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Ocala, FL Real Estate News

By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
Splash, dive, swim, play, relax, exercise, cool off, whatever your pleasure in a pool, the very best feature is how much you can use it! That is what living in Florida is all about.  The pool season can last 6-9 months or more if you use a heater. Pools come in all shapes, sizes and colors.  Some are designed for swimming, some for luxury.  Some pools are open while others are screen enclosed.  Some pools are salt, some are chlorine.  Some are heated & some depend on the sun & air temperature to heat them.  So I ask you, What is your dream pool home like?  And better yet, what price range will work for you? Here are some Ocala Florida pool homes that may just be what you're looking for!  Enjoy! 100,000-$200,000 Range Click Here $200,000-$300,000 Range Click Here $300,000-$400,000 Range ...
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By Christy Ruschel
(Remax Premier Realty)
   Curious About Real Estate in Central Florida You have found the right spot! Zero Down Payment!   Yes We have it! Short Sales/Bank Owned Properties! Yes The most recent closing I had with a Client was so GREAT!Setting at the closing table & this is truely what happened - They received over $600 back at closing (08/22/2008) They received appraisal - Purchase Price $156,000 Appraisal $188,000 Is this a Scenario that you would like for yourself, someone you know or a client you may have that is coming to Central Florida? Then you can contact me immediately - I take 100% Care of my Clients! Go To:  www.welcomeocala.com  for more information
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
At this point it really is a coin toss!  Having lived in New York most of my life I have experienced the pain of winter heating prices and high taxes. Now I lived on Long Island in East Northport, Greenlawn & Shirley, in either cape style homes or ranches.  The heating was cheaper for a ranch but the taxes were cheaper for a cape. The competition for highest ticket is really neck & neck.  When we left Shirley for Ocala Florida 4 years ago our taxes were $5500 (AND THAT IS VERY LOW) and our heating was around $1200-$1400 per year. The system that the oil companies gauge consumption on is called "degree days".  The average degree days per season is around 6000.  Homes can use as much as 1000 degree days per tank or as low as 400-500 degree days for larger homes.  Some of the 6000 degree d...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
The lifestyle of Marion Landing   Its not just a home that you're buying in Marion Landing...It's a lifestyle change!  This community is designed to have fun and enjoy your 55+ years.  You'll love it here.   Marion Landing Has It All!   The Lifestyle Center, commonly referred to as the Clubhouse is quite large and beautifully designed.  The activities coordinator plans most of the hobby, sport, craft and special trips that you could imagine.   You can meet lots of people here and make lots of friends with folks who love to do the same things you do.   The Possibilities are Many!   Bowl at the eight lane professionally sanctioned Brunswick lanes Shoot some pool on one of the billiard tables Get in shape or stay in shape at the fitness center Shout BINGO and win prizes Sunbathe and swim ...
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By Joe Dallorso, Ocala Real Estate
  Think about it, as the expression goes. Interest rates are a historical lows. Oil prices dominate the evening news every night. Our economy revolves around oil and ever increasing oil prices are a cause of inflation. How does the goverment control inflation? Inflation is regulated by increasing interest rates.   Consider this, if you're waiting for home prices to fall. What if interest rates go up? A rise in interest rates could easily wipe out any saving that you might get by trying to "time the market".
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By Joe Dallorso, Ocala Real Estate
    I've been really busy and I'm only getting around to doing my monthly weather report now on August 23rd. It's been a very wet rainy summer. For the past couple of years we have been in drought condition. We we've returned to normal with a vengeance. It seems like it rained every afternoon for the entire month!   You've probably been watching tropical storm Fay flooding the space coast of Florida. Here in Ocala we've had a lot of rain, 2 to 4 inches depending on where you live but nothing like you see on TV. Here where I live in the SW I had to drain my swimming pool and I guess I got more towards the 4 inch area.   Tropical storms and hurricanes feed off the warm ocean water and rapidly lose strength over land. Ocala's big advantage is being located mid way between either coast.  Lo...
