No Money Down Rural Housing USDA Loans in Ocala Florida are back and fully funded. The new sub-prime loans of today are the government backed or sponsored loans. The FHA Loan is one we are all familiar with but how many of you know about the USDA Rural Housing Loan.  Here's how it works 100% financing on homes located in certain geographical area's with borrower's who are in certain income ranges. That's it! Use this link to see if the property qualifies by falling into one of the designated geographical area's http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do Remember when income qualifying to use the income of the ENTIRE family. Seller can pay up to 6% of buyers closing cost The 3.5% Guarantee Fee is included (Financed) in with the loan amount 100% of borrowers cash to... 02/26/2011

Here we go! Today will be the beginning of numerous DAY 1 events for many people. I got a jump start last night, before midnight and  set my goal on using Twitter on a regular basis. Mind you I know of no one who uses twitter, so I look forward to connecting with new people in a new way.  So if you do use twitter it would tickle me to death if you would send me a tweet to get me rolling http://twitter.com/Sannathomas By participating today in the Active Rain Blogging Challenge well on my way to checking off another to do on my list!   What's your DAY 1 event ? I hope you have already checked it off! 01/01/2011

Original posted on Ocalalicious. There was talent overload at FAFO’s Ocala Arts Festival 2010 (October 23 and 24), featuring over 200 fabulous, uniquely talented artists. See the list of artists on this page. A personal highlights while at the Ocala Arts Festival was meeting Ocala’s “Dynamic Equine Artist” Sharon Crute, and her husband. Visit Sharon’s Racing Gallery, her Jumping Gallery, and her Fox Hunting Gallery. Sharon’s studio is located in Downtown Ocala at 108 East Fort King Street, and her phone number is 352-671-7469. “Ocala Arts Festival 2010“ Related articles Horse Fever Horses Featured at the Marion Cultural Alliance Center in Downtown Ocala. (ocalalicious.com) Ocala’s 2010 Cultural Festival. (ocalalicious.com) Sights and Sounds of the 2010 Abbey Horse Festival, Ocala FL. (... 10/29/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious. If you have not eaten at Ocala’s own Rose’s Round-Up Cafe in the North Magnolia Business District of Ocala at 809 North Magnolia Avenue, you need to get scrambling! (Phone: 352-867-1458) My girlfriend, Annie, and I ate breakfast there yesterday before visiting the Ocala Arts Festival. You might guess I especially loved the Western lifestyle murals and decorations in Rose’s. Also, Rose’s service is excellent. ********** SEE OUR BREAKFAST VIDEO ********** Related articles Photographs from the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Fall Mixed Sale, October 2010. (ocalalicious.com) Do Ocala Horses and Horse Farms Make My Butt Look Big? (ocalalicious.com) Ocala’s Chili Cook-Off 2010 Was Hot! (ocalalicious.com) Ocala’s 2010 Cultural Festival. (ocalalicious.com) Wondering Which... 10/26/2010

Original posted on Horsealicious. Photographs from the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Fall Mixed Sale, October 19 and 20, 2010, are featured in the slide show below. Should it be of interest, you may view a video from Day 1 of the Fall Mixed Sale. The next sale at Ocala Breeders’ Sales is the Winter Mixed Sale, scheduled for January 18-19, 2011, followed by the OBS Championship Stakes on March 14, and the Selected Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, scheduled for March 15-16. “Ocala Breeders’ Sales Fall Mixed 2010“ Related articles Wondering Which Horse Was Top Seller at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Fall Mixed Sale Tuesday? (ocalalicious.com) Do Ocala Horses and Horse Farms Make My Butt Look Big? (ocalalicious.com) Look What I Found This Morning on an Ocala Horse Farm. (ocalalicious.com) Grand National ... 10/26/2010

According to OMCAR (Ocala Marion County Board of Realtors) from the end of August of 2009 to September  30th, 2010 the average sales price for residential homes fell from $119,921 to $91,722 for a decrease of 24%.  The average list price fell from $128,521 to 97,415  or a decline of 24% for the same 12 months period.  The average price per square foot of living area for residential homes fell from $71 a year ago to $57 by the end of September, 2010, for a decrease of 20%.  The median sales price fell from $103,500 to 76,700 for the same 1 year period for a decline of 26%. Our MLS has 5354 active residential listings as of September 30th, 2010, which shows that inventory is down since the end of  August, 2010. This is mostly due to several Banks putting a temporary hold on Foreclosures. ... 10/22/2010

Original posted on Horsealicious. Who was the top seller, Day 1, at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Fall Mixed Sale? The top seller in the Consignor Preferred session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2010 Fall Mixed Sale was a 5-year-old Storm Cat mare (Hip No. 147), Zehoorr, in foal to Tiznow, purchased by Rustlewood Farm, Inc. (Reddick, FL) for $250,000 from the Reddick-based Westbury Stables. Average sale numbers were up 42% compared with 2009, in part due to the dispersal of the entire stock of Westbury Stables. Photos: Fall Mixed Sale at Ocala Breeders’ Sales here Read more about the Ocala Breeders' Sales Fall Mixed Sale here. Related articles Do Ocala Horses and Horse Farms Make My Butt Look Big? (ocalalicious.com) Ocala Horse Farms, Home to Mares, Foals and an Imposter! (ocalaliciou... 10/22/2010

