Today’s Real Estate Topic-Flood Zones & Insurance

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

 

Good Afternoon All, 

I hope everyone is having a great day! Today, I wanted to discuss flood zones, insurance and why it’s so important to have coverage and do your research. 

Homeowners

-Do you have flood insurance coverage on your property?

-Are you aware that flood zones can change at any time? 

-If you aren’t sure, here is a link to check the flood zone. >>> http://bit.ly/FloodZoneCheck

 

Home Buyers 

-The #1 thing you can do while purchasing a property is to make sure you’re protected. DO YOUR RESEARCH! I cannot tell you how many Realtors do not check permits, foundation issues, flood zones, etc. for their buyers. 

-Like most people, you really aren’t familiar with this process and know how to do this. Make sure you ask your Realtor questions. Don’t be afraid to address potential issues. It’s better to ask before purchasing, then to close on a property and then find out. 

-Of course, flood zones change with time, so use this link to keep checking your property.      >>> http://bit.ly/FloodZoneCheck

-Link to check permits in Marion County >>> http://bit.ly/MarionCountyPermitSearch

-For more information check out this article that Florida Realtors Association posted >>> http://bit.ly/FloodZonesandInsurance

As always if you have any questions, please email Info@Search352Homes.com or Call/Text (352) 577-9171 

Today’s Real Estate Topic – Sellers Property Disclosure

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

 

Good Afternoon All, 

I hope your day is off to a great start! After the past couple of days of non-stop rain, I’m sure everyone is ready to enjoy this sunny Florida weather! 

Today, I wanted to talk about the Sellers Property Disclosure form that you may have heard of. At first I thought that was more a topic of discussion for property owners or sellers, but really buyers need to know this topic for when they go to purchase a home. 

Do you think a Sellers Property Disclosure is required in the state of Florida? Meaning, do you think a seller has to provide a property disclosure to a potential buyer? This answer may shock you, but a sellers property disclosure is NOT required in the state of Florida. I will say this though, as Realtors and Real Estate Brokers, we try to do everything we can to protect all parties involved. I know when I’m representing a seller, I strongly encourage them to complete a Sellers Property Disclosure. Also, when I’m working with a buyer and I feel we’re getting to the point where an offer maybe submitted, I also ask the sellers Realtor for a property disclosure. 

Please keep in mind even though a seller is not legally required to complete a Sellers Property Disclosure, a homeowner does have to disclosure facts about the property that would affect the property value. (sinkhole activity, encroachments, systems not working, etc.) 

For more information and insight on Sellers Property Disclosures, please feel free to check out this article that Florida Realtors posted on their website. >>> http://bit.ly/FloridaRealtorsPropertyDisclosure

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to email me at Info@Search352Homes.com or Call/Text (352) 577-9171 

Make it an awesome day!  -Duke 

***List Your Home TODAY***

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

 

Good Afternoon Everyone, 

I hope everyone is having a great week! Today’s topic of discussion – SELLING Your Home NOW! 

Why do you think right now is a good time to sell your home? Maybe you’ve heard the real estate market is doing well? Or maybe you’ve had a friend or family member sell their home and have positive equity? Both of those are good reasons to sell, but here are 5 top reasons to SELL your home TODAY! 

1.) Low Mortgage Interest Rates! – Right now you can borrow money to purchase a home with record low interest rates! You may think well isn’t this a reason for a buyer to purchase a home? You’re correct, but this is a HUGE benefit for sellers. Right now Realtors like myself have buyers just waiting for homes to hit the market. Inventory is extremely low and the real estate market needs your home to be listed for sale TODAY! 

2.) Home Prices are on the Rise! – Home prices are continuing to rise throughout the United States. In 2017 we finished out the year with a 5.5% year to year increase with home values on the rise! 

3.) Millennials! – Millennials are ready to purchase a home! With an economy on the rise, millennials are in the position to purchase one of the best investments! They’re graduating college, starting careers and getting married! Perfect time in their life to invest in a home. 

4.) Money in Savings! – Not all, but some people are finally able to have money in savings!. They have made it through the hard times and feel stable with their finances. That being said, a lot of people are starting to look into purchasing a home. 

5.) Low Inventory- I discussed a little bit of this topic with # 1 and Low Interest Rates. Inventory is EXTREMELY low. I have a portfolio of buyers who are just waiting for the average family home to hit the market! They’re preapproved and ready to go! All we need is a home like yours to be listed for sale! 

If you have any questions about listing your home or purchasing a home, I would be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss your real estate needs. As always I’m here to help every step of the way! 

Duke Rountree – Info@HomesForSaleOcalaMarion.com – (352) 572-1739

***Tax Season***

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

Good Afternoon All, 

I hope everyone is having a great week! We’re right around the corner from tax season. For most people this is a very dreaded time of the year. So much information and knowledge goes into taxes and for some people it can be a little overwhelming. 

