Hi there everyone! I'm a newbie looking to start investing in SFH. I'm open to a home that needs some work and I plan on living there myself for 1-2 years. My questions are: does anybody have any realtor connections that have knowledge of the rental market in Ocala? Is there anybody on here who currently invests in Ocala and would be willing to answer a few questions?
Investor · Richmond Hill, NY · Member since 2016 · 64 posts · 8 votes
10y
Hi @Heather Cole I am in investor in Ocala and the honest truth is shop the market unless someone here can recommend a very good realtor. I have had to use multiple realtors for all my deals. I also would like to find someone in the area who is also an investor but is eager to help others. I'm still a rookie investor but perhaps I can help you out feel free to reach out to me if you ever need an answer to a question. Much success to you.
Investor · Bushnell, FL · Member since 2016 · 456 posts · 224 votes
9y
Hello
@Kelly Bowen and welcome to BP .. congrats on deciding to start investing .. Its a big deal and a big leap .. I wish you the very best.. Im about 35-40 mins south of Ocala .. in Bushnell .. I moved here about 10 years ago from south Florida and lived in Reddick for a small time when my wife was transfered there as a pastor but then the economy went kla put .. and we moved back to Bushnell .. anyway ,.. I love to give advice if you ever need to bounce ideas off someone just reach out ..
ok... thats about all i got for now .. it 2:30 am and i dont know why i am still up .. lol..
God Speed,
Michael Short ..
Oh ya .. be sure to cyeck out everything BP has to offer .. podcasts .. and such .. It is such a great site and so much info to absorb..
Welcome to BP and the Ocala real estate market! I live and work in the Ocala area, going on 20 + years. There are good areas, and not so good areas. We have a lot of different things going on around here, downtown square revitalization, industrial distribution facilities, etc.
Please let me know if you have any questions, I am fairly familiar with the areas regarding rough, good, okay neighborhoods, boots on the ground, etc. Rents can vary pretty drastically between different areas...
My partner and I have come close to closing on a few deals. He is a hardcore old school investor, knows his numbers and sticks to them, and is a great mentor to work with. I have a day job, and am building my network of colleagues and associates, would be glad to extend a bridge and work with you and others.
Investor · Ocala, FL · Member since 2016 · 299 posts · 110 votes
9y
Welcome to investing in Ocala! I have a few investment rentals in the area and there is always a large number of people looking to rent anything $1,000 or less, especially if you take a pet. I do allow pets (require renter's liability on some breed dogs), since most tenants will sneak them in anyway.
Property Manager · Northeast Florida · Member since 2015 · 135 posts · 76 votes
8y
@Kelly Bowen Altho, we did just connected as colleagues I wanted to post a public Welcome to BP!
Thanks for reaching out!
Knowledge on Septic systems is very valuable to offer us as some of the older neighborhoods like Lakeshore - in Jacksonville have properties on septic. No doubt they will be forced to convert at some point to city water... who knows when tho. I'd like to get your families business info into my spreadsheet of Vendors that I pull from when needed.
May I suggest you join a local rei group. I only have experience with one local group thus far that I can speak for and its jaxreim. You can join thru meetup.com. It enables me to see emails posted by whole-sellers, vendors, and see off market deals here locally. Its been a great source for me especially on the vendor side being most are vetted by other investors. Creating a separate folder for those emails to flow in has worked for me as it can be a volume issue at times.
Thanks for coming right out of the gate offering all of us some value in your initial introduction! Much appreciated! I looking forward to talking with soon.
@Kimberly G. thanks for the shout out. Yes my family company is B&C Enterprises out of Ocala, Florida. My sister Wendy & my father Larry still run the business. I am working with them to create a website; currently they only have a facebook page. They've operated on word of mouth for 40 years. Can't imagine how well they'd do with an online presence We'd be happy to help in any way. I am unable to post any phone numbers etc so until they have a website I can share they will have to be reached through a google search or the yellow pages.
