Rates and prices haven't moved much, but the monthly payment can. Here's how a lender conversation and builder incentives change the math in Orlando.

A lot of the buyers I talk to right now don't think it's the best time to buy a home. Prices haven't really come down, and interest rates are still a bit higher than we'd all like. What I want to reiterate is that there are lots of options out there, and more opportunities than most people realize.

We're in a slight buyer's market. Right now, we have a little more inventory than what we need at today's demand. Sales did go up this June compared to last June, which is great, so homes are still moving.

There are lots of ways to get those payments down. Interest rates are a little bit higher, and prices haven't dropped much, but there are real options. Have you talked to a lender? A good lender can walk you through what's available. You can buy your interest rate down. And a lot of new-construction builders are buying rates down and paying closing costs.

“Don’t count yourself out of this market before we’ve talked.”

It starts with a real conversation. One of the main things my team and I do is start with a real buyer consultation instead of just unlocking doors. A lot of agents will just go out and start showing homes and skip that consultative part, and I think that part is so important, especially for someone relocating to the area. As anyone who lives here knows, traffic in Orlando can be a real bear, so if you've got a longer commute for work, we want to make sure that's not a big deal. School districts can change, so if schools are important to you, that's part of the conversation too. And sometimes what really matters is something else, like a half-acre lot so you're not right on top of your neighbor, which might point us toward an older home that's been remodeled instead of the area you first had in mind.

Whatever you do, don't count yourself out of this market before we've talked. If you, or a friend, family member, or neighbor, are even thinking about buying or moving, I'd love to answer any questions you have. Call or text me at 407-499-8993, email me at chris@mypinnaclehomes.com, or visit mypinnaclehomes.com. My team and I are also getting ready to put out a lot more long-form content on our YouTube channel, going into a lot more detail on the different areas around Orlando.