How To Buy a House in Orlando

Everything you need to know to
find, finance, and buy a house in Orlando

Welcome!

Welcome to your complete guide on how to buy a house in Orlando—whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking for your next home, this step-by-step resource will walk you through the entire process with confidence

How To Buy a House in Orlando?

Are You Ready to Buy a House in Orlando?

Ask yourself:

Is your income stable?
Do you have savings for a down payment and closing costs?
Are you ready to settle into a home for a few years? If yes, you’re already on the right track!

Find out how much you qualify for

Search homes for sale In Greater Orlando

Start With a Mortgage Pre-Approval to Buy a House in Orlando

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is one of the first and most important steps when learning how to buy a house in Orlando. A mortgage pre-approval gives you a clear budget, strengthens your offer, and shows sellers you’re a serious buyer.

Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Matters for Orlando Homebuyers

Mortgage pre-approval is crucial in Orlando’s competitive housing market. It demonstrates to sellers and real estate agents that you are financially prepared, increasing your chances of getting your offer accepted quickly.

Documents You’ll Need to Get Pre-Approved

To get pre-approved, lenders typically ask for documents like recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and proof of employment. Having these ready will speed up your approval process

How to Choose the Best Lender in Orlando

Compare mortgage rates, loan terms, and lender fees before choosing. Working with a local lender familiar with Orlando’s market can provide tailored advice and smoother processing.

Choose the Right Real Estate Agent to Help You Buy a House in Orlando

Finding the right real estate agent can make all the difference when buying a house in Orlando. A knowledgeable agent guides you through the process, negotiates on your behalf, and helps you avoid costly mistakes.

Why Hiring a Local Orlando Agent Matters

Local agents understand Orlando’s neighborhoods, market trends, and pricing better than anyone else. They can quickly match you with homes that fit your budget and lifestyle.

How to Find and Vet Real Estate Agents

Start by asking friends or searching online for top-rated Orlando agents. Interview at least two to three agents—ask about their experience, recent sales, and how they plan to help you buy your home.

What to Expect from Your Real Estate Agent

A good agent communicates clearly, provides timely updates, and offers honest advice. They’ll schedule home tours, help with offers, and support you through inspections and closing.

Now that you know how to choose a trusted agent, it’s time to dive into the home search itself—let’s explore how to find the perfect house in Orlando.

Read client reviews and testimonials

Roi Homes Realty

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Dalton Johnson

01:17 21 May 21

As first time homebuyers, we had no idea what to expect. Brahim made the whole process so easy for us. He was always quick to answer any questions we had, extremely knowledgeable, honest, and strived to get us the best deal possible. Overall he is a genuinely great person to work with and we are very happy we chose him as our realtor. We highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy a home.

Simply Fofo

15:45 30 Dec 20

My experience with my real estate broker Brahim been by far the most amazing process yet. This is my first time being a home and as expected there was so much anxiety, and wanting to make the right decisions with everything Brahim literally took every detail of my needs and turned them into reality the process of moving into my brand new home was so smooth I’m still left in awe. I’ve saved so much with my deposit and closing cost with Brahim I would highly recommend anyone that’s looking for a home to definitely seek his services.

Ramon

00:38 03 Aug 20

My wife and I were on the hunt for a new house so we went to Realtor.com and started looking for houses. We found one that we liked so we clicked on the “ASK A QUESTION” button. Within 30 minutes, we started to receive plenty of phone calls from different realtors. We talked to every single one of them and some were just ok, some were good and very few were great. However, there was this particular realtor (Brahim) that really stood out from everyone that we had spoken to. We have to admit that we were a little hesitant to go with him at first as he sounded WAY to confident that he was the right realtor for us. Nonetheless, we still gave him a shot as we had nothing to lose.Anyway, the search for our new house began and we started to exchange emails and/or text messages with Brahim. We were both very impressed on his quick responsiveness as we have used realtors in the past and we have to say that he was REALLY quick to respond, something that we had never experienced before.We finally found a house and Brahim wasted NO time and worked on the offer right away. Although the seller accepted it, my wife changed her mind a few weeks later. Not only was Brahim extremely understanding, but he immediately reached out to the seller’s agent and did his very best to get out deposit back, which we did! (We were very happy and surprised as the seller had all the right to keep it.)So, the search for a “new” home resumed and Brahim was RIGHT there on our side and ready to help us find our dream home.We eventually found a house that we both fell in love with and Brahim wasted no time and helped us put an offer right away. There was a lot of negotiation back and forth and Brahim’s experience and expertise TRULY paid off. He really knew what he was doing and everything that he recommended we did turned out to be the right move.We closed on the house on 07/24/20 and we have to say that the process prior to it was not an easy one at all, especially during this pandemic. However, Brahim truly made all the difference in the world and he REALLY played a major role in making things as painless and easy as possible.You can clearly tell that Brahim is very passionate about his job and he will always go above and beyond for his clients. His commitment to the most personalized, caring and individualized service possible is out of this world. We highly recommend him and would definitely reach out to him should we ever need his services.PS: He is a very straightforward person!!!!!!!!!! If he can do it, he WILL tell you that he can do it and he WILL do it. HOWEVER, if he can’t do it, he will also tell you that he can’t and explain to you the reason why. The man really does not make any false promises, which made us appreciate him even more!Thank you,Ramon / Jherusa

