputation.

Mean travel time to work is 24.8 minutes, against 26.0 from Tavares.

Is Leesburg, FL Safe?

Leesburg's reported violent crime rate is 403.0 per 100,000 residents against 280.8 for Florida as a whole, so it runs above the state figure, and the context matters more than the number. Rates are calculated against resident population while the offense count includes everyone passing through, so a town that draws more workers, shoppers or visitors each day than it has residents will read higher than its residents' own risk.

Figures are reported offenses from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the Leesburg Police Department (ORI FL0350200), 2023, the most recent year that agency reported in a usable form. Reporting years differ between agencies, so this is compared to the Florida rate for the same year and is not comparable to another town's page.

Cost of Living in Leesburg, FL

Housing is the line that moves a Central Florida budget. Leesburg's median asking price is $289,900 against a median household income of $47,506, which puts a home at about 6.10 times household income here. That ratio, rather than the sticker price, is the number worth carrying between towns, and it is why a cheaper town is not automatically a more affordable one. In Leesburg that ratio needs a caveat, because the people earning the median income here and the people buying the homes are largely not the same group. Half this market is age-restricted, so a large share of buyers arrive with cash from selling a house somewhere else rather than qualifying on local wages. Read the ratio as a description of the resident population, not of what a buyer can afford.

Florida charges no state income tax, so the property tax line matters more here than it would elsewhere, and a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence. Millage varies by taxing district, so treat any single quoted rate as an estimate until the specific parcel is checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Leesburg, FL a good place to live?

It depends on whether your income comes with you. Against the 60 places this site tracks across Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, the median asking price of $289,900 is lower than most and the mean commute of 24.8 minutes is shorter than most. The median household income here is $47,506, which puts housing at 6.10 times income, a heavier load than in most of those places. For remote workers and retirees who bring their income with them, that matters less. For someone earning a local wage, it is tighter than the sticker price suggests. Who it fits, and who it does not, is laid out at the top of this page.

What is the median home price in Leesburg, FL?

The median sale price was $290,000 in August 2026 across 96 closed sales. Over the last twelve months 1,269 homes sold at a median of $275,000, down 3.5% against the twelve months before. The median asking price across 587 active listings is $289,900, or $169 per square foot.

Is Leesburg cheaper than Tavares?

On the asking median, yes: $289,900 against $329,999. Measured against household income, Leesburg is at 6.10 times income and Tavares at 5.72, so on that basis Tavares is the more affordable of the two. See what $300,000 buys in each town.

Is Leesburg, FL safe?

The reported violent crime rate runs above the Florida average, though city rates are measured against resident population while the offense count includes everyone passing through.

What is the cost of living in Leesburg, FL?

Housing is the deciding line. A median asking price of $289,900 against a median household income of $47,506 puts a home at roughly 6.10 times income, and Florida charges no state income tax, which shifts weight onto the property tax line.

What school district serves Leesburg, FL?

Lake County Schools. Assignment varies by address within the city, so confirm the zoning for the specific property.

Thinking About a Move to Leesburg?

I work these four counties every week and I will tell you when a town is wrong for you. If you want the numbers for your budget before you tour anything, start with what $300,000 buys across Leesburg and its neighbors, or call me at 407-616-9019.

You can also browse homes for sale in Leesburg, which updates with current inventory.

Sept. 8, 2026

Living in Winter Garden, FL: Who It Fits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Winter Garden has a higher household income than Clermont, the town it is weighed against below, and its headline median is the least useful number on this page, because it blends new construction and resale, two halves of this market that sell very different things. Here is what is actually happening, and who should be looking at Clermont instead.

$599,990
Median Sale Price
August 2026, 169 closed sales
47,182
Population
U.S. Census ACS 2023, up 8.1% since 2019
662
Active Listings
Active residential listings in the city, October 9, 2026
28.5 min
Mean Commute
Against 32.6 minutes from Clermont

Who Winter Garden Fits, and Who It Doesn't

Strong fit: buyers who want new construction with a real downtown attached, which is a rare combination and the actual argument for this town; families who want the Horizon West school pipeline and are willing to pay for it; anyone who values the West Orange Trail and the Plant Street downtown, which is the part of Winter Garden that is not replicable west of here.

Weaker fit: buyers who want value per square foot, since Clermont delivers more house per dollar a short drive west; anyone selling an existing home here in the next year without understanding what builder incentives are doing to their competition; buyers who want an established, finished neighborhood, because much of Horizon West is still under construction and will be for years; anyone who does not want to be in a community with a CDD.

Still deciding between towns? We pulled the closed sales around a $675,000 budget and put Winter Garden side by side with its neighbors: what $675,000 actually buys in each. Square footage, bedrooms, year built, and how many came with a pool.

Where Is Winter Garden, and What Makes It Different?

Winter Garden sits on the west side of Orange County where the 429 and the turnpike meet, which is the fact that created Horizon West. The historic downtown on Plant Street was restored rather than replaced and now anchors one of the few genuinely walkable main streets in the metro. The mean commute is 28.5 minutes. Winter Garden Police Department reports almost nothing to the federal crime database, so the figure below comes from the Orange County Sheriff and is a county rate rather than a city one.

Winter Garden Housing Market Snapshot (2026)

Over the last twelve months 1,901 homes sold in Winter Garden at a median of $584,611, up 2.4% against the twelve months before. Per square foot, which strips out any change in the size of what sold, the figure fell 1.6%. In August 2026, 169 homes closed at a median of $599,990 and the typical one went under contract in 33 days. One month is too small a sample to read a direction from, which is why the twelve-month figure leads here. There are 662 active residential listings as of October 9, 2026, with a median asking price of $589,000, or $260 per square foot.

Wondering whether it is a buyer's or seller's market around Winter Garden? We publish that answer for Orange County as a whole, from current MLS data: Is Orange County a buyer's or seller's market?

What New Construction and Resale Actually Did Here

Every price figure quoted for Winter Garden mixes brand new homes with existing ones. Split apart, the last twelve months looked like this.

What soldMedian, prior 12 monthsMedian, last 12 monthsChangeSales
New construction$550,740$575,245+4.5%556
Existing homes (resale)$580,000$589,900+1.7%1345
All sales combined$571,000$584,611+2.4%1901

Both halves moved the same way here, so the combined figure is a fair summary of Winter Garden, which is not true everywhere.

Both halves rose over the year, which is not true everywhere in this metro and is worth knowing before you read a scary headline about Winter Garden. Where the two sides differ here is what you get rather than which way prices moved: the builder side carries incentives and a rate buydown, the resale side carries mature landscaping and a finished street. Judge them on that rather than on a percentage.

Best Neighborhoods in Winter Garden, FL: Communities to Know

Winter Garden is really two places. There is the historic downtown around Plant Street, and there is Horizon West, a planned area of villages south of it that accounts for most of the new construction and most of the pages below.

  • Historic downtown and Plant Street, the brick streets, the farmers market and the West Orange Trail, older homes on smaller lots, and no new construction
  • Horizon West, the planned villages to the south, where nearly all of the new building is happening
  • The 429 corridor, the newer arterial that made the Horizon West growth possible and shapes the commute

Every community with its own page below is in Horizon West. The historic side of Winter Garden has none, which tells you where the inventory is.

Almost everything with its own page here is a Horizon West village. Horizon West is organized into villages rather than one continuous suburb, and which village you are in changes the builder, the price and the school assignment.

Winter Garden

Town Center

Seidel

Ovation

Hickory Nut

Bridgewater

Winter Garden vs. Clermont vs. Windermere: The Honest Comparison

 Winter GardenClermontWindermere
Median asking price$589,000$467,990$1,100,000
Median $/sq ft$260$227$348
Mean commute28.5 minutes32.6 minutes30.9 minutes
Median household income$106,371$79,789$156,042
Population47,18244,9843,034

Winter Garden sits between the two on purpose. Clermont is the value move west, growing fast with new road connections between the two towns, and it buys more house for the money. Windermere is the step up, at nearly double Winter Garden's median. Winter Garden is where buyers land when Clermont feels too far out and Windermere is out of reach.

Schools, Commute, and Day-to-Day Life

Orange County Public Schools serves the city, and assignment varies by address rather than by city name, so confirm the zoning for the specific property before you buy on a school reputation.

Mean travel time to work is 28.5 minutes, against 32.6 from Clermont.

Is Winter Garden, FL Safe?

Winter Garden has no municipal police agency reporting usable figures to the FBI, so there is no city-level crime rate to publish here, and inventing one would be worse than saying so. The nearest available figure belongs to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, whose reported violent crime rate is 522.2 per 100,000 residents against 323.5 for Florida as a whole. That is a county-wide figure covering unincorporated areas rather than Winter Garden itself, so read it as context for the wider area and not as a measurement of this town.

Figures are reported offenses from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the Orange County Sheriff's Office (ORI FL0480000), 2022, the most recent year that agency reported in a usable form. Reporting years differ between agencies, so this is compared to the Florida rate for the same year and is not comparable to another town's page.

Cost of Living in Winter Garden, FL

Housing is the line that moves a Central Florida budget. Winter Garden's median asking price is $589,000 against a median household income of $106,371, which puts a home at about 5.54 times household income here. That ratio, rather than the sticker price, is the number worth carrying between towns, and it is why a cheaper town is not automatically a more affordable one.

Florida charges no state income tax, so the property tax line matters more here than it would elsewhere, and a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence. Millage varies by taxing district, so treat any single quoted rate as an estimate until the specific parcel is checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winter Garden, FL a good place to live?

Start with the numbers. Against the 60 places this site tracks across Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, the median asking price of $589,000 is higher than most and the mean commute of 28.5 minutes is near the middle. The median household income here is $106,371, which puts housing at 5.54 times income, close to the middle of those places. On local incomes, buying here is about as hard as it is across the group. Who it fits, and who it does not, is laid out at the top of this page.

What is the median home price in Winter Garden, FL?

The median sale price was $599,990 in August 2026 across 169 closed sales. Over the last twelve months 1,901 homes sold at a median of $584,611, up 2.4% against the twelve months before. The median asking price across 662 active listings is $589,000, or $260 per square foot.

Is Winter Garden cheaper than Clermont?