Here are some of the beautiful Thoroughbred 'interlopers' in the barns yesterday, Day 1, at the Fall Mixed Sale at Ocala Breeders’ Sales. Which horse was top seller, Day 1, at Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2010 Fall Mixed Sale? You'll have to click the link to find out. Today is Day 2 (and the final day) of the Fall Mixed Sale. Guess where I'll be.... More articles: Do Ocala Horses and Horse Farms Make My Butt Look Big? (ocalalicious.com) Ocala Horse Farms, Home to Mares, Foals and an Imposter! (ocalalicious.com) Nothing Says Horses and Horse Farms Like Ocala. (horsealicious.com) Sights and Sounds of the 2010 Abbey Horse Festival, Ocala FL. (ocalalicious.com) 10/20/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious. Colors of Fall in Ocala and Marion County, Florida permeate these photos, don't you think? Between the beautiful sunrise the other morning, the tree-lined road dappled with leaves, and the round hay bales, drying in the early morning sun, Ocala and Marion County really do have Fall color! It is amazing what beautiful sights you see walking around Ocala. Ocala Sunrise 10/14/10 Tree-lined drive in Ocala Dawn's early light on Ocala pasture © Susie Blackmon Related articles Ocala’s Chili Cook-Off 2010 Was Hot! (ocalalicious.com) Horse Fever Horses Featured at the Marion Cultural Alliance Center in Downtown Ocala. (ocalalicious.com) Ocala Horse Farms Feed the Florida Horse Industry. (horsealicious.com) Ocala’s 2010 Cultural Festival. (ocalalicious.com) 10/18/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious. How was Ocala's 2010 Chili Cook-Off? HOT! Experience the ‘flavor’ of the 2010 Chili Cook-off at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in the video below. A few of the winners of the Cook-Off are: BEST OF SHOW CHILI:  Grand Champion — Atheros Communications; First Runnerup — Davis Family; Second Runnerup — ServPro of Ocala.  The PEOPLE’S CHOICE CHILI:  Grand Champion — Professional Firefighters of Marion County. Read more about the Ocala Chili Cook-Off. Related articles Horse Fever Horses Featured at the Marion Cultural Alliance Center in Downtown Ocala. (ocalalicious.com) Southern Regional Paso Fino Horse Association Extravaganza – Ocala Livestock Pavilion (08/6-8/2010). (horsealicious.com) Remembering 9/11 with Sheriff Ed Dean at Golden Ocala Golf and Eq... 10/17/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious.com.   Ocala’s Cultural Festival 2010 was held in Historic Down Saturday, October 9, 2010.  Jamming in the Park performed during the Festival on the Square in Historic Downtown Ocala. Listen to a little of their music in this video created from my visit to the Cultural Festival. You can check on future events where Jamming in the Park will be performing here. Related articles Horse Fever Horses Featured at the Marion Cultural Alliance Center in Downtown Ocala. (ocalalicious.com) Ocala’s Chili Cook-Off 2010 Was Hot! (ocalalicious.com) Remembering 9/11 with Sheriff Ed Dean at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, 2010. (ocalalicious.com) Mimi’s Cafe in Ocala… Much More Than Omelets! (ocalalicious.com) 10/17/2010

Florida has long been a favorite hot spot for active adults and retirees, and the Sunshine State now contains several sprawling, resort-style active adult communities. Among these, On Top of the World shines as a jewel of Ocala. The community, which welcomes residents aged 55 or better, will offer 10,000 finely crafted homes, a full range of world-class amenities and a prime central Florida location. At this popular Florida active adult community, residents live in harmony within several distinct sub-sections, including the Candler Hills, Indigo East, Renaissance Park and Windsor Neighborhoods. The community’s estate homes, premier homes and villas are all thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of active adults. They exhibit Energy-STAR construction, including water-wise features in th... 10/12/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious. Ocala has horse everywhere it seems! The Abbey Horse Festival was held on Saturday, October 2, and was attended by horses of numerous breeds and disciplines. Tuesday, October 5, I visited Historic Downtown Ocala's Center for the Arts and was surrounded by Horse Fever horses. Photos from these two recent excursions are shared in the slideshow below. P.S. We had perfect weather for our Chili Cook-off this past weekend! “Ocala – Center for the Arts, Abbey Horse Festival“ Create a free slideshow with Picnik! Related articles by Zemanta Sights and Sounds of the 2010 Abbey Horse Festival, Ocala FL. (ocalalicious.com) Danny Harsh of Jenkins Hyundai of Ocala Takes Great Care of His Customers. (ocalalicious.com) Horse Fever Horses Featured at the Marion Cultural ... 10/11/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious. Hope you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Abbey Horse Festival in Ocala, at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, held on Saturday, October 2, 2010. There were numerous breeds represented at the Festival... Quarter horses, ponies, a Peruvian, and Friesians, to name some of the breeds at the Festival, and even a llama! Also, Ocala’s beautiful Gypsy Vanner Horses filled a few of the stalls very elegantly, and the Mule Mom and her baby were an amazing sight to see (you will see them in the video below). Learn more about the Mule Moms, and join the Mule Mom Kids Club! Located at 12501 SW 8th Avenue in Ocala, call the farm at 352-307-3777 or 866-497-7982 if you would like to arrange a farm tour, and see the beautiful Gypsy Vanners and the Mule Moms and their... 10/10/2010

