This is for all those people up there in the Great White North waiting for spring. The only help that I can offer is MOVE to OCALA FLORIDA !! As I sit here writing my blog in my shorts and bare feet it's 86 degrees. Now that is unseasonably warm for this time of year but who cares. It sure beats the hell out of snow and ice.                           Wouldn't you rather be sitting here, with the doors open, enjoying the warm weather than freezing wherever you are up north? Why not move to Ocala Florida. We have the 2nd lowest median home prices in the entire state!                                   Even my dog Ruby enjoys relaxing by the pool on a warm April afternoon. Ocala Real Estate is cheap compared to many northern states. You can get a pretty nice pool home here in the low ... 04/03/2007

OCALA REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT Homes Sold March 2007 ...........376$100,000.00 or less...................71$100 to $200,000.00................194$200 to $300,000.00.................72$300 to $500,000.00.................38$500,000.00 Plus........................1Homes listed on the Marion County MLS as of March 30, 2007 were 6,869  We are still in a buyers market. Sales are off quite a lot from March of 06 when 614 houses were sold. There is a glut of vacant new homes that were bought by investors who intended to flip them and are now caught with houses they can't sell. There were 1,948 vacant houses on the Ocala Marion County MLS as of March 30.    Homes that are selling are well priced and in the mid to lower price range. Well priced homes are selling close to their asking price.   I ... 04/02/2007

6945 SW 129 LANE. Marion Oaks,Florida 34473.SEC 5 TWP 17 RGE 21 LOT 20 BLK 0893 MARION OAKS UNIT 10.Located on a 1/2 acre.This Brand new beautiful 3bed,2ba,2CG SFH has just been completed!All new appl. tiled flrs,berber carpet, located near brand new elem.school and middle school.Lease option avail. Great for 1st Time Homebuyers! Offered @ $242,000.Contact The Scott Daniels Real Estate Group @ 1-866-268-2274.Visit our web site @ www.ocalabesthomes.com 04/01/2007

  Marion Oaks was built without sidewalks and that over sight will be rectified in the not so distant future. The original developer laid out wide 2 lane boulevards with tree studded grassy meridian dividers but didn't install either sidewalks or many street lights.  A recent article in The Ocala Star Banner goes into great detail but I will attempt to summarize for this report. It seems that money intended for sidewalks to link West Port High School and the sports complex was not needed due to lack of foot traffic. It was some of that money that has been obtained for the Marion Oaks project.   The project will encompass about 2 miles of sidewalks. Areas to get sidewalks are along Marion Oaks Drive, near Winn Dixie, Marion Oaks Lane by the community center, near Liberty Academy and on M... 03/30/2007

Alligators Under AttackFlorida's state reptile and unofficial mascot, the alligator, has come under attack. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission recently began a statewide study that may determine the eventual fate of wild alligators in Florida. Frequent reports of alligator attacks throughout the state have increased primarily due to the population insurgence over the past few years, causing many to question whether or not prehistoric creatures can live side by side with modern man. With no easy solution in sight and lines being drawn between the opposing views, the conservationalists and the hunters, only time will tell what the future holds for these ancient predators.Market Status UpdateThis year's worldwide economic failures and fluctuations are still being felt here... 03/29/2007

The Marion County Clerk's office reported 142 foreclosures for February 2007 up from 107 in February 2006, a 33% increase. One group that seem to be profiting from the sudden influx of homes on the market are the real estate investors who are willing to step in and purchase foreclosed properties at a greatly reduced rate. This increase in failed homeownership may be due in part to the number of sub-prime mortgages which were authorized during the market rise at the beginning of the decade. The recently popularized habit of "flipping" properties (buying property at a reduced rate and selling it right away to make a quick profit) has dropped over 4% between 2005 and 2006. Now many people are stuck with property they can no longer sell and can not afford to hold on to. The Florida Associat... 03/27/2007

There is a reason so many people choose the Marion County area of Florida as their place of retirement. The pace of life is slower here, a southern style of living unusual for Florida, but it is what makes Ocala unique from any other part of the country. Sometimes it is easy to forget about the rest of the world surrounded as you are by so many natural wonders. The historic Silver Springs nature park, Ocala National Forest (Florida's 2nd largest after the Everglades) and Florida National Scenic Trail, not to mention a lush array of farms and horse pastures. It is not surprising that this area also attracts a steady stream of tourists, year after year. After their vacation has ended, most go back to their homes and lives, but some decide they never want to leave this place again. For tho... 03/27/2007

