Issue #84
November 2015
Showcase Monthly Newsletter

We are please to announce our newest agent, Jason Boutwell.
Jason Boutwell is a lifetime Marion County Resident.  He grew up in the Construction Industry under the direction of his father and grandfather.  Jason graduated from FSU where he majored in B.S.  Marketing.  Shortly thereafter, Jason went back to his roots and obtained a General Contractor’s license founding the company Boutwell Contracting & Development.  Naturally, the construction industry peaked Jason’s interest in real estate leading him to obtain his license in Real Estate as well.

MLS data for September sales:
  • 549 closed sales–an increase of 10.2% from a year ago
  • 543 pending sales, decrease of 0.9% year over year
  • Average sale price $147,468, an increase of 12.7%
  • A decrease of 10.9% of active listings from 3,417 to 3,045 the previous September 2014
  • Months’ supply of inventory was 5.8, down 15.6% year over year from previous September 2014
The Setember report is available from the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors (OMCAR) report. Please email our office for the report.

 

If you would like to have information regarding the sale of horse farms, or agricultural land in general, please contact us.

It’s been all over the news now for the entire year – endless speculation about what the Fed will do with interest rates and how that will affect mortgages. This has many potential homebuyers wondering what they should do as they search for a home.
Well as we all know the Fed has yet to take any action, most recently because of the financial turmoil caused by volatility in foreign markets. But the bigger point is, when it comes to buying a home in today’s market, it doesn’t really matter what the Fed does, at least in the near term.

Mortgage rates remain at historical lows, which means buying a home is as affordable as it’s ever been, at least when it comes to financing. As the chief economist of Freddie Mac points out in this recent Washington Post article, even if the Fed does make a move in the coming weeks or months, the effect on fixed mortgage rates is likely to be moderate over the next year and a half. That’s partially due to the fact that long term lending rates like a 30-year fixed mortgage already have at least some anticipation of rate increases built in.
Just to illustrate: in February the average 30-year fixed mortgage was 3.76% and despite nearly a year’s worth of anxiety over the potential for rate hikes, the average 30-year fixed rate today is 3.86%.

 

Live entertainment, crafts, food, children’s activities, Junior Sunshine Christmas parade and a visit by Santa will all be a part of the 32nd annual Light Up Ocala on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 4-9 p.m. in beautiful, historic downtown Ocala.
Stages for the event will be located on the corner of Fort King Street and South Magnolia Avenue, North Magnolia Avenue, the Downtown Square and Citizens’ Circle.  In order to accommodate pedestrian traffic between the north and south venues, SR 40/Silver Springs Blvd. will be closed adjacent to the square.
The highlight of the event will be the lighting of downtown Ocala and a 42-foot Christmas tree which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Equestrian Springs
4701 NW 100th Street, Ocala, FL 34481
Looking for a gated equestrian community in the middle of Central Florida’s Horse Country, look no further than Equestrian Springs. As you drive through the gated entrance past the beautiful cascading fountain you will know you have found your new home. Private shaded 2 mile bridle path, 3 plus acre private park with fishing springs, four board fencing, underground utilities with fiber optic internet, minutes from Ocala and Gainesville and much more.
Our current Equestrian Springs Properties:
 
Lot 4 / $145,000 / MLS 428939 / 2 +/- Acres
Lot 19 / $85,000 / MLS 428931 / 2 +/- Acres
Referrals are the livelihood of our business. If you have a friend, family member, or co-worker who would benefit from the Showcase Team’s real estate services, please contact us. We promise to treat everyone with respect and the highest level of integrity and customer service. Your referrals are the greatest compliment that I, and the Showcase Team, can receive.  Thank you for your business and recommendations!