Original on Ocalalicious.   This cute little Home Inspector's vehicle that I saw yesterday in Historic Downtown Ocala was impossible to ignore (I want one!). It was, IMHO, a charming mode of advertising and transportation for USA Home Inspections FL, and a great traveling reminder to think about having your home inspected. Home inspectors are an integral part of the real estate industry, and should be an integral part of your own regular home maintenance, for preventative purposes as well as peace of mind. Here is the contact information for Chris Ulrich of USA Home Inspections FL: 3911 SW 5th Ave, Ocala FL  34471 352-450-3020   © Susie Blackmon Related articles by Zemanta Look What I Found This Morning on an Ocala Horse Farm. (ocalalicious.com) Can There Ever Be Enough Horse Farms in O... 10/06/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious. These are a few of the horses from last weekend's Abbey Horse Festival in Ocala at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (October 2, 3, 2010). These photos represent just a few of the horses, vendors, and exhibitions featured at the Abbey Horse Festival. The music was great, the food looked delicious, and the exhibiters were quite varied. There were a few cowboys there too... see below. Nice holsters! Related articles by Zemanta Ocala Horse Farms, Home to Mares, Foals and an Imposter! (ocalalicious.com) Ocala and Marion County Horse Farms … all the horsepower I need. (horsealicious.com) More Views of What Ocala is Famous For… Horses and Horse Farms. (horsealicious.com) Saddle Up at Kral Saddlery in Ocala. (ocalalicious.com) Fall in Ocala … Horse Farms Wit... 10/04/2010

Original posted on Ocalalicious. It is easy to have Secretariat on your mind in Ocala.... there are beautiful thoroughbreds everywhere. The horses and elegant Ocala horse farms off of 200 in the short video below are just a stone's throw from I-75, amidst shopping malls, strip malls, and ‘big box’ stores …. but you would never know it. Some of the stores located along Highway 200 in Ocala include Sam’s Club, Dillards, Barnes & Noble.  The Paddock Mall is located on 200. And then, there are the restaurants! Related articles by Zemanta Fall in Ocala … Horse Farms With Round Bales of Freshly-Cut Hay and Heavier Broodmares. (ocalalicious.com) A Visit to an Ocala Horse Farm Full of Potential Kentucky Derby Winners. (horsealicious.com) Ocala Horse Farms, Home to Mares, Foals and an Imposter!... 09/30/2010

Breakfast today was at Mimi's Cafe off of 200 in Ocala, and it filled me up for the day. I ordered the Monterey Omelet, which came with home fried potatoes, fresh juice and a muffin. There was no room for the muffin, but the Monterey Jack cheese, bacon and avocado in and on the omelet would have made my Mama proud. Mimi's has breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, and serves liquor. I didn't have any liquor with my breakfast. Mimi's also has a great 'to-go business.' Address: 4414 SOUTHWEST COLLEGE RD., OCALA Phone: (352) 291-8668   09/29/2010

Original posted on Horsealicious. Enjoyed another great cheeseburger at Horse & Hounds Restaurant (off of Hwy 27) the other day, and took the long way out so I could drive through more horse country in Ocala. You will notice late September is not much different than late August, except (maybe) for the round bales of hay, and bigger bellies on many of the mares. The video of my drive to Horse & Hounds for lunch (below) may induce hunger (and they go well with horses). If you enjoy videos and looking around Ocala, here are more videos on my video page. Don’t forget there is a Horse Festival here in Ocala this weekend (October 2 and 3) at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. Related articles by Zemanta Remembering 9/11 with Sheriff Ed Dean at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, 2010. (o... 09/28/2010

Driving around and enjoying the beautiful Ocala horse farms scattered around on prime, gently rolling Florida land like I do, I cannot help but notice the 'for sale' signs at many farms. There weren't any 'for sale' signs Saturday in front of the farms that were home to the horses pictured below in West Ocala, I am happy to say. Look at a Google map showing Ocala area foreclosures. Ocala properties priced between $300,000 and $2,000,000. 09/27/2010