If you are a First Time Home Buyer, there are many programs that are available to you, such as the  city, county, state, federal government, and local banks where you live.  However, it is important to know which program will fit your specific needs and the specifics of each program.In the State of Florida, there are several programs such as:  State Housing Initiative (SHIP) that is funded through both the local governments such as the city or county.  You must meet income and eligibility guidelines to become eligible for the housing programs.  In most cases, since the evolution in the real estate market in the State of Florida, Work Force Housing has become the norm.  Why, because most working folks such as:  school teacher, police, firefighters, and the average working class person ca... 03/25/2007

Located in Ocala Florida.Fore Ranches is one of the newest planned communites west of I-75. The community features a State of the art Club House and Pool area that sets it apart from all the rest!Here is a list of "Active Properties" located in Fore Ranches.This is a 2bed,2ba,2CG w/1500 Sf under A/C.Built in 2005 EXPANDED STETSON MODEL WITH UPGRADES TO KITCHEN, LARGE SCREEN ROOM & DEN.Offered @ $209,000.  This is a 3bed,2ba,2CG w/ 1700 Sf under A/C. Never been lived in. Seller  to consider a Lease Option. Rent for $1200 per month!  This is a 4bed,3.5ba,2CG  w/2511 Sf under A/C.Unot has never been lived in! Kitchen appl upgrade package!Offered @ $274,900. This is a 3bed,2ba,2CG w/ 1600 Sf under A/C.Tiled flrs throughout! Offered @$249,000. For additional information about Fore Ranches pl... 03/23/2007

4071 SW 51 ST RD.This is a 4bed,3ba,2Cg w/3263 under A/C.Built in 2005.Offered @$269,900.4812 SW 44 CIR,This is a 2bed,2.5ba Townhome w/1140 Sf under A/C.Offered @ $143,900. 5598 SW 39 ST.This is a 4bed,2ba,2CG w/2184 Sf under A/C.Offered @ $261,822. For a list of Active Properties in Ocala Florida 34474 or surrounding area`s please contact The Scott Daniels Real Estate Group @ 1-866-268-2274.Visit us @ www.floridalistforlessrealty.com   03/23/2007

Marion County, Florida - Location Marion County is located in central Florida.  The county covers a total of 1663 square miles, and while 5% of the county is water, it is not adjacent to either coast of Florida.  The most notable city in Marion County is Ocala, Florida. Marion County History Marion County was named after a guerilla fighter and hero of the American Revolutionary War, Francis Marion, who was originally from South Carolilna.  The county was formed in 1844, and changed borders several times in the 1800s.  Many of the early settlers in the area were South Carolinians who has followed Francis Marion to the area. Marion County Real Estate There is a lot of building going on in Marion County.  From January through August 2006, there were requests for 5,381 building permits for ... 03/21/2007

     Earlier this month almost 500 people met at the Marion Oaks Community Center to further explore becoming a city. There was another attempt back in 1998 that really didn't get anywhere. This time a group called the Marion Oaks Civic association, led by a lady named Mildred Musho seems to be getting somewhere. At the March 5th meeting a vote of 315 to 33 gave the go ahead. It's kind of sad that in a community the size of Marion Oaks Florida, almost 10,000 people, so few showed up for such an important discussion. Incorporation would allow for the election of a mayor, the ability to raise taxes, get government grants and to more importantly take control of their own destiny. As you can imagine there is a lot more to do. I'm sure the red tape involved in becoming a city is incredible. ... 03/19/2007

Florida List For Less Realty,Inc. is proud to announce:Our residential property management company located in Ocala Florida. Currently we`re now managing 58 rental properties for our clients. We formed this company only 6 months ago mainly for our investors. We never thought it would grow this fast! The rental market in Ocala is steady and it appears that there are alot of people relocating to the area daily.We charge 10% of the gross rent for the year and have a team of people who are involved in the day to day operations of caring for your home. Our job is to first locate a tenant, collect rents, do repairs, lawns as well as handle evictions if need be. If any of you have clients in and around the Ocala area that need a professional property manager to care for their home, please don`... 03/16/2007

