Investor Agents, Union Park, and Lenders

[Steven Rodriguez]

Hi everyone, my name is Steven, I’m 23 years old, and I’m currently leasing an apartment but want to have a house under my belt by February 2026, when my lease expires. Originally, I was looking at homes in Williamsburg (Orange County, Orlando), but I’ve run into issues with HOAs. My strategy is to live in an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) on the property and rent out the main house to help cover expenses. The only real pros of Williamsburg were being close to work and to the amusement parks (SeaWorld, Universal, Disney), but with the HOA rules, it just doesn’t align with my plan. That’s why I’m now shifting my focus to Union Park, where I can find non-HOA homes with better potential for building/using an ADU and renting to UCF students. I have an agent I met through an open house, and while he’s been helpful, as my lease end gets closer, I’ve noticed a disconnect. Even though I’ve expressed my investing goals, the houses he shows me are more about aesthetic features like nice countertops rather than actual investment properties that fit my criteria. That’s why I’d really like to connect with an investor-minded real estate agent in the Orlando area who understands house hacking, ADUs, and the local rental market (especially around UCF). On top of that, I only have one lender so far and would really appreciate any recommendations for lenders, loan officers, or banks that other investors here trust. Thanks in advance for any advice or connections — I’m trying to set myself up right for when my lease ends next year and would really value input from people who’ve been through this in Orlando.