Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Day All, 

I’m sure most of you are trying to finish up work and are getting ready for Thanksgiving! Below is a list of a few events going on around Marion County for the holiday weekend! 

  • 22nd Annual Turkey TROT- The 22nd Annual Turkey Trot 5K is the largest race in Ocala, with more than 2,000 runners. This Thanksgiving tradition includes a 5K Walk/Run, a 10K Run, an Outdoor Cycling Class, an Outdoor Youth Dodgeball Tournament, along with activities for the whole family. This event is held at the YMCA and starts at 7am and goes until 11am. 
  • Thanksgiving Feast at Hilton of Ocala- Celebrate Thanksgiving Day at the Hilton Ocala! The Hilton Ocala will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a magnificent buffet. Seating times are 11 AM, 1 and 3 PM. Please call 352.390.1515 for reservations.
  • Black Friday Shopping!- I’m sure most of you have already seen the ads online and maybe have even already ordered a Black Friday Deal! If getting a great deal is for you then check out www.TheBlackFriday.com for ads, hours and stores participating in Black Friday. 
  • Small Shop Saturday! Several small private owned businesses are participating in “Small Shop Saturday” Make sure you call your favorite small shops and see if they’re having special deals on Saturday! 
  • Christmas Tree Time!- If picking out a real Christmas tree is part of your holiday traditions than get ready! The tree tents are going up and they’re almost ready for business! Here is a link to a few locations to pick out the perfect tree for the holiday season. www.fun4ocalakids.com/Whats-Happening/Christmas-Tree-Farms/ 

The Rountree Realty Team wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving and a great holiday weekend!  

Sincerely, 

Duke Rountree and Team 

Home Inspection for Your Home Purchase!

Good Day All, 

I hope everyone is having a great week! This post is mostly for home buyers or people who might be planning on purchasing a home going into 2018! Once you have found the home you want to purchase and both the buyer and seller have agreed to the terms, your Realtor should give you the opportunity for a home inspection to be completed. 

I typically always recommend for my buyers to have a home inspection completed. This will allow them to evaluate the home inspection report and make sure the condition of the home is satisfactory to them. Shouldn’t you as a buyer have questions for the home inspector? For future home buyers, have you thought of a list of questions to ask your home inspector? Below are a few questions that you may find helpful.  

1.) Are you licensed and insured?

2.) How long have you been a licensed inspector? 

3.) Do you belong to the Better Business Bureau or any other organizations? 

4.) What is included with your home inspection package? (well, septic, gas lines, roof, swimming pools, etc.) 

5.) If repairs are needed, do you charge a re-inspection fee? 

6.) How long before I receive a copy of the home inspection report? (make sure your purchase contract has a enough time for a inspection to be completed) 

7.) How much do you charge for the home inspection? Are there any other fees I should be expecting? 

8.) How do I pay you for the services completed? (Apple Pay, Check, Credit Card, etc.) 

9.) Do you offer any other services? (termite, WDO Inspections, etc.) 

10.) Appx. how long does a home inspection take? (I always recommend my buyers to attend the inspection) 

I hope you find this information helpful. As always if you have any questions about the home buying process, please give me a call/text (352) 572-1739 or email me at Info@HomesForSaleOcalaMarion,com 

-Duke 

 

 

Veterans Day Events-20% Off Services!

Good Day All, 

I hope everyone is having a great day! Check out these fun family events to honor and celebrate our Veterans this weekend! 

http://fun4ocalakids.com/Whats-Happening/Veterans-Day-Events/

There are a lot of activities here in Marion County and surrounding areas to have fun with the family!

Oh and don’t forget that Rountree Realty gives back 20% of earned commission to our Veterans! Contact me today for more info. (352) 572-1739 or info@homesforsaleocalamarion.com. 

-Duke

Hurrican Irma Affects September Home Sales

Good Day All, 

I hope everyone is off to a great start to a productive week! No matter what type of business you’re in, I’m sure Hurricane Irma has affected your September financial projections. Check out this article that Florida Realtors posted regarding home sales for September. If you currently have your property listed for sale this may explain why you have had less activity these past few weeks. http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=2&id=358077

If anyone has any questions or if there is anything I can do to help you with your real estate needs, please give me a call today!

Take Care, 

Duke Rountree 

 

Prepping Your Home for the Holidays!

Good Morning Everyone!

Who all is excited about the holiday’s approaching? It’s hard to believe that holiday season is upon us, but I love it! Family gathered together, great homemade food, memories being made…there is nothing better than that!

How do you prepare for the holidays? Have you stuck with the traditional check off to-do list with lots of things that need to be checked off? Or have you created a new system that works better for you?

Check out this list of ideas that may help you that myhomeideas posted!
http://www.myhomeideas.com/holidays/prep-home-holidays
A few of these ideas might just make the holiday season less stressful on you.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

-Duke

Would you Live in a Haunted House?!?

