Moving to Ocala? Here's how our Florida houses are built!

As a Realtor here in Marion County Florida, I get a lot of questions about our houses here and how they are built, such as: "Why don't Florida homes have basements" "Why is it on septic, is that different?" "Is well water drinkable?" "What is a CBS home?" "Is a CBS home better?" "What's underneath the carpeting?" and so on. I did a video years ago explaining about the basic differences. This time, I'm going to show you what's under the carpet and what's under the grass even. I hope you enjoy watching it, as much as I enjoyed making it! And if you are thinking of moving to Florida, give me a call!!! It's the best compliment on my videos ever if you actually use me or my company to buy or sell your next home here. Thanks! Andrea Proeber
To get in touch with Andrea: greatexpectationsocala.com/
📲 352-817-1600 Andrea Proeber
🌎 www.GreatExpectationsOcala.com
📬 [e-mail]
If you’d like Lots more Information about our beautiful central Florida area, check us out on Facebook.com/GreatExpectationsRealty
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Check Out the Ocala Relocation Guide en.calameo.com/read/005607081...
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Call Or Text 352-817-1600 or call our office at: 352-817-9160
I invite you to take a look at our website to browse through some of the properties that Central Florida has to offer! In this market, you may have questions about the (market) value of your home. What is it realistically worth? How will my home be marketed? What will my selling costs be?…I would be happy to meet with you and discuss these and similar questions.

[@AlohaWendy]

I love how Andrea is always educating us! Love her videos!!! Thank you!!!

[@mrgpro799]

In Miami you can't find anything near 200K other than an a 1 bedroom or studio apartment in some undesireable areas packed with other apartments and mind blowing maintenance/association fees.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

It has gone up here too…more like $250k now!

[@DynamicHaze]

Slab homes are hurricane resistant. When hurricane Andrew flattened Miami and most of South Florida back in 1992 building codes were updated.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

You’re right. Florida building laws and insurance policies changed drastically after Andrew.

[@roberttaylor9298]

Great video!

[@pieroserrano]

i love your florida home building description.. thank you so much..

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

You are so welcome! If you need anything, let me know: [e-mail]

[@socalcraigster]

Subbed. Leaving California soon.

[@outquick]

Very informative video, thanks for the content. So the guy with the concrete was the most friendly because he has the easiest most Cush job there is on a construction site and it's probably in a good mood, while most of the other people you're going to run into on the construction site are sweating their butt off because they actually have to work pretty hard all day and probably don't like a lot of questions because they got stuff to do, that's generally why my job is the harder work but I still would've had fun helping you out to make a video but that's just me. Yeah I would like to show this video to my grandma, she really doesn't know a lot about construction and is thinking about getting a modular home in Pennsylvania while I'm trying to convince them it's probably a better idea to live in Ocalla or at least around Orlando somewhere but Ocalla seems the best for a price. Grandfather built homes in Cape Coral for 30 years so he knows what's up, but we have to sell two homes on 5 acres in Western North Carolina absolutely beautiful location if you ask me but for unseen circumstance is that change peoples lives, and we are going to move now. Well when the time comes I will most likely go talk to you, grandma liked your video where you has us guess the price of 4 different homes and explained your homestead tax laws. That was very good video too. Nothing over $300,000, but I am curious what a new home with a pool would cost in your area I have yet to see a single video with that type of home, also would like to find a house with two masks in the pool that is over 2000 ft.² n under 2500. A two-story home would be great if I could find a master bedroom upstairs and a master bedroom downstairs with a very big downstairs and a smaller upstairs because my grandparents wouldn't want to come upstairs but I could use the upstairs for my sleeping quarters.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Thanks so much for watching my channel! I appreciate it. I actually have a guy down here wanting a few acres in North Carolina. Let me know what you are selling? And for how much. We would be thrilled to help you move here or my friend Krista Taurins over in Orlando could help you if y’all decide to go over there. Let me know: [e-mail]

[@DayanaPlays]

Loved it

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Aww thanks! I enjoyed making it!

[@blairbrownie1223]

Very informative 👌🏻

[@Nick-gi6ym]

Great information thank you

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Thanks!

[@brandynt.phipps2424]

That’s so interesting

[@chuckg9805]

good job on the video, don't like slabs but totally understand why. thanks

[@reaj2010]

A slab is by far the most solid foundation

[@lauren1990able]

Thanks for that breakdown

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

It's my pleasure! I'm glad you liked it.

[@anyone150]

The headers are lintels, basically reinforced precast concrete.

[@HumbleGolds]

Great video! thanks. Looking to build a 500sqft mini home in clewiston, FL soon.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Let me know how it goes! Mini homes are so popular right now!

[@LaylaSantiago15]

This was so informative. We are currently in the “trusses” stage of our home build process here in Palmetto Fl. I find myself getting anxious and I drive by our homesite maybe once a week when I’m able. Lol.

