Buying your first or next home
- FHA, VA, USDA, Hometown Heroes & down payment assistance
- What you can afford, all-in, before you fall in love
- New construction: what the builder's rep won't tell you
ASK BERNARD · KISSIMMEE · POINCIANA · DAVENPORT · WINDERMERE
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question.
Buying, selling, investing or renting in Central Florida, you get a straight answer from a local REALTOR® within one business day. No sales pitch. No obligation.
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THE DESK
One question. A real answer.
Search engines give you averages from somewhere else. I answer from the closings, leases and lenders I work with every week in Osceola, Polk and Orange Counties.
- I.YOU ASKType your question. Thirty seconds.
- II.I LOOK IT UPMLS data, program rules, rent comps, zoning.
- III.YOU GET THE ANSWERBy text or email, in English or Spanish.
YOUR QUESTIONPRIVATE
TopicBuy · Sell · Invest · Rent
AreaKissimmee · Poinciana · Davenport
Answered byBernard, not a bot
Based onLocal closed sales & leases
Delivered1 business day
Cost$0 · No obligation
WHERE I ANSWER FROM
Kissimmee · Poinciana · Davenport
St. Cloud · Lake Nona · Windermere
FOUR DOORS · ONE DESK
Pick your door.
Every door leads to the same place: a clear next step you can actually take.
Selling, or thinking about it
- What your home is worth from your street's real sales
- What you'd actually walk away with after costs
- Timing, repairs, and whether your low-rate loan helps
Investing in Central Florida
- Long-term rental vs. short-term rental zoning
- Rent comps, taxes and insurance on a real address
- Where the numbers work and where they don't
Renting now, owning later
- Finding a rental that fits your budget and timeline
- Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher help
- Your path from lease to keys of your own
QUICK ANSWERS
Asked this week.
The questions I hear most. If yours isn't here, ask it below.
How much money do I need to buy a home in Central Florida?
Less than most renters think. FHA loans allow 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score. VA and USDA loans can be 0% down for eligible buyers. Florida down payment assistance and Hometown Heroes can cover some or all of the down payment if you qualify. Budget for closing costs too; a seller can sometimes help pay them. I'm not a lender and don't quote rates, but I'll connect you with lenders who do.
Should I bring my own agent to a new construction community?
Yes. The sales rep in the model home works for the builder. Many builders require your agent to be registered at your first visit, so bring your agent before you sign in or sign anything.
Can I start shopping while I'm still in a lease?
Yes. Get pre-approved 60 to 90 days before your lease ends, then time the closing to your move-out date. Read your lease's early-termination clause before you write an offer.
What is my home worth?
Online estimates guess from tax records. A real number comes from the homes that actually closed near you. My free Private Price Check gives you a value range and estimated net in one business day, without listing your home.
What does it cost to sell a home in Florida?
Plan for brokerage fees (always negotiable), the owner's title insurance policy that Central Florida sellers customarily pay, documentary stamp tax on the deed at $0.70 per $100 of the sale price, prorated property taxes, any HOA fees, and your loan payoff. Ask me and I'll run your estimated net.
Can a buyer take over my FHA or VA loan?
FHA and VA loans are generally assumable with lender approval. If your rate is low, that can be a strong selling point. With a VA loan, understand how an assumption affects your VA entitlement before you agree to it.
Can I buy a short-term rental in Davenport or Kissimmee?
Only in communities zoned for it. Several resort communities near the parks allow short-term rentals; many standard HOA neighborhoods don't. Verify county zoning and HOA rules before you write an offer. Ask me about a specific community and I'll check.
Are property taxes different on an investment property in Florida?
Yes. The homestead exemption and the 3% Save Our Homes cap only apply to your primary residence. Non-homestead property has a 10% annual cap on assessed value increases for non-school taxes. Run taxes and insurance, not just the mortgage.
What rent can I expect on an investment home?
It depends on the street, size and condition. Send me the address and I'll pull rent comparables from leases that actually signed, not asking prices.
What do I need to rent a home in Central Florida?
It varies by landlord. Many look at income around three times the rent, credit, rental history and a background check. Have proof of income and ID ready so you can apply the same day you find the right home.
Do you help renters with Section 8 or Housing Choice Vouchers?
Yes. I help voucher holders find homes that fit their voucher, and I help qualifying families use the HCV Homeownership pathway to buy.
Should I rent or buy?
Compare your rent to a full monthly payment with taxes, insurance and HOA, then factor in how long you'll stay. My free 100 Questions Before You Buy a House guide walks you through it.
General information only, not legal, tax or lending advice. Program rules change; ask me and I'll confirm what applies to you today.
QUESTION OF THE DAY · VIDEO ANSWER
You asked. I answered on camera.
Every day I pick one real question from this page and answer it on video. First names only, never your address or details.
TODAY'S ANSWER
NOVEMBER 2, 2026 · BUYING
I rent in Kissimmee. How much do I really need saved to buy my first home?
Less than most renters think. With FHA it can start at 3.5% down, and down payment assistance can cover some or all of that if you qualify. The real number depends on your price range and closing costs, so I walk through both in the video.
HOW IT WORKS
Your answer starts here.
I.
ASK
Your question, your area, your mobile number. Thirty seconds.
II.
RESEARCH
I check the MLS, program guidelines, rent comps or zoning, whatever your question needs.
III.
ANSWER
A clear, written answer by text or email within one business day.
IV.
DECIDE
On your time. Want it explained? A 15-minute call, in English or Spanish.
WHO'S ANSWERING
Ten years of Central Florida answers.
For about ten years I've helped Central Florida families buy, sell, rent and invest, from first-time buyers using FHA, VA, Hometown Heroes and down payment assistance to sellers, investors and voucher holders. I've seen the questions that cost people money. I'd rather you ask them first.
Educated today. Prepared tomorrow. Homeowner forever.
BERNARD JACKSON JR. · REALTOR® · ABR® · LPT REALTY · ENGLISH & ESPAÑOL
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Straight answers. Real results.
4.8 average from 20 Google reviews
Bernard Jackson did a great job helping us sell our home in Poinciana. He knew the market well, listed the house at a smart price, and helped us get a solid offer quickly.
We just moved here from Colorado. Mr. Bernard Jackson went above and beyond to help us find a home. Thank you Bernard for “ALL” your help!
Very knowledgeable about the area! Very responsive. Our move-in process was clear and precise. You absolutely made our move from Michigan a breeze!
ASK BERNARD
What do you want to know?
No question is too basic. You'll hear back within one business day, and nothing gets posted or shared.
Bernard Jackson Jr.Reads and answers every question personally. English & Español.
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QUESTION RECEIVED
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I'll answer by text or email within one business day. Need it sooner? Call or text 863.223.2294.