Buying a Home in Orlando, FL (2026 Buyer's Guide)

Orlando sits in Orange County, with a median price around $385K. The right loan program depends on where you buy, how you'll use the home, and your down payment — this guide walks through the practical decisions every Orlando buyer should make in 2026.

The Orlando Market at a Glance

Median home price: $385K
County: Orange County
Region: Central Florida
Most-used loan types: Conventional, FHA, DSCR, and Second Home

Orlando Neighborhoods Worth Knowing

Downtown / Thornton Park

Walkable urban core — conventional and condo-specific lending.

Winter Park / College Park

Premium established residential — conventional and jumbo dominate.

Lake Nona

Master-planned, fast-growing — conventional and new-construction financing common.

Kissimmee / Davenport (STR Corridor)

Vacation home and STR zone near the parks — DSCR and second-home loans heavy.

Apopka / Ocoee

More affordable suburbs — FHA, VA, and first-time buyer programs work well.

Loan Programs That Work in Orlando

Conventional, FHA, DSCR, and Second Home are the workhorses of this market. Which is right for you comes down to credit, down payment, and how you'll use the property:

Conventional (3–20% down) — most flexible, no upfront MI, PMI drops at 20% equity. Conventional loans.
FHA (3.5% down) — flexible credit, lower rates, upfront and monthly MI. See FHA loans.
VA (0% down) — for eligible veterans, no PMI ever. See VA loans.
Jumbo — for loan amounts above the conforming limit. See jumbo loans.
DSCR — investor financing based on rental income, not your W-2s. See DSCR loans.

Don't Skip the Insurance Quote

Florida homeowner's insurance is the single biggest swing factor on your monthly payment. Two homes at the same price in Orlando can have $200–$400/month in premium difference based on roof age, distance to coast, and wind/flood zone. Always get an insurance quote before going under contract — your lender will need it for the final loan approval anyway.

How to Qualify in Orlando

Credit score: 620+ for most programs (580+ on FHA, 660+ on most DSCR)
Debt-to-income: typically under 45% (higher on FHA/VA, ratio-based on DSCR)
Down payment: 0–25% depending on program and occupancy
Documented income (W-2s, tax returns) or bank-statement / DSCR alternatives
Reserves: 0–6 months of payments depending on program

The Orlando Local Edge

Orlando is one of the few U.S. markets where STRs are *zoned in* near the theme parks. DSCR loans using projected nightly rental income are the standard underwriting path for investors here.