James Starks

19:23 22 Jul 20

Mr. Brahim is a wonderful gentleman he assisted my husband and myself on a beautiful dream home he’s very patient easy-going laid-back and he walked us through the steps every step of the way and we can’t thank him enough on assisting us on our dream home I really look forward to doing business with him in the near future in purchasing a second home he’s amazing and I would trust him with my life very trustworthy

Kenia Turcios

04:23 07 Dec 19

Simply the best, an excellent team with high moral values. Brahim, God bless you and multiply what you do to help other people. Blessings

Monique Smith

09:50 06 May 19

I met Mr Brahim at an open house, I told him I was not interested in the house and that I wanted to just shop around bc I was still in the planning process. Brahim gave me his contact information and linked me to his website. He never asked for my personal information (ie...SS# and DOB) as we begin to commicate he then helped me to get my credit score up (30 points in 1 month). Once we took care of this finally we decided to run credit and of course we received the preapproval letter. As we begin shopping around he always made sure to keep me in a good price range, the next step was to place a contract on a house and for me this was a stressful part bc you see something you like and it’s also other people who see the same value in the house and you are praying that they accept your contract. Brahim always instilled in me that I will find a better and much nicer home and so we kept searching. If he didn’t like a house or the neighborhood he would ask you what you think and say good let’s go!😊 the house that I actually got we went to see the house twice and made the final decision to buy, the contract was accepted easily and the process was again nerve reckoning but he kept me with words of motivation. I would recommend Brahim to my friends and family. Also they paid my closing cost!

Kira Kovacs

01:59 29 Mar 19

As a first time home buyer, I was very nervous about the whole experience, but Broker Brahim El Hanchi was very patient with me, and made me at ease by answering all my questions .He is very knowledgeable, easy going and goes the extra mile to get you the best deal. He is very trustworthy and a kind person and takes his job very seriously. He under promises and over delivers. The best part is that he takes care of everything from finding you your dream home, to getting you the mortgage loan. Best of all is that he helps pay for your closing costs and sends you on a Cruise as a thank you. Hands down Brahim is a Five star agent I would recommend to anyone buying or selling a home.

Paul Bower

11:33 12 Mar 19

Brahim is an easy-going, fun person to work with. His knowledge of real estate really put my mind at ease. Brahim was patient, extremely attentive, and offered sound advice during the entire process. For me his best advice was be patient, relax and I will make your dream come true. I didn’t think my credit was good enough for a house. After talking to Brahim I told him my situation and he said we can definitely make this work. I took his advice even though I kind of doubted him. Bottom line, I was wrong and he was right. I’m so glad I listened to Brahim!!! My wife and I have a dream home here in sunny Florida. I would highly recommend Brahim to anyone so he can make their dream come true also!!!!!-Paul and Renee Bower

Luisa Rodriguez

13:51 27 Nov 18

Words cannot express my gratitude towards Brahim ! This is my third major transaction with him and just like the first one he was phenomenal . His diligence , attention to details, proactiveness , and always looking out for my well being is what makes me want to always work with him and trust in his hands my home purchase decisions .

Buying a House in Orlando?

Checklist: Questions to Ask Your Agent

What’s your experience in the Orlando market?
How many buyers have you helped this year?
How do you help negotiate offers?
Can you provide references from recent clients?

Start Your Orlando Home Search with Confidence

Now that you’re pre-approved and working with a trusted agent, it’s time to dive into the fun part—finding your future home. Knowing what to look for and how to navigate the local market will make your Orlando home search more efficient and rewarding.

