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If you’ve been thinking about getting off the rental roller coaster and buying your own home, there’s no time like National Homeownership Month.

What plants, flowers, and trees actually thrive in Florida’s hot climate - instead of just looking pretty for a few weeks, only to die a crispy death in our summer sun?

At Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, we want to help you navigate through the challenges of becoming a homeowner. Our path may not be easy, but it is designed to help future homeowners develop the skills necessary to succeed as homeowners. From choosing your finishes to financing your home, let us walk you through the journey to become a homeowner! Application approval. Check! You’re on your way to becoming a homeowner! After carefully going through Habitat Orlando & Osceola’s application process, you have met our homeownership requirements [link to Our process page]: you have a need for affordable housing, the means to pay for your future Habitat home, and the willingness to partner with us. Our staff will be in contact with you to go over the next steps, which we’ve outlined below. Head back to “school” with Habitat U Part of your homeownership journey includes attending eight classes that cover different aspects on homeownership. Learn everything from how to maintain your home to how to prepare your finances. We want you to become a homeowner expert! Customize your home It’s finally time to personalize and stylize your home! Start by learning about the different locations and price points of the communities we are building safe and affordable homes in. Once you’ve selected your new neighborhood, our staff will help you choose between a variety of floor plans to match your lifestyle. Finally, customize your home with a selection of exterior colors, cabinetry, countertops, and more. Habitat Orlando & Osceola wants your new place feel like home. Building quality Your lot is secured and walls are going up. You are that much closer to owning a home! Your home is being built using energy-efficient, environmentally friendly construction practices to help better our community and lower your utility bills. Lend us a helping hand Depending on the number of adults in your household, you are asked to contribute 75-150 hours of sweat equity to Habitat Orlando & Osceola. Sweat equity can mean everything from constructing homes to sharing your story with our supporters. By fulfilling your sweat equity, you have a bit more of a stake in the construction process and often can learn home maintenance in practice, especially when volunteering on our build site. We are rooting for you every step of the way! Check out your new house Homeownership is so close you can nearly touch it… literally! Habitat homes take a few months to build start to finish and come equipped with select appliances, including a stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. Welcome home When you buy a home from Habitat Orlando & Osceola, you’re partnering with a builder who is ready to walk you through every step of the home buying process. You attended all the Habitat U classes, customized your home, and fulfilled your sweat equity. You put in the hard work and now it’s time to be rewarded! Our Habitat staff was with you every step of the way and wants to make the final step, closing, as easy and affordable as possible. The home closing process consists of a lot of paperwork that we’ll take care of for you - but the closing process also involves also a lot of celebrating. As we hand you the keys to your safe and comfortable new home, you can finally add “homeowner” to your list of accomplishments. Are you ready to begin your homeownership journey with us? Visit our page on the application process .

It’s never too late to become a homeowner, even if you’re 55+ and the kids have all left home. In fact, being an empty nester might be the best time for you to begin that journey to homeownership. Now the question is – should you buy an older home, or look at new construction? By partnering with Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, the choice is easy. New vs Resale Homes Buying an older home may mean dealing with outdated fixtures, wiring, and plumbing – all of which can mean costly repairs down the road, or a pricey remodel that delays your move and drains your bank account. A new home offers the opportunity to start fresh in a home full of new appliances , wiring, plumbing and more. With new construction you also get to pick the exterior color, as well as the interior finishes for your home. Your new home will be just the way you want it from the day you move in. That beats dealing with tarps, paint trays and ladders cluttering up your space. Live easily in an accessible home For those 55+, a single-story home is the way to go. You’ll enjoy easy access, and no stairs to navigate. Let’s face it, the idea of lugging laundry baskets up and down stairs loses its appeal over time. Remodeling an older home to have a downstairs master suite and laundry room can cost big bucks. Buying a home that meets your future needs means you will be able to “age in place” rather than having to leave your home as your lifestyle needs change. Habitat Orlando & Osceola homes are designed to be accessible as their homeowners' abilities change, thanks to Universal Design. These features include a zero step entry, lever handles on all faucets and door handles, and adjustable closet shelving in the master bedroom. Be part of a community Living in your own newly built home means being a part of a neighborhood. You’ll have the space to host family dinners, and a backyard for the visiting little ones to run and play. Your home is your own. You can garden, sit on the front porch, or put on your favorite tunes without having to worry about bothering the neighbors through a shared wall like you would in a condominium or apartment. Afford your home If you’re living on a fixed income or worry about constantly rising rents, Habitat Orlando & Osceola can help. Buying your own new home means no more rent hikes, and an affordable fixed-rate mortgage that’s probably lower that the rent you’re paying now. With our energy-efficient designs and appliances, your utility bills will be stable and manageable. Partner with Habitat Orlando & Osceola, and we can help you on the journey to owning a safe, affordable home where you can enjoy your golden years to the fullest. Learn more about our homeownership program .