On the asking median, no: $589,000 against $467,990. Measured against household income, Winter Garden is at 5.54 times income and Clermont at 5.87, so on that basis Winter Garden is the more affordable of the two. See what $675,000 buys in each town.

Is Winter Garden, FL safe?

There is no city-level crime rate for Winter Garden, because no municipal police agency here reports usable figures to the FBI. The nearest measure is the Orange County Sheriff's Office, which is county-wide rather than specific to this town.

What is the cost of living in Winter Garden, FL?

Housing is the deciding line. A median asking price of $589,000 against a median household income of $106,371 puts a home at roughly 5.54 times income, and Florida charges no state income tax, which shifts weight onto the property tax line.

What school district serves Winter Garden, FL?

Orange County Public Schools. Assignment varies by address within the city, so confirm the zoning for the specific property.

Thinking About a Move to Winter Garden?

I work these four counties every week and I will tell you when a town is wrong for you. If you want the numbers for your budget before you tour anything, start with what $675,000 buys across Winter Garden and its neighbors, or call me at 407-616-9019.

You can also browse homes for sale in Winter Garden, which updates with current inventory.

Sept. 7, 2026

Living in Deltona, FL: Who It Fits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Deltona is the most affordable of the three towns on this page measured the way that actually matters, by what a home costs against the median household income here. It also has the longest commute. Those facts are the same fact, and this page is about what the drive is really costing you.

$297,900
Median Sale Price
August 2026, 105 closed sales
95,682
Population
U.S. Census ACS 2023, up 5.8% since 2019
333
Active Listings
Active residential listings in the city, October 9, 2026
34.3 min
Mean Commute
Against 24.8 minutes from Orange City

What the St. Johns River Costs You

Deltona sits on the Volusia County side of the St. Johns River. Cross the bridge and you are in Seminole County, and the same money buys something different.

 Deltona
Volusia County
Orange City
Volusia County
Sanford
Seminole County
Median asking price$329,900$329,990$388,990
Mean commute34.3 minutes24.8 minutes25.1 minutes
Median household income$72,967$51,077$62,877

Crossing the river costs $59,090 more, 17.9%, and buys back 9.2 minutes each way.

That is the trade in one line. Sanford sits across the bridge in Seminole County and costs about fifty nine thousand dollars more for a home, and it buys back a little over nine minutes each way. Whether that is worth it depends entirely on how many times a week you make the drive and whether Seminole County schools matter to your household. What most buyers do not realize until they run it is that Orange City, on the same side of the river as Deltona, costs about the same as Deltona and has a shorter commute than either. If minutes per dollar is what you are optimizing, that is the one to look at.

Who Deltona Fits, and Who It Doesn't

Strong fit: buyers priced out of Seminole and Orange who still need to be within reach of Orlando, which is who most of this market is; anyone who can absorb a longer drive a few days a week rather than five; buyers who want a large, established city with real inventory rather than a small town with twelve listings; first-time buyers, because this is where the entry price still exists in a metro where it mostly does not.

Weaker fit: anyone driving into Orlando five days a week, because thirty four minutes each way is the longest in this series and it compounds; buyers who want walkability or a downtown, which Deltona does not have; families set on Seminole County schools, who should be looking across the bridge and should know what that costs before they start; anyone who wants a short list of turnkey new construction.

Still deciding between towns? We pulled the closed sales around a $300,000 budget and put Deltona side by side with its neighbors: what $300,000 actually buys in each. Square footage, bedrooms, year built, and how many came with a pool.

Where Is Deltona, and What Makes It Different?

Deltona sits on the west side of Volusia County between I-4 and the St. Johns River, and the river is the line that sets its price. Cross it and you are in Seminole County, where the same house costs meaningfully more. Deltona has no municipal police department and contracts with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, which is why the crime figure below is a county rate rather than a city one. The mean commute is 34.3 minutes, the longest of any city in this series, and it is the single number that explains everything else about this market.

Deltona Housing Market Snapshot (2026)

Over the last twelve months 1,210 homes sold in Deltona at a median of $303,075, down 0.6% against the twelve months before. Per square foot, which strips out any change in the size of what sold, the figure fell 2.0%. In August 2026, 105 homes closed at a median of $297,900 and the typical one went under contract in 28 days. One month is too small a sample to read a direction from, which is why the twelve-month figure leads here. There are 333 active residential listings as of October 9, 2026, with a median asking price of $329,900, or $206 per square foot.

Wondering whether it is a buyer's or seller's market around Deltona? We publish that answer for Volusia County as a whole, from current MLS data: Is Volusia County a buyer's or seller's market?

New Construction and Resale Are Not the Same Market

Every price figure quoted for Deltona mixes brand new homes with existing ones. Split apart, the last twelve months looked like this.

What soldMedian, prior 12 monthsMedian, last 12 monthsChangeSales
New construction$379,995$378,990-0.3%87
Existing homes (resale)$299,925$299,9000.0%1123
All sales combined$305,000$303,075-0.6%1210

Only one of those rows moved: new construction fell 0.3% while existing homes held level. Read the two rows separately here rather than leaning on the combined figure.

Best Neighborhoods in Deltona, FL: Communities to Know

Deltona is large and residential rather than centered on a downtown, and it is organized around its lakes and the two ways out of it.

  • The I-4 side, closest to the interstate and the shortest drive toward Orlando, which is what most buyers here are optimizing for
  • The lakes, the older established streets around Lake Monroe and the smaller lakes, larger lots and mature trees
  • The Howland and Elkcam corridors, the main residential spines, where most of the inventory sits
  • Toward Orange City, the northwest edge, closest to the shops and the shorter commute that side of town offers

Where you buy in Deltona is mostly a decision about which road you take out of it every morning, which is not true of most towns on this list.

Deltona vs. Orange City vs. Sanford: The Honest Comparison

 DeltonaOrange CitySanford
Median asking price$329,900$329,990$388,990
Median $/sq ft$206$212$221
Mean commute34.3 minutes24.8 minutes25.1 minutes
Median household income$72,967$51,077$62,877
Population95,68213,76862,292

Sanford costs about fifty nine thousand dollars more and pays back nine minutes each way, plus Seminole County schools. Orange City costs the same as Deltona and is nine minutes closer, but it is a fraction of the size with far lower household incomes and much less to choose from. Deltona is the compromise: the inventory and the price of the Volusia side, with the longest drive of the three.

Schools, Commute, and Day-to-Day Life

Volusia County Schools serves the city, and assignment varies by address rather than by city name, so confirm the zoning for the specific property before you buy on a school reputation.

Mean travel time to work is 34.3 minutes, against 24.8 from Orange City.

Is Deltona, FL Safe?

Deltona has no police department of its own; it contracts with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement, so there is no city-level crime rate to publish here. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported a violent crime rate of 612.9 per 100,000 residents against 323.5 for Florida as a whole. That rate covers everything the Sheriff's Office polices, Deltona included, so read it as context for the wider area and not as a measurement of this town.

Figures are reported offenses from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the Volusia County Sheriff's Office (ORI FL0640000), 2022, the most recent year that agency reported in a usable form. Reporting years differ between agencies, so this is compared to the Florida rate for the same year and is not comparable to another town's page.

Cost of Living in Deltona, FL

Housing is the line that moves a Central Florida budget. Deltona's median asking price is $329,900 against a median household income of $72,967, which puts a home at about 4.52 times household income here. That ratio, rather than the sticker price, is the number worth carrying between towns, and it is why a cheaper town is not automatically a more affordable one.

Florida charges no state income tax, so the property tax line matters more here than it would elsewhere, and a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence. Millage varies by taxing district, so treat any single quoted rate as an estimate until the specific parcel is checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Deltona, FL a good place to live?

Start with the numbers. Against the 60 places this site tracks across Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, the median asking price of $329,900 is lower than most and the mean commute of 34.3 minutes is longer than most. The median household income here is $72,967, which puts housing at 4.52 times income, a lighter load than in most of those places. On local incomes, that makes buying here easier than in most of the group. Who it fits, and who it does not, is laid out at the top of this page.

What is the median home price in Deltona, FL?

The median sale price was $297,900 in August 2026 across 105 closed sales. Over the last twelve months 1,210 homes sold at a median of $303,075, down 0.6% against the twelve months before. The median asking price across 333 active listings is $329,900, or $206 per square foot.

Is Deltona cheaper than Orange City?

On the asking median, about the same: $329,900 against $329,990. Measured against household income, Deltona is at 4.52 times income and Orange City at 6.46, so on that basis Deltona is the more affordable of the two. See what $300,000 buys in each town.

Is Deltona, FL safe?

Deltona has no police department of its own; it contracts with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement, so there is no city-level crime rate to publish here. The nearest measure is the rate reported by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, which covers Deltona along with the rest of its territory, so it is not specific to this town.

What is the cost of living in Deltona, FL?

Housing is the deciding line. A median asking price of $329,900 against a median household income of $72,967 puts a home at roughly 4.52 times income, and Florida charges no state income tax, which shifts weight onto the property tax line.

What school district serves Deltona, FL?

Volusia County Schools. Assignment varies by address within the city, so confirm the zoning for the specific property.

Thinking About a Move to Deltona?

I work these four counties every week and I will tell you when a town is wrong for you. If you want the numbers for your budget before you tour anything, start with what $300,000 buys across Deltona and its neighbors, or call me at 407-616-9019.

You can also browse homes for sale in Deltona, which updates with current inventory.

Sept. 6, 2026

1,345 Central Florida Homes Cut Their Price This Week, and the Cuts Got Smaller

By Brenden Rendo, Realtor · Updated September 6, 2026

There are 1,345 active listings carrying a price reduction across Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties as of September 6, 2026. That is 29 more than last week. What is more interesting is the number sitting underneath it: the average reduction narrowed to 3.07% from 3.32% seven days ago. More sellers cut their price this week, and they cut by less.

