Sara Homan, Realtor, Ocala Fla The Horse Capital of the World

Today I'll be going to HITS which is taking place at Post Time Farm here in Ocala Florida. This is one Ocala's great equestrian events visited by equestrians and visitors from all over the country and abroad. Today's events will include the final $100,000 Grand Prix as the event comes to a close. Sunshine Video Productions will be onsight to capture all the happenings to be shown on The Ocala Horse Show , a promising TV series that shares many different aspects of horsemanship. Visit the website to learn more about the Ocala Horse Show and...

You can even view the shows online! Show 5 just went up on the website with show 6 not far behind. When you visit The Ocala Horse Show be sure to do some SHOPPING ONLINE, this helps to support the Ocala Horse Show and promotes the horse industry. Together we can bring the equestrian lifestyle to the next generation. For more information concerning equestrian events here in Ocala Contact OHS . Stay tuned to my blog for upcoming equestrian events. Next year you may be interested in being a part-time or full-time resident, I'd love to assist you, Contact me

Market Report Ocala/Marion County

If you are interested in statistics on a particular subdivision, please email me at sarahomanrealtor@hotmail.com

Having grown up on Long Island NY and lived there most of my adult life, when I moved to Florida I was somewhat concerned about things like snakes, gators, sharks, and a bunch of other things. I've been down here with my family for 3.5 years now and quite honestly I haven't had much exposure to the critters. Thank God!!! I have to admit, I don't do those things that Floridians consider acceptable, things like, swimming in water where gators & snakes live. I go in pools only, I can see what's in the water. That is my ultra conservative perspective on things. They tell me that gators are more afraid of you than you are of them...I don't want to find out. Reality perspective is that the concerns about critters can be easily avoided.

. Gopher Turtle

The environment is very different here, and adjustments must be made. We don't shovel snow, we don't even see the stuff anymore, we watch it on TV. We do get frost occasionally so when you are selling up north to move to Florida, hang onto your ice scraper or make sure you have a garage that doesn't store all of your belongings that you probably should have gotten rid of before you moved. We can garden in the winter and our plants wither and die in the summer unless they are well shaded, now that's different. Azaleas bloom twice a year, how beautiful!

Gazebo Npt NY 2/06

What about the housing, how does it differ from up north, well the house I grew up in and the ones I raised my children in were all "stick built", wood frame with shingles or siding. Here you can find Concrete Block, Concrete Block with Stucco (CBS), Frame and Mobile Homes. Do you fear Mobile Homes? Have you been told that you should never buy one in Florida? I've seen all the reports and pictures about mobile homes being absolutely demolished in hurricanes, why don't they show you some damage done to CBS homes? When we northerners have encountered snow, ice & winds did our houses blow over? NO! Frame houses "give" up north and believe it or not they "give" down here too. Surprise! CBS homes are nice, they're Florida and yes, they are built to endure the climate but like any other house they are NOT indestructible! Hurricane worries are much more prominent close to the coast, when they go over land they lose their strength. The houses below are located in Marion Landing, Harvest Meadow and Sun Country. All of these communities are located just off Highway 200. Marion Landing is a 55+ Community.

Pizza and Canoli's? What shall we do? Can we bring them with us? No, we have to go back and visit once in a while to have a nice deli sandwich or have a nice cup of coffee with a buttered roll...A WHAT? Yes there is really nothing like a NY deli but they are making progress, even with the Pizza and Canoli's!

So fight your fears and take the plunge, and when you get here 1. Stay away from bodies of water or swampy areas. 2. Get rid of excessive baggage. 3. Bring your Ice Scraper 4. Find a house you like and be more concerned about location than structure. 5. Call me to assist you with your relocation needs and do bring some Canoli's!

The market here in Ocala is still relatively soft but we have had a slight increase in activity. This is a wonderful time to get bargains on the home of your dreams. People are wanting to sell and buyers haven't exactly been knocking the doors down. So what are you waiting for? Come on down or up to Ocala, as the case may be and lets get you into a home or buy some land at prices that they haven't been for a long time while the buyers market is still here!