Buying a house is a big decision. But how do you when it’s time? Are you ready to be a homeowner? Here are 8 signs that you may be ready to become a homeowner.

Living in Apopka means you are just minutes from enjoying all the natural beauty Central Florida has to offer. If you're considering building a Habitat home in our Juniper Bend community , you'll be able to enjoy some of these fun places for wild outdoor adventures.  Wekiva Springs State Park Wekiva Springs State Park features crystal clear springs for swimming and snorkeling, as well as canoe/kayak paddle adventures. There are hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, plus camping and fishing. Bird watchers flock to the park every year to spot the many different bird species that live here, and it's part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive This is a wildlife lover’s dream ride! The Lake Apoka Wildlife Drive (LAWD) is 11 miles of gravel road along the north shore of Lake Apopka, where you are guaranteed to see dozens of different species of birds, along with lots of big gators. The patient and persistent might get a glimpse of bobcats and even otters. It takes about two hours to meander through the drive, and port-a-potties and a covered picnic area can be found at about the halfway point. If bird watching or nature photography is your thing, you won’t want to miss this. The drive is open Friday through Sunday, from sunup to sundown. For the truly adventurous athlete, there is also a bike trail entrance at Magnolia Park, which runs along the north shore of Lake Apopka all the way into Minneola. Magnolia Park If you’re looking for a spot for great sunset photos, look no further. Magnolia Park , on the eastern shore of Lake Apopka, offers a large play area for the kids, a butterfly garden, picnic tables, and a boat ramp. The park hosts numerous outdoor events throughout the year including nature walks, fireside chats, and a Florida-style visit from Santa (on an airboat!) in December. Tent and RV camping are allowed. King’s Landing No Apopka outdoor adventure would be complete without a visit to King’s Landing . Home to the No. 1 rated paddle trail in Central Florida, this park has kayak and canoe rentals, or you can bring your own. The 8.5-mile paddle trail has a smooth current, with spots to “pull over” for a snack or a swim in the Wekiva River. Along the way you’ll have the chance to catch a glimpse of deer, otters, bears, and possibly even a wild monkey or two. It’s a wild way to spend the day! West Orange Trail Break out the bicycle or strap on those jogging shoes for a trip to the West Orange Trail. Completed in 1999, the West Orange Trai l is part of a nationwide “rails to trails” project, which converted unused railroad tracks into useable biking, jogging, and walking trails stretching from Apopka to Minneola. Since it opened, this trail has become a fixture in Central Florida life. The trail allows biking, walking, jogging, running, skateboarding, and even horseback riding. There are several stations along the trail where you can park, picnic, or take a rest. Bike rentals are available at Spin City Cycles in Apopka, just two miles from the trail entrance. The Apopka station/trail entrance can be found at 11 S. Forest Avenue.

The home buying process with Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County is an exciting and life-changing process. Part of this exciting journey is having the opportunity to choose a layout that fits your family’s lifestyle. Habitat Orlando & Osceola offers a variety of floorplans to choose from in each of our communities . As you begin to comb through your options, it’s important to think about how your family will use the space. The right floor plan will greatly improve your experience in your new home. We understand this can be a stressful decision process, so follow the tips below to help select the best layout for your family’s new home. Select your number of bedrooms This is an easy place to start. Consider how many family members you expect to live at your new home and if your family plans on growing. We offer three and four bedroom homes. Even if you’re a smaller family, an extra bedroom could act as a guest room or an office space. Think about your bathrooms Our current communities offer 1-2 full bathrooms. Silver Pines Pointe offers two full bathrooms, while most of Juniper Bend's floorplans offer one full bathroom. One bathroom may be more than adequate for smaller families, but two bathrooms can be useful for larger families and families that like to entertain frequently. Pay attention to the location of the bathrooms as well. Some of our homes offer the second bathroom as a master bath while others have both bathrooms in shareable locations. How much space do you need? Our pre-designated floor plans range from 1,244 square feet to 1,548 square feet. The extra square footage is most commonly found in the living space and storage areas. Depending on your family’s size and lifestyle, the extra space could just make life just a little easier. Most new construction homes are designed with open floor plans. An open floor plan may be that extra space for your children to run around, or the ideal set up for an evening with guests. We offer a variety of layout options, so sometimes it just comes down to personal preference! Storage, storage, storage All of our homes offer extra storage space and a designated laundry/utility space. If a single-car garage is high on your list of must-haves, then focus your attention to our Silver Pines Pointe homes . Every family is going to have personal belongings, but some may have more than others. To select the ideal layout for your family, take into consideration how much storage space your family may need Be Mindful of Your Budget As you run down this list of decisions, it’s important to keep in mind that more space comes with a cost. Our Habitat U classes will help you prepare your finances and determine how much you can spend on your home. Some choices may even be made easier as you can narrow your choices to what best fits your budget. Buying a home can be a nervewracking process, from applying to choosing the look of your home. At Habitat Orlando & Osceola, our staff strive to make the journey as smooth as possible by being available for any questions or concerns. Are you ready to apply to become a Habitat homeowner? Visit our online Orientation , which will walk you through the program once more before allowing you to apply.

