Becoming a Real Estate Investor: Steps for Success

A real estate investor builds wealth while he sleeps!

Becoming a real estate investor is an exciting experience, and for some it may seem intimidating as well. Be sure to prepare for this new venture by following key steps. They will reduce risk and maximize the probability of success. Below, Ocala Homes Online offers a guide to successful real estate investing. Assess Your Finances … Read more

Ocala Home Styles: 2024 Forecast

The spring housing season of 2023 is upon us.

The ever-evolving world of Ocala home styles is exciting indeed. 2024 is predicted to usher in a refreshing blend of bold statements and intimate, social settings. As we continue to tailor our homes to our post-pandemic lifestyles, we will see a resurgence of personal expression. Of course, this creativity will be coupled with a renewed … Read more

Ocala Winning Offer – Price & Terms

The future of Ocala real estate is amazing!

To make an Ocala winning offer, you must balance price and terms carefully. Our market is evolving and many factors are interacting to make Ocala a great place to invest in real estate. Some of these are two edged swords. For example, while interest rates have stabilized, they are significantly higher than a year or … Read more

Spring Housing Market – Prepare To Compete

The spring housing market is expected to be brisk!

The Ocala spring housing market is upon us. Of course, once upon a time, we lived in a dream real estate market. Homes were appreciating quickly, jobs were plentiful and both inflation and interest rates were at record lows. In short, the economy was thriving and homeowners were building wealth at an unsustainable pace. But … Read more

Ocala Real Estate Surging – Nationally, Mansion Sales Plummeting

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The Ocala real estate market is surging. Actually, that statement speaks more to the future and the immediate past than to today. But there is no doubt in my mind that the future of our real estate market is exceptionally bright. Fortunately, people like Larry Roberts are betting with me. Mr. Roberts is the logistics … Read more

Ocala Real Estate Investment Forecast: Update 02/2023

Ocala is a great place to invest in real estate.

Our Ocala real estate investment forecast points to this area being at the vortex of a perfect storm. The economic forces generated by the amazing efforts of our Chamber & Economic Partnership and the opening of the World Equestrian Center create extraordinary opportunities for real estate investors. We have reported on the effects of these … Read more

Ocala Home Decor: 6 Trends To Watch in 2023

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Over the past few years the focus of Ocala home decor has changed. Many of us have spent more time than usual in our “castles”. Therefore, we have learned to appreciate the personal design touches that make a house cozy and comfortable. As a result, many of us have adapted our dwellings to our needs … Read more

Ocala Residential Projects & Infrastructure

Ocala residential project and infrastructure: Planning phase.

Many have voiced concern about the rapid development of Ocala residential projects. Some have even sought to turn the clock back and return to city and county development plans of the past. However, clearly that ship has sailed. When planners approved the building of the World Equestrian Center, they committed to an expanded rate of … Read more

Ocala Real Estate Forecast 2023

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The Ocala real estate forecast is for strength in intermediate and long terms. Of course, last year one factor drove the real estate market more than any other, rising mortgage rates.  In March 2022, the Federal Reserve began a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to tamp down inflation.1 Then mortgage interest rates reacted … Read more

First Time Homebuyers: Timing The Housing Market

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Deciding whether and when buy a home can be daunting if you are first time homebuyers. But in today’s whirlwind market you may find it particularly challenging to pinpoint the best time to start exploring homeownership. The real estate boom spawned by the pandemic has pushed home prices to an all-time high.1 Additionally, higher mortgage … Read more

Home Value: What’s Your Ocala Home Really Worth?

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You May Be Pleasantly Surprised By Your Current Home Value! It’s easy to verify how much money you have in your savings account or the real-time value of your stock investments. But determining the dollar value of a home is a far more complex endeavor. As a seller, knowing your home’s value helps you to … Read more

Lower Mortgage Rates: 8 Strategies to Secure Them!