1,345
Active Price Reductions
Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties, September 6, 2026. Up 29 on the week.
3.07%
Average Cut Off List
Down from 3.32% last week. Counties run 2.85% to 3.41%.
52.64%
Past 60 Days on Market
708 of 1,345 listings. This is the tier where sellers start negotiating terms.
Volusia
Deepest Cuts This Week
3.41% average off list across 303 reduced listings.
TLDR:
  • 1,345 homes across the four counties carry an active price reduction, up 29 from 1,316 last week.
  • The average cut narrowed to 3.07% from 3.32%. A bigger pool with shallower cuts usually means new entrants, not a firming market.
  • 708 listings, 52.64% of the pool, have been sitting past 60 days. That is the tier where negotiation moves from price to terms.
  • Volusia carries the deepest cuts at 3.41%. Seminole is the only county whose pool shrank, down 25 to 171.
  • Orange holds the largest pool at 546, with Orlando alone accounting for 371 of them.

What actually changed this week

The headline count moved from 1,316 to 1,345. On its own that is a rounding error in a four-county market, and I would not write a paragraph about it. The number worth your attention is the average depth of the cut, which fell from 3.32% to 3.07% over the same seven days.

Those two facts point in different directions if you read them carelessly. A growing pool sounds like sellers capitulating. A shrinking average cut sounds like sellers holding firm. Both are happening, and the reason is that the pool is not a fixed group of houses. Listings enter it the day their seller first trims the price and leave it when they go under contract or come off the market entirely.

Three counties added listings this week. Orange gained 15, Lake gained 25, and Volusia gained 14. Seminole was the only county to shed inventory from the reduced pool, down 25 listings to 171.

County by county

County Reduced listings Change Average cut Past 60 days
Orange546up 153.07%296 (54.21%)
Lake325up 252.86%173 (53.23%)
Volusia303up 143.41%152 (50.17%)
Seminole171down 252.85%87 (50.88%)

Orange County holds the largest pool at 546 listings and the highest share of stale inventory at 54.21% past 60 days. Orlando accounts for 371 of those reductions on its own, with Winter Garden at 60 and Apopka at 46. If you are shopping the metro core, this is the county where the calendar is working hardest in your favor. See the current Orange County price-reduced listings.

Lake County added the most listings of any county, up 25 to 325, while its average cut fell hardest, from 3.67% to 2.86%. That is the clearest example this week of new entrants diluting an average. Clermont leads at 69 reductions, Leesburg at 57, Mount Dora at 28. Browse Lake County price-reduced homes.

Volusia County carries the deepest cuts at 3.41% off list, and it is the only county where the average discount is meaningfully above the four-county figure. New Smyrna Beach leads at 49, Daytona Beach at 47, DeLand at 40. The coastal submarkets are doing most of that work. See Volusia County price reductions.

Seminole County is the outlier. It is the only county whose reduced pool shrank, down 25 listings, and it runs the shallowest average cut at 2.85%. Sanford leads at 39, Altamonte Springs at 30, Oviedo at 24. Check Seminole County homes with a price reduction.

Quick Tip: A county average is a poor guide to any single house. The four counties sit 0.56 percentage points apart on average cut, and inside a county the spread between cities is wider still. Ask for the city-level pull before you anchor on a number.

Why a shallower cut is not a stronger market

When the average reduction drops while the count rises, the usual explanation is composition rather than sentiment. A listing that trims 2.00% off its price for the first time joins the pool at 2.00%. It sits alongside a house that has cut three times and is now 8.00% below where it started. Add enough first-time trimmers in a single week and the average falls, even if not one existing seller changed their mind.

Lake County shows this plainly. It added 25 listings and its average cut fell 0.81 percentage points in the same week. The homes that were already deeply discounted did not suddenly raise their prices. They were outnumbered.

The inverse trap is worth naming too. Seminole shed 25 listings from its reduced pool this week, and a falling count is ambiguous. Listings leave that pool either because they went under contract, which means discounted inventory is being absorbed, or because the seller withdrew rather than cut again, which removes supply without resolving anything. Those two mean opposite things if you are the buyer, and the answer shows up in next month's closed sales rather than in this report.

The 60-day line is where leverage lives

Of the 1,345 reduced listings, 708 have been on the market longer than 60 days. That is 52.64% of the pool, and it is the single number I watch most closely.

A price cut tells you a seller adjusted once. Time on market tells you how much conviction they have left. By day 60 a seller has watched two months of showings fail to produce an offer, has probably already taken one reduction, and is running out of appetite for another. What tends to open up at that point is not a third price drop. It is closing cost assistance, a temporary rate buydown, a repair credit, or a closing date that lets them sequence their own move without a double payment.

Those concessions rarely show up in list-price data, which is exactly why the 60-day count is more useful than the discount percentage. With Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey still the number most buyers anchor on, a seller-funded buydown on a stale listing can be worth more per month than another 2.00% off the price.

★ Pro Move: On a listing past 60 days, ask what the seller's next move is before you send a number. A seller who has already scheduled their own closing elsewhere will trade terms far more readily than one who is still deciding whether to sell at all. The listing data will not tell you which one you are dealing with. A phone call to the listing agent will.

What this means for buyers, sellers and investors

If you are buying: the wider pool is good news, and the shallower average is not bad news. You now have 1,345 sellers who have publicly signaled flexibility, 708 of whom have been waiting more than two months. Filter for time on market first and discount depth second, then negotiate terms rather than price.

If you are selling: your competition grew this week in three of four counties. The homes that sell in this market are the ones priced against what is actually moving, not against what a neighbor listed for in the spring. If your listing is approaching day 60, the conversation to have is about what you can offer a buyer beyond price. Start with a realistic read on value from the home value estimator, then let us pressure-test it against what has actually closed nearby.

If you are investing: Volusia's 3.41% average cut alongside a 50.17% stale share is the most interesting pairing in the table, because the discount is deepest where the waiting is shortest. That combination usually points to sellers pricing for a quick exit rather than sellers who have been ground down. Deals sourced there tend to need less negotiation and more speed. The National Association of Realtors research library is a useful cross-check on where national demand is trending before you commit to a submarket.

All figures in this report come from Stellar MLS data pulled September 6, 2026, covering active listings with a recorded price reduction in Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties. Osceola County is not included. For the running four-county picture, see the Central Florida housing market report.

Frequently asked questions

How many Central Florida homes have a price reduction right now?
As of September 6, 2026, 1,345 active listings across Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties carry a recorded price reduction. That is up 29 from 1,316 seven days earlier, per Stellar MLS data.

Does a smaller average price cut mean the market is strengthening?
Not by itself. The average cut narrowed to 3.07% from 3.32% while the number of reduced listings rose by 29. A shallower average alongside a larger pool usually means newer listings are entering the pool with first-time trims, which pulls the average down without telling you anything about the homes that have already been sitting.

Which Central Florida county has the deepest price cuts?
Volusia County, at an average 3.41% off list across 303 reduced listings. Seminole County runs the shallowest at 2.85% across 171 listings.

Why does days on market matter more than the size of the price cut?
A price cut tells you a seller adjusted once. Days on market tells you how long they have been waiting. Of the 1,345 reduced listings, 708, or 52.64%, have been on the market past 60 days. By that point a seller has usually run out of patience for another price drop and starts considering concessions instead, such as closing cost assistance, a rate buydown, or a repair credit.

Which counties does this report cover?
Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties. Osceola County is not included.

Want the city-level breakdown for the county you are shopping? Call or text me at 407-616-9019 and tell me which one. I will pull the current list, including how long each home has been sitting, and we can work out which sellers are actually in a position to move on terms.

Sept. 6, 2026

Living in Winter Park, FL: Who It Fits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Winter Park is one of the more expensive towns in this series and one of the few whose population has fallen, and both of those facts have the same cause. It is also two different markets wearing one name, split by zip code and county line at very different prices. And the single median quoted for it mixes existing homes with seven-figure rebuilds, so this page splits the two apart.

$530,000
Median Sale Price
August 2026, 87 closed sales
29,929
Population
U.S. Census ACS 2023, down 1.9% since 2019
343
Active Listings
Active residential listings in the city, October 9, 2026
23.8 min
Mean Commute
Against 22.2 minutes from Maitland

Who Winter Park Fits, and Who It Doesn't

Strong fit: buyers who want an established, fully built-out town with mature tree canopy and a real main street, and who are not trying to get a bargain doing it; anyone who wants to be walkable to Park Avenue, Rollins and the chain of lakes; buyers looking at the Seminole County side, where the same city name costs considerably less; people buying a lot as much as a house, because in parts of this town that is what is actually trading.

Weaker fit: buyers who want new construction at a normal price, since new here means teardown-and-replace at seven figures; anyone whose budget is set by the resale median and who has not looked at what that buys in a 1976 house; buyers who want space and a big lot per dollar, which is the opposite of what this town sells; anyone who needs the market to be growing, because this one is not adding housing.

Still deciding between towns? We pulled the closed sales around a $775,000 budget and put Winter Park side by side with its neighbors: what $775,000 actually buys in each. Square footage, bedrooms, year built, and how many came with a pool.

Winter Park sits across two counties and they price differently, so there are two of these. The Seminole County side runs closer to $450,000: what $450,000 buys on that side.

Where Is Winter Park, and What Makes It Different?

Winter Park sits immediately north of Orlando and is fully built out, with no meaningful room to add housing. That is why its population has fallen slightly while its prices have not: demand goes into price rather than into new units. Rollins College and Park Avenue give it a walkable core that almost nothing else in the metro has. The mean commute is 23.8 minutes, helped by how close it sits to downtown Orlando and the Maitland office corridor.

Winter Park Housing Market Snapshot (2026)

Over the last twelve months 990 homes sold in Winter Park at a median of $497,000, up 2.5% against the twelve months before. Per square foot, which strips out any change in the size of what sold, the figure fell 0.7%. In August 2026, 87 homes closed at a median of $530,000 and the typical one went under contract in 19 days. One month is too small a sample to read a direction from, which is why the twelve-month figure leads here. There are 343 active residential listings as of October 9, 2026, with a median asking price of $649,900, or $353 per square foot.

Is Winter Park a buyer's or seller's market right now? We answer that from current MLS data, weighing months of supply and how close sellers get to their original asking price against the four counties: Is Winter Park a buyer's or seller's market?

In Winter Park, Rebuilds and Existing Homes Are Two Markets

Every price figure quoted for Winter Park mixes brand new homes with existing ones. Split apart, the last twelve months looked like this.

