House Talk with Silvia Dukes

How To Stage Your Home For a Quick Sale

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:43:17 -0600

Here are some easy to follow tips on how to stage your home for sale. Thank you to Melinda Peterson from Oregon who first shared this information with her customers. Enjoy!

Via Melinda Peterson Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate Cafe (Real Estate Cafe):

How To Stage Your Home For a Quick Sale on Howcast

How To Stage Your Home For a Quick Sale. You don't have to invest a ton of money to make your home more appealing to potential buyers - a few tips and tricks might just do the trick.

You Will Need

Flowers

Storage space

Pillows

Time to tidy up

Good coffee

Frozen cookie dough

Step 1: Start outdoors

For homebuyers, the first impression starts before they even get out of the car, so make your front yard and walkway as appealing as possible. Plant some flowers, rake any leaves, remove weeds, paint the fence and porch-make sure everything is in tiptop condition.

Step 2: Clear the clutter

Put away knickknacks and any odds and ends that wouldn't be in a model home. If you're in a hurry, just stick them in your car, inside desk drawers, or in other places the buyers won't look.

Step 3: Let the sun shine in

Open up your blinds and curtains; light makes a room look bigger.

Appealing aromas like coffee beans and freshly baked cookies make people feel at home and put them in a good mood. So put on a pot of good coffee and pop a roll of cookie dough in the oven.

Step 4: Pare down

Put extra furniture in storage and clear the kitchen counter of appliances like the microwave oven and toaster. Besides making your house look bigger, it will help prospective buyers picture their own belongings in your home.

Step 5: Throw around pillows

Steal a page from the home décor magazines: add throw pillows to make rooms look warm, comfortable, and inviting. And put soft, fluffy comforters on the beds, even if it's summer.

Step 6: Make it less personal

Remove family photos and your kids' artwork from the fridge. Homebuyers like to imagine what it would be like to live in the house; your photographs subconsciously prevent them from doing that.

Step 7: Splurge on fresh flowers

Put fresh flowers throughout the home. The sight and scent of flowers are proven mood boosters, which will help buyers look more favorably upon your home.

Industry surveys show that staging your home can make it sell three months sooner, and for 3% more!
Melinda Peterson, Broker/Owner

Real Estate Cafe

Grants Pass, Oregon ~ Southern Oregon Real Estate

For more information about Hernando County Homes and Land for sale including Spring Hill and the communities of Timber Pines, Glen Lakes Golf and Country Club, Silverthorn, and Hernando Beach , please call or visit my website!

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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Silvia Dukes, P.A. and may not be used without expressed written permission of Silvia Dukes, P.A. Copyright 2009

For Sale: 3197 Gardenia Drive Hernando Beach - Florida Waterfront Living

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:22:17 -0600

For Sale: 3197 Gardenia Drive Hernando Beach - Florida Waterfront Living

Fantastic Views across several Waterways from the Wrap-around Balconeys!

Paradise is calling! This is a beautiful 3-story stilt home on a wide spring-fed canal in the waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida.

Hghlights:

Boating access to the Gulf of Mexico via nearby boatlift.
100 feet of waterfront with seawall, kneewall, and floating dock
Large bedrooms with Master Bedroom on the third level with sitting area, huge walk-in closet and private balconey to enjoy the view.
Spacious Master bath features jetted tub, separate shower, and double vanities
Upgraded kitchen cabinets and views across the canals from the kitchen sink!
Large enclosed ground level serves as garage and large workshop - a dream for any mechanic, woodworker, or other hobbyist.

Built: 1999 Bedrooms: 3 - Baths: 2

Living SF (under air): 1932 Total SF (under roof): 3669

List Price: $300,000

Hernando Beach, Florida, is a residential boating and fishing community with waterfront homes for sale in a variety of styles, sizes, and price ranges. Hernando Beach is located west of Orlando and just north of Tampa and within easy reach of two international airports at Orlando and Tampa as well as the central Florida attractions.

Call or email for more information!

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Speechless (not so much) Sunday: Thankful!

