Great news for Florida Homebuyers!  Congress has passed a revised version of the First Time HomeBuyers tax Credit, and the President has said that he will sign it, as early as tomorrow!  The new bill will extend the credit until April 30, 2010, and if the buyer has an executed contract by that date, they can close as late as July 1, 2010 and still qualify.  Better still, now current homeowners who are selling or have sold their home in the last three years purchasing a new (or new to them) home can qualify for a tax credit of up to $6500.00, as long as they have used the home that they have sold (or are currently selling) as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years. The income limits have been raised, too.  A single person can earn as much as $125,000 per year a... 11/05/2009

This beautiful townhome is situated in the best part of Southeast Ocala, Florida. Close to Private schools (one within walking distance) as well as the best middle and highschools. Convenient 5 minute drive to downtown, as well as to the Paddock Mall, and the new Heathbrook Mall. Close to grocery stores, restaurants, and specialty stores! To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/florida-buy-condo-townhome-co-op-home-11648344.html 11/01/2009

It could be possible that things are starting to change for the better in short sales and modifications for distressed homeonwers. Yesterday I received a couple of phone calls that indicated promise on the horizon for borrowers from Bank of America. The first call was from a past client that lives in California and has an investment property in Ocala, FLorida. He had his home on the market as a short sale, but Bank of America just offered him a modification that cut his payment in half. PERMANTLY.  His rental home in Ocala now positve cash flows and it is one less property listed in an oversupplied market. His credit doesn't get dinged and the tenant doesn't have to worry about having to move. The second call was from a representative from Bank of America stating that they will now be u... 10/23/2009

The local investors in our area are once again pooling their money with LLC's and buying up homes for cash. I was beginning to think nobody had any money, but I was wrong. Now that the prices have gotten so low that a buyer can get a good cash on cash return for a rental property, we are writing contracts without showings for cash with a 10 day due diligence period. It's a beautiful thing to help clean up the mess. I think it will still a while before the builders start building again here in Ocala, but I am also seeing lot sales pick up (at discounted prices of course.) It's a lot of fun to have this much action all of a sudden. If we can get the residential builders back in business, we can turn a very important corner for our local economy. I had just written a post over the weekend ... 10/19/2009

There certainly is a lot of confusion about modifying for the average homeowner to try to navigate through today and it is changing by the minute. We have the acronyms coming out of space at us and we as professionals are trying to keep up with it all.  What's a homeowner to do when the lenders can't even figure it out themselves? What you might want to consider before you even look at a modification is your own local real estate market, you local economy, and the stability of the neighborhood you live in, in addition to how much you actually owe on your home vs. today's market value. Why are all of these factors so important? Well, a modification might not be the best solution for you at all. Take a good look at you local real estate market. There are many places on the internet you ca... 10/18/2009

I have created a Google Map showing the location of all Ocala area 55 plus communities. Eventuaaly I plan to put a link from the place marks to blog entries that will discribe each community. If you're not familiar with Google Maps, you can zoom in and out, move the map around with your mouse and even get an aereal view. For a breif discription of Ocala 55 Plus Retirement communitiies visit my web site. This is the link to my Ocala 55+ Communities Map. 10/16/2009

The weather here in Ocala has been unusually warm for October. As a matter of fact it's been so hot that we have set records for he date several times. Here is how it has been. So far, half way through October, it's been in the low to mid 90's almost every day. It should be in the mid to high 80's and getting dryer all the time. October is also the beginning of the dry season where the afternoon thunderstorms stop, the humidity goes away and it doesn't rain for weeks om end. If you'd like to know more about Ocala weather visit my new web page that has all sorts of Ocala weather info. 10/13/2009

GolfLink.com ranks Ocala as number 8 in it's list of Florida golf destinations. In addition of some great golf courses like Golden Hills, which just hosted the 2009 U.S Woman's Mid amateur Championship, Ocala has some really great Golf Course Communities. These great communities combined, with the fact that the Ocala area has the second lowest median home price in Florida, makes for some pretty great deals on homes. You can actually buy a home right on a golf course here in Ocala for under $200,000.00. Interestedin finding out more about Ocala Golf Course Communities? Call or email me and I can send you a list of Ocala area golf course homes for sale. There has never been a better time to buy. 10/13/2009

January begins the 2010 classic events of the HITS, Horse Shows In The Sun .  Ocala warmly welcomes horses, riders, equestrians of many disciplines for the 7 week event. Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World an honorary title that Lexington Kentucky competes to share.  Of course we believe Ocala is the best location due to the year round moderate and warmer temperatures, providing the ability to enjoy the equestrian lifestyle anytime you want. After much work and competition HITS culminates with the $100,000 Grand Prix.   If you'd love to be around horses and enjoy the competition and other events, visit us in January and relax in the sun with the horses. 10/05/2009

    2/2/1 Birmingham Model. Vinyl and carpet. Price includes furniture. Family room off of kitchen. This has not been lived in very much. Florida room with vinyl. Covered open patio. this home includes a Coldwell Banker Home Protection Plan, administered by American Home Shield. New roof in 07, new water heater. Priced at: $54,900 in On Top of the World   An immaculate pristine Birmingham. Freshly painted throughout, newer roof, A/C (2002), newer carpet (2006), leaded glass front door, newly renovated kitchen, new washer and dryer, many extras. You will love seeing this beautiful home. Priced at: $73,900 In On Top of the World     EXCEPTIONAL End Unit 2/2/1.5 Expanded Grand Lafayette. One owner in excellent condition ready for new owner. Brand new A/C covered patio master bedroom w/walk... 09/30/2009

