Karen Mercer, Realtor, SRES

09/25/2026

🍂🎃 LOOKING FOR SOME FALL FUN THIS WEEKEND? 🍁☀️

There are some great seasonal events happening around Lake, Sumter & Marion Counties this weekend!

🍁 LAKE COUNTY
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family: Great Scott Farms Fall Festival in Mount Dora
🍷 Adults: Lake Catherine Blueberries in Groveland — live music, fall drinks, fire pits & evening fun

🎃 SUMTER COUNTY
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family: Brown’s Adventure Farm in Oxford — corn maze, animals, train rides & more
🎶 Adults: ShaToby Tribute Concert — Shania Twain & Toby Keith tribute show

🍂 MARION COUNTY
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family: Fall Festival at Cottom Farm in Weirsdale
🎤 Adults: Fall Festival at Circle Square Commons in Ocala — live music, vendors, axe throwing & fall fun

Pumpkins 🎃, music 🎶, farms 🚜, food 🌽 and beautiful Florida fall weather ☀️ — there’s a little something for everyone!

Which one sounds like your kind of weekend? 🍁

Karen Mercer, REALTOR® | SRES®
📞 352-406-1769
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 KarenMercer.WorthClark.com

How Can I Help?

09/24/2026

🏡 A MAJOR NEW SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD

The proposed Lake Ella Independent Living community is planned for a 50.9 acre overall development on the west side of U.S. 27/441, just north of Lake Ella Road.

Current plans include:

• 475 Independent Living residences
• 20 townhome units
• Multiple residential buildings and an amenity center
• Future phases that have included memory care, hotel and medical/office uses
(sourced: LadyLake.gov)

The project is continuing through Lady Lake’s development process and is one more example of the growing number of senior living options in our area.

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), this is an area I care deeply about. My role is to help seniors and their families through the entire transition — from planning ahead, preparing and selling their current home, coordinating the details, and helping them be ready for whatever their next chapter may look like.

Sometimes that next step is downsizing. Sometimes it’s independent or assisted living. Sometimes it’s simply making a plan before a move becomes necessary.

If you or someone you love is beginning to think about what comes next, I’m always happy to help.

Karen Mercer, REALTOR® | SRES®
Worth Clark Realty
352-406-1769
[email protected]
KarenMercer.WorthClark.com

How Can I Help?

09/24/2026

Price Reduction

09/23/2026

What is radon testing? Here’s what homeowners need to know.

Learn about the dangers of radon exposure, how to detect it, and the importance of radon testing.

09/22/2026

Applying for a home equity with bad credit? Here’s what you need to know.

Learn what lenders evaluate, explore available options, and find out how to avoid scams.

09/22/2026

🍁🍂 HELLO, FALL — MY FAVORITE SEASON! 🍂🍁

Today is the first day of fall, and I’m ready for everything that comes with it! 🧡💙🐊

For me, fall in Florida means Florida Gator Football 🐊🏈, cooler temperatures that are perfect for tennis 🎾, visiting fall festivals 🎃🍁, and enjoying bonfires with friends 🔥.

And one of the things I love most about Florida is that fall gives us beautiful weather to get outside and enjoy our communities — and it’s also a wonderful time to house hunt, explore neighborhoods, or get your home ready to sell! 🏡🍂

Now I want to hear from YOU!

What is your favorite season — and what do you love most about it? 🍁☀️🌸❄️

🧡💙 GO GATORS! 🐊🐊

Thinking about buying or selling?
How Can I Help?

📞 Karen Mercer, REALTOR® | SRES®
352-406-1769
📧 [email protected]
🌐 KarenMercer.WorthClark.com

09/22/2026

WHY A FED RATE HIKE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES

The Federal Reserve recently raised its benchmark rate by 0.25%—but mortgage rates did not automatically rise with it.

Here’s why:

The Fed controls a short-term interest rate used primarily for overnight lending between banks. Mortgage rates, however, are long-term rates influenced more directly by the bond market—especially mortgage-backed securities and the 10-year Treasury yield.

Mortgage rates are affected by what investors believe will happen with:

Inflation
Economic growth
Oil prices
Future Fed policy
Demand for Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities

Markets also tend to anticipate Fed decisions before they happen. In this case, Treasury yields had already climbed because investors were concerned about inflation. When the Fed finally acted, the announcement reassured the market—and the 10-year Treasury yield actually moved lower.

Mortgage rates remain around 7%, so this is not a major rate-relief story. But the immediate increase that many buyers feared, did not happen.

The important takeaway: The Fed can influence mortgage rates, but it does not directly set them. Headlines about a Fed rate change never tell the entire story.

If you’re considering buying or selling in The Villages or surrounding areas, let’s talk about all aspects of the process and what that means for you.