In terms on the Rei Group; yes I was looking for one today and was interested in joining the jaxreim - I see theres a meeting on Thursday but unfortunately won't be able to make it. I'll do my best to be at the next one though. I'm going to look into joining the group now as we all need good vendors. Thanks Kim!
Not sure where to start on this BP forum or if this is still active discussion.
I like others in the forum I’m just starting out on this adventure. I've have had a couple rental properties by chance a few times in the past and each time limited success. I’m looking to do it right going forward time hopefully with more knowledge and better success. I live in Tampa but looking to get started in the Ocala and possible other locations (ie Jacksonville).
Before i take the plunge again, i would like to meet up with local REI groups and figure this out.
Investor · Ocala, FL · Member since 2016 · 299 posts · 110 votes
7y
Richard Bennett, I am in Ocala and would love to also find a group in the this area. Please message me if you find one. I have a few rentals in Marion County, and am always on the hunt for something to add to my portfolio as well as selling off one or two I have owned for years.
Investor · Ocala, FL · Member since 2013 · 22 posts · 21 votes
7y
@Marelyn Valdes, Marion County Real Estate Investors Association (MCREIA) meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Comfort Inn on Hwy 27, (just west of I-75). Meeting starts at 6:00. Come join us!
Rental Property Investor · UT · Member since 2018 · 80 posts · 14 votes
6y
@Mary K.
Hi Mary!
My buddy just told me about Ocala and the surrounding areas. I love your post and would love to connect and chat about your experience as an investor there. Do you still have the same feelings now that it’s 2019? Do you still recommend the agent you spoke of as well as your PM?
Investor · Ocala, FL · Member since 2015 · 157 posts · 88 votes
6y
@Jared Smith yes I am very positive about Ocala. It's a great area for investment, ideally located near Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and Jacksonville (people commute to jobs in all those areas but jobs are growing here a lot). You may have heard about Forbes naming it #5. Google it and you will find the article. A good Ocala property manager is also a fellow BP member, Clay Lehman of Resolute Property Management. Happy to chat anytime.
Rental Property Investor · Ocala, FL · Member since 2018 · 48 posts · 35 votes
6y
I was born and raised in Ocala, I invest here as well. All I can say is Ocala is GROWING! We have big name distribution centers (Chewy, Auto-zone and FedEx) building and bringing in lots of new jobs. The housing market is really hot and prices are on the rise. There are rumors of more distribution centers to come, seeing that we are centrally located in Florida and land is relativity cheap here compares to the bigger cities.
Hello! I am an agent and investor in Ocala. I agree the area has grown a ton. The World Equestrian Center recently opened and they are still building. Amazon also opened up it's warehouse and it looks they they will be buying 49 acres in Marion Oaks.
Hello everyone, my name is Kelly and I am new to this thread. I was born here in Ocala and am now starting to invest locally as well. I live part time in California but my heart is here. I am looking to network and build relationships. I am still working on making my first deal.
I do have knowledge about well & septic as it's been the family business for nearly 40 years. Please let me know if I can help in that area!
Hi Kelly, awesome to hear you are looking for your first deal! Did you end up finding something that worked for you? I also invest in Ocala and have found this to be a great market for my goals.
Hello! I am an agent and investor in Ocala. I agree the area has grown a ton. The World Equestrian Center recently opened and they are still building. Amazon also opened up it's warehouse and it looks they they will be buying 49 acres in Marion Oaks.
Hello! So much going on in Marion County. I have been following Dollar Tree’s development in Marion oaks where they are building a massive addition to there existing distribution center. It will be an automated facility. I also see the north side has been opened up and is starting to be developed from a commercial side. Do you have any updates on when Amazon will be developing in Marion Oaks? I haven’t been able to find much information on this.
@Marelyn Valdes, Marion County Real Estate Investors Association (MCREIA) meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Comfort Inn on Hwy 27, (just west of I-75). Meeting starts at 6:00. Come join us!
Hi @Pam Krull, does this still hold true for the Marion County Investors Association? I would love to join.