While we all want to be good neighbors, serious home sellers must do more. They must go beyond keeping up with the Joneses or pleasing their neighbors. They must outshining them at every opportunity!
If you are serious about selling your home fast and at the highest possible price, then set it apart from all the other competing listings. Implement our simple five step plan to create the competitive edge you seek!
The average seller will do the minimum to prepare their home to list. For example, they may clean and declutter, fix anything that’s broken, mow the lawn and consider their home ready. However, while sellers must complete these tasks, today’s buyers want more than just a clean house and tidy yard. When they envision their dream home, they dream of designer touches and modern finishes. Therefore, we advise home sellers to take the next step. Stage your home to help buyers to see its full potential.
Stage to earn dollars at closing! Additionally, according to the Real Estate Staging Association, if you stage professionally, you are likely to sell your home much more quickly.
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
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
Create the Ocala spa bathroom you dream of. Follow these tips to add value to your home by making your bathroom a luxury escape.1 Ahhh, the spa. For some of us, it’s been too long since we’ve gone to a real spa. We miss the luxury of a hot tub soak and the power of … Read more
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
Does holding an Ocala open house have value? Imagine this scenario: Since you decided to sell your home, you have quickly become inundated with advice. To be sure, family, friends and neighbors all want to have their input. Your favorite aunt says, “make sure your Realtor holds an open house every weekend!” But the banker … Read more
So you feel like it’s time to move. But you keep asking yourself, should I sell my Ocala house now? After all, there is so much family history in your home. There are so many memories packed within its four walls, not to mention all of your stuff. Here are a few thoughts you may … Read more
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
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
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
An Evolving Real Estate Market & Ocala Home Prices Ocala home prices have reached new heights. Over the past few years, a real estate buying frenzy bid up home prices to eye-popping amounts. However, as mortgage rates have risen, buyer demand has cooled. 1 Consequently, home sellers who enter the market today may need to … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
Most common mistakes sellers make can be easily avoided, and the benefits of doing so are great. Learn the statistics and we are sure you will agree that it’s worth the effort. No matter what challenges the housing market presents, the process of selling a home can be daunting. Some sellers have a hard time … Read more
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
The Mindset of Top Ocala Realtors What separates top Ocala Realtors from their fellow professionals? How do you select the one who will serve your needs best? How do you decide who will best deliver on the promise to sell your home quickly and at top value? The hypothesis I will lay before you is … Read more
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 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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
Should you move forward with buying a home? Consider that rents are rising and mortgage rates are still hovering near historic lows. As a result, even with upward pressure on home prices, it may be more affordable to buy than rent. But what if you are financially tight, have limited resources and your credit score … Read more
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
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
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
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 homes for sale offer opportunities to enjoy life to the fullest. But rarely is romance mentioned as a distinguishing factor of home ownership. However, is a home not a place to escape to? Do you not need sanctuary after a day of pursuing career objectives? Do you not need an escape from doing your … Read more
Upscaling in Ocala can be an exciting adventure. There are options to suit any lifestyle. However, to make the process a wonderful, stress free journey, you would be wise to plan and avoid common mistakes. You will find that the inventory of homes for sale in Ocala is at historic lows and demand is at … Read more
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
The Ocala vacation home market is a reflection of trends in the United States as a whole. Additionally, it may be a reflection of global trends as well. As of September of 2020, national demand for second homes had climbed 118% year over year. However, by early this year, it had tapered off to a … Read more
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
Selling your Ocala home can be a low stress, positive experience if you open your mind, ask questions and set realistic expectations. Therefore, you would be wise to do a little research in order to avoid common home selling mistakes and understand the market. Its a small price to pay for peace of mind. Keep … Read more
You have decided to make a lifestyle change and the first step is to sell your home. But how do you prepare it to attract quality offers? Of course, you can begin with home improvements that sell. The simplest option is to stage your home by decluttering, depersonalizing and making it sparkle. A bright, well … Read more
You have decided to put your home on the market and want to optimize its value. But where do you begin? By enhancing its curb appeal of course. When selling your home, you must understand that the first impression it makes will often determine the number of showings you can expect. It will also be … Read more
Planning the sale of your home: Selling an Ocala home yourself requires a major commitment in time and effort. Of course there is also a risk that potential cost savings will be more than offset by other factors. It is a viable option, but you must dedicate yourself to do what is required. Is that … Read more
Follow The Leader and Win: Who wants to sell a home for more? I suspect everyone does and here’s a lesson to be learned. During the subprime crisis which began in late 2007, the market was flooded with distressed properties. As a result, lenders soon found themselves holding huge inventories of foreclosed homes. With the … Read more
(1) The marketing plan: Is it fair to ask a Realtor for a detailed marketing plan? The fact is that if you are interviewing an experienced professional, you shouldn’t have to ask. Certainly, if you are going give your Realtor the keys to selling your Ocala home, you are entitled to know what techniques he … Read more
Why consider selling your second home? We are living in stressful times. Therefore, a getaway from the daily routine is essential to good health and to refocusing to remain productive. However, when most people think of a second home, they fixate on desired vacation destinations. For example, if you live and work in Ocala, your … Read more
Getting ready to list: The most common question a homeowner asks when first contemplating listing a home for sale may well be, “how much is my home worth?”. But what considerations enter into the preparation of a home valuation? Look at value from a buyer’s perspective. You have decided to buy a home. Therefore, you … Read more
Forces at work in the Ocala real estate market: Should you list your Ocala home for sale today? We are living in an environment of fear and uncertainly. However, calmly examining our economy and your financial situation will enable you to answer this question in a way that is best for you and your family. … Read more
Is this a good time to sell or buy? We are living with an economic phase not seen in our lifetimes. Clearly, the Ocala real estate market is feeling the impact. Millions of people are out of work, while the world is grappling with a disease unlike any we have seen before. The COVID-19 infection … Read more
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
Why do some sellers choose for sale by owner? (1) No listing commission! This is the most obvious reason sellers give for choosing the for sale by owner route. Pro: Con: (2) More control of the sale process: Pros: Cons: Share Your Thoughts Does this analysis make sense to you? Be sure to share your … Read more