CENTRAL FLORIDA MADES THE LIST. IN FACT, LOTS OF LISTS.

Central Florida seems to be turning up on a lot of lists lately, and that’s a good thing. Recently Forbes and CNN Money named the region as one of the top places to purchase a home.  

They took into account a number of factors, including home prices, the local job situation, the area’s economy and the population. Both organizations have predicted that Central Florida’s home prices will to continue to rise at a steady pace. 

Reinforcing those conclusions is a recent report by ZipRealty naming the Orlando market as the third most affordable metro area to purchase a home. We came in behind Chicago and Philadelphia at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, so I’m guessing that climate was not a factor in their calculations. 

And there are even more lists. U-Haul, for example, has identified Orlando as its No. 2 destination for families renting moving trucks one-way. Penske Truck Rentals reported similar results, ranking Orlando as the No. 4 destination for their movers. Penske also found that the strongest migration to Orlando is coming from the Northeast and Midwest.

So when you combine affordability and demand, it’s easy to see why things are hopping in the local housing market; so much so that it’s hard for homebuyers to keep track of what the options are. 

In this issue, you’ll find just that — a comprehensive roundup of new-home communities, some of which have been around a while and some of which are just gearing up.

And, of course, there’s no better time to be looking for a new home then during the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA) Parade of Homes, slated April 26 through May 4.  

You can get a preview of all the homes beginning on page 38. And if you can’t see them during the parade, most of the models will remain open after the event ends.