House Talk with Silvia Dukes

To all the proud dads everywhere a happy Father's Day. 

This is a photo of my father and I taken when I was just a "bit" younger.  Looks like we were on a Sunday stroll around the neighborhood that was being newly developed. 

I remember when I grew up there were still lots of fields around for us kids to play in. My father is no longer alive but I always treasured this photo in particular. I guess I was a daddy's girl!

Enjoy your day!

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!

If you are thinking about buying a home or land for personal or investment use, or you are thinking about selling in Hernando County, Florida, including the communities and neighborhoods of Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, Brooksville and Spring Hill, Glen Lakes, Timber Pines, Silverthorn, Seven Hills, Sterling Hill, Pristine Place, and Southern Hills Plantation and you want to work with a local area Realtor who knows these neighborhoods please contact me. 

All content, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

...or something to that effect.  This photo is from my recent Germany trip.  

I'm not really sure what the purpose of this giant milk can is other than a marketing tool for the "milk industry".  Sounds kind of weird doesn't it, milk industry, like something that's manufactured and not coming from a living and breathing being.

It states "milk bar" but I didn't see a place selling milk...  However, if milk  had been sold here, judging by the design it would most certainly have come from a Holsteiner herd, wouldn't you agree?

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

There is a new house on our street!  Preparations for its arrival began several weeks ago with extensive site preparations.  You see, this Hernando Beach neighborhood is a waterfront community where all new homes have to be built on stilt foundations.  Once the stilts are in place and the first floor foundation i.e. garage floor has been completed, it usually takes months for the actual home construction in the traditional way to be completed.

This was not the case today with the "new arrival".  It rolled into town yesterday and the various pieces started being delivered to the site early this morning. Yes, this home is a modular home, built and put together in the controlled environment of a factory with final assembly on site. 

This sounds pretty straight forward so far, except, this home had to be assembled 14 feet up in the air!  Heavy machinery was already in place to take the home to its "new level". 

Below, first section has been put in place, while the middle section is waiting for its turn.

Second section is in place allowing a glimpse into the interior of the home. 

Cabinetry and appliances (!) including the refrigerator are already in place!

 The last section of the home is lifted high up into the air... 

... then turned and carefully set in place.   

It's amazing how big machinery can perform such work of precision.  Here, workers make sure the elements are coming together correctly.  It's starting to look like a house, isn't it?

Finally, the roof ridge has been put on and the house has received some decorative dormers. 

 There is still some finishing work to be done but what started out this morning at 8 AM as just some stilt supports sitting on an otherwise empty lot has by 5 PM of the same day transformed into a very recognizable home!

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

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If you are thinking about buying a home or land for personal or investment use, or you are thinking about selling in Hernando County, Florida, including the communities and neighborhoods of Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, Brooksville and Spring Hill, Glen Lakes, Timber Pines, Silverthorn, Seven Hills, Sterling Hill, Pristine Place, and Southern Hills Plantation and you want to work with a local area Realtor who knows these neighborhoods please contact me. 

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!

All content, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

After the devasting wildfire in April 2009 that destroyed the home and studio of acclaimed artist James Rosenquist, the Florida Division of Forestry, Withlacoochee Forestry Center, is inviting all residents of Aripeka, Hernando Beach, and surrounding communities to a townhall meeting.

The topic of the townhall meeting is

"Wildfire Risks in our Area and What to do Around Your Home". 

It is scheduled for June 18, 2009, at 7:00 PM,

at the Coastguard Auxiliary Building on Shoalline Blvd in Hernando Beach.

The raging wildfire began April 24, 2009 as a brush fire.  Originally it was brought under control but flared up again about 12 hours later subsequently consuming over 62 acres of forest and brush.  Firefighters were able to keep flames away from most structures but were forced to retreat from Mr. Rosenquist's property upon learning of propane tanks on the property that were in danger of exploding.  Eventually these did explode sending flames high into the air.  Residents as far as Hernando Beach reported seeing the flames.  

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If you are looking for waterfront property for personal or investment in Hernando and Pasco Counties including the communities of Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, and Hudson Beach and want to work with a local Realtor who knows these areas, please contact me.

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!

Timber Pines sales for single family homes and villas saw another decline in May over those for the previous month.  Sales price ranges, median and average sales prices all decreased across the board.  However, as a silver lining for the coming weeks, the total number of homes under contract remained stable.

With a total of 171 active listings, available homes decreased again over those from April. 

Timber Pines is located off US 19 in Spring Hill, West Central Florida on the Gulf Coast of Florida, also called the "Nature Coast".  Tampa International Airport is just a 45 min drive via the new Suncoast Parkway.   The community is a 55+ Country Club community offering several golf courses, two community pools, Activities Center, Clubhouse, Performing Arts Center, as well as many social clubs and events.