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Mortgage rates have been on a roller coaster ride this year, rising and falling amid inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Unfortunately, even the experts are divided when it comes to predicting where rates are headed next.1 This climate has been unsettling for some homebuyers and sellers. However, with proper planning, you can work toward qualifying … Read more

Ocala Home Inspections: Avoid Common Mistakes

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Ocala home inspections serve a vital purpose in the homebuying process. You may be easily swept up in the excitement of buying a home. Then, once you’ve had an offer accepted, you’ll probably be anxious to move in. However, when proceeding along the route to making a significant financial commitment, it’s best to act prudently … Read more

Ocala Real Estate – Three Hedges Against Inflation

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Ocala real estate is about to benefit from economic growth never before imagined in North Central Florida. Thanks go to the projected more than tripling of the contribution the equestrian industry makes to our community. The annual inflation rate in the United States is higher than we would like. But actions taken by the Fed … Read more

Serious Home Sellers Understand The Importance of A 1st Impression

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While we all want to be good neighbors, serious home sellers must do more. It’s not just about keeping up with the Joneses or pleasing your neighbors. It’s about outshining them at every opportunity! If you are serious about selling your home fast and at the highest possible price, you’ll need a strategy to set … Read more

Instant Cash Offers – Are They A Viable Option?

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Are instant cash offers the future of the real estate market? Technology is changing the way we do almost everything, and real estate transactions are no exception. In fact, a new crop of tech companies wants to revolutionize the way we buy and sell homes. iBuyer startups like Opendoor, Offerpad, and Properly are rapidly expanding … Read more

Ocala Home Buying Tips: 10 Ways To Ensure a Smooth Move

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The process of buying a home can be both exhilarating and exhausting and our Ocala home buying tips are designed to mitigate the latter. Of course, the journey doesn’t stop when you close on your property. On the contrary, you still have much to do before you are settled into your new home. Fortunately, you … Read more

A Winning Offer: 5 Steps To Home Buying Success

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In this volatile market, what will it take to submit a winning offer? Our nation is in the midst of a serious housing crunch. Last year, a lack of inventory and soaring prices left many would-be homebuyers unable to fulfill their dreams of home ownership. But now, with interest rates climbing, many are also feeling … Read more

Rising Rates, Short Supply: Housing In 2022

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Today our real estate market faces rising rates which make the cost of mortgage financing more expensive. However, homes are still in short supply and demand is brisk. So where are we headed? The last two years caught many of us off guard, and not just because of the pandemic. They also ushered in the … Read more

Ocala Ultra Luxury Living – The Larry Roberts Story

Simple decor can equal elegance.

Ocala ultra luxury living was redefined, if not invented, by developer Ralph L. Roberts. Half a century earlier, Ralph and his partner, Robert Campbell, opened a small freight company in Ohio. When the two purchased a single truck, R&L Trucking was born. Robert and Larry, as Ralph preferred to be called, dreamed of very different … Read more

Ocala Home Staging – What You Need To Know

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Ocala home staging is a valued tool in the quiver of today’s home seller, but has it got universal applications or just case specific ones? A new Realtor recently posted the following question on a real estate forum. “Is staging really important to the home selling process?” Realtors responded in various ways. One suggested that … Read more

Real Estate Bubble 2022?

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Many fear that a real estate bubble is upon us, a bubble sure to burst soon. But are such fears justified? According to OMCAR, our local board of Realtors, Ocala housing saw astounding appreciation year over year as of February, 2022. In fact, appreciation exceeded 40% during that time interval. As a result, rents also … Read more

Affordable Housing In Ocala, Florida 2022

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Ocala residential real estate is appreciating at historic speed and affordable housing is becoming scarce. Our city is in the midst of a real estate boom that is likely to be with us for a while. Low inventories of homes listed for sale and high demand have created an aggressive seller’s market. Of course, as … Read more

Real Estate Investments & Building Wealth

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Real estate investments are ideal wealth building tools. As Mark Twain said, “Invest in land. They are not making any more of it”. Of course, the safest real estate investment is your own home. You and your family need a roof over your heads, a place to feel safe and secure. Therefore, your choice is between owning … Read more

Ocala Housing – The Economy Takes Off

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Today Ocala housing demand is off the charts. However, opportunity almost passed us by. Many years ago, an entertainment industry giant imagined a new Ocala. He could see into our future, and what he saw was truly visionary. Marion County would be the second coming of Disneyland, albeit on a much grander scale. Surrounded by … Read more

Ocala Model Homes – Trendy Designs

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Ocala model homes feature trendy interior designs created to increase value and attract sales. However, such designs also enhance lifestyle. Additionally, you may find it easier than you imagine to create the atmosphere you desire in your own home. Let me demonstrate with an anecdote. A landlord walked into his tenant’s home. He had just … Read more

Ocala’s Sellers’ Market – Scorching!

