Posts

The New World Equestrian Center

The new World Equestrian Center is being built on SR 27 north west of Ocala. Ocala is known as the horse capital of the world.

Some things just don’t exist

I deal mostly with out of state buyers. Sometimes people are looking for things that either don’t exist or are extremely rare.

Pool homes in 55+ communities are a good example. There are some but 99% of 55+ homes don’t have a private pool. Why have a pool to maintain when you are paying HOA fees for a community pool ?

Same goes for “I want a 55+ home on a huge lot with no or very low HOA fees” Retirement homes are on small lots because most people don’t want yard work anymore. Retirement communities are also about a lifestyle and not just age restrictions.

Yet another home type I get asked about all the time are farms under $100,000-. I guess if an old mobile home on an acre with Ag zoning is your idea of a farm then they do exist. We have some inexpensive homes here on standard sized lots but farms are not that cheap.

I think people get an image in their mind of their ideal home before knowing an area and what to expect. I see my job as being just as much about educating buyers as just showing them houses.

Ocala Florida sink holes

Sinkholes: An overview from Fla. DEP

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 16, 2013 – Another Florida sinkhole made national headlines when a resort near Disney World broke apart. Because the phenomenon scares most homeowners, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Geological Survey compiled the following information. It provides a single point source for general knowledge about the nature of sinkholes in Florida, along with information on what should be done if a sinkhole happens nearby.

Facts about sinkholes in Florida

• The entire state sits on top of several thousand feet of limestone, which can form with natural void spaces called porosity. In limestone where the void spaces are connected, the rock is permeable. In most ways, this is positive: Porous and permeable limestone makes great aquifers and provides millions of gallons of fresh drinking water for residents and agriculture. However, acidic groundwater can change the limestone, leading to sinkholes.

• Sinkholes form from the collapse of surface sediments into underground voids. In Florida one may see solution sinkholes, cover-subsidence sinkholes or cover-collapse sinkholes. The first two types will show very little topographical disturbance to the naked eye, while the third is the type that shows an abrupt change in topography and the one most people consider when they hear the word “sinkhole.”

Questions about sinkholes

My yard is settling … Do I have a sinkhole?
Maybe. But a number of other factors can cause holes, depressions or subsidence of the ground surface. Expansive clay layers in the earth may shrink upon drying, buried organic material, poorly-compacted soil after excavation work, buried trash or logs and broken pipes all may cause depressions to form at the ground surface. These settling events, when not verified as true sinkholes by professionals, are collectively called “subsidence incidents.”

If the settling affects a dwelling, further testing by a licensed engineer with a licensed geologist on staff or a licensed geology firm may be in order. Property insurance may pay for testing, but in many cases insurance may not cover damage from settling due to causes other than sinkholes.

A sinkhole opened in my neighborhood … should I be concerned?
Although sinkholes in Florida sometimes occur in sets, most are isolated events. The bedrock underlying the state is honeycombed with cavities of varying size, most of which will not collapse in our lifetimes. A quick inspection of your property for any sinking or soft areas might be prudent. Unless the sinkhole is very large and extends to your property, there’s likely to be little reason for concern.

Should a sinkhole open in an area near you, the hole should be immediately cordoned off and clearly marked to protect traffic. Contact local law enforcement to report the hazard and call your city or county road department to initiate repair work. If the road is private, repair of the hole is usually the responsibility of the landowner or property owners’ association.

Is there a safe area of Florida with no chance of sinkholes?
Technically, no. Since carbonate rocks underlie the entire state, sinkholes could theoretically form anywhere. However, there are definite regions where sinkhole risk is considerably higher. In general, areas of the state where limestone is close to surface, or areas with deeper limestone but with certain types of water table elevation or characteristics have increased sinkhole activity.

More information about Florida sinkholes should be developed over the next three years. The Department announced recently that the Florida Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, has received a $1.1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address sinkhole vulnerability.

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

Ocala Florida and the Belmont Stakes

Horse Fever Statue

Horse Fever Statue

This is the 3rd in my series of blog posts about Ocala horses and this years Triple Crown races. Once again horses that were bred, broken or trained here in Ocala placed first, second and third in the Belmont Stakes. And that’s why Ocala Florida is the thoroughbred race horse capital of the world.

 

Ocala and the Preakness Stakes

4 horses standing under a big tree in a field

This is a follow up to my previous post about the Kentucky Derby and why Ocala is the horse capital of the world. Last Saturday was the Preakness Stakes which is the second leg of the Triple Crown. Once again horses bred, broken or trained here in Ocala came in first, second and third places.

If you’re interested in a farm here in Ocala, call me, email me or use my Dream Home Finder .

Ocala and the Kentucky Derby

 

 

horses next to a white fence under a tree

Ocala is often called the horse capital of the world. There are some world class horse farms here. It has to do with the soil which has a lot of lime rock in it making for some of the world’s finest horse pasture. Yesterday  was the 139th Kentucky Derby. All of the 6 top finishers had ties to farms here in Ocala. Some were bred here, some were broken here and others were trained here. That’s why Ocala Florida is the horse capital of the world.

What you want may not exist

My web site and blog attract a lot of out of the area buyers. It’s not my job to find a buyer exactly what they want. I feel it is my job to show them what is available here in Ocala for their budget. For example there are a lot of people who’d like a $150K farm. Can I find one ? Well that depends on your definition of a farm. If you mean a mobile home on a couple of acres of agricultural zoned land then yes you can get a farm here. I also get buyers looking for a 55+ community with a big lot and almost no HOA fees. Is it impossible ? No but it does eliminate 98% of the 55+ listings. Feel free to contact me about anything to do with Ocala real estate but just be aware that what you want doesn’t always exist.

Ocala and Marion County Florida deed restrictions

I get a lot of questions about deed restrictions here in Ocala and Marion county. Deed restrictions are public records. This blog post will show you how to find deed restrictions here in Marion County.

1. Go to the Marion County Clerk of the Courts web site.

2. In the lower right under Records click on Official Records Search

3. On the right click Search Records Now a blue box

4. At bottom of the page use Legacy Web Search

5. Enter party name. You have to get the name exact

6. Under restrict document type by code enter RES which is restrictions and covenants

Deed restrictions can be hard to read. Some were written before computers and are old typed documents that were poorly scanned. Larger older communities can have 100’s of pages mostly of very minor revisions. Typically you will find the important stuff in the largest document.

Why Ocala Florida is the horse capitol of the world

Horses standing next to a white fence

Horses by the fence an original photo by Joe Dallorso

Today is Kentucky Derby day. Of the 19 horses running in today’s race 15 have ties to Ocala. Some were bred here, others were trained here and a couple are locally owned. It’s not just the great winter weather that attracts some of the world’s best horse trainers and breeders. It’s the grass. Limestone soil adds minerals that grow strong bones and great race horses. And that’s why Ocala Florida is the horse capitol of the world.