1. Single Family Homes:

Sold May 2009:  3 (60% of April closed transactions)

Price Range:  $112,000 - $120,000

Average: $115,667

Median: $115,000

Average Days on Market: 288

Currently Active Listings Single Family Homes:   100

Price Range:  $94,900 - $399,000

Average:  $160,979

Median:  $151,900

Under Contract:  11

Pending: 10, Contingency Contracts: 1

Price Range: $140,000 - $225,000

2. Villas:

Sold May 2009:  6

Price Range:  $105,000 - $140,000

Average: $125,417

Median: $130,000

Average Days on Market: 166

Currently Active Listings Villas:  71

Price Range:  $72,000 - $185,000

Average:  $127,515

Median:  $129,000

Under Contract: 7

Pending: 5, Contingency Contracts: 2, Price Range: $83,000 - $215,000

Timber Pines: View across the Fairway at the Timber Pines Activity Center

Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 6/4/09 and believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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If you are thinking about buying a home or land for personal or investment use, or you are thinking about selling in Hernando County, Florida, including the communities and neighborhoods of Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, Brooksville and Spring Hill, Glen Lakes, Timber Pines, Silverthorn, Seven Hills, Sterling Hill, Pristine Place, and Southern Hills Plantation and you want to work with a local area Realtor who knows these neighborhoods please contact me.

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!

May brought almost a repeat performance of April with two home sales in the Glen Lakes community. 

Active home listings decreased slightly with the price range remaining the same.    There were two closed transactions with five homes under contract awaiting closings.

Offered for Sale:  74

Price Range:  $99,900 - 600,000

Median:  $281,750      Average: $292,743 

SOLD IN May 2009: 

Property 1:  $145,000 Cash bought a bank-owned 3/3/2 Pool home built in 1986 with 3187 sf living and 4087 sf total with golf course frontage. 

Property 2:  $430,000 was the sales price for a 3/3/3 Pool home, built in 2007 with 2663 sf living and 3775 sf total.  This home was financed with a conventional loan.

Under Contract:  5  

Of these three are contingency contracts, and the remaining two are pending contracts. 

The Glen Lakes community offers homes in a variety of styles and sizes many with golf course frontage or beautiful lake views.

Glen Lakes is an upscale Country Club Community located on the west coast of Central Florida just north of Tampa and west of Orlando.  This gated community offers 24-hour security, an elegant clubhouse with restaurant, fitness facilities, tennis courts, a beautiful community pool, and more. 

 Sales Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 6/4/09, believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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For more information about Glen Lakes or the country club communities of Silverthorn, Timber Pines, Seven Hills, or Southern Hills Plantation in Hernando County, Spring Hill, and Brooksville, please contact me.

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!

All content, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida. Copyright 2009.

With a double-digit decrease in available homes for sale for the third month in a row, May has made another dent in the Hernando County, Florida, home inventory 

Of the total number homes sold, 42% were short sales or bank-owned properties.  For the homes currently under contract, this number is even higher at 58% for short sales and bank-owned properties waiting to close.  While there were a few sales in the higher price ranges, median and average prices tell a different story.

Many good homes are still becoming available at low prices, often triggering multiple offers within just a few days thus resulting in quick turnaround for these properties.  Sitting it out on the sidelines is no longer an option for serious buyers who often will have to be very quick to secure their "claim" the property they want.

The number of Vacant land sales in May improved considerably over a disappointing April with a huge increase in closed transactions and still more waiting to close in the coming month.

The lower priced lots were again located in the Royal Highlands area of the County where many half acre and some one acre lots are still available for less than $10,000.  These inventories are also the ones to deplete first, many of these are currently already under contract.  

Again this month, the highest priced residential building lot was another waterfront lot located directly on the Gulf of Mexico.  Here too, substantial price decreases are bringing out interested buyers taking advantage of good deals at prime locations.

Hernando County Market Snapshot

1.  Homes:

Active Listings:  2415 (14% decrease from April 2009)

Sold May 2009:  197 (approx. 15% increase from April 2009)  Of these, 24 were short sales, 58 were bank-owned properties)

Price Range:  $20,900 - $430,000

Median:  $105,000

Average:  $112,998 (increased about 5% from April 2009)

Average Days on Market:  127 (decreased 11 days)

Currently under Contract:  479      (2% decrease from April 2009) 

Of those homes under contract, 152 are with contingency contracts, the remaining 328 are pending.  The number of short sales is 149 and 127 are bank-owned.

2.  Vacant Land, Residential only:

Active Listings:  2020

Sold May 2009:  28 (3.5 times over April 2009)

Price Range:  $4,400 - $315,000

Median:  $15,250

Average:  $43,339

Average Days on Market:  341

Currently Under Contract:  24

Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 6/4/09, believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

If you are thinking about buying a home or land for personal or investment use, or you are thinking about selling in Hernando County, Florida, including the communities and neighborhoods of Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, Brooksville and Spring Hill, Glen Lakes, Timber Pines, Silverthorn, Seven Hills, Sterling Hill, Pristine Place, and Southern Hills Plantation and you want to work with a local area Realtor who knows these neighborhoods please contact me. 

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!

All content, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Just having returned from a trip to Germany, I am now looking through the many photos I took during those 12 days of my stay.  This is from a walk through the fields close to my mother's home.  The grain stalks looked so blue in the late afternoon light that day.  I never looked at barley or any other grain that way.

Enjoy

If you are looking for Florida homes or land for personal or investment in Hernando and Pasco Counties including the communities of Spring Hill, Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, and Hudson Beach and want to work with a local Realtor who knows these areas, please contact me.

Let me help you find your place in the Sun!