What soldMedian, prior 12 monthsMedian, last 12 monthsChangeSales
New construction$1,462,500$1,812,500+23.9%40
Existing homes (resale)$472,500$477,000+0.9%950
All sales combined$485,000$497,000+2.5%990

Read the new-construction row carefully. Part of that move is a change in what was built rather than in what it costs. The median new-construction home sold in Winter Park went from 2,906 square feet to 3,289, 13.2% larger, while the price per square foot moved +16.1%. The price per square foot is the cleaner comparison, and on that measure this is a real price move rather than a trick of the mix.

Those two rows moved the same way, but they are not describing comparable homes. New construction here sells for about 3.8 times what an existing home does, so the combined figure sits in a gap between two markets and summarises neither.

Read the resale row as the market for an existing Winter Park home, whether you own one or are bidding on one. The new-construction row is a different product: an older house on a good lot is bought, taken down and rebuilt at several times the price of the house it replaced, a few dozen times a year, and the replacement is counted in the same citywide median as the houses around it. That is why the combined figure can move when neither an owner's equity nor a buyer's competition has.

Best Neighborhoods in Winter Park, FL: Communities to Know

The most useful division in Winter Park is not by neighborhood, it is by zip code and county line. Orange County holds about three quarters of the active listings and Seminole the rest, and the 32792 zip, which crosses the county line, asks far less than 32789 on both sides of it.

  • The 32789 side, Orange County, the classic Winter Park, Park Avenue, Rollins, the lakes, and where the teardown activity is concentrated
  • The 32792 side, Seminole County and part of Orange, the same city name at a materially lower price point, and where most buyers priced out of 32789 end up
  • Around the chain of lakes, the highest prices in the city, and the lots that most often trade to be rebuilt

If you are shopping Winter Park on a budget under $500,000, you are almost certainly shopping the 32792 side, and it is worth knowing that before you start.

The 15 communities in Winter Park where the most homes have sold over the last twelve months, each with its own page:

Another 233 Winter Park communities have their own page too. You can also browse every Winter Park listing in one place.

Winter Park vs. Maitland: The Honest Comparison

 Winter ParkMaitland
Median asking price$649,900$434,950
Median $/sq ft$353$259
Mean commute23.8 minutes22.2 minutes
Median household income$98,076$93,318
Population29,92919,268

Winter Park costs more per home. Maitland is the cheaper entry. Which one is right depends on what you are optimising for.

Schools, Commute, and Day-to-Day Life

Orange County Public Schools serves the city, and assignment varies by address rather than by city name, so confirm the zoning for the specific property before you buy on a school reputation.

Mean travel time to work is 23.8 minutes, against 22.2 from Maitland.

Is Winter Park, FL Safe?

Winter Park's reported violent crime rate is 222.1 per 100,000 residents against 280.8 for Florida as a whole, about 21% below the state figure. That is a real difference and it is one of the things buyers here are paying for. The same caveat applies in reverse though: rates are measured against resident population, so a town that few people commute into will tend to look better than a comparable one that they do.

Figures are reported offenses from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the Winter Park Police Department (ORI FL0480600), 2023, the most recent year that agency reported in a usable form. Reporting years differ between agencies, so this is compared to the Florida rate for the same year and is not comparable to another town's page.

Cost of Living in Winter Park, FL

Housing is the line that moves a Central Florida budget. Winter Park's median asking price is $649,900 against a median household income of $98,076, which puts a home at about 6.63 times household income here. That ratio, rather than the sticker price, is the number worth carrying between towns, and it is why a cheaper town is not automatically a more affordable one.

Florida charges no state income tax, so the property tax line matters more here than it would elsewhere, and a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence. Millage varies by taxing district, so treat any single quoted rate as an estimate until the specific parcel is checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winter Park, FL a good place to live?

It depends on whether your income comes with you. Against the 60 places this site tracks across Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, the median asking price of $649,900 is higher than most and the mean commute of 23.8 minutes is shorter than most. The median household income here is $98,076, which puts housing at 6.63 times income, a heavier load than in most of those places. For remote workers and retirees who bring their income with them, that matters less. For someone earning a local wage, it is one of the harder places in the group to buy. Who it fits, and who it does not, is laid out at the top of this page.

What is the median home price in Winter Park, FL?

The median sale price was $530,000 in August 2026 across 87 closed sales. Over the last twelve months 990 homes sold at a median of $497,000, up 2.5% against the twelve months before. The median asking price across 343 active listings is $649,900, or $353 per square foot.

Is Winter Park cheaper than Maitland?

On the asking median, no: $649,900 against $434,950. Measured against household income, Winter Park is at 6.63 times income and Maitland at 4.66, so on that basis Maitland is the more affordable of the two. See what $775,000 buys in each town.

Is Winter Park, FL safe?

The reported violent crime rate runs about 21% below the Florida average, though city rates are measured against resident population while the offense count includes everyone passing through.

What is the cost of living in Winter Park, FL?

Housing is the deciding line. A median asking price of $649,900 against a median household income of $98,076 puts a home at roughly 6.63 times income, and Florida charges no state income tax, which shifts weight onto the property tax line.

What school district serves Winter Park, FL?

Orange County Public Schools. Assignment varies by address within the city, so confirm the zoning for the specific property.

Thinking About a Move to Winter Park?

I work these four counties every week and I will tell you when a town is wrong for you. If you want the numbers for your budget before you tour anything, start with what $775,000 buys across Winter Park and its neighbors, or call me at 407-616-9019.

You can also browse homes for sale in Winter Park, which updates with current inventory.

Sept. 5, 2026

Living in Sanford, FL: Who It Fits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Sanford is the town in Seminole County where the market moved before the reputation did. More than 1,100 homes sold here in the last twelve months, while the search results for the town are still dominated by people asking whether it is any good. Both of those things are true at once, and this page is about the gap between them.

$385,000
Median Sale Price
August 2026, 103 closed sales
62,292
Population
U.S. Census ACS 2023, up 4.3% since 2019
403
Active Listings
Active residential listings in the city, October 9, 2026
25.1 min
Mean Commute
Against 24.6 minutes from Lake Mary

Who Sanford Fits, and Who It Doesn't

Strong fit: buyers who want a real historic downtown and a waterfront, which Sanford has and most of Seminole County does not; anyone priced out of Lake Mary or Winter Springs who still wants Seminole County schools and access; buyers who are comfortable forming their own view of a place rather than inheriting one; people who want to be near the SunRail station and the marina rather than in a subdivision.

Weaker fit: buyers who want a uniformly new, uniformly finished neighborhood, because Sanford is genuinely uneven block to block and that is the whole trade; anyone who wants the reassurance of a settled reputation rather than a town mid-change; buyers who will not walk a street at different times of day before making an offer, which is advice for anywhere but matters more here.

Still deciding between towns? We pulled the closed sales around a $400,000 budget and put Sanford side by side with its neighbors: what $400,000 actually buys in each. Square footage, bedrooms, year built, and how many came with a pool.

Where Is Sanford, and What Makes It Different?

Sanford sits on the south shore of Lake Monroe at the top of Seminole County, with SunRail running south from it and the Orlando Sanford International Airport on its east side. The historic downtown was restored rather than replaced, which is why it looks different from the newer parts of the county. The mean commute is 25.1 minutes, and the SunRail station is the reason that number is lower than the drive alone would suggest.

Sanford Housing Market Snapshot (2026)

Over the last twelve months 1,165 homes sold in Sanford at a median of $376,000, down 1.0% against the twelve months before. Per square foot, which strips out any change in the size of what sold, the figure fell 3.6%. In August 2026, 103 homes closed at a median of $385,000 and the typical one went under contract in 39 days. One month is too small a sample to read a direction from, which is why the twelve-month figure leads here. There are 403 active residential listings as of October 9, 2026, with a median asking price of $388,990, or $221 per square foot.

Is Sanford a buyer's or seller's market right now? We answer that from current MLS data, weighing months of supply and how close sellers get to their original asking price against the four counties: Is Sanford a buyer's or seller's market?

New Construction and Resale Are Not the Same Market

Every price figure quoted for Sanford mixes brand new homes with existing ones. Split apart, the last twelve months looked like this.

What soldMedian, prior 12 monthsMedian, last 12 monthsChangeSales
New construction$419,490$432,990+3.2%245
Existing homes (resale)$345,000$357,000+3.5%920
All sales combined$379,900$376,000-1.0%1165

Neither row fell, yet the combined figure fell 1.0%. A combined median can do that when the mix of what sold changes: new construction was 21% of sales against 23% the year before. Read the two rows separately here; the combined figure is describing which homes sold, not what they cost.

Best Neighborhoods in Sanford, FL: Communities to Know

Sanford varies more block to block than anywhere else in Seminole County, and the differences are real rather than cosmetic.

  • Historic downtown and the Sanford Riverwalk, the restored core, brick streets, walkable to First Street and the Lake Monroe waterfront
  • The Lake Mary Boulevard corridor, newer subdivisions on the south side, closest to the Lake Mary line and priced accordingly
  • Midway and the east side, older housing stock, the most variation in condition and price
  • The airport and 46 corridor, newer construction to the northeast, closest to the Orlando Sanford International Airport

This is a town where the specific street matters more than the town name, which is exactly why a buyer should walk it before deciding.

The 15 communities in Sanford where the most homes have sold over the last twelve months, each with its own page:

Another 197 Sanford communities have their own page too. You can also browse every Sanford listing in one place.

Sanford vs. Lake Mary: The Honest Comparison

 SanfordLake Mary
Median asking price$388,990$482,499
Median $/sq ft$221$242
Mean commute25.1 minutes24.6 minutes
Median household income$62,877$116,944
Population62,29216,724

Lake Mary costs more per home. Sanford is the cheaper entry. Which one is right depends on what you are optimising for.

Schools, Commute, and Day-to-Day Life

Seminole County Public Schools serves the city, and assignment varies by address rather than by city name, so confirm the zoning for the specific property before you buy on a school reputation.

Mean travel time to work is 25.1 minutes, against 24.6 from Lake Mary.

Is Sanford, FL Safe?