  I've been busy with mu other blog and neglected my real estate market reports here on Active Rain. In August Ocala real estate sales were up a little from July. Both months were huge improvements from a year ago. We still have a fairly considtant number of listings, hovering around 5,500. That's over 19 months of inventory and it doesn't seem to be going down fast. Inventory is down a lot sinve last year though. Our market is still driven by short sales and foreclosures which combined account for around 40% of all sales. Our market has improved so much do to bargain hunters realizing that now is the time to buy and get the best selection. If you're interested in Ocala Foreclosures just contact me and I'll send you a list. 09/22/2009

Stetson 2/2/2 plus den on premium corner lot in Sebastian for sale or lease. 42" cherry cupboards, Corian countertops, carpet in living room and bedrroms. 18" tiles in wet areas. GE Profile Stainless Steel appliances: convection oven, microwave, dishwasher. Owner has never moved in - haven't sold current house. $199,900. Can be seen anytime. Will consider RV as downpayment. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/florida-buy-single-family-home-11646503.html 08/30/2009

The latest info from the permitting department in Marion County, Florida for housing starts reports that there have only been 150 permits pulled in 2009 as opposed to 500 per week two years ago. The appraised value of spec homes is less that the cost of construction by the time of completion - so I wouldn't expect to see many spec homes this year. Also, with the foreclosure/short sale market so flooded it is hard for builders to compete. 07/27/2009

   $100.00 to $100,000.00  162 $100,001.00 to $200,000.00  129 $200,001.00 to $300,000.00    22 $300,001.00 to $500,000.00      5 $500,000.00 plus      1 TOTAL SALES FOR THE MONTH 319 TOTAL ACTIVE LISTINGS FOR MONTH 5,439   The above statistics are for single family homes sold in Marion county and do not include FSBO, builder sales not on the MLS, farms, commerial or vacant land. The good news is there was a huge increase in sales in June. The bad news is that shoert sales and foreclosures still dominate our market. Read my complete analysis on my other Ocala real estate blog   07/15/2009

Price: $339,000 FIZBER.com ID 11646342 Single Family with 4 bed, 4.0 bath, in 230 SE 45th Terrace Ocala, FL, 34471 http://www.fizber.com/11646342/ 230 SE 45th Terrace - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Single Family Address: 230 SE 45th Terrace, Ocala, FL, 34471 Sq footage: 1350.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 4.0 Bedrooms: 4 Year built: 1985 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more Florida homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: Great Home For Sale By Owner New flooring and fresh paint throughout house...move-in ready! Desirable neighborhood with well-cared-for, upscale homes. 4 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3-Car Garage Living Room Family Room with Fireplace Dining Room Huge Kitchen Breakfast Nook Office Laundry Room Pool Hot Tub Full-House Emergency Generat... 06/30/2009

   The government is offering a tax credit of $8,000- to first time buyers here in Ocala Florida. If you have not owned a house in the past 3 years you probably qualify. The thing is that you must close on your new home by the end of this year. That means you have to get a house under contract by early November of this year. You need to start looking now!    This is a credit and not a deduction. You don't need to owe $8,000- in taxes. Yes, you can get a lot more in tax credit than you owe. That's free money! Buy a house. Prices and interest rates haven't been this low in years.    Learn more about the First Time Buyers Tax Credit in Ocala FL    Everything you wanted to know about Ocala real estate 06/30/2009

The weather here in Ocala FL in June is just plain hot and humid. June is the beginning of the wet season here in Ocala. We get regular afternoon thunderstorms caused by winds off the Atlantic colliding with winds off the Gulf of Mexico. June is also the beginning of Hurricane season. Ocala is one of the least hurricane prone areas of the state of Florida. Although I don't really like the humidity I do like a nice hot summer. As I'm fond of saying, the heat and humidity are a small price to pay for no winter. Interested in reading more about Ocala real estate then visit my other blog. Want to see what home prices are like here in Ocala? See my Ocala MLS search. 06/24/2009

So in a sellers market you sell your home fast and you get top dollar. So what, unless you're going to live in your car from now on you'll need to buy another house. In a sellers market you will pay top dollar and have a poor selection. In a buyers market you will have to sell low or not at all. However you can then go off into a buyers market with a ton of inventory and get a steal of a deal. The best of all scenarios is reserved for the first time buyers. They are the ones who can buy low without having to sell low. This combined with the first time buyers tax credit, income tax deductions and record low interest rates makes owning cheaper than renting. Looking for a house in Ocala? Check out my Free Ocala MLS Search 05/19/2009

   Yes now is the time to buy that Ocala retirement home even if you're not ready to retire. If you think about it we are near or at the bottom of the market. Interest rates are at historical lows. Thanks to our politicians higher interest rates are inevitable. If you can afford to keep your present home until the market starts back up and sell it at a better price several years from now, then you could have the best of both worlds. Buy low and sell high. I didn't actually think of this idea myself. Several people from up north have contacted me recently about pursuing this very idea. It makes a lot of sense in you can pull it off.   For more about Ocala Real Estate visit my other blog.   See my Free Ocala MLS search too. 05/18/2009

$100.00 to $100,000.00  106 $100,001.00 to $200,000.00   97 $200,001.00 to $300,000.00   17 $300,001.00 to $500,000.00    5 $500,000.00 plus    4     TOTAL SALES FOR THE MONTH 229     TOTAL ACTIVE LISTINGS FOR MONTH 5,940  Sales in April were 229 homes in Marion County. That's a large increase over January at 142, February at 188 and about the same as March which was 220. Total listings also dropped below 6,000 which is great news. See my other Ocala real estate blog for analyisis of this report and more blogging. 05/18/2009