[@reaj2010]

You had to pay all the impact fees before getting permits correct!

[@migueldana3945]

WHAT COMPANY DID YOU USE?

[@olivercastro5493]

LOVE HER ATTITUDE ✔️

[@boydguie8129]

Very nice work !

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Thanks a lot!

[@gs9771]

Great guide - I would like to build my home in Florida without using wood and drywall. I like the concrete block in external and internal walls. I am not sure how to put the insulation to external homes and yet have the home fire proof - I have seen a double concrete block wall and insulation between the blocks; seems like very expensive option to put double concrete block wall. Do you have any other proposals of how to build concrete home without wood and drywall and still get high R value insulation incorporated in the project (except the ICF, I heard that termites eat through ICF, besides ICF burns)? For the roof, I would use steel frame and instead plywood and shingles I would like to have insulated steel roof panels with R-50 value; so the attic would be very insulated. Do you think that can be done in Florida? I have seen videos of those insulated roof panels used in Arizona. Lastly, would you suggest a home builder who can build a home like that in Tampa Bay area but cost effectively so the per square feet price is comparable to homes build by DR HORTON? Couple years ago, I have reached out to one contractor, and he said custom homes are not cost efficient to build.

[@STARFLEETC0MMAND]

Any Culvert Homes In Florida ??? Thanks for the awesome video.

[@fernanq7333]

Nice video!!

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Thanks!

[@beboboymann3823]

I’m glad I found your video. We recently purchased a home in Ocala in Cherrywood Estates and found out from our realtor when touring the prospective house that the house is concrete block and slab. When we bought it I was very curious about all the construction techniques so I rode out into a neighboring subdivision under construction and walked around in a house waiting on drywall. I learned a lot about how furring strips are shot to the inside of the exterior block walls to provide nailers to attach drywall to. People buying these kinds of homes need to be aware of what they will be working with before trying to mount TV’s and decorative shelves etc. to the inside of the exterior walls in their homes. It’s more of a challenge. Mounting anything to the exterior walls will require masonry drill bits to drill the block for masonry screws. But touring a dried in new construction is very eye opening. You should video that for your customers. Interior wall construction is pretty much simply 2x4 studs at 16” on center like most areas of the country. Oh yeah....there’s that rounded outside wall corner drywall treatment that surprised us in our Ocala house. Running some baseboard on that is a totally new nightmare.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

I'm so glad you like my little videos! Thank you for watching. What seems completely normal to me must seem so crazy to you! I would love to interview a contractor about the interior finishings, but they are all so busy right now! I did a walk through of a house that had just had the drywall installed, but it would be good for a half installed drywall so people can see what exactly is behind their walls. With the hot sun beating on your house, those concrete walls come in handy, but they do make construction tricky lol. I live right out by you, btw! We live over in the waterways. There is new construction like crazy by us! Did you hear we are getting a Publix up 49th Ave. Rd??? I'm so incredibly excited and they haven't even broken ground yet. It's like my own personal Publix!!!

[@gladiator8325]

i’m going to build my own and it’s going to be 2 x 4 wall construction on outside walls next to cinderblock and insulation sheathing.

[@gladiator8325]

also when they put in electrical boxes on exterior walls I noticed they cut out the insulation so now the electrical boxes are up against the cinderblock. The insulation is not supposed to be breached and now you’ve lost your R-value wherever an electrical box is placed. also if you notice they run electrical wire directly behind the drywall so there’s a potential you may be hanging a picture and get electrocuted when running a nail. i’m surprised the codes allow for this and convinced me to be my own owner builder.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

@@gladiator8325 I would love to be invited out to check out that construction. Let me know if that’s doable. Andrea

[@gladiator8325]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty its more than doable and will start construction within 30-90 days once I get my my floor plan/blueprints and contractors chosen. do you have any referrals on a good architect to make up the blueprints, already have dimensions and layout.

[@solardiver7]

You made a comment about concrete curing time. You said 30 days "seems like overkill". It is not overkill. Concrete typically takes 24 to 48 hours to dry enough for you to walk or drive on it. However, concrete drying is a continuous and fluid event, and usually reaches its full effective strength after about 28 days.

[@monzer-sy5yp]

Yeah concrete cures for 28 days until it reaches it final hardness. And it's not "if" but "when" it cracks :D

[@lifeofyanique381]

Great video , I haven't seen a video like this before. what the best/safest part of Marion Oaks to live ?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Hi, SW is the new Ocala. Most neighborhood have a lot of new construction. Let us know whenever you are ready to visit. [e-mail] or text me 352-426-7735

[@laaguila4335]

Quick question, is soil in the ocala city mostly sand based? I am looking to move from California. But I do wish to plant fruit trees around my future home. Will I be able to do that in Ocala?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

It is very, very sandy here. As far as fruit trees we have orange, grapefruit, lemon, and fig trees like crazy around here. We also have a lot of wild blackberries here. There are blueberry farms here for u pick during late spring. Strawberry farms are massive here as well. I'm currently growing an avocado tree, but I haven't received any fruit from it yet. A lot of people are successful in growing pineapples.