Florida List For Less Realty, Inc proudly announces our 1st Time Home Buyers Seminar.How to purchase a home without the hassle!  "Open to the Public".April 19th. 2007 commencing  @ 6:30pm.  Topics To Include.1- Purchasing a home with ZERO DOWN!2-How to locate the right mortgage loan suitable to your requirements.3-Lease Options Programs. How can you benefit?4-Credit, The Good,bad and ugly on how to repair your credit.5- FHA loans.6- Affordable housing issues and the Marion County Grant programs.Our last seminar was Standing Room Only. Please call to RSVP.Contact 1-866-268-2274 or Visit our web site @ http://www.ocalabesthomes.com/ for further details! 03/05/2007

The Scott Daniels Real Estate and Investment Group  is present Duplex Pre- Construction Income Property!These properties are located in Marion Oaks and Bellview Florida. Only 5% required upon contract. Each Unit consists of  2/2 with 1 car garage. Great rental income!Specs:Total Sq Ft.: 1575Living Sq Ft.: 1104.We have several models for you to preview. Prices include lot starting @$275,000.We have tenants standing by to rent these beautiful units.Contact our office for floor plans and additinal information @ 1-866-268-2274.Visit our web site @ www.ocalabesthomes.com     03/03/2007

    Its termite swarm season again. Termites cause $700,000,000.00 in damage each year here in Florida. Despite this scary statistic about half the homes in Florida have no form of protection. I'm one of the unprocted myself. I'm from New England and just don't worry about termites or poisonous snakes for that matter.    There are 2 types of termites, subterranean and dry wood. The subterranean variety is considered the worst because they have much larger colonies and thus eat more wood. Obvious from the name they live in the ground and prefer moist conditions and wood. The subterranean termites enter your house through a sort of tube that connects their colony to the food source. Dry wood termites like dry wood, like the rafters in your attic. They have much smaller colonies and are ha... 02/23/2007

                                                                    A Buyers Market V.S a Sellers Market   Think of it this way. In a sellers market, you get top dollar & sell your house in just a few weeks, but then what? You're a buyer in a sellers market. You pay top dollar for your next house, inventory is low & selection is poor.   In a buyers market you have to price your home very competitively and even then it takes months to sell. However you now can shop in a buyers market. There are tons of houses to choose from, you can take your time & shop around and  you definitely won't pay top dollar.    So which is more important, the house you're selling or the one you're buying?  The past or the future.     02/19/2007

 I was driving around Marion Oaks the other day and much to my surprise I found some roads had just been paved. Marion Oaks is known for the poor condition of it's roadways and this work is long over due. Today there was an article in the Star Banner about this very project. The county is in negotiations with the developer to take over maintenance of all the roadways but before doing so Deltona Corp. is going to pave the roads that are still under their control. Apparently work will be done in units 6,9 10, 11 & 12 and parts of units 2 and 5.As you may or may not know, Marion Oaks is a huge unincorporated community south of Ocala. It is about 15,000 acres and was stated back in 1973. There are 146 miles of roads. Marion Oaks has even tried to become a city. I'm not sure how many homes a... 02/15/2007

The Scott Daniels Real Estate Group and Florida List For Less Realty Inc. is Proud to Announce.Single Family Homes located in Ocala Florida.3bed,2ba,2CG SFH with 1500 SF under A/C.CBS construction!Prices start @ $155,000.Only $595.00 required.100% financing available!Great for: 1st Time Home Buyers, Investors and Baby Boomers.Bad Credit NO PROBLEM!For additional details contact us @ 1-866-268-2274Or.Visit us @ www.ocalabesthomes.com  or www.preconstructioninflorida.comModels on site for you to preview. Don`t Delay Call Today!      02/08/2007

Another Reason Why You Need a Buyers Agent     Let's say you've found a house and decide to make an offer. A good question might be; How long has this house been on the market ? The seller's agent shows you that it was just listed 2 weeks ago. Is that really true ? Well the seller's agent can't lie but every time a house is listed it gets a new MLS # and a new listing date. So let's assume the listing agent just got this house as an expired listing. That means another agent had it previously and it didn't sell and the listing contract expired. I've seen the same seller go through 2 or 3 different agents trying to sell the same over priced home. Now let's assume you have your own agent working only for you. He looks up the house on the Realtor only part of the MLS using the parcel ID # w... 02/06/2007