Ocala & Marion County Jobless Rate Continues to Plummet "Marion County's unemployment rate is continuing its downward trend, falling to 7.5 percent in April, down 0.3 percentage points from March's rate of 7.8%  This is the fifth consecutive month that the Ocala/Marion County metropolitan area has led the state with the fastest job-growth rate at 3.2 percent, with 2,900 new jobs for the year. Florida's job-growth rate during the same period was 1.6 percent." And this goes hand in hand with Ocala & Marion County's Real Estate market recovery. Top Five Easiest Real Estate Markets To Crack 05/18/2013

Orb Did It! He Added That Gem in Ocala's Crown! Yesterday we wrote "With 14 of the 19 horses in this year's Kentucky Derby field having Ocala connections, there is a real good chance of Ocala getting another gem in its crown as Horse Capital of the World!"  Although, Orb was the favorite, we did not expect him to win, especially after his slow start.  But he got it done! Now on to The Preakness! Can Orb Win The Derby and Put Another Gem in Ocala's Crown?   05/04/2013

Can Orb Win The Derby and Put Another Gem in Ocala's Crown?   With 14 of the 19 horses in this year's Kentucky Derby field having Ocala connections, there is a real good chance of Ocala getting another gem in its crown as Horse Capital of the World! 14 local horses: Derby field has Ocala feel   "LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The odds look good for Marion County to send a horse to the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle.   At least 14 of the 19 Run for the Roses contenders once called the Ocala area home before starting racing careers throughout the country. Those careers have now culminated in a run in the $2 million, 1 1/4-mile race and a shot at racing history. Ocala-area farm ties to Derby horses run the gamut, from morning-line odds favorites Orb and Verrazano to 50-1 long shot Falling Sky. The fiel... 05/04/2013

Ocala the Next Silicon Valley? Downtown becoming magnet for technology companies Is Ocala becoming the next Silicon Valley. Well considering it is on a hill and not a valley, maybe not. But it has attracted 6 high tech businesses recently Including th!nk Technologies Group powered by LSeven.   th!nk Technologies Group Powered by LSeven is one of a growing number of technology firms setting up shop downtown, creating a high-tech hub in Ocala's central core. By Susan Latham CarrStaff writerPublished: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 6:52 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 6:52 p.m. Ocala's economy and especially its real estate market will really benefit by this infusion of high tech jobs. 05/04/2013

Top Five Easiest Real Estate Markets To Crack 5) Ocala, FL "This Florida city experienced the fifth-highest growth in listings since 2012, with an increase of 3.09% year over year. Median listing prices have remained relatively stable at $129,900, with a slight 1.01% increase in the past 12 months." The thing we love about this article and the real estate business is how fast it can change! This article is only 3 days old and is likely pulling data from the 1st quarter of 2013. However, in the last 90 days Ocala's listing investory has actually dropped ~5%. Months of supply has dropped 11% and in most 55+communities there is less than 4 month of supply, putting it in a seller's market! Communities like Del Webb's Spruce Creek Preserve, Oak Run, Ocala Palms, and others are experiencing a... 04/27/2013

This home is suitable for snowbirds or first time home buyers.  It is totally refurbished and comes furnished.  The listing price is a slim $21,900!  That is an amazing price and an amazing deal.  Don't hesitate to jump on this home because someone is going to wisk it away very soon.  This home is close to shopping, medical facilities and access to highways & interstates.   04/25/2013

Marion County real estate market has its best month in years   "March was the best sales month in years for Marion County’s housing market. ... The median sales price for a single-family home was $107,000 in March — up from February’s $99,900 and a 20.2 percent hike over March 2012’s median sales price ... During the month, Realtors sold 447 single-family homes, up from 355 during February and a 13.5 percent hike over the number for March 2012. ... Pending sales continued to skyrocket during March, registering at 669 sales — 71.1 percent more than the same month a year ago and the highest overall since before 2009. ... New listings, which replenish the existing home sales market, continued to struggle. During March, there were 797 new single-family home listings, only 1.3 percent greate... 04/22/2013