Sanford's reported violent crime rate is 621.3 per 100,000 residents against 280.8 for Florida as a whole, so it runs above the state figure, and the context matters more than the number. Rates are calculated against resident population while the offense count includes everyone passing through, so a town that draws more workers, shoppers or visitors each day than it has residents will read higher than its residents' own risk.

Figures are reported offenses from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the Sanford Police Department (ORI FL0590500), 2023, the most recent year that agency reported in a usable form. Reporting years differ between agencies, so this is compared to the Florida rate for the same year and is not comparable to another town's page.

Cost of Living in Sanford, FL

Housing is the line that moves a Central Florida budget. Sanford's median asking price is $388,990 against a median household income of $62,877, which puts a home at about 6.19 times household income here. That ratio, rather than the sticker price, is the number worth carrying between towns, and it is why a cheaper town is not automatically a more affordable one.

Florida charges no state income tax, so the property tax line matters more here than it would elsewhere, and a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence. Millage varies by taxing district, so treat any single quoted rate as an estimate until the specific parcel is checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sanford, FL a good place to live?

It depends on whether your income comes with you. Against the 60 places this site tracks across Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, the median asking price of $388,990 is near the middle and the mean commute of 25.1 minutes is shorter than most. The median household income here is $62,877, which puts housing at 6.19 times income, a heavier load than in most of those places. For remote workers and retirees who bring their income with them, that matters less. For someone earning a local wage, it is tighter than the sticker price suggests. Who it fits, and who it does not, is laid out at the top of this page.

What is the median home price in Sanford, FL?

The median sale price was $385,000 in August 2026 across 103 closed sales. Over the last twelve months 1,165 homes sold at a median of $376,000, down 1.0% against the twelve months before. The median asking price across 403 active listings is $388,990, or $221 per square foot.

Is Sanford cheaper than Lake Mary?

On the asking median, yes: $388,990 against $482,499. Measured against household income, Sanford is at 6.19 times income and Lake Mary at 4.13, so on that basis Lake Mary is the more affordable of the two. See what $400,000 buys in each town.

Is Sanford, FL safe?

The reported violent crime rate runs above the Florida average, though city rates are measured against resident population while the offense count includes everyone passing through.

What is the cost of living in Sanford, FL?

Housing is the deciding line. A median asking price of $388,990 against a median household income of $62,877 puts a home at roughly 6.19 times income, and Florida charges no state income tax, which shifts weight onto the property tax line.

What school district serves Sanford, FL?

Seminole County Public Schools. Assignment varies by address within the city, so confirm the zoning for the specific property.

Thinking About a Move to Sanford?

I work these four counties every week and I will tell you when a town is wrong for you. If you want the numbers for your budget before you tour anything, start with what $400,000 buys across Sanford and its neighbors, or call me at 407-616-9019.

You can also browse homes for sale in Sanford, which updates with current inventory.

Sept. 4, 2026

Capital Gains When You Sell a Florida Home, Explained Plainly

By Brenden Rendo, Realtor · Updated September 4, 2026

This is the question I get asked more than any other, and it is the one where I am least qualified to give you a final answer. I am a Realtor, not a CPA. What I can do is lay out the rules in plain language so you know what to ask your accountant, and so you stop losing sleep over a tax bill that, for most Central Florida sellers, never arrives.

Read this first: Everything below is general information drawn from IRS publications, not tax advice, and your situation may turn on a detail not covered here. Confirm the specifics with your CPA before you rely on any of it.
$0
Florida state income tax on the gain
$250K
federal exclusion filing single, on gain not price
$500K
federal exclusion filing jointly, when the tests are met
24 mo
ownership and use, within the five years before the sale

Federal figures from IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home and IRS Topic No. 701.

TLDR:
  • Florida has no state individual income tax, so the state does not tax your sale gain. Federal rules still apply.
  • The federal exclusion covers up to 250,000 dollars of gain single, 500,000 joint, when the tests are met.
  • It applies to gain, not to your sale price. Most Central Florida sellers owe nothing federally as a result.
  • You generally need 24 months of ownership and 24 months of use as your main home within the five years before the sale.
  • The trap is a rental period. Depreciation allowed or allowable after May 6, 1997 generally cannot be excluded.

Gain is not your sale price

Almost every panicked tax question I hear starts from the wrong number. A seller who bought at 240,000 dollars and is selling at 520,000 dollars thinks the taxable figure is 520,000, or sometimes the 280,000 difference. Neither is right.

Gain is the amount realized minus your adjusted basis. Amount realized is the sale price reduced by selling expenses. Adjusted basis starts at what you paid, then goes up for qualifying capital improvements and down for things like depreciation. So the roof you replaced, the addition you built and the kitchen you gutted all reduce the gain, provided you can evidence them.

Then the exclusion applies to whatever gain is left. Which is why most sellers in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, even ones who have watched their value climb for a decade, end up owing nothing federally on the sale.

The exclusion, and the two tests

Under the federal home sale exclusion you can generally exclude up to 250,000 dollars of gain if you file single, and up to 500,000 dollars if you file a joint return and meet the joint requirements.

To qualify, during the five year period ending on the date of sale, you generally need to satisfy two tests:

  • Ownership. You owned the home for at least 24 months.
  • Use. You used it as your main home for at least 24 months.

The months do not have to be continuous, and the ownership months and use months do not have to be the same 24 months. For the 500,000 joint exclusion, generally at least one spouse must meet the ownership test, both must meet the use test, and neither may have claimed the exclusion on another home sale in the two years ending on the sale date.

That last clause is the practical limit on frequency. In general the exclusion is available once every two years.

When you do not meet the two years

Life does not always wait 24 months. The rules allow a reduced, prorated exclusion when the primary reason for the sale is one of a defined set of circumstances, including a change in place of employment, health reasons, or certain unforeseen circumstances described in Publication 523.

The reduced amount is generally worked out by multiplying the full exclusion by the shortest qualifying period divided by 24 months. Twelve qualifying months, for instance, could produce a partial exclusion of up to 125,000 dollars for a single filer.

If you are selling early because of a job move or a health situation, say so to your CPA explicitly. The reason for the sale is part of the test, and it is the kind of detail that never comes up unless someone asks.

The rental trap

This is the part that catches Central Florida sellers, because so many houses here have spent a season as a rental.

Gain attributable to depreciation allowed or allowable after May 6, 1997 generally cannot be excluded, even when your total gain is comfortably under the limit. That portion is treated as unrecaptured Section 1250 gain and can be taxed federally at a rate of up to 25 percent.

Read "allowed or allowable" carefully. It can apply even if you never actually claimed the depreciation you were entitled to. Periods of nonqualified use, where the home was not your main residence, can also limit the exclusion under separate allocation rules.

Quick Tip: If the house was ever a rental, even briefly, tell your CPA before you accept an offer rather than after. The tax consequence can change how you want to structure or time the sale, and by closing it is fixed.

Why receipts matter more than you think

Adjusted basis is the only lever most sellers still control at the point of sale, and it is built entirely from documentation.

Qualifying capital improvements increase basis: additions, renovations, a new roof, a new system, work that adds value, prolongs useful life or adapts the property to a new use. Ordinary repairs and maintenance generally do not. Selling expenses reduce the amount realized rather than adding to basis, which gets to the same place by a different route.

So keep the invoices, the permits, and the settlement statement from when you bought. A seller who can evidence 80,000 dollars of improvements over fifteen years has 80,000 dollars less gain to account for than one who did the same work and kept nothing.

This is also the quiet argument for doing pre-listing work properly and keeping the paperwork, rather than paying cash to somebody's cousin and never seeing an invoice.

Questions sellers ask about taxes

Does Florida tax the profit when I sell my house?
Florida does not impose a state individual income tax, so there is generally no Florida state income tax on a home sale gain. Federal rules still apply, and that is where the exclusion and any taxable portion are decided. Confirm your situation with your CPA.

How much gain can I exclude when I sell my main home?
Generally up to 250,000 dollars of gain if you file single and up to 500,000 dollars if you file a joint return and meet the joint requirements. The exclusion applies to gain, not to the sale price.

What is the two out of five year rule?
During the five year period ending on the date of sale you generally must have owned the home for at least 24 months and used it as your main home for at least 24 months. The periods do not have to be continuous and do not have to be the same 24 months.

I rented the house out for a few years. Does that change anything?
Yes, and this is the part sellers most often miss. Gain attributable to depreciation allowed or allowable after May 6, 1997 generally cannot be excluded, even if your total gain is under the limit. It is treated as unrecaptured Section 1250 gain, taxed federally at a rate of up to 25 percent. Periods of nonqualified use can also limit the exclusion. This is CPA territory.

Do improvements reduce my taxable gain?
Qualifying capital improvements increase your adjusted basis, which reduces gain. Additions, renovations and installations that add value, prolong useful life or adapt the property to a new use generally count. Ordinary repairs and maintenance generally do not. Keep the invoices, permits and settlement statements.

What to do with this

Take this article to your CPA rather than treating it as an answer. The questions worth asking are: does my gain fall under the exclusion after basis, do I meet both tests, was there ever a rental period, and is there anything about my timing worth changing.

On my side, what I can tell you precisely is the sale price you are likely to achieve and what you net at closing before tax. You can see how I get there on my selling page.

Call or text me at 407-616-9019 and I will get you the sale side of the picture while your CPA handles the tax side.

Posted in Selling Your Home
Sept. 4, 2026

Living in DeLand, FL: Who It Fits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere

DeLand is the rare Central Florida town with a genuine walkable downtown and a university in the middle of it, and it has grown 22.9 percent since 2019 without losing that. It is also a market where the asking price and the selling price are two different numbers, which is where this page starts.

$358,000
Median Sale Price
August 2026, 107 closed sales
39,832
Population
U.S. Census ACS 2023, up 22.9% since 2019
431
Active Listings
Active residential listings in the city, October 9, 2026
25.6 min
Mean Commute
Against 26.4 minutes from DeBary

In DeLand, the Asking Price Is Not the Price

DeLand's asking prices and its selling prices are two different numbers, and the distance between them is the most useful thing on this page.