[@Florida-X]

You can grow loquat, mulberry, pindo Palm will give you more fruit that you need. But yes. Gardening inhere can be challenging . You can grow ginger and turmeric, rosella, lemon grass, collard greens. Some crops better to grow through winter, like onions.

[@prdivamom]

Thx so much for the information.. how can we set up a tour with you as I’ll b visiting Port St. Lucie week of June 11th? Thx

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Hey Melanie, Shoot me an email at [e-mail] and we can set something up with me or one of our agents. Thank you!

[@Nctbgs]

Really cool video . I’m in the Midwest and wish more homes were build out of block . I wish you would have shown how these homes are insulated, that’s always been a huge question. Are the homes fured out with wood inside ?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

I am already working on an update to this video. Especially since they are building a house across the street from mine. I will be sure to update with an even more detailed and in depth video once completed. Currently, the land was cleared...and that's about where we are at for now. But once things start moving on it again, I will take pics daily and may even be able to snag some interviews with the builder and workers. We shall see!

[@Nctbgs]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty that would be a great video . Look forward to watching .

[@saraf9081]

How far apart are rebars?

[@bigdarbs19]

Interesting thanks, from Worcestershire UK.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

I'm sure your houses over there are built quite different. Btw I have a lovely cousin named Rosemary over in Gloucestershire. (She assures me that the "c" is silent.) I think that is only about 30 miles from you. Small world!

[@bigdarbs19]

GreatExpectationsRealty yep, it's only a short distance from here, we were in Gloucestershire competing with our horses at the weekend. The house building isn't dramatically different, I think if it was very sandy ground we would have a similar approach.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

@@bigdarbs19 We are opening a branch office in Dunnellon in a Pure oil gas station that was built in the 1930's by an architect that was trying to emulate the 'Storybook English Cottage' style so that a gas station would be better accepted amid housing subdivisions. It would be interesting to show the difference between this simulated architecture and the construction of true British construction. But I would probably be one of the very few that would be interested in that, lol. I better stick to interesting things in and around my home town. Thanks for watching!

[@tinxe6821]

Well now I wish I went through you and your team... I already put down an Earnest with someone else :/ Very informative video though :)

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Awww, well if there is anything we can help with in the future...we will be here for you!

[@outquick]

Earnest??? Whats that?

[@tinxe6821]

@@outquick The buy puts down an earnest deposit basically guaranteeing the to be built home is theirs. You get it back / it goes towards the down payment if you go through with the home, but normally if you back out its not refundable.

[@iankinard8785]

Looked like you used a house I did the plumbing in. Looked like an adams homes house.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

One of the houses in the video was built by Adams! Good eye! I didn't want to use just one builder so as to show preference though so there were at least three different builders spec homes shown. I would love to interview you about what and how you do plumbing though if you are interested? 352-817-1600

[@kevinmorrissey9398]

Awesome video. Can we still get homes in a neighborhood like this for under 300k?

[@reaj2010]

If you buy the land then build it definitely probably $225k that is a small house in this video

[@egshane]

hi...how do they add a second story? do they use cement blocks for the second story too?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

It depends on the builder. Some build with wood frame, some build with block all the way up. I watch the builds, so that I know which builders to recommend to my buyers, and which to avoid. Hope this helps!

[@egshane]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty awesome...thanks a bunch

[@reaj2010]

One more thing for you marion county is not lowland. Marion is one of the highest elevation counties in the state of florida. Average elevation there is about 85 feet above sea level.

[@princebullys1533]

How much would a deposit be on a house like this?

[@maxdemps7443]

It like 3d print

[@tiffanygantt8579]

Who lays out the footers and the boundary corners of the home?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

The builder has a survey done, then the building plans go to the county to pull a permit. Once the plans are are approved, the builder marks out all of the lines for the house and the house goes up from there.

[@vitruvianmann6207]

Do you recommend any builders in central FL?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Absolutely! It helps to know what you are looking to build. I would recommend different builders for spec homes vs. custom, luxury vs multi family. Feel free to give me a call and I can give you several names and numbers that will help.

[@Moondoggy1941]

So how much have the houses gone up since COVID started?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Last year 20%, this year we are probably already at 25% annually and may go higher still.

[@ctbt1832]

Where is this area?

[@Hperdomo]

How long this process last to built a house like estimated this days that I mean

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

It depends on the builder, some builders it is 8 or 9 months, others are really slow or backed up and it will be over a year. But it also depends on the size of the house and location.

