Does today mark the end of a year or the end of a day? Which matters most? - 12/31/11 08:45 AM
Does today mark the end of a year or the end of a day?  Which matters most?
 
When does a year end or begin?  Without a calendar how would we know?
When does a day begin or end?  A day is much easier to define by sunrise/sunset or our daily activity.
When a day is gone from your life, it will never come back.  A year is just a collection of days you either made the best of; or the worst of.
A year is just a measure you celebrate as a birthday or New Year.
Doesn’t each day matter … (7 comments)

Real Estate Forecast for 2012! - 12/29/11 09:33 AM
 
Real Estate Forecast for 2012!
 

Ok, I have an idea.  We can listen to the "negative news sells", crowd or we can weigh in ourselves.

So this will be an informal poll of Active Rainers (non real estate professionals too please!) on what they think 2012 will bring!
I would like to know:
1.      Did your local sales increase in 2011?
2.      Did prices increase or decrease and by how much?
·         0-5%
·         0-10%
·         10+%
3.      Will sales increase or decrease in 2012?
4.      Will prices increase or decrease for 2012 and how much?
·         … (3 comments)

Why do Realtors Chase Buyer Leads Instead of Seller Leads? - 12/28/11 04:31 PM
Why do Realtors Chase Buyer Leads Instead of Seller Leads?
I see more posts, more advertisements, more web sites and hear more conversation from agents looking for buyer leads than seller leads.  I see more companies promoting buyer leads for sale and few providing seller leads. (except expireds and FSBOs which we can get free anyway)..
 
I wonder why is this so? 
Is a buyer lead worth more than a seller lead?  Do buyer leads result in more immediate closings and earning than seller leads? Are buyer leads easier to work with than sellers?  
 
For me it … (5 comments)

Ocala Palms Treasure Chest - 12/27/11 03:45 PM
Open up the door to airy and open spaciousness in this beautiful Ocala Palms Spinosa Model and you may think this is the pot of gold you’ve been searching for.  This home is a treasure from the elegant entry leading to a main living area with cathedral ceilings to the relaxing enclosed lanai......... there is something to fall in love with every step of the way.
 
 
This home also features a beautiful kitchen that would be any chef’s dream.  Enjoy granite countertops, a tiled backsplash, built in extra pantry and cabinets and deep pan drawers.. not to mention a … (2 comments)

Will Home Prices Pop After They Hit Bottom? Revisited - 12/23/11 08:47 AM
Earlier in the week I wrote:
Will Home Prices Pop After They Hit Bottom?
and how the “negative news sells” bunch challenged it with this:
Will Home Prices Pop After They Hit Bottom? (Hint: Probably Not) Now it is still too early to declare I am right, but yesterday's Ocala news (What/where is Ocala?) is very encouraging. 
Realtors report home sales increase in Marion County  But the really great news was: "Housing prices also rose considerably, climbing to a median sales price of $88,800 in November compared with $80,300 in October and $75,900 in November 2010."  "An Atlanta based financial analytics … (6 comments)

Get Moving and Sprint, Fly, Race, Rush or Gallop to Oak RUN!!! - 12/20/11 04:06 PM

Don’t miss out on this one!!!!     Discover the warmth, charm and splendor of award-winning Oak Run.  One of Central Florida’s most loved active adult communities. This Central Florida golf community and country club is the kind of neighborhood that lets you enjoy everything you’ve worked so hard for – a beautiful home in a safe, recreational community located on lush Florida real estate and surrounded by active, friendly people.
 
 
 
 
 

 
This Featured home is an expanded Biscayne model with tons of upgrades and beautifully maintained landscaping. 
 
Enjoy an open and airy feel with … (2 comments)

Will Home Prices Pop After They Hit Bottom? - 12/20/11 09:29 AM
Will Home Prices Pop After They Hit Bottom? A recent WSJ article; Will Home Prices Pop After They Hit Bottom? (Hint: Probably Not) claims they will not.  In fact it claims "after adjusting for inflation, prices will rise by about 12% over the coming decade, or about 1% average annual home-price appreciation."
But I am not so sure, especially in Ocala/Marion County Florida.  What/where is Ocala?
Marion County has the lowest median prices of all of Florida.  Prices crashed by 60+% from a peak at the end of 2005.  While there was a bubble, prices are now ~20% below the 60 … (4 comments)

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul; And You & I are Peter! Part XI! - 12/19/11 06:57 AM
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul; And You & I are Peter! Part XI!
Well Sunday morning it looked like a done deal, but as of Sunday night there is hope:
Boehner Opposes Two-Month Extension to Payroll-Tax Cut Why is this a good deal?  Because they are not satisfied with a two month extension - they want 12 months!  Not only is it paid by premiums on loans backed by Freddie and Fannie.  It is paid for by buyers,
as I warned in:
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul; And You & I are Peter! Part X!
 