MeasureDeLand
Active listings that have already cut their price253 of 431, 58.7%
August sales that closed only after a cut44 of 107, 41.1%
Median sale against the ORIGINAL asking price96.8%
Median sale against the FINAL asking price98.7%

More than half of what is on the market in DeLand has already been reduced, and four in ten of the homes that sold in August only sold after a cut. Sellers here list high and come down, which is why the asking median and the selling median are so far apart. For a buyer that means the sticker is a starting point and there is usually room, particularly on anything that has been sitting. For a seller it means the opposite: pricing above the market does not get you more, it costs you about three percent against your original number plus the weeks it takes to get there.

Who DeLand Fits, and Who It Doesn't

Strong fit: buyers who want a real downtown they can walk to, which is uncommon in this part of Florida; anyone who wants Volusia pricing with more character than the newer subdivisions south of it offer; buyers who value being near Stetson, the events and the restaurants that come with a university town; buyers willing to negotiate, because this market has room in it right now.

Weaker fit: anyone commuting into Orlando daily, since that is a long drive and DeLand is at the northern end of the county; buyers who want new construction on a large lot, which is not what the older core is; anyone who needs beach access in under half an hour, because the coast is a real drive from here; sellers who expect to name a price and get it.

Still deciding between towns? We pulled the closed sales around a $350,000 budget and put DeLand side by side with its neighbors: what $350,000 actually buys in each. Square footage, bedrooms, year built, and how many came with a pool.

Where Is DeLand, and What Makes It Different?

DeLand sits at the north end of Volusia County with I-4 running past its southern edge, and Stetson University sits in the middle of the historic downtown rather than on a campus outside town. That is why the downtown works: it has a permanent population of students and staff walking to it every day. The mean commute is 25.6 minutes, which reflects how many people here work locally rather than driving to Orlando.

DeLand Housing Market Snapshot (2026)

Over the last twelve months 1,364 homes sold in DeLand at a median of $350,000, down 0.2% against the twelve months before. Per square foot, which strips out any change in the size of what sold, the figure fell 3.0%. In August 2026, 107 homes closed at a median of $358,000 and the typical one went under contract in 38 days. One month is too small a sample to read a direction from, which is why the twelve-month figure leads here. There are 431 active residential listings as of October 9, 2026, with a median asking price of $380,000, or $206 per square foot.

Is DeLand a buyer's or seller's market right now? We answer that from current MLS data, weighing months of supply and how close sellers get to their original asking price against the four counties: Is DeLand a buyer's or seller's market?

New Construction and Resale Are Not the Same Market

Every price figure quoted for DeLand mixes brand new homes with existing ones. Split apart, the last twelve months looked like this.

What soldMedian, prior 12 monthsMedian, last 12 monthsChangeSales
New construction$374,990$379,999+1.3%243
Existing homes (resale)$335,000$338,000+0.9%1121
All sales combined$350,617$350,000-0.2%1364

Neither row fell, yet the combined figure fell 0.2%. A combined median can do that when the mix of what sold changes: new construction was 18% of sales against 28% the year before. Read the two rows separately here; the combined figure is describing which homes sold, not what they cost.

Best Neighborhoods in DeLand, FL: Communities to Know

DeLand splits between the historic grid around downtown and Stetson, and the newer subdivisions spreading south and west toward the interstate. The two price and behave differently.

  • Downtown and the Stetson blocks, the historic grid, older homes on smaller lots, walkable to Woodland Boulevard
  • The south and west subdivisions, newer construction toward I-4, larger lots, car-dependent
  • Victoria Park, the large master-planned community on the south side

Which side you buy on decides whether you can walk to dinner or whether you drive to everything, and that is the actual decision in DeLand.

The 15 communities in DeLand where the most homes have sold over the last twelve months, each with its own page:

Another 172 DeLand communities have their own page too. You can also browse every DeLand listing in one place.

DeLand vs. DeBary: The Honest Comparison

 DeLandDeBary
Median asking price$380,000$381,000
Median $/sq ft$206$203
Mean commute25.6 minutes26.4 minutes
Median household income$73,352$87,391
Population39,83222,602

DeLand and DeBary ask about the same per home. Which one is right depends on what you are optimising for.

Schools, Commute, and Day-to-Day Life

Volusia County Schools serves the city, and assignment varies by address rather than by city name, so confirm the zoning for the specific property before you buy on a school reputation.

Mean travel time to work is 25.6 minutes, against 26.4 from DeBary.

Is DeLand, FL Safe?

DeLand's reported violent crime rate is 383.2 per 100,000 residents against 323.5 for Florida as a whole, so it runs above the state figure, and the context matters more than the number. Rates are calculated against resident population while the offense count includes everyone passing through, so a town that draws more workers, shoppers or visitors each day than it has residents will read higher than its residents' own risk.

Figures are reported offenses from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the DeLand Police Department (ORI FL0640200), 2022, the most recent year that agency reported in a usable form. Reporting years differ between agencies, so this is compared to the Florida rate for the same year and is not comparable to another town's page.

Cost of Living in DeLand, FL

Housing is the line that moves a Central Florida budget. DeLand's median asking price is $380,000 against a median household income of $73,352, which puts a home at about 5.18 times household income here. That ratio, rather than the sticker price, is the number worth carrying between towns, and it is why a cheaper town is not automatically a more affordable one.

Florida charges no state income tax, so the property tax line matters more here than it would elsewhere, and a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence. Millage varies by taxing district, so treat any single quoted rate as an estimate until the specific parcel is checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DeLand, FL a good place to live?

Start with the numbers. Against the 60 places this site tracks across Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, the median asking price of $380,000 is near the middle and the mean commute of 25.6 minutes is shorter than most. The median household income here is $73,352, which puts housing at 5.18 times income, close to the middle of those places. On local incomes, buying here is about as hard as it is across the group. Who it fits, and who it does not, is laid out at the top of this page.

What is the median home price in DeLand, FL?

The median sale price was $358,000 in August 2026 across 107 closed sales. Over the last twelve months 1,364 homes sold at a median of $350,000, down 0.2% against the twelve months before. The median asking price across 431 active listings is $380,000, or $206 per square foot.

Is DeLand cheaper than DeBary?

On the asking median, about the same: $380,000 against $381,000. Measured against household income, DeLand is at 5.18 times income and DeBary at 4.36, so on that basis DeBary is the more affordable of the two. See what $350,000 buys in each town.

Is DeLand, FL safe?

The reported violent crime rate runs above the Florida average, though city rates are measured against resident population while the offense count includes everyone passing through.

What is the cost of living in DeLand, FL?

Housing is the deciding line. A median asking price of $380,000 against a median household income of $73,352 puts a home at roughly 5.18 times income, and Florida charges no state income tax, which shifts weight onto the property tax line.

What school district serves DeLand, FL?

Volusia County Schools. Assignment varies by address within the city, so confirm the zoning for the specific property.

Thinking About a Move to DeLand?

I work these four counties every week and I will tell you when a town is wrong for you. If you want the numbers for your budget before you tour anything, start with what $350,000 buys across DeLand and its neighbors, or call me at 407-616-9019.

You can also browse homes for sale in DeLand, which updates with current inventory.

Sept. 3, 2026

Florida Seller Net Sheet: What You Actually Keep When You Sell

By Brenden Rendo, Realtor · Updated October 2, 2026

A seller net sheet is a line by line estimate of the cash you walk away with when you sell: the sale price, minus commission, Florida documentary stamp tax, the owner's title policy, prorated property taxes, closing fees and your mortgage payoff. The calculator below builds one for your house.

Every seller asks the same question eventually, and most ask it far too late: what do I actually walk away with? Not the sale price, not the equity number on a portal, the figure that lands in your account. Here is every line that stands between those two numbers in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, with the real Florida rates, a calculator you can run on your own numbers, and a worked example.

Florida Seller Net Sheet Calculator

Put in your numbers and see what you walk away with in Orange, Seminole, Lake or Volusia. Every field is editable, and the math updates as you type.

Your sale
Commission
Taxes and title
Closing fees and credits
Estimated net to you
$0
LineAmount

This is an estimate, not a quote or a closing statement. Your title company or closing attorney prepares the binding numbers. Doc stamps are 70 cents per $100 of the price or portion thereof (F.S. 201.02). The owner's title policy uses Florida's promulgated rate (Fla. Admin. Code 69O-186.003), before any reissue credit. Taxes are prorated through the day before closing, as in the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contract, using the tax bill you enter. Fee defaults are typical Central Florida title company charges; yours will differ.

0.70%
documentary stamp tax on the deed, 70 cents per $100
$5.75
per $1,000 of title coverage on the first $100,000, then $5.00
2%
my listing fee, with buyer agent compensation a separate choice
$0
Florida state income tax on the sale itself
TLDR:
  • Your net is the sale price minus payoff, commission, doc stamps, title, prorated taxes and any concessions.
  • Florida doc stamps on the deed run 70 cents per 100 dollars, about 0.7 percent of the price.
  • Title insurance is rate-regulated in Florida, so the premium is not something you shop for. In Central Florida the seller customarily pays it.
  • Buyer agent compensation is a separate decision that is entirely yours, negotiable, and not set by any association.
  • Concessions are the line most sellers forget, and they come off your net exactly like a price reduction does.

What closing costs do Florida sellers pay?

In Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia, a seller usually pays the real estate commission, the documentary stamp tax on the deed, the owner's title insurance policy and title search, the municipal lien search, their share of the closing fee, any HOA or condo estoppel fee, and prorated property taxes. Before commission and the tax proration, the rest comes to about 1.5 to 1.7 percent of a median-priced sale in our four counties.

Seller cost How it is figured Who pays
Real estate commission A negotiable percent of the price; buyer agent compensation only if you offer it Seller, under the listing agreement
Documentary stamp tax on the deed 70 cents per $100 of the price Seller
Owner's title policy and title search Florida's promulgated rate, plus a search fee Seller, the custom in our four counties
Municipal lien search A flat fee from the title company Seller
Closing fee Set by the title company Each side pays its own share
HOA or condo estoppel fee Set by the association Seller
Prorated property taxes Your share of the year, through the day before closing Seller credits the buyer
Concessions and repair credits Whatever you agree to Seller, only if negotiated

Paragraph 9 of the standard Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contract sets those defaults, and any of them can be negotiated. Under the same paragraph the buyer pays the recording fee for the deed, the taxes and recording fees on their own mortgage, the lender's title policy, the appraisal, inspections, the survey and any HOA application or transfer fees. Your mortgage payoff is not a closing cost, but it comes out of the same check.