Want to get out of the house but don’t want to spend any money? Here in Orlando, there are plenty of ways to have a good time without spending a dime. At the time of this article’s publication, many of these locations require guests to wear masks and socially distance from others. Please check with each venue for any further instructions. Enjoy this list of nine free things to do in and around Orlando! Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando One of the most iconic spots in Orlando, Lake Eola Park features the renowned Lake Eola fountain, as well as its famous resident swans. There is plenty of open space to relax and picnic. You can set the kids loose in the playground, or walk along the lakeside trail, taking in the spectacular views of our “city beautiful”. There are also free concerts and movie nights throughout the year. Learn more about this park . Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park Kraft Azalea Garden is a lush and secluded hidden gem. This quiet lakeside park is home to a great egret rookery, and these large birds can be seen year-round. It also features the largest, northernmost banyan tree. This towering tree, native to India and Sri Lanka, thrives in the Central Florida heat and humidity. Sunsets are particularly spectacular here, and the lake allows boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Read more about this Winter Park garden . The Glass House in Lake Nona No stone throwing, please. Visit Tom Fuin’s “Glass House” in Laurette Park Village in Lake Nona. This unique art installation is a part of Fruin’s ICON series and uses reclaimed materials with American folk-art influences. The Glass House is just one of many large sculptures located through the Lake Nona area. Day or night, this colorful structure makes for a perfect photo op. Check out this link for more information on The Glass House . Disney Springs No list of stuff to do in Orlando would be complete without mentioning the Mouse! With free, covered parking and rows and rows of shops, Disney Springs is a great place to spend the day, even if you’re just window shopping. Check out the amazing sculptures in The Lego Store, search for hidden Mickey’s, or cool off at the Splash Pad. When your feet get tired, hop on the free boat ride for a relaxing cruise around the lagoon past Port Orleans, Riverside, and back again. Learn more about Disney Springs . Universal City Walk Not wanting to be left out, Universal Orlando has some free attractions, too. Parking at City Walk is free after 6 p.m., and there are plenty of shops to browse in this bright and vibrant venue. There are free water taxis to take you from one side of the park to the other. For a unique musical experience, hop on the water taxi over to Portofino Bay to catch the nightly Musica Della Notte opera, every night at sunset. Visit this website to read more about CityWalk . Old Town in Kissimmee The car buffs in the family will be eager to head to Kissimmee for a pair of weekly car shows. Strut your stuff at the Friday Muscle Car Show to see a slew of show-quality machines dating from new classics all the way back to the mid 60’s. On Saturday, old school classics and antique cars from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s take the spotlight. Each night is capped with an 8:30 p.m. cruise, as all these gorgeous show cars line up to parade around the streets of Old Town. For more information, visit My Old Town USA . Artists and art lovers are in luck! Orlando has museums galore, many with free admission or that are free on select days. Donations are always appreciated. Zora Neale Hurston Museum in Eatonville Located in Eatonville, the oldest incorporated African-American municipality in the U.S., this museum features the history of famed local author Zora Neale Hurston herself, as well as many works of art by artists of African descent. Visit this website before you visit . Cornell Fine Arts Museum in Winter Park Located on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park, this museum features permanent and rotating exhibits, meaning you’ll get the chance to see something new every time you visit. There are more than 5,000 art pieces and artifacts on display here, from the ancient to the contemporary. There are also hands-on activities for kids. Learn more about the Cornell Fine Arts Museum . Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Arts in Winter Park Free on Fridays and select holidays, the Morse Museum is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works of art created by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including his iconic leaded glass lamps and windows, as well as pottery and jewelry. The museum also houses a large collection of 20th century American paintings, furnishings, and architectural objects. At the time of this article’s publication, the Morse requested that all visits, including free visits, first be booked online. To learn more, please visit https://www.morsemuseum.org/plan-your-visit . BONUS ENTRY: Orange County Regional History Center Located just off Orange Avenue in downtown, the History Center features four floors of exhibits that take you on a journey through 12,000 years of Central Florida history. Free admission is offered to: children under 4, Orange County employees, and all Florida teachers/educators (kindergarten through university). Regular admission is between $6 - $8. Orange County Library card holders receive $2 off admission, and AAA members get a 15% discount. Visit their website here .

Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County is now offering another virtual experience for those interested in its homeownership program: a webinar geared to first-time homebuyers who want to learn more about the Habitat journey to homeownership. Liz Alicea-Madera, Habitat Orlando & Osceola's Director of Program Services, describes the program's application process, criteria, and more in this video.