See you soon,

Sara Homan 352-209-4044

[ShowLife February-March Issue - HITS Ocala Story]

January 23 - March 16

HITS Post Time Farm - Ocala, FL

Ocala Tournament: March 4-9 featuring World of the Horse on Sunday, March 9

and the $50,000 Strongid® C 2X^TM Grand Prix presented by Bel~Lago

The grounds have been jumping in Ocala for the past four weeks at the HITS Ocala Winter

Circuit and there are still three more fabulous weeks of show jumping to look forward to.

For those who've never made the trip to Post Time Farm in Ocala located in the heart of

Marion County, which is known in these parts as the Horse Capital of the WorldTM, you

can't imagine what you are missing.

Post Time Farm is one of four HITS-owned facilities and has a long history. The property

was once a thoroughbred training facility before HITS converted it to the hunter/jumper

paradise it is today. The competition in Ocala features some of the best show jumping

around and some of today's most celebrated riders. Rising stars like Tracy Magness and

Callan Solem along with seasoned veterans like Sergio Campos, Aaron Vale as well as

Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill and New Zealand's Sharn Wordley all are regulars at

Post Time Farm and they can often be found in the Grand Prix ring wowing the crowds as

they go for the "gold."

Grand Prix action takes place twice a week at Post Time Farm. On Thursdays it's the

$25,000 Ariat Grand Prix and on Sundays all eyes are on the $50,000 Grand Prix. On

Sunday, March 2 you can get the best of both worlds when Talking Phone Book's Kids Day

returns to Post Time Farm.

Kids Day is always one of the most popular events at HITS. The afternoon is full of family

fun and entertainment, including a bounce house, clowns, music and special exhibitions.

The Ocala Recreation and Parks Services will be on-site with arts and craft stations, science

discovery center and many other activities geared toward children. The Williston

Horsemen's Association Junior Riders will be putting on a barrel racing, pole bending and

goat-tie exhibition and there will also be a special performance by a Junior Drill Team prior

to the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix. Members of the Horse and Farm 4-H Club will be

demonstrating grooming techniques for young horse enthusiasts in the special events area

and some `trick' horses will be on-site to entertain everyone. Many activities and events

are in the works to capture the attention of all young horse enthusiasts. This is a fun-filled

family day that will bring a smile to everyone! Activities kick off around 12 pm. Children

under 12 are admitted free to the show grounds so be sure to mark your calendars for Kids

Day at HITS!!!

March 9th brings you The World of the Horse featuring a classic dressage exhibition from

Horses Unlimited, Albuquerque, New Mexico and a special Lusitano dressage exhibition

prior to the $50,000 Strongid® C 2X^TM Grand Prix presented by Bel~Lago. HITS' Official

Radio Station Thunder Country will be on-site doing a live broadcast at the show grounds

to round out the day.

The 2008 winter season at HITS Post Time Farm has its Grand Finale on Sunday, March

16. You won't want to miss a minute of exciting show jumping competition that day which

Circuit Champions of the 2008 HITS Season, the presentation of the Ocala Style Award,

given to the rider who exhibits the best American style of riding and sportsmanship at the

2008 Ocala Winter Circuit and a special National Anthem performance by the winner of

the WTRS 102.3 Thunder Country Radio's HITS Ocala Idol contest.

No matter when you visit the show grounds there's always plenty of show jumping action,

great food and great shopping. Vendor Row at Post Time Farm features some of the hottest

equine fashions and the HITS Souvenir shop is always full of great items to remind you of

your visit to the show grounds, including hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts and jackets!

So make your plans to experience the fun and excitement of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit;

it's only in town for 7 wonderful weeks! For more information, please call 352.620.2275 or

visit www.HitsShows.com.