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If there is one thing certain, it’s that Ocala’s sellers’ market is showing no signs of moderating. Undoubtedly an old adage applies here. The best time to buy a home was yesterday. The second best is today. In our community price appreciation is brisk, while the days competitively priced homes stay on the market are … Read more

Ocala Housing Market Trends

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The Ocala housing market continues to show robust appreciation. Rising prices are fueled by several factors. The historically low inventory of homes for sale is a prime cause. However, demand excelerated by historically low interests rates and economic conditions has a major impact as well. To be sure, the opening of the World Equestrian Center … Read more

Ocala Home Appreciation & Affordability

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Ocala home appreciation is a function of strong demand and the historically low inventory of homes for sale. Together they may impact affordability in the intermediate to long term. Today we live in times when interest rates are at levels that are unsustainably low as well. Additionally, GNMA estimates that builders must add 3,800,000 housing … Read more

Ocala Area Homes: Rebalancing Market?

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The supply of Ocala area homes continues to be very tight. However, local sellers and buyers are caught in the teeth of a dilemma. We read stories about inflationary forces rearing their ugly heads. Therefore, some are beginning to talk of interest rates soon rising. As a result, we are beginning to see articles written … Read more

Ocala Home Spaces That Sell

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Well designed Ocala home spaces create great first impressions and first impressions sell! However, such spaces make homes more livable as well. Therefore, you would be wise to create lounging areas for your own enjoyment. Don’t wait until you begin thinking of listing your home for sale. Last week we introduced a burgeoning trend, enhancing … Read more

Xeriscapes Greenhouses & Ocala’s Lifestyle

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Xeriscapes, Greenhouses and Gardens In Ocala Xeriscapes, greenhouses and gardens are trendy, but always in style. Gardening has been a favorite pastime since man began to change his focus from hunting and gathering to farming. In many cultures, including those of the British Isles, no home would be complete without a beautiful garden. We have … Read more

Ocala Single Family Homes

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The Market for Ocala Single Family Homes Buying Ocala single family homes has become somewhat of an adventure. While we are in a blazing sellers market, we also see an unusual opportunity for homebuyers. Because interest rates continue to hover at historic lows, monthly payments are very affordable. Therefore, this is an extraordinary real estate … Read more

Ocala Home Improvements That Add Value

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Over the past year and a half, circumstances have refocused interest on Ocala home improvements that add value. People were forced to spend more of their time at home. Therefore, they began prioritizing home improvement projects they had dreamed of for years, but failed to actively pursue. However, putting dreams into action without adequate thought … Read more

Ocala Home Sales Projections 2021

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Ocala home sales are setting records year over year. Despite a market dominated by health concerns generated by a generational pandemic, demand has set a pace seldom seen before. Additionally, historically low inventories and interest rates have generated a whirlwind of repercussions. According to Realtor Magazine, the median sales price of an Ocala home has … Read more

Ocala Luxury Homes – Predicting Trends

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Ocala luxury homes feature architectural designs and craftsmanship to rival the finest our state has to offer. However, not long ago sellers of ultra luxury dream homes found their mansions languishing on the market. They discovered that supply far exceeded demand for such homes. Buyers were redefining their lifestyle choices. However, as the stock market … Read more

Selling Your Ocala Home

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Preparing Your Ocala home for sale: Selling your Ocala home? Of course, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. Since a little foresight and a small investment may significantly increase your chance of selling quickly and at a good price, putting both into action is well worth the effort. Therefore, here are … Read more

Real Estate and Migration

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The perfect storm is about to influence Ocala real estate values and migration. However, the pandemic has already had an unexpected impact on the latter. In 2020, the number of baby boomers who retired increased by sixty percent year over year. Interestingly, the top eight destinations which attracted these newly retired people are located in … Read more

Small Spaces Can Enhance Ocala Homes

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Ocala features some of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the State of Florida. Many are professionally decorated and ready to be featured in home design magazines. However, even the largest home may have small spaces that can be redesigned to maximize utility and enhance livability. Therefore, whether you live in a spacious dream home, … Read more

The Ocala Economy in 2021

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The Ocala economy will continue to rebound in 2021 and its long term prospects are certainly rosy. However, nationwide growth may be slower than forecast several months ago. In addition, the impact of the pandemic on small businesses is just now coming into clearer focus. It may be worse than initially projected. But despite the … Read more

