“Ocala Rocks” in More Ways than One

It’s been a while since I wrote a blog post… This one is pretty cute. Since my blog is about, “What’s Happening in Ocala” I thought I would share this with you.  Last week was my first experience when I stumbled upon a “Painted Rock” down by the City Hall. I was taking a photo of my grandson by a painted horse, which we have all over Ocala. The note attached to the rock said, “Face book, “Ocala Rocks” keep or rehide. When I got back home I looked up, “Ocala Rocks” on Face Book and learned of this awesome way to spread joy around town. I never heard of this before, but several city’s nationwide has their own painted rocks Face book page. It is the cutest thing. So, of course I had to paint my own to continue spreading some more joy. Once you paint your rocks, then you take them anywhere public and post hints for your face book rock friends to try and find. Some people are very vague with their clues, and make it harder for you to locate, especially since we have a pretty large county. I like giving good clues, so they are not too hard to find. Once you find a painted rock, then you can keep it, or rehide. Most people will paint several, and hide them, so keeping some now and then is perfectly ok. I’ve made about 20 so far, and I just found my first rock tonight (in the picture below- “Shine”).  I will keep this one, but I have several more coming to hide soon. I think there is a little bit of kid in every one of us. I was pretty excited about my first find. Check out this Face Book group page and join in and have some fun by clicking here “Ocala Rocks”. In pictures below are some examples, and a couple of the hide places.

OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

Farmhouse Restaurant~ Belleview’s Best Kept Secret

I  found an amazing restaurant about a month ago. Although it is new to me, it has been in business for many years. It’s open for breakfast and lunch 7 days per week. If you have not tried this restaurant, you need to. The prices are great and the service is friendly and warm. Since finding this little gem, we have gone several times now. It’s called “The Farmhouse Restaurant”.

  Farmhouse

  Located just behind the new Hardee’s in Belleview

Address: 11077 SE 57th Ct, Belleview, FL 34420

Phone: (352) 307-7100
Hours: Monday- Saturday 7:00 AM- 2:00 PM Sunday 7:00 AM- 1:00 PM
Farmhouse 4

Farmhouse 3

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 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or  OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

 

NEW HOMEOWNERS~ Change your locks!

Be sure to change the locks right away after moving

into your new home!

One of the first things new homeowners need do is change the locks on their new home.

You have no idea who might have a copy of your keys.

Investing a bit of money upfront can protect you from burglary down the road.

It’s also a good idea to make an extra copy of your keys, and leave them with someone you

trust, so you don’t have to shell out $100 to a locksmith, if you ever lock yourself out.

Better safe than sorry is my motto!

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 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

BUYERS BEWARE!!!!

SCAMMERS HAVE LEARNED NEW WAYS TO SCAM BUYERS IN REAL ESTATE

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If you are in the middle of a Real Estate transaction YOU NEED TO READ THIS. It can save you thousands of dollars, and a lot of heartache of being scammed out of “your” money, which could also result in you losing out in the purchase of your home.

What these scammers are doing is hacking into emails of any parties involved in the Real Estate transaction (The Consumer, Realtors, Title Agents, Lenders etc..). Once they have your contact information they learn of upcoming closings and get you to wire closing funds straight to their bank accounts.

I had a recent closing coming up, and I did not pay close attention to the exact name of the title company that sent me the email. It was close to the name of the company I was working with, and I assumed it was them. I completely did not realize it was not legit. I was actually expecting a HUD from First International Title, so looking quickly I did not realize it said, First American Title. I tried to open the HUD a few times, but my anti-virus software prevented it (thank God). I called the title company to ask them to send it to me again as an attachment, so I could open it. The title agent said, they never sent it. I thought it was strange that there was a signature line, but no contact numbers. The Title company told me of many other incidents like this with scammers that they personally have come in contact with recently. It also happened to an agent here locally where the Buyers they were working with wired $8,000 (for their closing), and unfortunately they were not able to recover their money back.

Check out this video posted on You Tube, “Voice for Real Estate” regarding Real Estate scamming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKDbQ2kwHew

This is pretty scary, that these scam artists are very sly in their attempt to get you off guard.

BEFORE YOU WIRE ANY FUNDS FOR CLOSINGS be sure to confirm information by phone with your title company. It’s a shame that there are people that learn ways to scam and cheat people. Don’t be their next target!