Karen Mercer, REALTOR®, SRES®
352-406-1769
[email protected]
KarenMercer.WorthClark.com
How Can I Help?

09/21/2026

🔥 TODAY’S THE DAY — DON’T MISS THIS ONE! 🔥

🏡 OPEN HOUSE TODAY | 3–5 PM
2094 Dipper Loop, The Villages

💥 BOND PAID
💥 ROOF 2025
💥 HVAC 2022
💥 2018 YAMAHA GAS GOLF CART INCLUDED
💥 Genuine hardwood floors + gorgeous upgrades throughout

✨ Beautiful Gardenia Designer in the Village of Amelia
💲 $474,900

Come walk through it today and see what makes this home stand out!

Karen Mercer, REALTOR®, SRES®
📞 352-406-1769
How Can I Help?

🏡 OPEN HOUSE — MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 | 3-5 PM

2094 Dipper Loop, The Villages, FL 32162

If you’ve been waiting for a beautifully maintained home with the big-ticket updates already done, this is one you’ll want to see in person!

This impressive Gardenia Designer home offers approximately 1,927 sq. ft. of comfortable Florida living and an exceptional list of upgrades:

• BOND PAID
• NEW upgraded ROOF — 2025
• HVAC — 2022
• NEW water heater
• 2018 Yamaha gas golf cart INCLUDED
• Genuine HARDWOOD FLOORS throughout the main living areas
• Plantation shutters on every window
• Crown molding
• Beautiful leaded-glass front door with retractable screen
• Double French doors opening to the screened lanai
• Whole-house surge protector
• Insulating window film
• Irrigation system with rain sensor
• Spacious primary suite with tray ceiling, two walk-in closets, dual sinks and separate vanity
• Garage with industrial-grade Shark Coating, shelving, suspended storage racks, pull-down attic stairs and additional attic storage

This home has been thoughtfully cared for and upgraded from top to bottom — and it truly shows.

Come tour it Monday from 1–3 PM and see why 2094 Dipper Loop deserves a closer look! Priced at $474,900 it won't last long.

Karen Mercer, REALTOR®, SRES®
Worth Clark Realty
352-406-1769
[email protected]
KarenMercer.WorthClark.com

How Can I Help?

09/20/2026

🏡 OPEN HOUSE — MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 | 3-5 PM

2094 Dipper Loop, The Villages, FL 32162

If you’ve been waiting for a beautifully maintained home with the big-ticket updates already done, this is one you’ll want to see in person!

This impressive Gardenia Designer home offers approximately 1,927 sq. ft. of comfortable Florida living and an exceptional list of upgrades:

• BOND PAID
• NEW upgraded ROOF — 2025
• HVAC — 2022
• NEW water heater
• 2018 Yamaha gas golf cart INCLUDED
• Genuine HARDWOOD FLOORS throughout the main living areas
• Plantation shutters on every window
• Crown molding
• Beautiful leaded-glass front door with retractable screen
• Double French doors opening to the screened lanai
• Whole-house surge protector
• Insulating window film
• Irrigation system with rain sensor
• Spacious primary suite with tray ceiling, two walk-in closets, dual sinks and separate vanity
• Garage with industrial-grade Shark Coating, shelving, suspended storage racks, pull-down attic stairs and additional attic storage

This home has been thoughtfully cared for and upgraded from top to bottom — and it truly shows.

Come tour it Monday from 1–3 PM and see why 2094 Dipper Loop deserves a closer look! Priced at $474,900 it won't last long.

Karen Mercer, REALTOR®, SRES®
Worth Clark Realty
352-406-1769
[email protected]
KarenMercer.WorthClark.com

How Can I Help?

09/19/2026

THIS ONE DESERVES A CLOSER LOOK!
Take the virtual tour of 2094 Dipper Loop in The Villages and discover a beautifully maintained Gardenia Designer home in the Village of Amelia with upgrades that truly stand out.
BOND PAID
UPGRADED ROOF 2025
HVAC 2022
NEW WATER HEATER
2018 YAMAHA GAS GOLF CART INCLUDED
GENUINE HARDWOOD FLOORS
PLANTATION SHUTTERS
SCREENED LANAI
FANTASTIC GARAGE STORAGE
With approximately 1,927 sq. ft., French doors opening to the lanai, a spacious primary suite, whole-house surge protection and a Shark Coated garage floor, this home offers quality, comfort and convenience throughout.
And the location is hard to beat—close to Mallory Hill, Havana Country Club, Lake Sumter Landing, Colony Plaza, golf, recreation, shopping and dining.
Watch the tour and picture yourself living the Villages lifestyle here!
Karen Mercer, REALTOR®, SRES®
352-406-1769
[email protected]
KarenMercer.WorthClark.com
How Can I Help?