House Talk with Silvia Dukes

Tomorrow is Inauguration Day and a new President will take over leadership of the country.

But we don't always have to look for the highest office in the land for leadership.  Leadership can be found right in our own cities, towns, and communities. 

There are a number of civic and social organizations, may it be a property owners association, a club of some sort, a crimewatch organization and so on where people from our own midst provide ideas, support, help, and leadership and most often without monetary compensation. 

With the new year still in its early days, those clubs and organizations also have their very own celebrations to inaugurate new officers and board members.  

Inauguration time may just be the perfect time to recognize the willingness of community volunteers to provide their expertise, time, and leadership to the betterment of our communities right where we live!

Hernando County's artist community is represented by not just one but two organizations, the Hernando County Fine Arts Council and the Spring Hill Art League and has become quite an active community in recent years that is attracting attention throughout the county and beyond.

Especially, thanks to the Spring Hill Art League, artists now have ten business locations throughout the County available to them where their art pieces are on display to the public.  Rather than people having to go to a gallery, art is coming to them at those place where they already do business! What better way to promote the arts and delight people at the same time!

The Spring Hill Art League meets monthly and new members and guests are always welcome.  A short business meeting is followed by live demonstrations by artist members in their respective specialty.  This Monday, January 19th, local wildlife artist Valdora Ward will demonstrate her techniques of painting on various surfaces most notably feathers. 

Other activities include workshops, trips to museums and other art related events, annual art show, and more.  For meeting times and locations, please visit the Spring Hill Art League website.

Come join us!

Today, members of the Spring Hill Rotary Club spent hours distributing free dictionaries to all third graders in the schools of Spring Hill. 

This was the third year, the club has participated in this annual literacy project together with the other two local Rotary clubs but it was the first time I had the great pleasure to participate.

Entering the first classroom - an all boys class as such - we were greeted with excited exclamations of "Books!"  The kids were genuinely pleased and excited to each receive their very own dictionary that they could take home with them, read, share with family members, and use in their homework assignments.

The first task was to write their names into the book to make it their own!  The second task was to check out the longest word in the English language with a "homework assignment" to be able to spell correctly by next week! Oh yes, the teachers were challenged to pronounce it for them! 

Lugging around 30 cases of books - 700 dictionaries in total - certainly was a task. 

Handing them out to the students and watching their curiosity, excitement and joy - priceless!

Rotarians - Service above Self!

Every year, thousands of spectators watch as Civil War reenactors bring back to life the battle of Brooksville.  This year, the 145th anniversary of the actual Federal raid on the town of Brooksville, Florida will be re-enacted for the 28th time!

1 - 2 - 3 - Fire!

Infantry and Cavalry marching in

The Brooksville Raid is well known as the biggest and best Civil War reenactment in Florida.  In 2008, nearly 4000 reenactors and their families particiated in the events that take place over two days.  They brought with them 24 canons and participants included 61 cavalrymen.

Battle Field filled with canon smoke

 There will be displays of authentic gear, clothing, camp living arrangements, demonstrations, and more.  Special events include Ladies' Tea, 1860's Baseball Game, Blue and Gray Ball on Saturday at 8:00 PM, and of course the Grand Review and the Brooksville Raid Battle.  Unlike the real event long time ago, the reenactment has a different outcome every year depending on the skill and condition of the troops making the event new and interesting year after year.  Who will win this year's battle?

When:    January 17-18^th, gates open at 9:00 AM

Where:  Sand Hill Scout Reservation, US 50

This is an event for the whole family.  Bring your own chairs or rent one. Food concessions available. 

Brooksville Raid Frontlines

Today is Global Networking Day online at www.RealEstateConnections.tv!

If you don't know about this site but like to connect with agents in other countries, you should take a look at this site.  It's full of information about real estate-related issues in the US and abroad.  Yet another networking site, it is dedicated to international real estate and offers blogs, networking groups, webinars.... you go check it out yourself!

This event is organized by NAR International and designed to expand your global network.  Registration on the site is FREE! 

If that's not enough incentive, here is another one:  If you log in today, you will automatically be entered to win one of many prizes with the biggest carot being hotel and conference pass to SIMA 2009 in Madrid!

Now do it!

Looking for something to do this weekend? Take a drive to Crystal River, Florida, just north Homosassa on the the West Coast of Florida where the Manatee Festival is going on for the second day today!

Several streets in the historic parts of town right down to the Bay area have been blocked and turned into a pedestrian zone lined with vendor booths of all kinds from the unique to the mondane.

Country crafts, fine arts, plants and produce, area and tourist information, as well as nature and environmentally education opportunities... there is something for the entire family!

There are opportunities to take half hour boat rides to watch Manatees in the Bay area of the Crystal River. 

Along the way admire the waterfront homes along the River and Bay!

The Crystal River Heritage museum is open for visitors with book signings and pottery demonstrations. 

Need some rest? There's food, there's live entertainment, there are quiet places to sit and relax under shady trees.

One of the many bands and singers entertaining the crowds throughout the festival area.

Enjoy your day! 

Backyard seating area of one of the downtown restaurants.

Fresh Strawberries and Tomatoes in January!!!

The strawberries are Florida-grown and did not even make it back to the car!  Mmm.. delicious!

Photos and text submission by Silvia Dukes.

For waterfront living in Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus Counties.... please contact me!

