in the know.
The Hometown Heroes Housing Program is helping hardworking Floridians—like teachers, nurses, and first responders—achieve homeownership through down payment and closing cost assistance. It’s a key step toward making housing more accessible across the state.
Osceola REALTORS® proudly participated in Great American Realtor Days in Tallahassee, meeting with legislators to advocate for policies that support homeowners, property rights, and the real estate industry. Learn how their presence helped amplify local voices on key statewide issues.
an in-depth look at the legislative priorities Florida Realtors® is championing during the 2025 session and how each one affects Florida’s real estate market, communities, and everyday residents.
ABOUT OSCEOLAREALTORS®
Osceola REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in Osceola County and was established in 1924. Our Association currently provides programs, services, continuing education and advocacy for more than 5,800 REALTORS® and affiliate members, also referred to as Vital Industry Partners (VIPs), in Central Florida. In our commitment to excellence, we proudly offer our members a diverse range of classes and professional designation and certification courses at no cost. This is just one of our exclusive benefits. For more information on becoming a member or learning more about all our benefits and services, visit our new and expanded website at OsceolaRealtors.org. We are also dedicated to educating consumers about the value of homeownership and advocating tirelessly to protect private property rights. For consumer resources and information on homeownership, visit CFLHomeowners.org.
VISION
The trusted source that lights the path for the real estate industry and our profession in Central Florida.
MISSION
Osceola REALTORS® is dedicated to our members’ personal and financial success through professional development, advocacy, and community engagement.
A Message From the President & CEO
It is with great pride and excitement that we introduce you to the very first issue of our association’s advocacy magazine, a new quarterly publication created to keep elected officials and our community informed on the real estate industry.
This publication marks a new chapter in how we share the vital work being done within our association and across the real estate industry. Inside, you’ll find stories that reflect our deep commitment—not only to the real estate profession—but to the people, neighborhoods, and policies that shape our region.
We’ve also dedicated space to highlight key legislative issues championed by Florida Realtors®. These matters affect homeowners, businesses, and the future of real estate in our state. Our hope is as a bridge—bringing greater understanding between the lawmakers who have the power to enact meaningfu
Thank you for taking the time to engage with us. To connection, education, and advocacy, we can build s and a better Central Florida.
Renee Clark, 2025 President Twis Lizasuain, CEO
Helping Floridians find their
H ME
Affordable housing remains a top concern nationwide, especially in Florida, where high interest rates, limited inventory and rising home prices have made the dream of homeownership a challenge for many. Recognizing this, Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional trade association, has been at the forefront of advocating for solutions that make homeownership attainable for hardworking Floridians. One shining example of these efforts is the Hometown
Heroes Housing Program, launched in 2022 to help Florida’s workforce buy homes near where they work. This program provides zero-interest loans for down payments and closing costs, removing a key financial barrier that prevents many first-time buyers from entering the market.
For Tyler, a software engineer, and Madison, an ICU nurse, the program was instrumental in achieving their dream of homeownership. Just starting their careers, Tyler and Madison were ready to buy their first home but needed assistance covering upfront costs. They turned to Amanda Barcenas of MVP Realty in Naples, a longtime family friend, to guide them through the process. The couple secured the support they needed to pay for their closing costs thanks to Amanda's expertise and the availability of Hometown Heroes funds.
“IT’S ABOUT KEEPING HARDWORKING PROFESSIONALS IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK WHILE STRENGTHENING THE FABRIC OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.”
“This program makes a profound difference in the lives of our neighbors,” said Gia Arvin, 2024 Florida Realtors president. “It’s about keeping hard-working professionals like Tyler and Madison in the communities where they live and work while strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods.”
How the Hometown Heroes Housing Program works
Borrowers can receive up to 5% of their first mortgage loan amount, with a maximum of $35,000, to assist with down payment and closing costs. This aid is structured as a 0%, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. While the loan is not forgivable, repayment is only required if the property is sold, refinanced, transferred or no longer serves as the primary residence. Once repaid, the funds are reinvested to support future homebuyers.
So far, the program has assisted more than 20,000 individuals and families statewide, bolstered by $300 million in funding from the Florida Legislature and an additional $36 million from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Its popularity has skyrocketed, with funding being reserved faster each year as demand continues to grow.
“When the program first launched, $100 million lasted about a year. The next round of funding was gone in under two months,” said Murphy Kennedy Giering, a public policy representative at Florida Realtors who focuses on housing and taxation issues. “It’s clear Floridians need this program, and we’re working hard to ensure its continued success.”
Osceola County Housing Market Outlook
Osceola’s Market for
Spring 2025
Home Sales are slowing. There were 779 home sales in March 2025- down 7.4% compared to the previous year. Fewer sales may reflect the affordability challenges or buyer hesitation amid market shifts.