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By Joe Dallorso, Ocala Real Estate
OCALA REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT Homes Sold July  2008 ..............178* $100,000.00 or less..........................60 $101 to $200,000.00........................87 $201 to $300,000.00........................17 $301 to $500,000.00.........................9 $500,000.00 Plus..............................5 Active Listings as of 8/05/08.......7101* *This does not count homes sold by builders that may not be listed on the MLS Number may be revised due to late reports from board of Realtors.  WHAT"S HOT IN OCALA REAL ESTATE · Foreclosures · Newer Homes priced to compete with foreclosures & short sales Buyers are looking for foreclosures. and Short Sales, which are pre foreclosures.  It is these types of sales that are pulling prices down. Although they aren't supposed to be used as comp's f...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
A report today said $10-$12 million in damages related to Tropical Storm Fay... Ok lets put that in perspective.  That could be: 100-120 houses valued at an average of $100,000 40-48 houses valued at an average of $250,000 Now to pose a question, How many homes do we have in Florida???  HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS!  I received a call from a gentleman in New York today.  He was frantic and very concerned about his house here in Ocala because of all the media coverage of "disasters" from Tropical Storm Fay.  I calmed his fears by saying, I am originally from Long Island and I have been through much, much worse in NY than this, besides it is not even raining out now!!! It disturbs me that the media focuses on flood zones and houses that probably needed repairs long before the storm.  Did you eve...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
Below are several options to view current horse farm listings on the Ocala Mls.  I have included the price ranges for your convenience.  Under $200,000 Click Here $200,000-$300,000 Click Here $300,000-$400,000 Click Here $400,000-$500,000 Click Here $500,000-$600,000 Click Here $600,000-$700,000 Click Here $700,000-$800,000 Click Here $800,000-$900,000 Click Here $900,000-$1,200,000 Click Here $1,200,000-$1,500,000 Click Here $1,500,000-$2,500,000 Click Here $2,500,000-$5,000,000 Click Here Over $5,000,000 Click Here           
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By Crystal McCall, CDPE,CIAS,ABR,CRS,CRB,GRI,CIPS
(Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty)
Today's real estate market is abundant with terms of shorts sales and foreclosures and the best time to buy a property for a "good deal" is when it is an official Bank Owned property.  This means it is completely through the foreclosure property, all appraisals have been completed, the bank has a completed file on the property and it wants to get this property off their books as soon as possible. In the month of June, 2008, there were over 20,000 foreclosures filed in the state of Florida.   These are homes both over the $ 500,000 price point with the best inventory in newer homes from $ 150,000 to $ 250,000.  Many of these homes are brand new and never lived in and they are in great repair. Yes, there are those homes that have been stripped and abused and some of these are great buys b...
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By Crystal McCall, CDPE,CIAS,ABR,CRS,CRB,GRI,CIPS
(Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty)
Everyday we hear and read how challenging it is to market  your home and we are all looking for a better way to make our homes show.  As I show properties to prospective home owners, I am truly amazed how "motivated sellers" allow their homes to be previewed by a possible Buyer.  The home is featured with unnecessary clutter all around. Clutter and disorganization is not only a huge time waster (as stated in Revolution Health article by Laura Stack) and cause for stress, it is also a deterrent when showing the property in a market that is overrun with an abundance of inventory. Stack offers the Five Box Technique which is very organized and efficient.  First, take the opportunity to step back and review what needs to be better organized to make showings more effective. The five boxes me...
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By Crystal McCall, CDPE,CIAS,ABR,CRS,CRB,GRI,CIPS
(Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty)
Realty Trac, one of the nations largest Foreclosure Specialist has assigned Crystal McCall, Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty to handle Pre-foreclosed and Foreclosed properties in the Ocala, Summerfield and The Villages marketplace in Central Florida. Realty Trac is the most comprehensive and convenient link to what is going on in the Foreclosure market today.  They have the nations largest database of Pre-foreclosures, Auction and Bank Owned properties.  Buyers using this network through Crystal McCall will be afforded the ability of purchasing properties 25-50% below market prices.  Financing for these properties is easily to obtain and this is a great source for investments today! If you are in the market for these properties, just give me a call! 1 800-391 8354 or visit my website,...
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By Crystal McCall, CDPE,CIAS,ABR,CRS,CRB,GRI,CIPS
(Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty)
Yes, Buyers and Sellers are experiencing activity in the North Central Florida market.  Both retirement communities and traditional neighborhood homes are closing.  Banks are doing financing because they realize that is the only way they can make money.  Yes, you need to have great credit ratings if you are going to the financial institutions for new money.  Also, there are private lenders willing to hold mortgages. The inventory supply has declined a little due to sales taking place and unmotivated sellers backing out of the marketplace.  There is also an abundance of foreclosure properties with many more to follow for the next twelve months in North Central Florida.  This area was a large speculator nest during the years of 2005-2006.  Many of these properties were built to "flip" and...