So it is time for an eleventh … (7 comments)

Real Estate Investing Via Self-Directed IRAs; Boon for You & Your Investors Part II - 12/17/11 01:13 PM
Real Estate Investing Via Self-Directed IRAs; Boon for You & Your Investors  Part II
 
Active Rain hosted an excellent Webinar put on by Equity Trust Company this week.  I wish I could find the recording to share.
 
I have posted before about how they can help you and your investors but real estate via self directed IRAs.  Real Estate Investing Via Self-Directed IRAs; Boon for You & Your Investors
I mentioned before also about the great educational webinars they do on a regular basis.  Just this week they did one of the best I have seen.   I wanted … (3 comments)

My Rendition of The 12 Days Christmas - REALTOR Style - 12/17/11 09:08 AM
This is an idea I had.  But Marilyn did it much better and funnier funnier than I cold.  Thanks Marilyn for the post, the laugh, and letting me share!
Have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Via Marilyn Boudreaux, Lake Charles Realtor Lake Charles LA Real Estate (Marilyn Boudreaux, Century 21 Mike D. Bono & Co.'s):
With December 25 only a few days away our "Realtor days" can get a little crazy.
 
Today was one of those days and I felt the need for some comic relief so I turned my attention to composing my own REALTOR 12 Days of … (5 comments)

How Does Add Associates Work? - 12/15/11 09:37 AM
How Does Add Associates Work?
How do associates get added?  Is it like friending on Facebook (lol)?  Do I request an add and then wait for that person to respond?
For example, if I view a member who is in the daily drop as a spotlighted member, and then click under their name "add associate" I get a box to fill out.  It asks me to add to a group or add a new group.  If I check the group "associates" are they now my associates?  If I add a comment what happens on their profile?
Similar questions about how do groups … (4 comments)

Why Do We Blog? - 12/14/11 12:37 PM
 
Why Do We Blog?
 
After reading blogs for some time now on Active Rain and especially noting the most common topics and featured topics, it made me wonder why do we blog?
 
Why do we write blogs?
 
§         Educate each other?
 
§         Educate the public?
 
§         To find sellers?
 
§         To find buyers?
 
§         To get featured?
 
§         To get points?
 
§         To improve our SEO?
 
 Why do we read blogs?
 
§         To learn from each other?
 
§         Entertainment?
 
 For me it is all of the above.  … (8 comments)

Sellers. Think Nothing Sells During the Holidays? Call Me! - 12/13/11 12:08 PM
Sellers.  Think Nothing Sells During the Holidays?  Call Me! 
 
 

We all hear from sellers that nothing sells during the holidays!

 

But for those of us who know different, the most serious buyers are looking now. 

 

 

My team sold 2 listings over the weekend.   One was our best in terms of price and value.   And the other we were worried about appraising and it is 50% cash!

 

 

Now IS a great time to sell in Florida!

 

 

Florida is different than most … (4 comments)

Is There a List of Featured Posts? - 12/12/11 06:20 AM
Is There a List of Featured Posts?
I learn something new every day on Active Rain.  The home page seems simple enough, but I know I am still missing some things. 
One is, how do I view all the featured posts?  Is there a daily list?  I get the daily rain drop.  But I keep reading hints, that there is a list somewhere.  If so, where is it?
Any other suggestions on keeping up with the best posts?  Besides the daily drop, I go to my "social blogs".  I am not sure how subscribe works.  And I get so much email … (7 comments)

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul; And You & I are Peter! Part X! - 12/10/11 08:26 AM
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul; And You & I are Peter! Part X!
 
This one works a little different, but the twist is still there!
Should Fannie, Freddie Help Pay for Tax Relief? "Congress is considering tapping troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for cash — and that has the real-estate industry upset.
Major real estate industry groups on Thursday urged lawmakers to reject an attempt to raise money to renew a payroll-tax cut by raising fees charged by Fannie and Freddie, the mortgage giants that have been under government control for more than three years.
A move … (8 comments)

Topics Almost Guaranteed to be a Featured Post; And those NOT! - Case in Point! - 12/08/11 08:30 AM
 
Topics Almost Guaranteed to be a Featured Post; And those NOT! - Case in Point!
 
 
My post: Topics Almost Guaranteed to be a Featured Post; And those NOT!
got
5 comments.
 
 
 
While Did You Really Just Ask Me That?! Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place got
 
200 plus comments
and
 
Comments have been disabled by the author!
 
Isn't this #3 on my list? 
 

3.    Can you believe what the other Realtor® wanted?

 
 
Now I am not complaining…
But it makes me wonder....
… (6 comments)

Why I Fired a Cash Buyer! - 12/07/11 04:58 PM
Why I Fired a Cash Buyer!
or
 
What is the Best Script for Getting a Buyer to Understand They Should Not Just Call Every Sign?  The Sequel
 

Earlier this week I posted about this and got some great advice.