Have you given any consideration as to what you’re going to do with your tax return? Maybe you could use your tax return to purchase a home or use it to improve your current home! Today, we’re going talk about Tax Deductions for homeowners and some benefits you may not know of. 

What are some homeowner tax deductions? 

There are several different tax related expenses and deductions for homeowners. Home Office Expenses, Energy Efficient Appliances and Windows, etc.

What are some tax deductions when purchasing a home?  

When you’re purchasing a home there are many different expenses that you can claim as a deduction. For an example, mortgage interest, mortgage points, real estate taxes, moving expenses, etc. 

What are some home owner related expenses that CANNOT be claimed as a deduction? 

Unfortunately here is a list of expenses that cannot be claimed as a tax deduction. Mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance including flood or fire), direct principal payments, remodeling, etc. 

As always I encourage you to consult with a local tax expert or accountant for all tax related questions. I hope everyone has a great rest of your day and weekend! 

-Duke 

 “This blog post is only for general information and Rountree Realty advises readers to contact their local tax expert for all tax questions and filing purposes.”

List Your Home TODAY!

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

Good Afternoon All, 

Have you given any consideration to listing your home for sale? Maybe you’ve heard the myth that listing your home in the Spring is the best time of year. I’m here to tell you that may not be the case! Right now we have a lot of snow birds in the area looking to purchase winter homes. Also with interest rates being extremely low, we have a busy real estate market in general for all stages of life. From first time home buyers to couples retiring and downsizing, there is a buyer right now for your home. 

In today’s real estate market inventory is EXTREMELY low. Myself, as well as several other Realtors, have portfolios of buyers just waiting for homes to hit the market! I would love to have the opportunity to sit down with you and provide a free comparative market analysis. We can also go over my marketing plan to get your home SOLD for top dollar and in a time frame that works best for you. Please give me a call today! I look forward to hearing from you.  

Duke Rountree 

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

Good Afternoon All, 

I hope everyone is having a great day! Did anyone do anything fun over the weekend to celebrate the upcoming holiday? Maybe attended a Christmas Party or the Ocala Christmas Parade? Since we’re now less than two week until Christmas, I thought I would share some of favorite holiday traditions and events here in Marion County. 

1.) Let’s Skate Ocala!- Ocala’s Ice-skating Rink is back! Located at Tuscawilla Park at 500 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala.                Every weekend they’re having a special theme for the event. 

  • Friday, Dec. 15 – Santa’s Workshop with a special screening of the movie “Elf”
  • Friday, Dec. 22 – Superheroes Night 

Click here for more information and pricing. http://bit.ly/2BTLnWn

2.) Carriage Rides on the Square!- Every weekend between now and New Year’s Eve you can take a carriage ride and see all of the lights and holiday decorations around the square. Click here for more information and pricing. 

http://bit.ly/2B4DQqA

3.) Ocala Civic Theatre!- The Ocala Civic Theatre has several different performances going on for the holiday season. Make sure you check out their website for tickets, showtimes and more information!

http://bit.ly/2B55yn2

4.) Cotton Farm’s Christmas Village- This is a great event for the little kiddos. From Pancakes with Santa, to hayrides, lights and other Christmas activities this is the place to be! Here is a link to their FB page with more information. 

https://www.facebook.com/CottomFarmChristmasVillage/

5.) Cade Christmas Light Display- This Christmas light display is located in Orange Springs, just a few miles north of Fort McCoy. For years this has been one of the best Christmas light displays in the area. Check out their FB page for pictures and more info. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cade-Christmas-Light-Display/1438266549721929

I hope you get the chance over the next couple of weeks to enjoy some of the holiday events here in Marion County! This is truly is the most wonderful time of year! 

Merry Christmas, 

Duke Rountree

Veterans Day Events-20% Off Services!

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

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

Prepping Your Home for the Holidays!

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

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?!?

Posted by R_yn5_@_ul on

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

NAR: Home Sales Going Up for 2015

Posted by Duke Rountree on

What does this mean?

Well Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist predicts an approximate 7% rise in existing home sales for 2015. The key will be a strengthening economy and job growth. Yun sees more first-time buyers entering the market as well in 2015 with expected new mortgage products, low down payments and PMI(private Mortgage Insurance.) He warns if interest rise this year it could add hurdles to buyers and sellers. Many sellers have locked in such low interest rates over the past few years they may be very reluctant to commit to a much higher future rate. Yun’s preliminary analysis of sale in 2014 appeared to by around 4.94 million, which is about 3% below 2013. However the median existing sales price increased 5.6% from 2013 to 2014.

Watch this video for more information on the economy and housing market:

Source: National Association of REALTORS® ; http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2015/01/08/nar-home-sales-only-going-up-from-here?om_rid=AAEWoH&om_mid=_BUrvNWB8$sIYZV&om_ntype=RMODaily