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

 

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!

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.

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!

 

Things you SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do when getting a mortgage.

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO:

• BE SURE TO PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME (this includes bills that don’t usually report on your credit like cable and power etc. If not paid for a period of time a collection can be filed)
• PAY YOUR SCHOOL LOANS (unless they are deferred) speak with lender regarding this
• PAY YOUR RENT ON TIME (if renting)

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO:

• DO NOT OPEN ANY NEW CREDIT (secured or unsecured)
• DO NOT BUY NEW FURNITURE
• DO NOT BUY NEW APPLIANCES
• DO NOT BUY A NEW CAR (or used car)
• DO NOT CHANGE JOBS (includes quitting or getting fired)
• DO NOT CLOSE YOUR CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS (lenders need to see that you are responsible with open credit)
• DO NOT MAX OUT YOUR CREDIT CARDS (for the same reason as above)
• DO NOT GET CASH ADVANCES OR LOANS TO PAY FOR INSPECTIONS ETC… speak with lender regarding this
• DO NOT MAKE UNDOCUMENTED DEPOSITS OR WITHDRAWALS INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS (most mortgage loans require 30 to 60 days’ worth of bank statements)

Just because you have been preapproved OR even approved for a loan does not guaranty that you will not be turned down. Keep in mind that lenders will pull your credit again a day or two prior to closing to verify that your credit has not changed. If it has changed significantly, YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE DENIED.

What you should and should NOT do when getting a mortgage

Getting a mortgage should be your priority if you do not have cash to purchase a home. It is the most critical time in the home buying process.

You have searched through several homes, and have located “The Home”. Your offer gets accepted, and you’ve paid for the inspections, and appraisal. You don’t want to jeopardize things now, and be turned down for your loan. IT CAN HAPPEN! If the lender thinks you are a risk at any point of the process you can be denied, especially during the underwriting process.

If you have any questions, first call your lender (or mortgage broker). They will be happy to guide you through each step, and answer any questions you may have so that you do not make mistakes along the way. Once you have closed on your new home, then you are free to use your credit once again.

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!

Black Friday~ A Good Day to Buy a House

Are you considering buying a home?  Black Friday is a good day to buy a house.

So, call me today to get started!

We still have great home prices… and great interest rates…

What a great combination!

Ocala is a great place to call home.

Black Friday is a good day to buy a house… call me!

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!

A New Home Builder Comes to Ocala

In 2006 when I first started in Real Estate, I sold mostly all new homes. I made it a point to visit EVERY new home builder and community in and around the Ocala area. I previewed approximately 100 builders and communities in our area. When the bubble busted, just about all of them went out of business or left the area like so many other areas in the nation. So it’s with great pleasure to see New Home Builders building once again in Ocala. Click here to read more about Highland Homes.

Highland Homes is coming soon to Ocala. They will have several models to chose from located in the Meadow Glenn subdivision. Offering stylish and affordable homes starting from the mid-$100,000’s. Here’s a sample of some of their other communities in Florida Click here.

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

Government Shutdown Updates

Oct. 1, 2013 – What Does the Government Shutdown Mean for REALTORS?

Congress has failed to approve a Continuing Resolution (CR) providing funding for most government operations. Therefore, spending authority for most of the government expired at midnight on Sept. 30, 2013. Until legislation providing for funding is signed into law, many offices and programs of the federal government are now shut down. This means many, but not all, government programs, including some that impact federal housing and mortgage programs, have been suspended or slowed due to the lapse in government funding. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires each agency to have contingency plans in place. The information below is based on NAR staff review of agency contingency plans for the current shutdown and past experience with previous shutdowns and near-shutdowns. Click here for more information regarding loans etc…

Rural Housing Programs

For the U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, essential personnel working during a shutdown do not include field office staff who typically issue conditional commitments, loan note guarantees, and modification approvals. Thus, lenders will not receive approvals during the shutdown. If the lender has already received a conditional commitment from the Rural Development office, then the lender may proceed to close those loans during the shutdown. A conditional commitment, which is good for 90 days, is given to a lender once a USDA Underwriter approves the loan. If a commitment was already issued, the funds were already set aside and the lender may close the loan at its leisure. If Rural Development has not issued a conditional commitment, the lender must wait until funding legislation is enacted before closing a loan.

For more news from the Washington Post regarding the Government Shutdown click here.

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!

Ocala / Marion County, FL Featured on Today In America with Terry Bradshaw

Ocala has so much to offer: Gorgeous scenery, continuous growth, and vibrant places to live, work, and play. Everything one could possibly want is right here, from beautiful horse ranches to fine restaurants and shopping.