Ocala New Construction Homes

Ocala new construction homes offer many advantages over resales. However, the most significant given current market conditions is the availability of inventory. The Inventory of Homes For Sale In Ocala, as in most of our country, the inventory of resale houses is at a historic low. While the pandemic rages on, sellers are reluctant to … Read more

Affordable Home Ownership

Golden Ocala House

How affordable home ownership is depends on several factors. However, the two that stand above the rest are the cost of housing and the cost of borrowing. Today we are living in a time when the inventory of homes for sale is extremely low, while record low interest rates are causing demand to surge. Therefore, … Read more

The 2020 Presidential Election in Ocala

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“If you are in your twenties and are not liberal, you have no heart. If are in your thirties and are not conservative, you have no brain.” – Sir Winston Churchill As we approach the 2020 presidential election, these thoughts of the great statesman and Prime Minister come to mind. He lead Great Britain during … Read more

Focus on Ocala, Marion County’s Jewel

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Ocala rural home sales are booming: In the face of the pandemic, Ocala continues to evolve into an exciting metropolitan area. As people reconsider the wisdom of living in large urban areas, our countryside is proving a desirable alternative. Therefore, many are drawn to rural communities where social distancing is a normal part of daily … Read more

The Ocala National Forest, a natural wonder

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Here is another great reason to make Ocala your home. The Ocala National Forest serves as an area administered by the United States Forest Service. Since they so eloquently describe this national treasure, we have borrowed their words to introduce this magnificent forest to you. This nature reserve proudly wears the Congressional designation National Forest. … Read more

Selling Investment Property – The DST

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Synopsis – The Consequences of Selling Investment Property: Many considering selling investment property find four issues standing in the way of implementing their exit strategy: A Delaware Statutory Trust offers solutions to all four. Why Many Real Estate Investors Look To Exit Selling investment property requires careful consideration. Of course, real estate investing is an … Read more

Buying An Ocala Home – Pre-approval

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Can a mortgage pre approval hurt you in negotiations? Buying an Ocala home involves delicate negotiations. Are you concerned that your pre approval will inform the seller that you can afford more than you are offering? If you are, you may be worried that by providing the pre approval, you will be inviting a counter … Read more

The World Bank Report Offers Hope

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The June World Bank Report and its Implications: The World Bank issued its report on the expected economic impact of the pandemic earlier in June. Unfortunately, the predictions are ominous. Bank economists project the worst economic contraction in decades. They forecast that world GDP faces a 5.2% contraction year over year in 2020. All countries … Read more

Forbearance: The CARES Act & You

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The CARES Act Offers Homeowners the Option of Forbearance Best intentions frequently have unintended consequences. The CARES Act is the third of four pieces of legislation passed thus far, to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. It has a forbearance provision designed to help homeowners to stay in their homes. Under this provision, borrowers with … Read more

The Ocala Economy and Paul Krugman

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Today we are living with life threatening health issues and uncertainty as to direction of the world economy. Of course, the Ocala economy is not exempt from the forces at work. The doomsday prophets among economists are predicting an economic contraction unseen since the Great Depression. However, Nobel laureate Paul Krugman is more optimistic. In … Read more

Short Sales and Foreclosures: COVID-19

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The Ocala Real Estate Market “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill Will economic problems triggered by COVID-19 cause a resurgence of short sales and foreclosures? We expect that they will. However, sometimes difficult situations bring with them opportunities to create win win … Read more

Staging A Home, An Easy Decision

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A Realtor’s Anecdote Several years ago, I was invited to give a listing presentation at a palatial home in very upscale neighborhood in South Florida. The finished part of the home boasted over five thousand square feel of living space. Yes, there was a large unfinished section comprising of an additional two thousand five hundred … Read more

Home Renovation Shows

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“Uber-unique” is the new trend! Though home renovation shows paint fun fantasies, they do not intend to encourage the redesign of functional spaces. They do not suggest remodeling just to respond to the latest fads. Change in the way we respond to the shows is overdue. Good news. Moving forward, emulating the neighbors will no … Read more

The Ocala Blog: Life In Our Town!

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Welcome. Today we publish the first installment of our new Ocala Blog, your online source for information about all things Ocala. Since Ocala is a thriving, rapidly evolving community, there is always something interesting going on here. Although we will be emphasizing issues of interest to home sellers and buyers, we will also delve into … Read more

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