December in Florida! Oh yes... we get some cold "spells" but mostly nice crisp mornings, warming up to comfortable temperatures during the day, and cooler evenings that require a light jacket! What else can you ask of life while people in other States are bundling up under sub-zero temperatures?

The day these photos were taken was just such a day! Calm waters made for perfect conditions for a boat ride through the Hernando Beach canals out to the Gulf of Mexico.

Quietly moving across the water, fishing is fun… catching fish is an option!

Except for this guy who is enjoying his dinner!

Sunsets come early in the winter time... join me this perfect afternoon and early evening!

Going Home!

Good Night!

For information about waterfront property in Hernando Beach, Florida, please contact me!

Glen Lakes is a gated and deed-restricted golf course community located in Hernando County on the Gulf Coast of Florida, just West of US 19 and a few miles North of US 50 with easy access to shopping, medical facilities, major roadways, and all area amenities.  Tampa is just a short drive away, approx. 1 hour via the Suncoast Parkway. 

The community offers upscale country club living with 24-hour security, a 35,000 sf clubhouse including fitness facilities, restaurant, pro shop, pool and tennis facilities.  The private golf club features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ron Garl that meanders throughout the neighborhoods with mature pines and oaks completing the landscape.  Properties available range from smaller maintenance free villas to elegantly appointed, large estate homes.

Sales in Glen Lakes in 2008

Total Closed Transactions:        33

Sales Price Range:                    $100,000 - $400,000

Median Price:                            $278,000

Average Price:                           $258,967

Average Marketing Time:           188 Days

Villas:  1

Sales Price:                              $133,000

Marketing Time:                       188 Days

Homes: 32

Sales Price Range:                    $100,000 - $440,000

Median Price:                            $255,000

Average Price:                           $262,903

Average Marketing Time:           187 Days

Currently Available and under Contract:

Offered for Sale:                     82

Under Contract:                      2

Please also read the home sales reports for the Country Club Communities of Silverthorn and Timber Pines.

For more information about Glen Lakes or other country club communities in Hernando County, Spring Hill, and Brooksville, please contact me.

 Sales Data derived from Hernando County MLS and believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

Vacant land sales in Hernando Beach continued to be slow in 2008.  As a result, lot prices have come down considerably. 

Lots are available in all three areas of Hernando Beach which are differentiated by their accessibility to the Gulf of Mexico and accordingly indicated as "direct access", "indirect access/Central" and "indirect access/South".  The indirect access areas require boaters to use a boatlift to gain access to the saltwater canals leading to the Gulf of Mexico.  Hernando Beach South is the only neighborhood that is deed-restricted.  

The access to the Gulf of Mexico has an impact on pricing, indirect access lots typically can expect to obtain a lower price than direct access lots with direct gulf front lots being at a premium.  Other factors to consider are lot size and waterfrontage as well as features such as seawalls and docks already in place.

Sales in Hernando Beach:

Total Closed Transactions:         8

Sales Price Range:                    $66,500 - $165,000

Median Price:                            $130,000

Average Price:                           $117,062

Average Marketing Time:           141 Days

Hernando Beach Direct Access:

Closed Transactions:                 5

Sales Price Range:                    $130,000 - $165,000

Median Price:                            $145,000

Average Price:                           $144,000

Average Marketing Time:           172 Days

Hernando Beach Central (indirect access): None

Hernando Beach South (indirect access):

Closed Transactions:                3

Sales Price Range:                    $66,500 - $75,000

Median Price:                            $75,000

Average Price:                           $72,167

Average Marketing Time:           89 Days

Currently Available and under Contract:

Offered for Sale:                     143

List Price Range:                       $57,500 - $700,000

Median List Price:                      $153,900

Average List Price:                     $181,003

Under Contract:                       None

For home sale reports in Hernando Beach please read:  

Sales in Hernando Beach, a Summary  

Sales in Hernando Beach, Direct Access

Sales in Hernando Beach, Indirect Access, for a summary and sales data for Hernando Beach Central

Sales in Hernando Beach South, A deed-restricted Waterfront Community

Sales in Hernando County 2008

For more information about waterfront properties in Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, or Pine Island, please contact me.

Below:  This 0.27 acre direct access residential lot with 137 feet of seawall on two sides sold for $150,000 in December 2008.

Sales Data derived from Hernando County MLS and believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

Hernando Beach Indirect Gulf Access areas include Hernando Beach Central and Hernando Beach South which is a deed-restricted area.  Gulf access is gained via a boat lift located just south of Companera Entra.

Sales in Hernando Beach, Indirect Access:

Total Closed Transactions:        13

Sales Price Range:                    $145,000 - $495,000

Median Price:                            $250,000

Average Price:                           $274,115

Average Marketing Time:           143 Days 

Sales in Hernando Beach Central:

The Hernando Beach Central neighborhood is located West of Shoalline Blvd, South of Companera Entra, and North of Hernando Beach South and includes all street locations off of Hermosa Blvd.

Closed Transactions:                9

Sales Price Range:                    $145,000 - $495,000

Median Price:                            $225,000

Average Price:                           $248,722

Average Marketing Time:           117 Days 

Please also read:

Sales in Hernando Beach (a summary) 

Sales in Hernando Beach, Direct Access

Sales in Hernando Beach, Indirect Access, for a summary and sales data for Hernando Beach Central

Sales in Hernando Beach South, A deed-restricted Waterfront Community

Sales in Hernando County 2008

For more information about waterfront properties in Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, or Pine Island, please contact me.

 Sales Data derived from Hernando County MLS and believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.