House Talk with Silvia Dukes

Sunday Harvest Time in the Watermelon Patch!

Today was the day!  I decided to taste the fruit of my gardening and finally cut one of my "babies" from its vine just hoping it would be ready. 

For weeks I have been watching watermelon vines grow from a few discarded seeds until they covered nearly half the backyard.  Luckily, I always considered grass a bit overrated and my husband didn't mind that his mowing chores were decreasing by the day!

I watched the bees as they busied themselves from flower to flower, I watched tiny little melons develop into larger ones and really got excited when I realized they just kept growing and growing! 

Thankfully, we had quite a bit of rain lately, so I didn't have to water anything. I also didn't use fertilizers, pesticides nor herbicides and as an added benefit, I noticed a number of cute little lady bugs on some of the leaves.

Finally, I couldn't wait any longer and decided to cut one of the largest ones off the vine.  It's probably the best watermelon I've ever had!

Here is a little journey in the life of a watermelon plant and fruit.  Enjoy!

Foto Friday (for Fun): Online Conference!

Did you think of Online Conferencing as a modern invention?  Well, think again and take a look at this view provided by Florida nature.  Perhaps the concept of "on line conferencing" is not that new after all! 

These participants were spotted "on line" chatting away.  They certainly look like they have been using this "powerful technology" for ages with the skill and "training" passed down by generations before them.

Florida - First Day of Fall!

First Day of Fall and in sunny Florida it's still nice and warm! 

Nevertheless, while everything still appears green as can be, Florida does have a fall season although much more subtle. 

The days have become noticably a little shorter lately, the leaves on certain trees are showing just a hint of color change. 

Soon, the waters in the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico will begin to feel cooler against the swimmers skin, our nights and early mornings will allow us to open our windows for fresh and cooler air without having to worry about letting air-conditioned air escape.

Fall will bring us some migrating birds making a stop in Florida on their escape from the cold that soon will hold northern areas in its grip. 

And finally, here in Spring Hill as in other parts of Florida, we look forward to another very special migrating "bird species" that comes to us in Lincoln Towncars and Cadillacs via I-95!  Welcome back "Snow Birds"!

Happy Fall - enjoy the season!

Here is something that would be beneficial to all parties involved in short sales.  Why can't these things not be resolved without government intervention?  Still, I hope other states will follow the lead so that short sales can be expedited.

The Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida, is kicking off its 5th Annual "Think December" fundraiser

I am proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida, and Rotary International, a worldwide community service organization.  For more information about Rotary International and its activities, go to their website. 

Each Rotary Club has fundraising projects that help support the needs in our community.  Each Club has a special focus.  The focus of the Spring Hill Rotary Club is youth.  Throughout the year, we conduct several fundraisers to support this cause.

One of the major fundraisers for the Spring Hill Rotary Club is "Think December", a holiday fundraiser where we sell live Holiday Wreaths which are  shipped directly from the farm in Washington state  and  arrive fresh during the first two weeks after Thanksgiving. 

Whether you are ordering a holiday wreath for yourself or as a gift to family, business acquaintances, or customers, your recipients can enjoy their wreath for the entire Holiday season.  This is the 5th year for this project and we have received many compliments on the wreath quality and its wonderful aroma.

If you would like to finish your holiday gift list a little early, and you have folks on your list who have everything, this is an especially thoughtful gift, the price is right, and you are supporting your community by suporting the Rotary Club of Spring Hill.     

Ordering is easy.  Just call or email me and I will help you get your order on its way.  Order deadline is October 31. 

August 2009 Real Estate Market Report:  Hernando Beach, Florida - Direct Access to Gulf of Mexico

There are many homes for sale in the waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida, in a variety of styles, features, and price ranges.  Neighborhoods in Hernando Beach, Florida, are distinguished by their access to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Homes in the direct access neighborhoods are located on wide and deep saltwater canals leading directly to the Gulf of Mexico whereas the neighborhoods of Hernando Beach Central and South require boaters to use a boatlift.  

Hernando Beach, Florida, is a residential boating and fishing community located on the west coast of Florida. 