Good Day All,

I hope everyone is having a great week. With Halloween right around the corner I figured it would be a great time to talk about haunted houses. Would you ever consider living in a haunted house? The excitement of hearing footsteps when no one is in site? Or how about sleeping in a room where someone might have been murdered or taken from there home?

A recent survey of 1,000 people found that a little over 30% of people said they would consider living in a haunted house, 25% said maybe, while 42% of people said no way. What do you think? Would you consider the excitement of living in a haunted house?

I hope everyone is enjoying the excitement and cooler temperatures that comes with October and Halloween!

-Duke

Fall in Marion County!

 

Good Day All, 

Who all loves the season of fall? The crisp air, cooler temperatures, bonfires, time spent with family. There is nothing better!  I know for me fall is my favorite time of year and especially here in Marion County. There are so many out door activities for you and your family or friends to take part in. From Oktoberfest, The Art Walk to The Downtown Square there is always something fun to do! 

Below are a few links to some of my favorite fall events! 

October 6, 2017 from 5-9pm

  • Oktoberfest at Circle Square Commons – Here is a link with more information on this                                                                 event http://www.ocalamarion.com/event/oktoberfest-circle-square-commons/?instance_id=40465

October 13, 2017 from 7:30-9:30

  • After Dark in the Park Movie Event – Here is a link with more information on this event. http://www.ocalamarion.com/event/dark-park-movies-rogue-one-star-wars/?instance_id=40211

October 20, 2017 from 9am-5pm 

  • Recycled Art Exhibit at The Discovery Center – Here is a link with more information on this event. http://www.ocalamarion.com/event/recycled-art-exhibit/?instance_id=40506

October 28, 2017 All Day Event 

  • Marion County Fair at Baseline Road – Here is a link with more information on this event. http://www.ocalamarion.com/event/marion-county-fair/?instance_id=40455

There are several other events that may interest you throughout the fall season. Go check them out here!  http://www.ocalamarion.com/event 

I hope everyone is having a great start to the fall season! 

-Duke Rountree 

 

What to expect from your real estate agent!

 

Good Day All, 

Have you ever really thought about what a real estate agent does? Any realtor can list your home for sale and put a sign out front, but do they have a plan to get your home sold? Here are just a few ways on how I, Duke Rountree, Broker and Owner of Rountree Realty Corp. plans on getting your home SOLD. 

  • A Developed Strategy –  Contact me today for your property specific marketing strategy. 
  • Advertising – professional photography including drone, 3-D virtual tour, property pages, blog post, etc. 
  • Preparations for Listing your Home – Detailed list of idea’s to help make your home stand out to a potential buyer. 
  • Communication –  Updates every step of the way to make sure you’re involved in the selling process. 
  • Area-specific Pricing Expertise – 18+ years of real estate experience to benefit you! 
  • Accountability – The last thing I want is for a client to be unhappy. I do everything I can to make the process of selling your home as easy and stress free as possible for you. 

If you have given any consideration to selling your home I would love to have the opportunity to talk with you! I’m sure my experience and success can work for you!  

Duke Rountree 

Apple: Real Estate Apps

Who all is excited for the new iPhone? I’m sure some of you have already pre-ordered and are waiting on the anticipated arrival of your new device. What are you most excited about with the new device and operating system? For some it maybe the faster speed or better camera, but I’m most excited for all of the new features for real estate professionals. Whether you’re a realtor, potential buyer or seller, you may find this new technology extremely helpful. Below are a few key pointers to look for.

  • Homesnap, which allows users to see the property lines to a property they’re walking. 
  • PLNAR, generates floor plans without the need to manually measure and document room dimensions.
  • Magicplan, allows users to create floor plans while walking and automatically computes the required amount of materials for DIY projects, such as paint or flooring, based on the plan dimensions. 
  • Houzz- whose View in My Room 3D feature allows users to preview more than 500,000 images of furniture and decor products from the Houzz Shop and move them around and position them to see how they look. 

Here a link to an article with more information on these features. 

https://www.inman.com/2017/09/19/thanks-apple-real-estate-apps-just-got-a-huge-ar-boost/?utm_campaign=AddThis&utm_source=email&utm_medium=social#.WcOuqjENXTI.email

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions on the latest from Apple. 

Take Care, 

Duke Rountree 

Hurricane Irma-We’re Here to Help!

Good Day All, 

As most of you know last week the State of Florida took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma. Marion County was deeply impacted and more than we ever expected. Rountree Realty is very fortunate to be up and running as several offices and businesses are still without power and water and are still unable to open. 

Rountree Realty is all about helping others in our community – it’s what we do best! It is a lot easier to get through difficult times when you have the support of others and that is why we’re here! If there is anything that we can do to help you please give us a call. I have a list of trusted vendors that would be able to help with roofing, electrical, tree removal, well/septic and more!

Below is also a few links to organizations that would also be able to help assist you. 

I hope all of you and your families are safe from the storm.  Again, if there is anything we can do to help you, please give me a call at (352) 572-1739. 

Sincerely,

Duke Rountree