Although it is impossible to predict the future, current trends and statistics create a picture of the current market.
Major Fee Hikes Ahead. Starting June 18, 2025, mobility and impact fees for new single-family homes will jump 117%- from $9,999 to $21,710. Developers must submit permit applications by May 18 to lock in current rates. th
Home Prices are steady. The median home price of Osceola County is $392,675 as of March 2025, only a slight dip of 0.1% from the year before. Prices seem to be leveling off, which could signal more stability for buyers.
Homes are sitting longer. The median time to sell a home in March was 102 days, a slight improvement from 104 days last year. Sellers may need to adjust expectations as the market pace slows.
Inventory is Growing. With 4,581 homes on the market, inventory is up 30.2% year-over-year. This boost can give buyers more options, though much of the inventory is taking longer to sell.
First-time Buyers.
First-time buyers make up 20% of homebuyers in Florida. 81% of these new buyers reported that they view the home purchase as a good investment.
Three things to watch for the future:
“A strong real estate market supports not just homeowners and buyers, but also jobs, local businesses and the overall economy.”
“Our meetings with lawmakers were focused, productive, and impactful,” said Renee Clark, 2025 President of Osceola REALTORS®. “We spoke with a unified voice to support policies that strengthen the real estate profession and make homeownership more attainable for Floridians.”
Throughout the three-day event, over one hundred legislator visits took place, covering critical priorities such as increased funding for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program, My Safe Florida Home, and My Safe Florida Condo initiatives.
Realtors® also advocated for reducing the business rent tax and advancing comprehensive property insurance reform—issues that directly impact homeowners, renters, and real estate professionals alike.
Florida Realtors® 2025 President Tim Weisheyer praised the event’s success, "Great American Realtor Days is always a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with a clear, unified voice and get directly involved in the state’s legislative process," said Weisheyer, broker-owner, Dream Builders Realty and dbrCommercial Real Estate Services in Central Florida."Our meetings with lawmakers this week were productive, and we helped reinforce how real estate issues touch every Floridian. A strong real estate market supports not
Following DeSantis’s address, Weisheyer said he appreciates the governor’s focus on issues that directly impact Florida homeowners and businesses. "The governor’s remarks align with our goals of fostering longterm stability and growth in Florida’s real estate market," he said. "As always, we look forward to continuing to work with state leaders to ensure policies that support homeownership and benefit all Floridians." just homeowners and buyers, but also jobs, local businesses and the overall economy."
One of the event’s highlights was an address from Governor Ron DeSantis, who spoke on housing affordability, property taxes, and economic stability. He expressed support for eliminating the business rent tax and hinted at future reforms that could bring long-term relief to Florida homeowners.
Preserve and Protect
Florida’s State Parks and Their Natural Resources
Florida Realtors® supports the preservation and protection of our state parks and their natural resources. The natural beauty and environmental uniqueness of Florida’s state parks have helped the state become one of the top destinations in the world to both live and visit. Preserving and protecting the wildlife, water quality, and natural resources within these state parks is essential if they are to continue to serve their intended purpose of attracting visitors and providing residents with improved quality of life.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, Florida Realtors® will work with lawmakers to oppose development within our state parks that causes adverse and lasting impact on our natural habitat.
Osceola County’s SAVE program has preserved over 3,300 acres for water protection, wildlife habitat, and public green spaces. It’s funded by a 0.25 mill property tax—about $25 per $100K of assessed value.
In 2024, Osceola proposed a $70 million bond referendum to continue funding the SAVE program—keeping the 0.25 millage rate with no tax increase.
SAVE has helped acquire key conservation areas like Camp Lonesome, Lake Lizzie, Twin Oaks, and parts of Shingle Creek Regional Park.
Florida Realtors® Supported Bill: State Parks Conservation LegislationSB 80 and HB 209 aim to improve state land management by requiring public hearings, prioritizing conservation, restricting harmful construction in parks, and permitting ecofriendly camping cabins.
Speed Up the Removal of Squatters from Commercial Properties
Florida lawmakers delivered a significant win for private property rights in 2024 by passing an antisquatter bill that helps restore possession of a property to the lawful owner by allowing them to request the immediate removal of a squatter from a residential dwelling. Building on that effort, lawmakers are proposing bills this year that extend these anti-squatter measures to commercial properties. During the 2025 Legislative Session, Florida Realtors® asks lawmakers to support House Bill 213 and Senate Bill 322, which would help commercial property owners remove squatters from their buildings.