This real estate market update covers the direct access neighborhoods of Hernando Beach.  This area is a non-deed restricted area. Please also read the all inclusive market report for the waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida, and the market update for the Hernando Beach South and Hernando Beach Central neighborhoods.

Offered for Sale:  72

Price Range:  $65,000 - $850,000

The lowest priced home is one of the few homes in Hernando Beach, Florida, without waterfront.  However, it is located close to the public boat ramp.

Median:  $322,500

Average: $345,334

Average Days on Market:  260

Under Contract:  7

Closed Transactions in August 2009:  5

Price Range:  $148,500 - $350,000

Median:  $190,000

Average:  $228,700

Average Days on Market:  261

Sales Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 9/12/09, believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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August 2009 Real Estate Market Report:  Hernando Beach, Florida - Hernando Beach Central

Hernando Beach, Florida, is a waterfront community located along the west coast of central Florida just north of Tampa.  This community offers a wide range of homes located on saltwater and freshwater canals. 

The homes in neighborhoods on freshwater canals are Hernando Beach Central and Hernando Beach South.  Boaters living in Hernando Beach Central and South use a boatlift to gain access to the saltwater canals to the north which lead directly to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Hernando Beach neighborhoods also are categorized by the accessibility to the Gulf of Mexico, either with direct access or indirect access via boatlift. 

This real estate market update covers the central section of Hernando Beach, Florida.  This area is not gated nor deed-restricted, homes are located on wide and deep freshwater canals. 

Please also read the all inclusive market report of homes for sale in the waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida, and the market update for the Hernando Beach South subdivision.

Offered for Sale:  9

Price Range:  $175,000 - $479,000

Median:  $298,199

Average: $269,900

Average Days on Market:  125

Under Contract:  1 

This home is a three bedroom two bath stilt home built in 1987 with 1807 sf living.  It is offered as a short sale at a list price of $159,900.

Closed Transactions in August 2009:  None

Sales Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 9/12/09, believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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August 2009 Real Estate Market Report:  Hernando Beach, Florida - Hernando Beach South

The waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida, contains three distinct neighborhoods that are characterized by their boating access to the Gulf of Mexico.

The direct access areas are located in the northern parts of Hernando Beach and include all of the area north of Companero Entra.  The southern areas are Hernando Beach Central and Hernando Beach South which require boaters to use a boatlift to gain access to the canals leading to the Gulf of Mexico.

This real estate market update of waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach covers the most southern area of Hernando Beach, Hernando Beach South.  This subdivision is a non-gated but deed-restricted community located on wide and deep fresh water canals.  Please also read the all inclusive market report for the waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida.

Offered for Sale:  17

Price Range:  $174,900 - $550,000

Median:  $395,000

Average: $362,702

Average Days on Market:  151

Under Contract:  1

Closed Transactions in August 2009:  None

Sales Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 9/12/09, believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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Spacious two-story pool home built by Addison Homes in prestigious Glen Lakes Golf and Country Club community. 

Glen Lakes is an upscale Country Club Community located on the west coast of Central Florida north of Tampa and west of Orlando.  Amenities offered by the community include an elegant club house with restaurant and banquet facilities, tennis courts, fitness facilities, community pool.  Glen Lakes Golf and Country Club is a gated, deed-restricted community with 24-hour security. 

An additional den with fireplace and loft completes the floorplan. All new carpet in living areas, loft, and master bedroom.

Freshly painted inside. Tile and wood flooring in other areas, crown moldings, volume ceilings give an open feel.

This home is bright and light with pool access from living room, den, and master bedroom and allows views to pool from kitchen and breakfast area.

Master bath features double vanities, garden tub, separate shower and walk-in closet.

Swim in the sparkling pool or relax in the soothing spa, pool is heated and area is fully enclosed including a covered lanai. Pavered pool deck, driveway and walks, private back yard.

Please view the slide show below for more exterior as well as interior photos.

Details: 

Size:  2539 square foot under Air/Heat,; total square footage under roof: 3403

Rooms:  Three Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Eat-in Kitchen, Den with Fireplace, Loft

Built: 1999 by Addison Homes with addition in 2002

Other: Two car garage, gas heated pool and spa, gated golf course community

List Price:  $349,900