Know What You Want Before You Start Touring

Create a wishlist that includes your ideal home size, style, location, and must-have features. Be realistic but clear—this helps your agent show you the right homes from the start.

Explore Orlando Neighborhoods That Fit Your Lifestyle

From the family-friendly vibes of Lake Nona to the artsy energy of Mills 50, Orlando has something for everyone. Your agent can guide you toward areas that match your priorities, whether it’s schools, commute, walkability, or nightlife.

Use the Right Tools to Find Homes Fast

Leverage your agent’s MLS access, set up alerts on real estate platforms, and attend open houses regularly. The Orlando market moves quickly—being proactive gives you an edge.

Once you find the home you love, it’s time to take action. Let’s look at how to submit a strong offer that gets noticed.

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Make a Competitive Offer When Buying a House in Orlando

Once you’ve found the right home, it’s time to make an offer that gets accepted—without overpaying. In a hot market like Orlando, strategy and speed matter.

Understand the Local Market Conditions

Before you submit an offer, review comparable sales in the neighborhood. Is it a seller’s market, a buyer’s market, or balanced? Your real estate agent will help you determine a strong but realistic offer price.

Include the Right Contingencies

Common contingencies include financing, appraisal, and home inspection. While removing some can make your offer more attractive, doing so can also increase your risk—so weigh your options carefully with your agent.

Add a Personal Touch

In competitive situations, a personal letter to the seller can make your offer stand out—especially for homes with sentimental value. Let them know why you love the home and how you plan to care for it.

If your offer is accepted—congrats! But the journey’s not over. Let’s walk through the next step: the home inspection and appraisal.

Navigate the Home Inspection and Appraisal Process in Orlando

After your offer is accepted, two important steps help confirm that your investment is sound: the home inspection and the appraisal. Both protect you from surprises and give you leverage for renegotiation if needed.

What to Expect During the Home Inspection

A licensed inspector examines the property’s structure, systems, roof, and more. You’ll receive a report highlighting any issues—major or minor. Use this as a tool to request repairs or negotiate the price before closing.

How the Appraisal Affects Your Loan

Your lender orders the appraisal to confirm the home’s value supports the loan amount. If the appraised value comes in low, you may need to renegotiate or cover the difference in cash. Your agent and lender will guide you through this if it happens.

Tips to Prepare for These Steps

Attend the inspection if you can—it’s a chance to ask questions in real time.
Avoid making big purchases before the appraisal, as lenders may recheck your credit.
Stay flexible and ready to respond quickly to avoid delays.

With the inspection and appraisal behind you, you’re almost there. Now it’s time to secure final loan approval and prepare for closing.

Secure Final Loan Approval and Get Ready to Close

With inspections and the appraisal complete, you're in the home stretch. The final steps focus on financing, documentation, and preparing for the big day—when you finally get the keys.

How to Buy a House in Orlando with a Clear-to-Close from Your Lender

After underwriting reviews your documents, your lender will issue a “clear to close.” This means your loan is fully approved, and closing can be scheduled. Make sure to respond quickly to any final requests to avoid delays.

How to Buy a House in Orlando Without Last-Minute Surprises

Avoid changing jobs, opening new credit accounts, or making large purchases before closing. Even small changes can affect your loan approval. Your lender will often run a final credit and employment check days before closing.

How to Buy a House in Orlando by Understanding Your Closing Costs

Typical buyer closing costs in Orlando range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. These may include lender fees, title insurance, escrow fees, and prepaid taxes. Your lender will send a Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing so you can review everything.

You’ve made it through financing and inspections. Now, let’s take a look at what to expect on closing day—and how to take ownership of your new home in Orlando.

Close on Your Orlando Home and Make It Official

You're almost there! The closing appointment is where everything becomes real. Here’s what to expect and how to make sure the process runs smoothly.

How to Buy a House in Orlando and Prepare for Closing Day

Bring your ID, cashier’s check (or proof of wire transfer), and any final documents your lender requested. You’ll review and sign several papers, including the deed, loan documents, and disclosures.

How to Buy a House in Orlando and Complete the Final Walkthrough

Before closing, you’ll do a final walkthrough to confirm the home’s condition and any agreed-upon repairs. This is your last chance to address any issues before signing.

How to Buy a House in Orlando and Get Your Keys

Buying a home is a major milestone, and this guide was designed to walk you through every step. But if you’re ready for expert help…

Ready to start your homebuying journey in Orlando?

Our local experts are here to help you every step of the way.

Reach out to Roi Homes Realty today!