Orlando/Orange County, Florida Market Update

Population, 2005: 1,043,434 - Orange County ranks # 5 of Florida's 67 counties in population.

Households, 2005: 389,789

Homeownership Rate 65.9

 

Rank

Labor market

Employment score

Private-sector jobs (June 2007)

Percent growth in private-sector jobs (2002-07)

Percent growth in private-sector jobs (2006-07)

Raw growth in private-sector jobs (2002-07)

Raw growth in private-sector jobs (2006-07)

Unemployment rate (June 2007)

12

Orlando

10.27

983,400

21.5%

2.0%

173,900

19,200

3.6%

 

Population Projections

  • In 2030, Orange County is projected to have a population of 1,702,936, ranking it # 4 of Florida's 67 counties.

Projected Total Population, Orange County, 2005-2030

 

2005

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
1,043,434 1,197,657 1,340,558 1,473,645 1,592,247 1,702,936

 

After the boom from 2000 to 2005, home prices have lost some ground, though very modestly. Inventories are still very high but a sharp reduction in new home construction and new listing on the market is helping to control the overall inventory situation. Resetting loans and the rising number of foreclosures related to the subprime fallout are clearly negative factors, but the impact will be offset by the fundamentals of the healthy local economy. It is possible, with job gains continuing at a respectable pace, for prices to actually turn up as we continue through 2008.

Despite some media reports of the worst housing market conditions since the early 1 990s, or even since the Great Depression, the recent home price declines have been negligible at the local level. Unlike past local housing downturns, which were accompanied with severe job cuts, the local economy continues to add jobs. Apartment rents have been rising at the highest pace in five years, which will begin to encourage some renters to seriously consider ownership. Mortgage rates have also been falling recently and stood near a historic low of 6.5% for prime borrowers. Rates could be even more favorable in upcoming months as the Federal Reserve continues to cut the federal funds rate and as there are clear signs of contained inflation. A revival in FHA loans, which had lost substantial market share to the risky subprime market, will provide funding for low­to-moderate income households at much more attractive mortgage rates. If a modernization of FHA loans is implemented including lower initial payment requirements, higher loan limits, and risk-based pricing then there could be a surge in FHA loan usage.

The outlook is positive. Homebuilders having drastically cut production will help minimize prolonged oversupply conditions. Further production cuts by builders, which is encouraged, will help the market to more quickly return to a healthy state. On the demand side, job gains have added to the number of potential homebuyers. Historical relationships imply roughly one additional homeowner for every two additional new jobs. Since the peak of the housing market two years ago, the local market added 67,000 net new jobs (August 2007 vs August 2005). A rise in home sales and a strengthening in home prices appear imminent.

 

Summary of Activity

 

 

Greater Orlando

U.S. Average

Price Activity

 

 

1-year Appreciation (2007 Q2)

-1.4%

-1.1%

3-year Appreciation (2007 Q2)

55.8%

15.4%

3-year Housing Equity Gain

$95,000

$29,900

Affordability

 

 

Current Mortgage Servicing Cost to Income

21%

22%

Historical Local Average

19%

22%

Local Fundamentals

1-year Job Additions (2007 August)

29,600

Not Comparable

3-year Job Additions (2007 August)

125,400

Not Comparable

1-year Job Growth Rate

2.7%

1.3%

3-year Job Growth Rate

12.8%

5.0%

1-year Job Gain to New Single-Family Homes

1.9

1.5

3-year Job Gain to New Single-Family Homes

1.9

1 .7