Time after time I hear customers shocked because I answer my phone, usually on the first or second ring.  If I’m on another call I occasionally let it go to voicemail and then call back as quickly as I can. Let me ask a few more questions:  How valuable is your time?  Do you have all day to wait around for a Realtor to call back?  Wouldn’t you prefer to speak with a Realtor either immediately when you call or very shortly thereafter? For whatever opinions are worth, there are knowledgeable Realtors out there who are willing to answer their phone, properly assist you and bring your purchase to a successful close.  Find them, call until you get someone who cares and has your interests at heart!           01/03/2012

Foreclosures are the steal of the market these days.  I've seen some disastrous homes that have been ransacked and I've seen some very beautiful homes in great condition.  The most important thing is can I afford to pay this kind of money and make the necessary repairs. It is such a wonderful thing when I walk into a home that is priced far below competing homes and is in great condition, win/win right?  Not always!  If that house is priced at $150k and competing homes are priced at $225k+ why would anybody want to throw them a $100k or less offer??? Granted there are some factors that should be considered.  Some of those factors are Days on the market, Recent price changes, any seller disclosures that inhibit or delay proper and adequate transfer of title etc.  However, my greatest wor... 01/03/2012

Yesterday I went on a listing appointment in a nearby community.  Now, I've done the whole listing presentation thing on many occasions over the years, but this time I felt like hard cold facts were the order of the day. This is not the time to be stingy, nor is it the time to expect more than market value.  It might be better to let the house go than to torment yourself waiting for the overpriced, mediocre marketable home to sell. I received a call from this gentleman just prior to Christmas and then again just after Christmas.  We set an appointment for yesterday and again he reminded me of the reduced commission and just how bad of a job the previous agent did. When I arrived at the house I noticed that curb appeal was better than the picture in the previous listing, however  all the... 12/29/2011

You lost your job And it’s a shame Your family starves And who’s to blame Your house goes next Weeds your ground will infest Thieves break in and steal They sell the copper and make a deal The banks don’t care ‘bout the neighborhood Things go down that never should At long last 6 foot weeds are cleared You can hear the cries of those who cheered! A nice young family is your hope and prayer Oh no!  An investor buyer who doesn’t care He rents it out quick as a flash His only goal is cold hard cash The neighborhood is changed, so sad! But stores are closing and that is bad Government cares not, they just pretend When will this vicious cycle end   I AM A REALTOR HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, LET ME ASSIST YOU IN SELLING YOUR HOME WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DISTRESS FOR YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.   12/27/2011

   This lovely 4 bedroom 2 bath home was built in 2005, it is in a wonderful community with a club house, activities for both adults and children, the community pool is available for the residents enjoyment.  The location is perfect for highway access yet in an area of country settings.   Foreclosed properties are a great opportunity for first time homebuyers or retirement homes for those looking for a warmer climate home. Please feel free to call me or email me for more information (don't forget to leave your email & phone number if you comment below and want more info).   Sara Homan, Realtor 352-209-4044                                                                                                                                                                                        ... 12/18/2011

JIMBO DOES JUMBO IN OCALA FLORIDA Looking for that perfect loan for your new dream home? Well look no further. Jimbo has been closing JUMBO loans in Florida for over 10 years. The key to getting the best rate for a non conforming loan such as a JUMBO is to have an experienced loan originator put the file together for you in the right manner. Shortcuts and files that make for messy presentations end up costing you money. Jimbo is an experienced loan originator that knows how to present your loan in it's best light to the investors. Call Jimbo today for a Free no obligation interview @ 813.205.7958 11/14/2011

The benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate set a new record for the third consecutive week, dropping to 4.35 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.38 discount and origination points. The average 15-year fixed mortgage remained at 3.48 percent while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate set a new low of 4.86 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were mixed, with the average 5-year ARM ticking higher to 3.1 percent while the 7-year ARM slid to another record low of 3.21 percent. A lackluster jobs report brought mortgage rates down for a sixth consecutive week. Fears of a looming recession or prolonged economic malaise have enhanced the appeal of long-term Treasury securities, with yields venturing into reco... 11/09/2011