 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or  OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

The 32nd Annual Light Up Ocala

Be sure to make your way to Downtown Ocala

Saturday, November 21, 2015

from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for our annual

“Light Up Ocala”

Light Up Ocala 2013 (3)Light Up Ocala 2013 (41)

Light Up Ocala 2013 (8)

Lighting Ceremony is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m.

Children can visit Santa in his sleigh from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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Estimated attendance for this event is to exceed 20,000

Past events included

~ Live entertainment on three stages, with dancers, singers and more.

~ On the BIG SCREEN they will be showing “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” that premiered on TV in 1966 .

~ Jr. Sunshine Christmas Parade

~ Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and The Grinch

~ FOR THE KIDDIES- big slide, bounce house, indoor laser tag and challenge course.

~ 41 Craft and 24 food vendors

~ 64 X 32  feet new synthetic skating rink

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 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or  OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

Monkey Junction~ An indoor play center for your children

Ocala has lots to do, and Monkey Junction is a favorite for children.

An indoor play center that’s fun and safe…

Play dress up, shop at the grocery store and load your shopping cart with food, then check out at the cash register. Or you may want to visit the flower shop, play like you are a fireman, train conductor, cook in your kitchen, go to the animal clinic, shoot some hoops, build with large Legos, play with the Barbie play house and many other fun things to do.

Your child will have a blast!

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1395111_10207051212663989_6909373917135021560_n 11014753_10207405615563840_1539393719413526007_n 11401117_10207051212143976_8398574799442694751_n 11401300_10207051214664039_579388426846049198_n 11407201_10207051215224053_6064610356092530476_n 11425579_10207051200743691_5819607928360452370_n 11750715_10207405612363760_4728098061433699110_n Monkey Junction

 Monkey-Junction

Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday  11 AM – 5 PM

Located in the Blue Oaks Plaza (near Walmart, Hwy 200 behind Chilli’s)

11175 SW 93rd Ct Rd, Ocala, FL 34481

(352) 291-1009

mj@monkey-junction.com

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 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or  OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

“The Pickin Patch”

WHAT A GREAT PLACE to take your kids…

  The Pinkin Patch

Pick you own favorite pumpkins!

Click Here

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​​​​​​​​​​​Open: Sept. 26th – October 25th, 2015

Friday: 3pm-7pm
Saturday: 10am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-7pm

11000 Rolling Hills Road, Dunnellon, FL.

352-533-4344

Admission: $3 per person, children 3 and under are free!

There is such a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds along with a Sun flower field, corn maze, hayrides, hay maze and hay fort with slides.

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REAL ESTATE OCALA FL

Looking to purchase a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, (Realtor) Buyer’s Agent, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874 Website: www.OcalaBuyersAgent.com

Going the extra mile with a smile!

Market Update…. New Construction Going Up All Over….

New Construction is happening all around our area…. Ocala/Marion County is back on the map!!! That is exciting news that our local economy is on the uptick. When builders start building homes again, recovery is in sight. Several new communities are springing up. Have you noticed that it’s not just new homes that are being built? Commercial Sales are up too. It seems like all the larger car dealerships are building massive new stores. As a Realtor you couldn’t ask for more.

New Construction 1 New Construction 2 New Construction 3

I recently just purchased a new home myself. In my community there are at least 20 new homes being built at the same time with a few different builders. If you are sitting on the fence in your decision making, DO NOT WAIT!!!! NOW IS THE TIME!!! We still have awesome prices and great low interest rates (although prices  and rates have inched up somewhat). Let me know how I can assist you or someone you know.

 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or  OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

 

REFERRALS ARE GREAT!

I love getting and giving referrals. If you are pleased with the services that you have received, tell others about them. Word of mouth is the best advertisement anyone can receive. Whether it is a realtor referral, a service provider, doctor, dentist or any other person or company that has provided you with exceptional service, share your experience with others. When you are new to the area it is very important to have people you can trust. Who better to recommend someone, than a satisfied customer or patient. Here are a few medical providers that I want to rave about:

 

 Dr. Amy Cauthen- DERMATOLOGIST

Phone: 352-512-0092

I wasn’t happy with the former Dermatologist I went to at all. He had no personality and seemed very impersonal. I knew that I would not be going back to him ever again. After asking several people, someone recommended Dr. Amy Cauthen to me. When I arrived, I was greeted by a warm friendly staff (which by the way is as important to me as the doctor). Dr. Amy was fabulous! I felt she cared about me as a patient, and at the same time I felt like family. And she did not overcharge me like the former doctor did for the same kind of services (she charged me less than half of what he charged). Check out the article in the Ocala Magazine, October Issue (page 34) that was written about her: http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=228061. I highly recommend Dr. Cauthen. She is awesome!

