House Talk with Silvia Dukes

"Lights over Hernando Beach":  Hernando Beach is showing off its new holiday lights along Shoreline Blvd this year.  These new decorations were purchased by the Hernando Beach Property Owner's Association with participation from several Hernando Beach businesses. 

The Hernando Beach Property Owner's Association will hold its December meeting as a holiday get-together beginning at 7:30 PM on December 7, 2006.  Open to all Hernando Beach residents, so bring a neighbor, meet old friends and make new ones over a spread of holiday foods!

On December 16, the Hernando Beach Yacht Club is hosting its annual holiday boat parade with many decorated boats participating.  The parade starts at 6:00 PM from the Yacht Club at Shoalline Blvd and will proceed through the canals and the main channel of the community.  Food will be available at the club.

The Hernando Beach Club is hosting its open house on December 16 as well.  Located at the end of Flamingo Drive directly at the coastline, this is a perfect spot to view a gorgeous sunset.  Then wait for the boat parade to come by. 

Recently I took a listing after the home had been on the market with another Realtor for months without results.  The main complaint of the out-of-town sellers was that their previous agent did not keep in touch with them and the brochure box was always empty. 

Well, I listen well.  The first two weeks of the listing period, I've been providing my sellers with updates, progress reports, questions, e-mails, copies of marketing pieces, things that will happen next, etc on an almost daily basis.  I received an e-mail today:  "You are doing a wonderful job. Wish we had listed with you before..."  It made my day, now I just need to sell this thing!

This little story just shows again, how important regular communication is - doing your job is not enough, you need to let your customers know what exactly it is you are doing, after all we are dealing with someone's valuable assets and investments. Only by sharing the details can someone not familiar with the real estate business appreciate the work we do and the value we provide. 

This is the season for many northerners to pack up and head for warmer spots in the country.   Before you leave make sure your home doesn't look "lonely" while you are away.  Here are a few tips to deter and help prevent crime:

• do have good locks on doors and windows
• put lights on automatic timers
• don't tell strangers you will be away
• don't mention on your answering machine message that you are away and where you went
• consider storing items of value in a safety deposit box at a bank
• make an inventory of your possessions and make sure you have adequate insurance
• record serial numbers for your electronic or other valuable items
• forward your mail to your winter address
• stop newspaper delivery to your home
• have security lights activated by motion detectors around your home
• ask a neighbor to look after your home
• ask your local neighborhood crime watch to check on your home
• consider a security system

Have a good trip and a wonderful time!

Homes

Currently on the Market:  115

Low: $165,000  Median: $474,000   Average: $529,967  High: $1,900,000

There are currently six luxury waterfront properties available starting at $1,000,000

Under Contract:  4

Low:  $250,000  High:  $650,000

Sold in September/October:  5

Low: $360,000  Median: $489,000  Average:  $546,480  High: $699,500

Home Sites

Currently on the Market:  241

Low: $55,000*  Median: $195,000  Average:  $234,733  High: $899,000

*lower range may not be waterfront property

Under Contract:  8

Low:  $110,000  High:  250,000

Sold in September/October:  1 -- $127,500