The seven lines between price and net

1. Mortgage payoff. Not your balance from last statement. The payoff figure includes interest to the closing date and any prepayment items, so ask your lender for a written payoff good through your expected closing.

2. Commission. My listing fee is 2 percent. Compensation to an agent representing the buyer is a separate decision and it is yours to make. It is negotiable, it is not set by law or by any association, and you may choose to offer nothing at all. We talk through what that choice does to your buyer pool before you decide.

3. Documentary stamp tax on the deed. Florida charges 70 cents per 100 dollars of consideration, or fraction thereof, everywhere except Miami-Dade (section 201.02, Florida Statutes). The Florida Department of Revenue publishes the rate. Customarily the seller pays it here.

4. Owner's title insurance policy. Florida promulgates title rates, which means the premium is set by regulation rather than by shopping. It runs 5.75 dollars per thousand on the first 100,000 dollars of coverage, then 5.00 dollars per thousand up to 1 million, then 2.50 dollars per thousand up to 5 million (Florida Administrative Code rule 69O-186.003). In Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia the seller customarily pays this and selects the title company.

5. Prorated property taxes. Florida property taxes are paid in arrears, so at closing you credit the buyer for the portion of the year you owned the house. The standard Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contract prorates them through the day before closing, and that includes any CDD or other special district assessments on the bill. On a mid-year closing that is roughly half your annual bill. Close in November or December after you have paid the bill, and the buyer credits you instead.

6. Settlement and search fees. Closing fee, municipal lien search, recording, wire fees, and an HOA or condominium estoppel fee if your property has an association. Individually small, collectively real. A recent title company quote in Seminole County put the seller's side at 375 dollars for its share of the closing fee, 200 for the title search, 125 for the municipal lien search and 765.50 in settlement and admin fees, 1,465.50 in all before any estoppel.

7. Concessions. Whatever you agree to contribute to the buyer's costs, or credit for repairs after their inspection. This is the line that moves most between the day you list and the day you close.

A worked example on a $450,000 sale

Assume a 450,000 dollar sale price, a 210,000 dollar mortgage payoff, a 4,800 dollar annual tax bill with a June closing, no association, and a seller who chooses to offer 2.5 percent to the buyer's agent. This example uses my 2 percent listing fee; the calculator above opens at 2.5 percent on each side, a common split, so set it to your own numbers. Your numbers will differ, and that is the point of building your own.

Line Amount How it is figured
Sale price $450,000 contract price
Listing fee, 2 percent -$9,000 450,000 x 0.02
Buyer agent compensation, if offered -$11,250 450,000 x 0.025, your choice entirely
Documentary stamp tax -$3,150 450,000 / 100 x 0.70
Owner's title policy -$2,325 100 x 5.75 plus 350 x 5.00
Prorated property taxes -$2,000 roughly five months of a 4,800 bill
Closing fee share, title search, lien search, settlement and admin -$1,465.50 recent title company quote; an association adds estoppel
Mortgage payoff -$210,000 lender payoff good through closing
Estimated net proceeds $210,809.50 before any concessions

Two things jump out of that table. Commission is the largest controllable line, and buyer agent compensation is roughly half of it and entirely optional. And the taxes, title and fees together come to 6,940.50 dollars, about 1.5 percent of the price, which is the number most sellers have no idea about until closing week.

The same math at each county's typical price

Here is that math at the median sale price in each of our four counties for September 2026, from our own pull of Stellar MLS closed residential sales. It uses 2.5 percent to each side, Florida doc stamps, the promulgated owner's policy and 1,465.50 dollars in title company fees. Your mortgage payoff and the tax proration are left out, because those are yours alone.

County Median sale price Commission, 5 percent Doc stamps, title and fees Left before payoff and proration
Orange $444,995 -$22,249.76 -$6,880.50 $415,864.74
Seminole $393,500 -$19,675 -$6,262.50 $367,562.50
Lake $370,000 -$18,500 -$5,980.50 $345,519.50
Volusia $340,000 -$17,000 -$5,620.50 $317,379.50

Selling costs land between 6.5 and 6.7 percent of the price in every county. Median prices come from 3,034 closed sales; your own price is the number that matters, so run it in the calculator above.

Quick Tip: Ask for a net sheet before you sign a listing agreement, not after you have an offer. The decisions that move your net most, price and what you offer a buyer's agent, are both made before the house ever goes live.

The lines sellers forget

Concessions. A 7,000 dollar credit toward the buyer's closing costs reduces your net by exactly as much as a 7,000 dollar price cut. Sellers treat these as smaller because they arrive late and feel like a rounding item in a negotiation. They are not.

Repair credits after inspection. The other renegotiation. This is the one a covered pre-listing inspection is designed to prevent, because it moves the discovery to a point where you still have leverage.

The second mortgage or HELOC. If there is a line of credit against the house, it pays off at closing too, and people routinely leave it out of their mental arithmetic.

Pre-listing work you funded. If you used a pay-at-closing product to get the house market ready, the balance comes out here. That is by design, and it belongs on the sheet so the picture is honest.

What is not on the sheet

A net sheet is not a tax document. Your proceeds and your taxable gain are different numbers, and gain is measured against your adjusted basis rather than your purchase price. Florida has no state income tax on the sale, and there is a federal exclusion for a main home that many sellers qualify for, but the specifics belong with your CPA rather than with me.

It is also not a closing statement. The title company produces the binding figures. A net sheet is the estimate you make decisions with, which is why it matters that it is built before the decisions, not after.

Seller net sheet Closing statement
Who prepares it Your agent or title company The title company or closing attorney
When Before you list, and again with each offer In the days before closing
Binding No, it is an estimate Yes, these are the final figures
What you use it for Pricing, choosing an offer, planning your next move Signing and funding the sale

Questions sellers ask about net proceeds

What closing costs do Florida sellers pay?
In Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia, a seller usually pays the real estate commission, the documentary stamp tax on the deed, the owner's title insurance policy and title search, the municipal lien search, their share of the closing fee, any HOA or condo estoppel fee, and prorated property taxes. Before commission and the tax proration, the rest comes to about 1.5 to 1.7 percent of a median-priced sale in our four counties.

Who pays closing costs when selling a house in Florida?
In Central Florida the seller customarily pays the documentary stamp tax on the deed and the owner's title insurance policy, and typically selects the title company. The buyer customarily pays their own loan costs, the lender's title policy, the survey and inspections. The contract controls and every line of it is negotiable.

What is the documentary stamp tax on a Florida deed?
Outside Miami-Dade County the rate is 70 cents per 100 dollars of consideration, or a fraction of 100 dollars, which works out to about 0.7 percent of the sale price. On a 450,000 dollar sale that is 3,150 dollars.

How much is title insurance in Florida?
Florida promulgates the rate. The owner's policy runs 5.75 dollars per thousand on the first 100,000 dollars of coverage and 5.00 dollars per thousand from 100,000 up to 1 million. On a 450,000 dollar sale that is 2,325 dollars before any reissue credit.

How are property taxes prorated when you sell a house in Florida?
The standard Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contract prorates real estate taxes, including CDD assessments, through the day before closing, based on the current year's tax, or the prior year's tax if the current assessment is not out yet. Because Florida taxes are paid in arrears, the seller usually credits the buyer; after the November bill is paid, the buyer credits the seller instead.

What is a seller net sheet?
A seller net sheet is a line by line estimate of what you walk away with. It starts at the sale price, subtracts your mortgage payoff, commission, taxes, title, prorations and any concessions, and ends at your estimated net proceeds. It is an estimate, not a closing statement, and the title company produces the binding numbers.

Get the real number for your house

The calculator gets you close, and the table is a worked example, but neither one is your house. Your exact payoff, your tax bill, your association and your price all move the answer.

I will build you an exact net sheet for your address before you sign anything, and you can see the rest of how I run a listing on my selling page.

Call or text me at 407-616-9019 and I will run your numbers before you list.

Posted in Selling Your Home
Sept. 3, 2026

The Telegraph Says Florida Housing Is in Meltdown. Its Own Charts Say Otherwise.

By Brenden Rendo, Realtor · Updated September 4, 2026

On September 2, The Telegraph in London published a feature headlined “Florida’s housing market goes into meltdown.” It was picked up by Yahoo Finance and MSN the same day. The reporter had contacted me the week before, I sent her a full first-party data brief from the Stellar MLS feed on August 28, and she wrote back to say she was grateful for it. None of it appears in the article. What does appear is a headline that the article’s own charts do not support, and an opening anecdote from a resort community that I cannot find in any public record. So here is the brief she did not use, plus what I found when I pulled every sale in that resort.

56%
Sold With No Price Cut At All
6,043 of 10,795 closings, May 1 to July 31, 2026, Orange, Seminole, Lake, Volusia. Median 49 days, 99.2% of original ask. Stellar MLS.
+7.7%
Florida July Home Sales, Year Over Year
29,873 in July 2025 to 32,181 in July 2026. This is the Redfin data behind The Telegraph’s own “market is struggling” chart.
-14%
Florida Active Listings, Year Over Year
174,584 in July 2025 to 150,062 in July 2026. Realtor.com data, published under the caption “Florida homeowners race to sell.”
-42%
Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Median Sale Price
$675,000 in 2022 to $393,000 in 2026 YTD. 469 closed sales. A real drop, in a short-term-rental resort in Osceola County that is nothing like the mainstream market.
TLDR:
  • Three of the five charts in The Telegraph’s article contradict its headline. Sales are up 7.7% year over year, active listings are down 14%, and the Zillow home value index is down 2.1%.
  • In Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, 56% of homes that closed this summer sold without a single price reduction, at 99.2% of the original ask. Closed sales in July were up 6.1% on last year. New listings were flat.
  • Margaritaville Resort Orlando, the article’s opening example, really did fall about 42% at the median. It is a short-term-rental investor resort in Osceola County, built 2018 to 2023, where buyers paid $424 per square foot at the peak. It is not the mainstream market.
  • The specific example in the article, a townhouse bought for $710,000 and sold for $340,000, is not in the MLS or in Osceola County deed records. No townhouse there ever sold above $637,000 and no resale lost more than 38%.
  • Who is underwater in that resort is a question of purchase year. Every owner who bought before 2021 is still asking a profit. The 2023 buyers who bought direct from the builder are asking a median 23.5% below what they paid.