Florida Realtors® Supported Bill: Public Lodging & Food Service SB 606 and HB 535 clarify when a stay is temporary, making it easier for hotels and vacation rental owners to remove problem guests and allowing law enforcement to act if they refuse to leave.
Florida Realtors® Supported Bill: Property Rights - SB 322 and HB 213 make it easier to remove squatters by allowing swift sheriff action, tougher penalties for damage, and protections against fake property listings.
Support the Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Florida Realtors® applauds the work of the Florida Legislature for creating and supporting the highly successful Hometown Heroes Housing Program. Since 2022, the program has helped more than 20,000 hard-working Floridians purchase their first home through zero-interest loans that help cover downpayment and closing costs. Borrowers repay the loan when the home is sold or rented, or the title transfers.
The Legislature’s $300 million overall investment in the popular homebuying assistance program continues to be an overwhelming success, as the most recent allocation of $100 million was fully reserved by eager homebuyers in less than two months of becoming available.
Given the ongoing success of the Hometown Heroes Housing Program and the demonstrated need for these funds in a difficult home
affordability environment, Florida Realtors® asks lawmakers to explore additional ways to inject new funds into the program to help more families achieve the dream of homeownership.
Over 21,700 families have been helped to achieve homeownership since 2022, with $100M–$136M in annual funding. Another $100M is allocated for 2025.
20,000+ FAMILIES
HometownAwardedHeroes Program Loans
Preserve Beneficial Attainable Workforce Housing Strategies
The Florida Legislature achieved a remarkable feat in 2023 with the passage of the Live Local Act, the most comprehensive and far-reaching housing legislation in the last three decades. This historic law makes significant long-term investments in state homebuying and affordable rental housing while incentivizing private investment in state housing programs.
As with all major legislation, adjustments may be needed to ensure that unintended consequences do not hinder the efforts of the Act to help Floridians find a place to live close to where they work. As the Legislature examines the Live Local Act for possible adjustments, Florida Realtors® asks that lawmakers strive to preserve the innovative strategies and funding that it employs to increase attainable housing options throughout the state.
We also ask that lawmakers consider additional options that may enhance the beneficial outcomes of the Live Local Act, such as enabling the creation of more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in our communities.
This unique housing option has the dual benefit of providing low-cost housing opportunities for Floridians while also potentially providing property owners with additional sources of revenue to improve their lives.
The 2023 Live Local Act invested over $700 million in housing programs, including funding for SAIL, SHIP, Hometown Heroes, and inflation relief for approved projects. It also offers tax incentives for developments with 70+ units, reserving 40% as affordable housing for up to 30 years.
Osceola County opted out of the Live Local Act in August 2024, citing revenue concerns and adequate existing affordable housing. Despite this, Kissimmee expects a 61% increase in apartment units and is advancing efforts like the Haven Project.
Support the My Safe Florida Home and My Safe Florida Condo Programs
Osceola County supports ADUs to boost housing affordability, allowing detached units with no size minimum and rental to primary residents. Since 2019, code changes and state law have made it easier for homeowners to build ADUs in single-family areas.
Florida Realtors® Supported Bill:
ADUs and Affordable Housing - SB 184 and HB 247 require local governments to allow ADUs in single-family zones, offer density bonuses for affordable housing, and call for a study on mezzanine financing and tiny homes to expand housing options.
Florida Realtors® Supported Bill: Expansions of Florida’s Live Local Act - SB 1594 and HB 923 update affordable housing tax exemptions, expand eligibility, and add new tax credit and administrative tools under the Live Local Act.
Florida Realtors® Supported Bill: Real Property and Land Use Development - HB 943 expands affordable housing mandates to religious and planned unit development sites, requires ADUs in all single-family zones, and prohibits local moratoria on projects with approved site plans, among other zoning changes.
Florida lawmakers should be commended for their continued support of home hardening efforts like the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program and the My Safe Florida Condo (MSFC) pilot program. Since launching in 2022, the MSFH program has been a tremendous success, helping thousands of Floridians harden their homes against storms.
As of October of 2024, the MSFH program has delivered $576 million in grant funding and has provided 109,000 free home inspections. These inspections resulted in the approval of 58,700 home hardening grants which, in turn, helped lower the insurance premium costs of grant participants by an average of $1,000 while also making homes better able to withstand storm events.
The MSFH program is so popular that newly allocated funds ran out in three months of becoming available. Similarly, the launch of the 2024 MSFC pilot program, which provides hardening grants for condominiums, saw its $30 million of pilot funding run out in one week of becoming available.
Osceola REALTORS® offers its members and the community the perfect venue for your upcoming corporate event or celebration.