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By Rhonda Buckner, We Make Your Dreams Come True
(Buckner Homes Realty Inc.)
The news media has made it seam like the world is about to end because it is so bad.  NOT SO.  Realistically we are back to a normal market.  2005-2006 was a crazy market that inflated home price all over the nation.  In Ocala homes are selling at the same price they were in 2004.  Homes are selling on the average of 5- 6 months now verse homes in 2004 were selling in about 3 months.  In this market because of the improper way the lender were lending money and then the new media telling people to walk away from the homes, we have more repo and short sales available  compared to 2004.  The media has made home buyer afraid to even try to get a loan.  On the new you hear how the banks are going under and that nobody is lending money.  That is far from the truth.  The past two months there ...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
The following subdivisions are located in the SW part of Ocala Florida.  With each subdivision is provided a link to the current active homes.  These are all residential communities without age restrictions.  Deed restrictions that apply are according to zoning which basically are for residential use not agricultural or multi-family. Majestic Oaks is a deed restricted residential community accommodating residents of all ages.  Many of the homes in this community are pool homes but not all of them.  It is located near Winding Oaks Farm which is a Thoroughbred farm.  If you are fortunate enough to be located near the farm and are an early riser then you can watch the horses exercise in the very early morning hours. Currently there are 36 Available homes for sale in Majestic Oaks View list...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
   Total Residential Sales in January 2008  207 <<<  Highest Price Residential Sale $850,000                                           Lowest Price Residential Sale $33,000  >>>        Total Residential Sales in February 2008  241 <<< Highest Price Residential Sale 6,672,990                                            Lowest Price Residential Sale $23,000 >>>         Total Residential Sales for March 2008  285   <<< Highest Price Sale $3,050,000                                           Lowest Price Residential Sale $12,000 >>>          Total Residential Sales for April 2008 328 <<< Highest Price Residential Sale  $2,000,000                                             Lowest Price Residential Sale $29,900 >>>             Total Residential Sales for May 2008  301  <<< Highest Price Resid...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
More than what it means, how do we find out about the location we are considering for our home. Demographics are very important to know and obtain, that is why here in Ocala Florida we have an extensive source of information concerning Marion County it is called OcalaEDC.  The information available gives a birds eye view of Ocala and the opportunity to determine if Ocala is the place you'd like to call home. On this site you can learn about the Population, the Economy, the Housing, the Quality of life, the Workforce, Communications and utilities, Companies, Transportation, Education & training, Healthcare, Incentives, Taxes & Exemptions, Available properties, Schools, News, Links and so much more! For additional information on Ocala you can do a Google search for Ocala Florida or go to ...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
Having lived in New York most of my life it was not such an easy or understandable thing that people in Florida live in concrete block homes. I related concrete to basements, dampness & cold.  That is not the case in Florida.  I live and work in Ocala Florida.  Ocala is centrally located just 40 miles south of Gainesville, 65 miles from "The Mouse" (Disney of course), 45 minutes from the Gulf and 1.5-2 hours from the Atlantic/East Coast.   These two homes are located in very nice subdivisions, the one above is in Harvest Meadow, it is a 4 bedroom 2 bath pool home built in 2005, the one to the left is in Meadow Glenn and was recently closed.  These homes are built to the current codes and it is anticipated that they will have less challenges than their older competition.  The challenges ...
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
Wayne & Louise just closed on their new home today in Kingsland Country Estates next to Ocala Waterway!  Yippee!!!  They have been so wonderful to work with.  At the closing table they shared these kind words which make my career selling real estate a pleasure.  I met them on July 4th and offered them my assistance in finding a home that was most closely suited to their needs...without any further delay, here's Wayne & Louise!     If you are thinking of buying or selling, I'd love to assist you too!  Call or email me at 352-209-4044 or sarahomanrealtor@hotmail.com  
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By Sara Homan, Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+
(Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044)
Having lived in New York most of my life I am very familiar with the mindset of New Yorkers and other northern states that have only had attorneys close their transactions.  Here in Florida things are different than NY and other attorney states.  It is not to say that attorneys don't close transactions, they sometimes do but most of the time transactions are closed by title companies. The basic process is:  Agent & buyer write a contract, include any contingencies or requests, then the contract is presented to the seller.  If the seller agrees and signs, that document becomes an executed contract that is legal and binding.  This process usually takes 1-2 days to complete and only tends to be longer if owners are out of area and documents need to be faxed or mailed. The executed contract...
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