 

Dr. Evan Pederson- DENTIST

Phone: 352-873-2000

I worked as a dental assistant for 23 years (for the same dentist). He was a great boss, and believe it or not, I have crowns and fillings that are still in perfect condition  that he did back in 1979-1980. Now that is amazing! After relocating to Ocala and going to a couple dentists that treated me like a number, and not a person, I finally found a good one. He was a southern gentleman; however that ended too soon when he relocated out of the area. So, back to my search for a warm and caring dentist. My pause between dentists lasted longer than it should have. I think I waited a 3 years. I know that is terrible!

Then, I remembered that a neighbor recommended a dentist to me a few years back, and I called the office and made an appointment. Dr. Pederson is amazing! I had to have a tooth surgically removed, and it was a tough one to come out. He expected me to have a lot of pain afterward. I was also expecting the pain too, however, I had NO PAIN! I did not feel anything afterward. That evening, he gave me a call to check to see how I was feeling. I cannot say enough good things about him. Recently I brought my step-dad to him, and we have been ecstatic with the results of everything that has been done for him as well. * Please note- just because I did not have pain, does not mean that it could not happen as a result of dental treatment… just saying!

 

Dr. Douglas Murphy- GYNACOLOGIST

Phone: 352- 351-0060

Another great find! I loved the GYN doctor I had, but the problem was that he was also an Obstetrician (a baby doctor). Each time I went for a checkup I sat in a room full of pregnant ladies. That wasn’t that bad, but what was bad was that the waiting times were awful. After waiting sometimes up to an hour, then you would be called back and I would sit another 20-30 minutes. Two different times after waiting all that time, I was told that the doctor had to go to the hospital to deliver a baby. As much as I liked the doctor, I had to find a doctor that was not an Obstetrician. This time I used the social media network to ask local ladies for a recommendation. Dr. Murphy was perfect! He was exactly what I was looking for. He has a great staff and he’s a warm and caring doctor.

 

Melissa Lozano- FAMILY CARE MEDICAL PROVIDER NURSE PRACTITIONER

Phone: 352-861-1667

I’ve been going to Melissa Lozano for several years now. At first, I saw the doctor, which was very nice. The next visit the receptionist asked if I would like to be seen by the nurse practitioner, since the doctor was not available. That was the last time I actually seen the doctor. Melissa is so knowledgeable and is very thorough. She takes her time to explain everything to you, so you are not wondering when you leave what she said. However, just in case you do forget, everything that was discussed is printed out (when you check out), so you don’t forget what she said. Melissa comes highly recommended.

 

 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or  OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT A PERFECT DAY…. for the Art Festival today in downtown Ocala

Believe it or not, I have never been to an Art Festival. It was my first time. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of artists there displaying their beautiful artwork and creative styles.

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Tony Moore~ Artist

Tony Moore~ Artist

It was my pleasure meeting one artist in particular (Tony Moore) that shared with my friend and I that he started later in life at the age of 35. He had not done much prior to that. When you see his art work you can’t image him getting started at that age. He was a real natural and his creative ideas were amazing.

As you can see below depicted in this art piece, a man and woman inside the apple. It represents creation and the fall of man when they sinned against God as they ate of the forbidden fruit.

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 Another art piece he did was of Jimmy Hendrix inside his guitar. The caption that went with this drawing says, “When you are very good at what you do, it becomes evident; It’s hard to separate you from the “Tools of The Trade”.

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  And another beautiful piece he had was a drawing of the continent of Africa, and a woman with some of the pieces of the puzzle missing. So much has  been taken out of Africa… and now some of those pieces are being put back together.

  To see more of his artwork click here to go directly to his website.

Ocala is a great place to live.

If you are considering a wonderful place to relocate with lots of culture, and many things to do and see, give me a call.

I would be happy to assist you and your family.

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 OCALA FLORIDA HOMES

Looking to purchase or sell a home… I can sell any home in Marion County…

Call me today for more information regarding all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, REALTOR, Fontana Realty

Cell: 352-208-5874

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:

OCALABUYERSAGENT.COM or  OCALAFLORIDAHOMES.NET

Going the extra mile with a smile!