Ocala Is A Part of Restoring American History We are proud to be home to National Parts Depot, a national warehouse operation that offers hard to find auto parts.   The NPD 360,000-square-foot warehouse opened in 1999 in northwest Ocala and sits adjacent to I-75. It is a nine-acre slice of automotive heaven for many vintage car enthusiasts looking to restore American classics. The Ocala branch has more than 100,000 reproduction parts and employs 65 people between the warehouse, counter and corporate employees. The company's motto is “Restoring American History.” Chief operations officer, Rick Schmidt, 45, even resides with his family in Ocala. Proof positive that Ocala just may be the best place to be! NPD Florida 04/19/2013

"Spring Change” A Time for Change In Ocala & Marion County   This is our entry into the "Spring –A Time for Change” -An AR Contest by Sally Cheeseman.   Everywhere around us we see signs of Spring.  The flowers, new leaves on trees, neighbors sprucing up their yards!  But here in Ocala & Marion County there are other signs of a change this Spring.  The real esate market is changing and "sprouting" up everywhere!  Yes there is definatly a "Shift" in the market. We wrote Ocala and Marion County Real Estate Market is Shifting! highlighting the changes that are happening since the first of the year in Marion County.       When markets shift, they usually shift very fast!  See for example: How Fast is the Market Turning? Watch the Pendulum!!              When markets shifts, Realtors must al... 04/13/2013

Bang for the Buck: Ocala Fourth Most Profitable!   Bang for the Buck: Where Investing in Rental Homes Is Most Profitable The Wall Street Journal just published this showing Ocala is Fourth Most Profitable in the Nation! "Using a formula that calculates cash purchase capitalization rates—or the annual net cash flow an investor can get from a rental property if it is purchased with cash—RealtyTrac found that Memphis, Tenn.; Saginaw, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio; and Ocala, Fla. were the most profitable places to rent out single-family homes. Each of these markets has an annual cash purchase cap rate of more than 10%."   That is why we love Ocala and are putting our money where our mouth is!  We own several single family homes and are renting them out! We are looking for more!  So if you need to se... 04/06/2013

If you would like to get your Ocala Real Estate License with a Ocala Real Estate School online courses and begin selling real estate in Marion County in just a few short weeks. Rowlett Real Estate School is your number one choice in Florida real estate schools.  We are proud to say that our passing rate for the Florida State Exam is among the highest in the state of Florida. Take your Florida online Real Esate license class in Ocala, FLorida with a Ocala Real Estate School Online Pre Sales Licensing Course. Ocala Online Real Estate Courses for Sales Associates and Brokers are available with Rowlett Real Estate School at www.rowlettrealestateschool.com .  As one of the leading Ocala Real Estate Schools in Marion County, all our real estate courses are state approved and fully accredited.... 04/05/2013

Some Bunny Has Been Busy...... The Ocala based PAAS Eggstravaganza is even more interesting when you look at it by numbers.  Here's a quick view:   1   Day of fun 200 Dozen cookies to decorate  3   PAAS characters, of course including Cotton the Bunny         4,000  Children estimated to attend 500   PAAS decorating kits will be given away 6,000 People are estimated to attend 25,000 Plastic eggs for hunting!!!!!!!!! Don't miss out on this fun filled event held this Saturday in Tuscawilla Park, 700 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala , FL. 03/29/2013

Ocala is proud to be the home of the PAAS company, one of the best known producers of Easter egg-coloring kits. In celebration of this fact we present two Easter events sponsored by the PAAS corporation.  One at the national level and one much closer to home.   Celebrate 135 years of fun at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday April 1, 2013. PAAS has sponsored this event of fun games, stories, and, of course, the traditional egg roll. for the past 21 years.           PAAS once again hosts a fun family tradition with Ocala's Eggstravaganza between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Tuscawilla Park.The Ocala-based Paas; a company well known as the go-to folks for Easter egg decorating, will take over Tuscawilla Park at the 700 block of Northeast Sanchez Avenue just off do... 03/27/2013