Click here to check out this video that was featured by Terry Bradshaw on, “Today In America” regarding our beautiful Ocala/ Marion County, FL As you view this video I think you will see why so many of us call Ocala and Marion County home!

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There are many beautiful homes and neighborhoods to choose from. Our city has something for you whether you’re looking for a “starter home” or want to upgrade to the home of your dreams! We are just about an hour north of everything the Orlando area has to offer: Disney World, Sea World, Epcot, Orlando International Airport, and a bustling downtown with exciting cultural attractions. Here in Ocala we’re close enough to enjoy it all without having to deal with the congestion of a large city.

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!

How Long Does A Foreclosure Take?

Foreclosures take quite a bit of time for the process. That’s why when you see a home that looks vacant, and you think you would like to make an offer on it, you may NOT want to wait it out until the home is available to be sold. The process could take two or three years in our area before the home is marketable. Many times the owner leaves and they are usually no where to be found. At that point they are not willing to do anything to work with the bank. Therefore, you would not be able to touch that home until the entire Foreclosure process has been completed, and the bank has gone through the legal process  to regain the title free and clear.

The bank does not own the home if you stop paying.You own the home until the bank forecloses on it. They are suing you for foreclosure in court to regain the title free and clear from you for the interest in the home.

In Central Florida it takes about 24 months minimum from start to finish on a foreclosure on average due to extreme volume.  There are clients who due to varied circumstance have been in foreclosure for over three years. All Florida foreclosures differ.

The Foreclosure Process
The foreclosure process differs by state, but general steps that are taken. If you’re faced with foreclosure, it’s important that you research your state’s laws and practices.
Foreclosure proceedings can begin after a single missed payment, but it isn’t very likely. Most banks and lenders have a grace period for late payments, usually with a fee added on. It typically takes being a full 30 days late for the alarm bells to go off. After the second missed payment, you’ll be getting some phone calls. Many lenders will only accept both late payments to bring the loan current. They also may refuse any partial payments.
Once you fall three months behind, things get serious. This is typically when most lenders will begin the foreclosure process in one of two ways: judicial sale, which requires that the process go through the court system, or power of sale, which can be carried out entirely ¬by the mortgage holder.
All states allow judicial sale, while only 29 allow power of sale. If your state allows power of sale, the loan papers will usually have a clause that says this method will be used. Power of sale is typically faster than the judicial route.
Both types of foreclosure require that any other involved parties be notified of the proceedings. For instance, if the homeowner took out another loan against the house with a third party, that lender must be contacted and its loan amount must be paid from the auction’s proceeds. If the third-party lender isn’t paid, it can apply the mortgage to the new property owner. Many times, the lender will actually buy the property back and attempt to sell it through the real estate market at a later date.
There can also be deficiency judgments made against the borrower if the sale of the property doesn’t satisfy the amount of the loan. The entire difference between the two can be required, although some states only require that difference between the fair value of the property and the loan amount be paid.

Once a home has gone though the process and is now on the market, I would be happy to show and sell you the home. Please give me a call and let’s get started!

However, if you are considering walking away from a home you no longer can afford, please give me a call, there are options that you may want to consider.

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!

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY?

How do you know when we hit the bottom in our local market, and how do you know when it’s the best time to buy? Well it’s easy to figure out…. It’s the same in the stock market. You really never get it at its lowest point, because if you keep waiting to see the lowest point, you will miss it. You watch and wait, and then all of a sudden its starts to creep back up. At that time you better buy now.

That’s what we are experiencing in our market now. We still have great home prices and historical low interest rates. However, prices are starting to creep back up, NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY, DON’T WAIT!!!!

 

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We are seeing multiple offers on homes in the Ocala area. Just this month I had a buyer that made offers on two different homes, and neither one of their offers were accepted. The market is changing and every market type has it challenges.

After speaking with my former broker from the Orlando area, I was amazed to hear about all the new home construction that is happening there in her market. Her team members are so busy that she has to hire more agents to help with their work load. That’s a nice problem after many years of drought in the new home construction industry. It’s thrilling to see buyers once again starting to flood the market. When that happens, then it won’t be long and you will start to see a turn around here too.

Rising home prices can fuel the housing recovery by encouraging people to buy before prices increase further.

Call me today for more information about what is happening in the Ocala area.

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

Call me today for all your Real Estate needs.

Teresa Fikaris, (REALTOR) Buyers Agent, Fontana Realty

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

Going the extra mile with a smile!