Here's something fun for all of you parents with children that are out of school for the summer.  I don't know about the rest of you, but mine have bellyached almost everday about me forcing them to attend summer camp. Bob reminded me of this song and I just couldn't help but to post it with some of my usual funny photos.  I can't wait for school to start........Here's hoping you get a kick out of this!   Hello Mudda, hello Fadda, Here I am at Camp Granada.Camp is very entertaining,And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining I went hiking with Joe Spivy; He developed poison ivy.You remember Leonard Skinner;He got ptomain poisoning last night after dinner.         All the counselors hate the waiters,And the lake has alligators,And the head coach wants no sissies,So he reads to... 06/19/2012

Buyers love color when they drive up to your home, they're wanting to see beauty and be entranced with splendor upon arrival.   The house can be a variety of conditions but their heart is screaming for you to color their world with eye candy!  People want to see things that are catchy to their eye, pretty flowers, nice landscapes, a welcome home look. When you are thinking of selling your home take a good look around as though you've never seen your home before and visualize what a buyer would want to see.  Flowers are a wonderful way to cheer up any house. 05/18/2012

SOLD! CALL SARA FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF CURRENT LISTINGS IN OCALA. 352-209-4044Spacious ranch style home with covered front entry,covered back patio,galley kitchen with breakfast bar,pantry,eat in kitchen. Inside laundry,split bedroom floorplan,appliances convey if on property at the time of closing. Property may be eligible for homepath financing.  This home would be good for first time home buyers or retirees. 05/18/2012

 SOLD!  PLEASE CALL FOR OTHER LISTINGS FOR SALE352-209-4044 SARA HOMANNice 3/2 Split Bedroom Ranch-style home with cathedral ceilings, Fireplace. Kitchen has updated cabinets and countertops, Pantry. Property has inside laundry, ceiling fans and a screened-in patio. Appliances convey if present at closing.  Great home for first time home buyers or retirees.  Located in the North West part of Ocala within a short distance to I-75 and other main routes.     05/18/2012

      Today I walked in your house and I need to be honest with you.  Your refrigerator is telling on you.   I decided not to buy your home because I loved your kitchen and all that it has to offer, but, as I went over to the refrigerator I noticed some telling things. I saw a business card from a septic company, another one from an electrician, another one from a termite company and each of them had a bill for recent work done.   It's good that you are taking care of your home now that it is for sale but it makes me concerned that you are trying to hide things and really haven't cared for your home all along. The appearance of your refrigerator is unkempt.  To me, that is indicative of the rest of your home except I get the feeling that you have tried to cover a multitude of sins in ot... 05/15/2012

Adorable 2/2 home with covered front entry,cathedral ceilings and a split bedroom floorplan,ceiling fans,screened in lanai,quaint kitchen with pantry and appliances co nvey if on property at the time of closing. Master bath features a whirlpool tub. Situated on nearly a quarter acre lot. This is a Fanne Mae Homepath Property.Purchase this property for as little as 3percent down! Property si eligible for Homepath Mtg and Homepath Renovation Mtg Financing. For more info visit www.homepath.com 05/13/2012

Kentucky Derby Winner from "The Horse Capital of the World"   I'll Have Another Wins 2012 Kentucky Derby At Churchill Downs   and Ocala, Florida claims another victory!   Ocala has long claimed to be "The Horse Capital of the World" and now I'll Have Another adds to that claim.     In fact, "At least 11 of the 20 horses running in today's Kentucky Derby once called the Ocala area home." Horse Captial of the World says Wikipedia!   Thinking Ocala or just Florida? Call The Ruiz/Miller Team!   Get 2 Realtors for the price of 1! Join Active Rain Can they sell it? Yes they can! 352-547-1074   Bob@bobtherealtor.net     Bob the Realtor     05/08/2012

Turtles & ducks are fun to watch.  We visited some local parks over the weekend and watched the ducks follow us around the pond. I found it interesting that there wasn't a Ma & Pa around.  These little ones seemed to be thriving nevertheless, don't you think? Looking rather weightless and casual! I think moss on algae on the top of a turtle's shell can get sunburned! This is why I love Ocala parks! ` 05/04/2012

"I'm so grateful I took your advice, I got a home inspection and I'm so glad I did!"  My buyer said to me today.  He knew it was a fixer-upper but he had no idea of the fixing it needed.   Being the passionate Realtor that I am I urge all my customers to get a home inspection done by a top quality inspection service.  NOT JUST ANYBODY!  After 8 years in my local area I think I've seen it all.  Some companies are about money and quantity while others are about quality and care.  I prefer the latter and so do my customers.  It is very easy to look at a home and think "it's not that bad"  while many a sin lies beneath the surface.  Home inspections are designed to bring those sins to the surface so that the buyer can decide whether they truly want this home or another one would be best. D... 05/04/2012

A picture is worth a thousand words they say, so I'd like to give you a little tour of Marion Landing. The Clubhouse where all the fun begins, The beautiful pool which is very hard to get a picture of because people are almost always in it.  The Bowling alley which has 8 lanes.  Then you have shuffle board, Tennis Courts, Exercise Room, Ball Room, Craft Room and so much more.   For a personal tour of Marion Landing & to see all the amenities that it has to offer call me at:  352-209-4044 or email me here.   04/29/2012

