06/02/2026
Orlando just ranked among the top 15 metro areas in America for new home construction. Nearly 1,000 new construction homes were sold in the first two months of 2026 alone.
At first glance, that sounds like great news for buyers. More homes should mean more choices and better affordability.
But that's not really the story.
The more interesting question is who these homes are being built for.
Across Central Florida, builders continue adding inventory, but many of those homes are priced for higher-income buyers. Meanwhile, middle-income families are finding fewer options that fit their budgets. In real estate, these buyers are often referred to as "the missing middle."
That's why so many people feel frustrated. They drive past new communities every day, see construction cranes everywhere, and hear about thousands of new homes being built. Yet finding a home that actually feels affordable can still be incredibly difficult.
There's another factor making the problem worse. Many of the neighborhoods that were historically more affordable have very little turnover. Homeowners are staying put longer because moving often means taking on a much higher payment in today's market.
The bigger issue isn't whether Orlando is building enough homes.
It's whether we're building enough homes that average working families can actually afford.
What do you think? Is Central Florida's biggest housing challenge a lack of homes or a lack of affordable homes?