Three charts that contradict the headline

The article carries five interactive charts. I pulled the underlying datasets behind each one. Three of them tell a different story from the caption sitting on top of them.

Chart 1. Captioned “Florida’s housing market is struggling”

  • Source: Redfin, Florida home sales in July
  • July 2025: 29,873 sales
  • July 2026: 32,181 sales
  • What it shows: Sales up 7.7% year over year. The article reports only that sales are down 20% from 2019 and never mentions the rise.

Chart 2. Captioned “Florida homeowners race to sell”

  • Source: Realtor.com, Florida active listings in July
  • July 2025: 174,584 listings
  • July 2026: 150,062 listings
  • What it shows: Inventory down 14% year over year. Fewer homes for sale, not more. The caption says the opposite of the data beneath it.

Chart 3. Captioned “House values have dropped to a five-year low”

  • Source: Zillow Home Value Index, Florida, July
  • July 2025: $386,477
  • July 2026: $378,166
  • What it shows: Down 2.1% year over year, down 7% from the 2024 peak, and still 53% above July 2019.

None of those three numbers are mine. They are the article’s. A 2.1% decline in a home value index after a 60% run-up is a correction. Sales rising and inventory falling in the same month is the opposite of a market racing for the exit. The remaining two charts are a national FHA delinquency series, which is not a Florida figure at all, and a Central Florida distressed-sale share that the article itself concedes is well below the pre-pandemic level.

Margaritaville: a real 42% drop, and why it is not your neighborhood

The article opens with an investor at Margaritaville Resort Orlando who supposedly bought a three-bedroom townhouse for $710,000 in 2022 and sold it this year for $340,000. I am not going to pretend that community is fine. I pulled every residential record in it from Stellar MLS, 799 sale-side listings and 469 closed sales since 2019, and then matched the current listings against Osceola County Property Appraiser deed records to get the purchase price for the homes that were bought direct from the builder and never resold. Here is what that looks like.

YearClosed salesMedian sale priceMedian price per sq ftMedian days on marketSold below original ask
201923$369,000$2593565%
202044$375,000$25311880%
2021127$490,000$3341544%
202284$675,000$4243860%
202355$615,000$3982073%
202436$480,000$308144100%
202566$437,500$28410292%
2026 YTD34$393,000$2819188%

That is a 42% fall at the median from the 2022 peak. It is real, and it is brutal for anyone who bought in 2022 or 2023. But look at what the community is. It is a master-planned short-term-rental resort next to Walt Disney World, in Osceola County, built between 2018 and 2023. Six hundred of the 799 records are detached “cottages” of 1,400 to 1,900 square feet that investors paid $424 per square foot for in 2022 so they could rent them to tourists by the night. The deed records show several of them were quit-claimed into LLCs within months of purchase. This is investment product that was priced on projected Airbnb revenue, in a county I do not even work in. Presenting it as “mainstream real estate in the Sunshine State” is the core problem with the article.

It gets more specific than that. There are 44 homes for sale in the community right now. I compared every one of them to what the current owner paid.

Year the current owner boughtHomes for saleMedian asking price vs. what they paid
2018 to 20209+28.6% (range +24% to +76%)
202110-12.4%
202216-12.6%
20238-23.5%

Every owner who bought before 2021 is still asking a profit, some of them a large one. Every owner who bought in 2023 is asking a loss, and the eight of them are the deepest cuts on the board. The people who are underwater bought short-term-rental product from the builder at the top of the cycle. That is a story about a vintage of investor purchases, not about Florida housing.

The anecdote I could not find

The article’s opening example is a three-bedroom townhouse bought new for $710,000 in 2022 and sold this year for $340,000, a loss of more than half. I looked for it two ways. First, in 469 closed MLS sales, no townhouse in that community has ever closed above $637,000. Every 2022 sale at $700,000 or more was a detached cottage. Second, in the Osceola County deed file, the most expensive townhouse the builder ever sold was $607,800. There are three-bedroom townhouses that resold in 2025 and 2026 for $330,000 to $360,000, and the ones with a recorded purchase price were bought for $469,000 to $557,000. The deepest recorded loss on any resale in the community is 38%.

That does not mean the transaction did not happen. It could have been off-market, or the figures could include furnishings and setup costs. But as printed, it cannot be verified, and it is the first thing every reader of the article sees.

What the four-county MLS actually shows

This is the brief I sent The Telegraph on August 28, from the Stellar MLS feed for Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties. It is the same weekly analysis I publish on the Central Florida housing market hub and the buyer leverage index.

I took every residential sale that closed in the four counties between May 1 and July 31, 2026, which is 10,795 sales, and split them by whether the seller ever cut the asking price.

Seller’s price history Share of sales Count Median days, list to close Achieved % of original ask
Never cut the price56.0%6,0434999.2%
Cut 1% to 5%21.4%2,31210295.4%
Cut 5% to 10%13.0%1,40213390.8%
Cut 10% or more9.6%1,03819382.3%

More than half of everything that sold this summer sold without a single price reduction, in about seven weeks, for essentially the full asking price. The sellers who chased the market down gave up roughly 17 points of price and spent four times as long doing it. The market is not refusing to buy. It is refusing to overpay.

  • Fewer people are listing, not more. New listings in July 2026 came to 4,833, against 4,846 in July 2025. Flat.
  • More people are buying. Closed sales in July 2026 were 3,568 against 3,363 a year earlier, up 6.1%.
  • Discounting narrowed, it did not widen. In May through July 2026, 73.2% of sales closed below the original ask and the typical seller achieved 96.5% of it. In the same three months of 2025, 75.7% closed below ask and the typical seller achieved 95.9%.
  • Distress is tiny. Short sales were 40 of 10,795 closings, or 0.4%. Up from 18 a year earlier, and worth watching, but still 0.4%. Bank-owned and foreclosure sales in that window: zero.
  • The pain is in condos. 88.8% of condo sales closed below the original ask at a median 8.8% discount, against 70.7% and 5.3% for single-family homes. The driver is post-Surfside reserve funding and special assessments, not the owner’s own insurance premium.
  • Insurance is getting cheaper. The article never mentions insurance. Florida premiums are coming down, which I covered in the brief and which cuts directly against the affordability narrative.

The 30-year fixed rate sat at 6.66% on August 27 per the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That is the number that removed the marginal buyer who made 2021 pricing work. It is also a number the article gets right.

★ Pro Move: The four county price-reduction pages update every week. If you want to see which sellers have already given up ground and by how much, start with Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, and Volusia County.

Who was quoted, and what they sell

The article quotes three people. One is a national analytics vendor whose closing quote is that he does not expect another 50% drop. One is a brokerage co-founder talking about builder incentives. The third, who supplies the opening anecdote and the Central Florida distress figure, is the broker of the team that handled the Margaritaville sale. Stellar MLS records show that team as list agent on 35 listings in that community since 2021, with four residential listings and three condo-hotel units active there right now, all of them cut from the original asking price. That is not a secret and it is not improper. A broker who specializes in a resort that has fallen 42% is going to see a meltdown every day at work. It is context the article should have given its readers.

What this means if you own or are buying here

If you own a home in Orange, Seminole, Lake or Volusia and you bought before 2022, the data says you are fine. Prices are flat to slightly down from the peak and still far above where you bought. If you bought at the 2022 peak, you have a thin cushion and the number that matters is your list price, not the headline. Homes priced to today’s comparables are closing in seven weeks at full ask. Homes priced to a 2022 neighbor are sitting, then cutting, then sitting some more. You can check where you stand with the home value estimator or ask me for a proper analysis.

If you are buying, you have 13,449 active listings to choose from and 43% of them have been on the market 60 days or more. That is leverage, and you should use it. It is not a crash to wait out. My outlook is flat sales and flat appreciation for years rather than quarters unless rates fall or wages catch up, and I would rather you buy the right house at a fair price than wait for a collapse the data does not show coming.

Quick Tip: When a national or overseas outlet writes about “Florida,” check the county and the product type before you apply it to your street. A short-term-rental resort in Kissimmee, a coastal condo in Punta Gorda and a four-bedroom in Oviedo are three different markets that happen to share a state.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Florida housing market crashing in 2026?

Not on the evidence. In Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, 10,795 homes closed between May 1 and July 31, 2026. 56% of them sold without a single price reduction, in a median 49 days, at 99.2% of the original asking price. Short sales were 0.4% of closings and bank-owned sales were zero. Prices are flat to slightly down from the 2022 peak. That is a repricing, not a crash.

Did Margaritaville Resort Orlando home values really fall by half?

The median sale price in the community fell from $675,000 in 2022 to $393,000 in 2026 year to date, a drop of about 42% at the median. But no townhouse there has ever sold above $637,000, and the deepest recorded loss on any resale is 38%. The specific example of a $710,000 townhouse resold for $340,000 does not appear in the MLS or in Osceola County deed records.

Are Central Florida sellers cutting prices more than last year?

Slightly less. In May through July 2026, 73.2% of closed sales in the four counties sold below the original asking price, and the typical seller achieved 96.5% of the original ask. In the same three months of 2025, 75.7% sold below ask and the typical seller achieved 95.9%. Discounting narrowed year over year.

I sent The Telegraph this data before the article ran. I will send it to you too. Call or text Brenden Rendo at 407-616-9019, or start with the Central Florida housing market hub, which refreshes every Sunday.

Sources: Stellar MLS, residential closings and active listings for Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties, pulled August 27 and 28, 2026, and for Rolling Oaks / Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Kissimmee 34747, pulled September 3, 2026. Osceola County Property Appraiser 2025 certified sales file, qualified deeds only. The Telegraph chart data from the article’s published Datawrapper datasets (Redfin, Realtor.com, Zillow ZHVI). Freddie Mac PMMS, August 27, 2026.