Saving money has never been so trendy. Long gone are the days of irresponsible spending, so why be irresponsible with your homeowners insurance? Taking a little bit of time to research your options might just help you save a little in the wallet and put more in the bank. Here are four tips: 1. Shop around. Some insurance companies have been raising house insurance costs to recoup losses from the financial crisis. Others are competing for new customers by offering lower rates. By shopping around, people can find better deals on homeowners insurance. 2. Re-evaluate coverage amounts. Many policies have inflation protection provisions, which automatically increase coverage amounts. This was a good item in the years leading up to the crash, but today they should be looked at more closely. 3.... 11/09/2011

Many buyers are considering bank owned properties as an alternative to regular listings or short sales.  Why?  What are the advantages and disadvantages? Price is one good reason.  Often bank owned/foreclosed homes are priced considerably lower than other comparably listed homes.  Buyer beware though, necessary repairs are often factored into the bank/agent determined price, so low-ball offers tend to be rejected over the more educated buyer's offer. Appraisals!  If a bank owned property doesn't appraise the bank will often yield to the appraisal and reduce the selling price to meet the appraised price.  Most short sales succumb to this same process as well.  This is one advantage over regular listings where there is a seller involved who may need to get a certain amount of money in ord... 11/07/2011

PURCHASE AND REHAB YOUR HOME IN OCALA FLORIDA WITH THE FHA 203(K) LOAN - Most home buyers are turned off at the sight or even thought of buying a fixer-upper; a foreclosure or an older home today. However, educated and informed home buyers are utilizing the FHA 203(k) loan to buy their new home and fix it up with no additional out-of-pocket expense. The FHA 203(k) loan is a tool that savvy home buyers, successful contractors, Realtors and mortgage originators have been using since 1978. An FHA 203(k) loan is very similar to the traditional FHA loan. The only real difference is that with the FHA 203(k) loan, the home buyer is adding money to their mortgage balance to finance-in any repair/improvement cost. Whereas the traditional FHA loan requires that certain repairs be done before the ... 10/17/2011

All over the world people are being enslaved to human trafficking.  It is epidemic!  Ever wonder how you can help save lives from human trafficking and set people free?  Fact is, human trafficking is not isolated to just women, but it must be stopped! WOMEN AT RISK INTERNATIONAL (WAR) is at work in 25 countries rescuing those who have been enslaved to human trafficking and setting them free by housing them in safe houses, they educate them and teach them a trade.  There may very well be human trafficking occurring right in your own community.  Take a couple of minutes to watch the attached video and then contact WAR to see how you can make a difference.   Sara Homan, Realtor 352-209-4044 Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty, Ocala Fl  09/27/2011

Situated in Marion County, the Ocala area boasts natural beauty and a tranquil, relaxed lifestyle. While there are plenty of recreational and cultural attractions, Ocala residents enjoy life at a comfortable pace, without the hustle and bustle of a big city or the seasonal crowds of a tourist town. This makes Ocala an ideal location for many active adult retirees. The City of Ocala is located in the heart of Central Florida. It is less than 90 miles northwest of Orlando, and about an hour from the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Along the city’s east side, the Ocala National Forest covers approximately 383,000 acres of lush pines, lakes, rivers and regional wildlife. With such close proximity to the Ocala National Forest, active adults who settle in the Ocala area can easily enjoy outdoor... 09/23/2011

The USDA Rural Development 502 Guarantee program here in Florida is primarily used to help low-moderate income individuals or households purchase homes in Florida's rural defined locations. The wonderful part of this Government backed mortgage program is there is no required down payment…$0.   The lender must determine repayment feasibility, using ratios of repayment (gross) income to PITI and to total family debt. No Down payment, no “skin in the game” should result in higher default rate right?  Wrong!  Many people are surprised to learn that the USDA home loan default rate is considerably less when compared to traditional Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac loans that requires large down payments. Why is this? We have outlined a few reasons below. 1.   Like all Government home loans, USDA rural ... 09/22/2011