What is the Best Script for Getting a Buyer to Understand They Should Not Just Call Every Sign?

 
 
Well yesterday, the buyer called me back and wanted to go see the property.  This time I was more prepared.  I found out he had seen the property before when the other listing agent had it. ( … (9 comments)

Holiday Happenings in Ocala! - 12/06/11 12:58 PM
Holiday Happenings in Ocala!
 
Symphony under the lights
Gather your friends and family, bring your own lawn chair and grab a spot on the square under the beautiful holiday lights. An Ocala tradition for over 9 years!
Friday, Dec 9 7:00p
      
 
Reindeer Run 5K
Get away from the holiday shopping and let some stress out before this year's Christmas parade out and down Silver Springs Boulevard.
Saturday, Dec 10 4:45p
     
 
The Nutcracker Ballet
 As the resident dance company of Ocala Civic Theatre, The Marion Ballet Theatre proudly presents the 31st season of … (0 comments)

It's Finally Here!!! - 12/06/11 11:10 AM
Enjoy room to move and more in this home located on a peaceful flag lot in Anthony, Fl. 
 
 
 
 Check out this newly listed and beautifully upgraded, energy efficient home located on a generously sized lot in Anthony, Fl. 
This home comes with many perks including construction with materials that increase your savings on heating and cooling costs year round.
The main living area is a comfortably open space with high ceilings, crown molding, custom wood burning brick fireplace, hickory hardwood floors and lighted plant shelves.
The open living theme continues with a kitchen that could be any chef’s dream. … (0 comments)

What is the Best Script for Getting a Buyer to Understand They Should Not Just Call Every Sign? - 12/05/11 08:45 AM
What is the Best Script for Getting a Buyer to Understand They Should Not Just Call Every Sign?
 
I am sure we all find ourselves in this scenario regularly.
 
It is Sunday morning and I get a sign call and he leaves a message to call him back at 1:00 PM.  Not when I can! At 1:00 PM!
 
Now I had a few plans for my Sunday, so I call him back at 2:30 PM.  He indicates, he and his wife have been driving around and he must have called on one of my signs.  You can tell … (7 comments)

Does Active Rain Have this Feature for Reading Posts? - 12/04/11 12:17 PM
Does Active Rain Have this Feature for Reading Posts?
 
I know Active Rain is having some problems this weekend (see Is Active Rain Having Problems this Weekend with Their Comments and Notifications?), but I think Active Rain and the community is great!  We all learn from one another and share so much useful information!
 
One of the things I would like to know is how to search for posts with the most activity.  Since, I am not sure if it is available, I’ll write this as a list for Active Rain to consider adding in its development.
 
I … (4 comments)

Is Active Rain Having Problems this Weekend with Their Comments and Notifications? - 12/04/11 08:38 AM
Is Active Rain Having Problems this Weekend with Their Comments and Notifications?
Ever since Saturday morning, I have been getting notification of comments on my posts that do not make sense.  At first they seem to be pointing to the wrong post.  Then they seemed to be old notifications.  This morning my email is full of notifications of posts that are weeks old.  And some are comments that I have already commented back on and newer comments have come in since.
Anyone else seeing anything strange?
If it is me, and you are commenting on my posts, I thank you!
But … (16 comments)

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul IX! FHA Could Be ‘Fannie, Freddie, the Sequel’! Have We Not Been Saying This? - 12/03/11 08:32 AM
FHA Could Be ‘Fannie, Freddie, the Sequel’!  Have We Not Been Saying This?
Congress Worries FHA Could Be ‘Fannie, Freddie, the Sequel’ WSJ December 1st "The Obama administration’s top housing official is finding himself in hot water on Capitol Hill amid mounting concerns that the Federal Housing Administration is on the verge of a taxpayer bailout."
Read taxpayer bailout -- Robbing Peter to Pay Paul
I raised the FHA 3.5% downpayment many times, but most recently
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul; And You & I are Peter! Part VII! BobtheRealtor November 16th!
For a complete list of my Robbing Peter to Pay Paul rants … (2 comments)

 
Bob%20n%20steph Rainmaker_large

Bob Miller - The Ruiz/Miller Team Ocala & Marion County

Ocala, FL

More about me…

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty

Address: Attn:The Ruiz/Miller Team, 1918 SE 17th St., Ocala, Fl, 34471

Office Phone: (352) 547-1074

Cell Phone: (352) 789-9506

Email Me

Author Bio: Let The Ruiz/Miller Team 45+ years of finding solutions; solve YOUR real estate needs. We SELL homes! Find your dream home or a great investment! Can we sell it? Yes we can! Call us today 352-547-1086 Get 2 Realtors for the price of 1!

Locations of visitors to this page


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find FL real estate agents and Ocala real estate on ActiveRain.