I alway liked to feed the ducks as a child, but we obeyed the rules! These young ducks followed us as we walked around the pond.  I think their parents abandoned them and they wanted someone to follow. Spanish moss hanging from the trees.   It looks great to some but not to others.  Often folks like to take it indoors but it does have little mites in it that bite soooo leave it on the trees. For additional info, to schedule an appointment or for a list of AVAILABLE FORECLOSURES reply to this ad or call:   Sara Homan, Realtor 352-209-4044 Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty7621 SW Hwy 200OcalaFl 34476 04/28/2012

What is the current housing inventory in Marion County Florida? Available Residential Short Sales 228 Available Residential 55+ Short Sales 22 Available Residential Foreclosures 177 Available Residential 55+ Foreclosures 23 Available Residential 55+ Homes 593 Available Residential Homes 1338 Total Available Residential Homes  3368 Vacant Land 3171 Available Farm Short Sales 17 Available Farm Foreclosures 12 Total Available Farms 474 Total Available Commercial Properties  532 Search Our MLS Here For Your Dream Home For additional info, to schedule an appointment or for a list of AVAILABLE FORECLOSURES reply to this ad or call: Sara Homan, Realtor 352-209-4044 Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty7621 SW Hwy 200 Ocala Fl 34476     04/25/2012

A recent listing that I had and just closed was located in a lovely community.  Lockbox on the door, sign in the window (Deed restrictions forbid signs on the lawn). The home had been listed for 3 months at higher than market value, we had few showings and no offers.  We lowered the price but not enough.  Finally someone knocked on their door, THEY FOOLISHLY LET THEM IN!  This gentleman negotiated far more than I would have allowed but he preyed on a vulnerable woman. After the deal was verbally negotiated the seller called me and excitedly said "GUESS WHAT?  I JUST SOLD MY HOUSE!"  I asked her to tell me how she did it.  Listening to the story I started hearing her suggesting that she no longer needed my services... UH NO! Can you give me a break on the commission?  After all, I did se... 04/22/2012

Provoked by Chrissy Doremus' post on 10 Important things to do on your new house I thought I'd share some insight on her point # 1. 1.  "Change the locks, reprogram garage door opener codes, and check that all window locks operate properly. If there's a security system, learn how it operates and sign up for any maintenance or monitoring plans that that yours requires." A few weeks ago I closed on a beautiful home in a lovely, exclusive hamlet.  This home backs a small lake and the hamlet is surrounded by very high end horse farms.  No need to concern yourself with safety, right?  WRONG! Now it's not like the buyers were burying their heads in the sand, they weren't.  They finished the closing and left thinking they'd stop for a bite to eat in celebration and then proceed to their new ho... 04/20/2012

We need to talk about those guns while your home is being offered for sale.  This is an important issue for safety sake above all else. Let me start by saying I am a 2nd Amendment advocate, I 100% support the American people’s right to keep and bear arms.  My definition of gun control is “Use Both Hands”  This however is a post about safety during the time a home is being sold. Several years ago I was listing a home in a rather transient and potentially dangerous neighborhood.  The seller was an elderly widowed woman who was legally blind.   I had no problem with her owning guns, nor was I concerned that the 357 magnum handgun was in her nightstand drawer fully loaded.  I did however have a problem with the fact that she was legally blind and couldn’t make out my face just 3 feet away f... 04/17/2012

I've been with Active Rain now about 5 years give or take, over the years I've learned tons of stuff.  Some fun things, some techy things and some things I'll never use, but here is a fun way to stay in touch that doesn't cost you anything but a little time and it is so easy! It is called  http://flowers2mail.com/  all you need to do is click and drag, add flowers of all sorts and add a nice card.  People love receiving these emails and you haven't spent a penny but you've touched a heart. 04/16/2012

   Quaint home on a very nice landscaped lot. Home features an open kitchen with loads of storage, fireplace in living room, wood flooring, ceiling fans, appliances convey if on property at the time of closing. Property may be eligible for Homepath Financing-Please visit www.homepath.com for information on loan programs, special promotions and fnd an approved Homepath Lender.    04/15/2012

Typically September through March is the bulk of the 55+ season in Florida.  It is when we are able to sell the most 55+ homes.  Summer is almost here, but it's the best time to buy a snowbird home! One of my most beloved communities, Marion Landing has 15 homes currently available ranging from $41,000 to $150,000.  Marion Landing has some wonderful amenities and is centrally located near shopping, medical needs, just minutes to I-75 and also near very scenic high-end horse farms. EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MARION LANDING OR OTHER 55+ COMMUNITIES Sara Homan, Realtor 352-209-4044   04/13/2012

Mouth watering desserts await you! Elegance in dining, the finest food and a very pleasant atmosphere you'll enjoy! Tea with Lee is located in downtown Ocala on Silver Springs Blvd.  If you are planning a trip to Ocala I would highly recommend you dine at Tea with Lee, you'll be glad you did!   If you are into antiques and collectibles then Tea with Lee will thrill you and keep you busy for hours. Don't wait!  Visit Tea With Lee soon!   04/13/2012

  This morning while on our walk, my husband and I came across a dead Coral snake.  When we first moved into our house I had spotted a Coral snake twice.  Unnerving as it may be I like to be informed and employ every possible safety measure available. A Coral snake is extremely deadly, yet it is a somewhat passive snake that prefers to feed on bugs and little critters.  This is very much in contrast to a rattlesnake that is aggressive and quite deadly as well. When northern people come to Florida I take the time to remind them of certain things like walking in tall grass or wooded areas with underbrush.  I also caution people about bodies of water, particularly ponds and lakes where there might be alligators or snakes as well. The Coral snake has a very close resemblance to the King sna... 04/12/2012