City, County OK Master Agreement changes for FedEx   Means jobs for Ocala!   "FedEx plans to build a 383,161-square-foot distribution center on 150 acres at the Commerce Park, which is owned by private developer Ocala 489 LLC. The center, which will require an investment by FedEx of $122.9 million in buildings and equipment, is expected to create 165 jobs paying an average annual wage of $31,536." By Susan Latham Carr Staff writer   Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 6:13 p.m. 03/20/2013

  Ocala has plenty of events to keep the horse lover busy, but the next few days are going to be pretty special.  Once a year, carriage horse enthusiasts and horse lovers of all ages can enjoy the Live Oak International Driving Competition, hosted at Live Oak Plantation.  This world class competition has been going on for over 20 years, but last year they added even more excitement by adding a show jumping competition as well, making it the only equestrian event in North America to feature both show jumping and world-class driving competitions.   The event runs from Thursday, March 21, and ends on Sunday, March 24, with plenty of action in between.  The driving competition is divided into three phases, with dressage on Thursday and Friday morning, a driving marathon on Saturday, and the... 03/20/2013

Roberts opening information technology/logistics management center in Ocala   By Joe CallahanStaff writer "Trucking company magnate Larry Roberts is opening an information technology/logistics management center in Ocala in just a few weeks — a move expected to create 250 full-time jobs, with average annual salaries of $47,000, in four years. Roberts owns R+L Carriers Inc., an international global transportation and logistics company based in Wilmington, Ohio."       03/09/2013

The Ruiz/Miller Team Continues to Rock the Ocala Real Estate Market!   We just got back from 5 days of awesome training and new techiques from the Keller Williams's Family Reunion in Dallas. But that did not slow us down!   While out there Stephanie and Bob negotiated 3 contracts on our listings thus keeping Karen very busy back home.   Did that slow us down? Not at all. In the 3 remaining days of a a very short week, we listed 2 more homes and have a probable on a lake front!   Is now a great time to sell?  You bet!   02/26/2013

Ocala Ranked #1! But it is a Dubious Distinction!   Fla. foreclosures up 12% in Jan., 20% year-to-year "Analyzed at the city (MSA) level, Florida cities took six of the top 10 foreclosure-rate spots, with Ocala ranked the No. 1 city with a population of 200,000 or more for foreclosures. In Ocala, one in every 223 housing units had a foreclosure filing in January." But there is a silver lining to Ocala's foreclosure problems.  The number of foreclosures in the whole Marion County multiple list is down to 232.  That is from a high of ~550! Which also means there are some great deals for buyers and investors, but the deals are going quick with often multiple offers.   02/15/2013

The Gemini Salon and Day Spa has it all "wrapped up" Located at 3415 East Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, Florida 34470 this is the perfect place to unwind.  An Ocalafavorite since 1982 with full spa services from head to toe. Have them style your hair and paint your nails then get ready to pamper yourself even more. Aromatherapy and seaweed facials, salt scrub pedicures and an on staff massage therapist waiting to treat you to a relaxing massage.  Several spa packages are available for most every occasion from queen for a day to bridal spa packages. This place truly does it all! 02/15/2013

  Hiding your money in land is a trend we are beginning to see.  It is often said that people with money, people who have worked hard and made wise investments know how to protect their money. We're beginning to see a trend here in Ocala Florida that is quite interesting, the wisdom of this move remains to be seen.  Currently, there are only a few hundred lots available under $5000 but quietly investors are purchasing these lots at such low prices that it boggles the mind. It's hard to imagine that just a few short years ago these same lots now selling for $1000-$5000 were selling for $45,000 to $60,000. Investors, those who prefer to retain their wealth are choosing to risk their money on the possibility of land returning revenue down the road than allowing Uncle Sam to squander their ... 02/10/2013