We receive many questions regarding the time frame for USDA home loans –  approvals and closings. Below is a little clarification on what to expect (time wise) while going through the USDA home buying process. The USDA application or USDA loan pre approval process is generally completed within the same day you apply.  Our specialist will take the USDA application with you and generally call you back within a few hours provided you have all the information available. Once you have your USDA home loan pre approval, you are good for 90 days.  From this point the home search process can begin!  Once you find that perfect home and your offer is fully accepted, the USDA closing process will take around 40 days to complete. It’s important for buyers and realtors to remember, the USDA home loa... 09/15/2011

  Many a battle has been fought and much blood has been shed but there's a WAR going on right now that needs your attention.   There is a rescue going on to help Women At Risk. Women who have been taken captive and enslaved in sex trades, but it's not only women, it's children too.  This very sadistic practice may very well be going on right in your own area.   How can you be informed?  And how can you help?   This wonderful lady is raising funds to support women around the world by selling the gorgeous jewelry and accessories that rescued women have made.  She is down at the Village Square in Ocala Florida on Saturday's from 8am -1pm and doesn't make a penny for herself!  Why?  Because this travesty must end!  Because she cares about women, all women, women in abusive, sadistic circum... 09/06/2011

If it's a great meal you want or to cater a party it's Chef James you want.  His technique and presentation will woo any crowd!   Having sampled and enjoyed many of Chef James meals and watched the care he puts into every food preparation makes you want to keep coming back for more. To schedule an event with Chef James please call 352-304-7850 and be so very glad you did! 08/16/2011

SummerGlen in Ocala, Florida is an affordable golf course community built by Florida Leisure Communities. Residents of SummerGlen Ocala appreciate its affordable homes and intimate size. This 55+ community is being planned for just 1,029 homes which is much more intimate in size than the larger, and higher-priced, neighboring communities. Amenities at this price leading Florida active adult community are centered around the community Town Center which is home to a golf clubhouse, the Residents’ Club and the Grand Hall. The Residents’ Club is the center of activity with a wide variety of amenities to encourage a physically fit and socially active lifestyle. There is a spacious fitness center with aerobics studio, a beach-entry swimming pool, spa and whirlpool as well as a library, billia... 06/30/2011

Ocala, Florida is well known as a Florida retirement hot spot. One of the most popular active adult communities in Florida is On Top of the World. This resort-style, gated community is planned for 10,000 homes and is the largest 55+ community in Florida. Being such a large active adult community, the list of amenities here is equally as large and amazingly impressive. There are numerous clubhouses boasting multiple fitness centers, swimming pools, restaurants, tennis courts and more. There are over 200 special interest clubs and hobby groups to discover featuring something for everyone. Every day of the week brings something special to do such as a fitness classes, activities, hobby club meetings or social gatherings. There are numerous special events, holiday parties, dances, seminars ... 06/03/2011

Horse Capital of the World-Ocala Home for Sale The United Country Certified Real Estate team is proud to present a deluxe 5 bedroom, 4 bath spacious home on 5.26 acres in the heart of horse country, Ocala, Florida The Horse Capital of the World. This Home for Sale will be sold at auction on May 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. The home is located at the intersection of FL Hwy 200 and County Road 475A. Travel south 2.4 miles on County Road 475A and then turn right into Paddock Park Estates. Then, travel .7 miles and the property will be on the left at 3550 SW 58th Street. This homesite is in a premier equestrian community. Several additional properties and lots will be offered at auction on the same day. Myers Jackson is Licensed Real Estate Broker and Auctioneer serving the United States and the ... 05/20/2011

Ocala Florida House Auction is Heating up! We have had this property on the market just 30 days in preparation for tomorrows Auction and I will have to say that we have had a lot of activity on this one. Some time the attraction to a specific property may not be determined during the Auction process because of the diversity in the minds of the bidders, however all the same we have a lot of potential bidders ready to buy the house in Ocala.  Located in Paddock Park Estates and boasts 4500+\- sq. Ft heat and cooled, almost 6000 under roof. An inspection period will start this afternoon at 2:00 PM and any eager bidder can look and measure in the morning prior to the Auction. All the terms and conditions can be obtained by email to the Auctioneer: INFO@uccre.com   I expect to have a good tu... 05/20/2011