The Prairie Room (3 hours minimum)
Non-Member: $150 per hour + tax
OSCAR Members: $100 per hour + tax
Major Investors*/VIPS: $90 per hour + tax
Audio/Visual Specialist
OSCAR Members: $50 per hour
Non-Member: $50 per hour
Other Fees:
Key Deposit: $25 per key
Cleaning Fee: $100
Facility Rental Includes:
(32) 5' Classroom Tables
(12) 6' Round Tables
(85) Classroom Chairs with Wheels
Catering Kitchen complete with full-size refrigerator, freezer, warming oven, three sinks, and ice machine
Ample Parking
Technical Support Available Upon Request
*Must have contributed $1,000+ last year or current year. Full Classroom (27' x 73') - 1,971 Sq. Ft.
Facility rental tours and consultations are available by appointment only. Please call 407.846.0117 Ext. 202 to schedule your appointment.
OSCEOLA REALTORS® DONATES OVER 700 ITEMS TO LOCAL MOMS IN NEED THIS MOTHER’S DAY
Every year, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, a proud Vital Industry Partner, works with shelters across the country to collect essential care items for women in need, especially during the springtime when the Movers for Moms® campaign is in full swing. Osceola REALTORS® and its REALTORS® Care committee recently rallied its members to “Make Their Mother Proud” by contributing to this heartfelt donation drive.
Through the incredible generosity of Osceola REALTOR® members, the committee was able to donate over 700 items to the Movers for Moms® initiative. These donations included essential items like diapers, socks, underwear, food, household products, kitchenware, personal hygiene products, pain relief medicine, and gift cards. Every item represents the collective effort of the community to support mothers and families facing difficult times.
“Supporting mothers, especially those who may be struggling, is one of the most powerful ways we can give back to our community. We know that even in the toughest of times, a mother's strength is unmatched. This drive is not only about providing essential items, but also about sending a message of hope and solidarity to those who need it most. Our members are proud to be a part of this campaign, and we’re honored to help uplift families in need,” stated REALTORS® Care Committee Chair Alex Zweydoff.
The success of the Movers for Moms® drive highlights the compassion and commitment of the REALTORS® and industry partners in Osceola County, reinforcing the association’s dedication to making a positive impact in the community year after year.
5.14.25
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Jukebox Flamingo Bingo
5.28.25
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Commercial Connections
Osceola REALTORS®
5.31 - 6.5.25
NAR Legislative Meetings Washington, DC
Juneteenth
Osceola REALTORS® Office Closed 6.19.25
7.4.25
Independence Day
Osceola REALTORS® Office Closed
7.24.25
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Commercial Connections
Osceola REALTORS®
Osceola REALTORS® Directory
Association Staff
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2025 S¶ a¶egic Plao
AdÖzcacÝ. Osceola REALTORS® will be the foremost advocate for real estate-related public policy issues in the region.
Val¾e. Osceola REALTORS® is committed to delivering significant value to all our stakeholders, both internal (brokers, agents, and affiliates) and external (consumers, community and business leaders, and property owners).
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
RPAC Night at Osceola Arts 7.25.25
8.27.25 - 8.31.25
FR Annual Convention Orlando, Florida
Labor Day
Osceola REALTORS® Office Closed 9.1.25
IoozÖa¶izo. As a progressive organization, Osceola REALTORS® is dedicated to providing our members with cutting-edge products, tools, and services that exceed their expectations.
P zfe¨¨izoali¨m. Osceola REALTORS® understands that the strength of the REALTOR® brand lies in the quality of education we offer, our adherence to the Code of Ethics, and our pursuit of excellence.
ReleÖaocÝ. In response to the evolving business landscape, Osceola REALTORS® will make strategic decisions to maintain financial strength and market relevance.
OSCEOLA REALTORS® BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors serves as the governing body, providing leadership, setting policies, and ensuring that Osceola Realtors® serves its members' professional development, advocacy, and community engagement needs.
Teresa o’doherty President-Elect
renee clark President
James lowe Past-President
maria napolitano Vice President
maria lebron Treasurer
twis lizasuain CEO (Ex-Officio)
david chubb Director
christina daugherty Director
karen dierickx Director
maria flores correa Director
javin lopez Director
kelvis melo Director
angel ortiz, jr. Director
donna ross Director
sue vasquez Director
alex zweydoff Director
MAJOR INVESTORS 2024
Osceola REALTORS® proudly recognizes and congratulates the following members for their unwavering dedication to protecting homeownership and advocating for the real estate industry through their generous contributions to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC). As Major Investors, they exemplify strong leadership in their professions and within our community. Their RPAC investments reflect a deep commitment to championing the interests of their clients and colleagues. Driven by a passion for results, they are helping to shape a stronger future for both our community and the real estate industry.