[@Hperdomo]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty is in labellle

[@reginamontagner11]

Hi 👋 I need lic to building my home 🏡 for sale ??!! Thanks 🙏

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

If you are the owner of the house, you do not need a real estate license to sell your own home. You only need a real estate license to sell real estate for another person. I hope that answers your question :)

[@tlclabradorretrievers1549]

Do you have a phone number for a construction company to build our home on our lot?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Give us a call! We would be happy to help!

[@roberttheplumber]

are they still using that plastic water pipe under the slab ?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

It's not under the slab, it's in the slab. Literally encased in the cement. I am going to get a plumber to go on a video with me to explain this, because it seems really different from pipes up North.

[@0048robert]

Why not put them overhead,

[@virginia2139]

How much to clear the land??

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

That’s normally included with the builders home price.

[@AG-cf4hd]

How much is it today 2022?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

There are some that just hit the market this week about that size for $230,000

[@blairbrownie1223]

No basements!? Break my heart😭

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Claire Brownie that would be called “an indoor swimming pool” lol. I have seen split level homes that have half a floor kinda in the ground...but only maybe two houses in the entire county and they were built in the 70’s

[@michaelsinclair1144]

Cookie cutter homes .aka all the same..ive done alot of them from the slab up. Not a fan of block.or the way the roofs are done..and the work is never safe to the normal standards because Florida is a right to work. Aka do it or your fired. McDonald's pays better than most contractors.

[@s99614]

You would think that they would at least have raised the whole house a couple of feet for better flood protection and easy access to plumbing. The way this house is built, if you have a plumbing issues, you really have to tear up the house, or tunnel underneath it.

[@milliesecond102]

Do sinkholes occur in Ocala?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Of course! They can occur anywhere in Florida. But some areas are more prone to sinkholes than others. Anywhere there are sinkholes, it is public record, so it’s pretty easy to look up and see where there have been reported sinkholes and when and what was done about them. You can also test the ground with a company like geotech, but that is expensive (very expensive) and just because there is no sinkhole currently, doesn’t mean there won’t be one some day. So that is not a test I recommend for general home inspections. I think it’s better to just not go to sinkhole prone areas, and to get sinkhole insurance which in some degree is covered with most home insurance policies. But definitely something to look into when hone insurance shopping. I think most policies only cover catastrophic damage, not small cosmetic issues.

[@mannyumana]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty Do you know if any area in Ocala is less prone to sinkholes? We’re planning on buying there in the beginning of next year. We saw that Fore Ranch has had a lot but I don’t know about areas like Marion oaks. Thanks

[@jeg5438]

Um....so how many houses are in a "gob"? You know. For future refferrence.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Oh! It's more'n a hill o' beans and less than a heap. Happy to clarify. :)

[@jeg5438]

@@GreatExpectationsRealtyOk. Cleared that up. Thanks. Very smart of you to create these video s being a real estate person.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

@@jeg5438 I believe that every good real estate professional should educate themselves as much as possible so that they can best explain things easily to their customers. Accents and slang notwithstanding...

[@krlosv18]

Same house in 2022 is at least $400

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

It has gone up, but not quite that much. If you were to build it with a custom builder, I would say around $300-$350 depending on house size and lot cost. But I will check to make sure.

[@krlosv18]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty land (170 x 80) approx $105 plus county impact fee ($19) + septic system and water well.

[@krlosv18]

I should have said that I live in Orange county and the prices I mentioned are typical of this region in Feb 2022

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

@@krlosv18 Ohhhhh! 👍🏻 Yes, Orlando is way more expensive than Ocala and Tampa is more expensive than both Orlando and Ocala…possibly combined, lol 😂 Miami is off the charts expensive.

[@gregmoffatt2085]

only 200k

[@raramouni]

Brand new for $200k where please ? Let me know I'll be their with my wife today.

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

Cool, I can write up the offer for you. I just showed someone a house day before yesterday under $200k that was brand new construction. [e-mail]

[@raramouni]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty I'll call you my family live in bradenton (sarasota area) where are these houses located?

[@GreatExpectationsRealty]

@@raramouni we are in Ocala Florida

[@raramouni]

I sent you an email

[@raramouni]

@@GreatExpectationsRealty I own a lot in north port will you do a deal down their?

[@beboboymann3823]

Illegals working in construction do not want their pictures taken either in the foreground or background. Many will walk off the job site if a camera is brought in.

[@reaj2010]

I'm sorry but after the lot was cleared and you jumped to foundation. Is very far from what happens in florida! The first thing that will happen on any florida build is design, then getting permits. And this is the biggest thing in florida. Especially in marion county where ocala is. You have to pay about $4800 in impact fees before any of your permits will be granted! Before that foundation started. Impact fees!