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:17:57 -0600

Thankful not to be a turkey this time of the year! Spotted at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park - a popular destination worth a visit at any time of the year. Not sure where this peacock got the hat but he's trying hard to blend in with the rest of the pilgrims. Happy Thanksgiving!

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36th Annual Fall Harvest of Art and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:47:08 -0600

36th Annual Fall Harvest of Art and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

If you didn't have the time today to visit the 36th Annual Fall Harvest of Art that is presented by the Spring Hill Art League you will have another chance tomorrow, Sunday, November 21, 2009 from 10 AM to 4 PM.

The parking lot was almost full when I arrived today around noon. Admission is only $4 a person, a huge discount over the regular admission.

It's been a great day for the exhibiting artists, food vendors, and visitors alike who were able to enjoy all the attractions of the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park ihas to offer n addition to the juried art show.

Several mermaid shows were scheduled throughout the day. I was there just in time to attend "Fish Tales" and the 500-seat underwater theater with view of the crystal clear water of the spring was filled to capacity.

There were already quite a number of people in line for the boat ride down the scenic Weeki Wachee river so I passed and had a slice of heaven in form of Raspberry Cheesecake instead while being watched by one of the park's peacocks.

Other entertainment includes live music, animal shows, and even a belly dance troupe scheduled to perform on Sunday.

As in previous years, the available art and craft items are again of outstanding quality. From paintings in oil, acrylics, watercolor, and mixed media to fine craft in the categories of glass, sculpture, wood carvings, and metal, there is something to please every taste and budget. I couldn't resist and purchased an exquisite oil miniature of a hummingbird.

So, go ahead and spend a great Sunday at Weeki Wachee Springs Park and enjoy the show!

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Real Estate Professionals from around the Globe attend NAR Convention 2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45:23 -0600

Real Estate Professionals from around the Globe attend NAR Convention 2009

One of the prime objectives for going to conventions is the opportunity to network with other professionals in your chosen field.

The NAR convention offered numerous great opportunities to network not only with REALTOR(S) from around the US but from many different countries.

There were the formal sessions of the International Operations Committee and ICREA, the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations, both of which were very informative but also somewhat formal.

And then there were the various networking sessions at the International Pavillion on the Expo floor.

If you've never witnessed people from every corner of the world speaking a multitude of languages converge on one spot eager to share information, exchange contacts, and discuss possible business opportunities, you would have seen it here. It was also interesting to observe the behavior of the different nationalities. Real estate has become global and with the right relationships and contacts it is possible to reach out to the world.

Oh yes, the French brought food - wine and cheese! Guess who got the most attention?

Plan on attending and having a great time networking in 2010!

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Friday Foto: "Midway" - Sunset Impressions

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:09:04 -0600

"Midway" - Sunset Impressions

If you've been to the NAR Convention, you may recognize this sight! It's the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier docked along the San Diego Bay just a short walk from the convention center.

The ship is open to the public and I was told that an entire day would not be enough to see it all. With everything that was going on at the convention, there was no time to visit and I was content to capture some photos in the evening light. I love the way the sun reflects in the hull.

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Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida Delivers Dictionaries to 3rd Graders

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:06:08 -0600

Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida Delivers Dictionaries to 3rd Graders

"The limits of your language are the limits of your world." - Ludwig Wittgenstein

This is the message printed on this year's edition of the student dictionaries that members of the Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida presented to the third graders of the Elementary Schools in Hernando County, Florida.

The dictionary project is an annual effort by Rotary International to promote language skills and awareness among young students as they are becoming proficient in reading and comprehension.

Met with curious looks from the students as we entered each classroom, the exitement of receiving a book "to keep forever" soon took over.

From looking up a special word to discovering graphs of the solar system, the multiplication table, or flipping to the last page of the book to discover the longest word in the English language with 1909 letters - it is a pleasure and a reward in itself to watch young children be so enthusiastic about reading and finding out about the world.

With this kind of curiosity, enthusiasm, and desire to learn and know, the world for these kids will be limitless.

Below: Participating Spring Hill Rotary Members

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What to do and Where to go in Brooksville, Florida: Treasure Sale and Turkey Shoot

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:34:22 -0600

What to do and Where to go in Brooksville, Florida: Treasure Sale and Turkey Shoot

While I'm not sure what the "Turkey Shoot" is all about, I do know a good Fleamarket and Treasure Sale when I see one!

This Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 8 AM to 2 PM stop by Killingsworth Plaza on Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville for the Annual Treasure Sale conducted by the Junior Service League of Brooksville.

Booth rental is available so besides the Junior Service League, other community organizations such as the Rotary Club of Spring Hill are participating with "crafts, produce, plants, trash, and treasures" to raise funds for a variety of worthy causes.

There will be a raffle with a chance to win a free turkey - just in time for Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!

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What to do and Where to go: Fall Harvest of Art in Spring Hill, Florida

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:04:43 -0600

What to do and Where to go: Fall Harvest of Art in Spring Hill, Florida

The Spring Hill Art League will have its 36th Annual Fall Harvest of Art on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2009. Doors open at 10 AM each day and will be open until 5 PM on Saturday and until 4 PM on Sunday.

Traditionally an art show, this year the show is combined with a live music and food festival. The show is a juried art show with awards in the categories of fine art, fine craft, photo, and country crafts.

The event will take place at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. There will be a $4 admission charge which includes access to all the parks attractions including the always popular mermaid show and the wilderness river cruise down the scenic Weeki Wachee river.

This will be a fun event for the entire family and a great opportunity to explore Weeki Wachee Springs State Park at greatly discounted admission. At the same time, this is also a great opportunity to start shopping for very unique gifts for those special people on your holiday gift list!

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Remember When: 20 Years since the Fall of the Wall

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:46:18 -0600

It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since the Berlin wall came down and with it a very real symbol of oppression.

I was living in Germany then and remember well the events that lead up to the day when East German border guards just gave way even before politicians gave the final go ahead.

People could not believe at first what was happening and many couldn't believe it would last so people started coming over from East Germany into West Berlin thinking they better do it while they could with no intentions of ever returning.

I believe that every generation is witness to at least one great event in history. For me, this was the one. I still feel exhilirated remembering when my husband and I travelled to Berlin a month or so later and for the first time saw gaping holes in the very same wall that was thought to have been indestructible and not conquerable. There were people chiseling away at the concrete and the ever industrious people of Berlin were renting tools to tourists.

Since that time, Berlin has changed. East and West are melting together again at least in urbanization, there is very little evidence left of the wall. East Berlin has developed from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan full of life and hope for the future of all of Germany and by extension of the free world.

The post that follows is by Katerina Gasset sharing her memories of that time. Please go to her post as well and read up on some of the comments. Her memories, mine, and those of so many others will forever be the legacy of the events that have shaped the years that followed.

Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.):

The day the wall came down in Berlin was a day that I will never forget. My brother was in Germany for the historic event and as the wall starting being torn apart piece by piece he was on the phone with me. This was before youtube, before Iphones and Ipods, before the typical cell phones we have today. But he had access to a phone near the wall and I was able to be there in spirit and an earshot to this event.

Why would this event be so important to us? Memories flood my mind as I think back to this day and to the four years that we lived in Germany right near the border of East and West Berlin. The wall was a big part of our lives for those four years.

How many times we had walked along that wall- the wall between whether you could worship God or not, the wall between whether you could make money or not, the wall between whether you could voice your opinion or not. We were on the freedom side of that wall.

Just a few steps divided two very different worlds. I remember peering through the barbed wire sections especially near the guarded gates on occasion. My eyes were met with such contrast of seeing buildings and structures completely neglected, ugly and depressing and then turning around on our side of the wall to notice the wonderful German architecture with obvious care and attention to cleanliness. As a child things appear much bigger but also more obvious. This contrast affected me emotionally and the work my father was there to do became quite meaningful.

We went to German schools, spoke German in our home and socialized with Germans. Being integrated into German society was a part of my father's assignment in Germany as Naval Intelligence was a big part of encouraging the people of East Berlin to fight for their freedom. All of this helped to form my conservatism and love of our United States constitution.

As you witness what people will do to get just the chance of freedom; it is something you never forget. We saw on the news nearly every night people jumping the wall, ramming the wall, sneaking through in suitcases- knowing full well that they would be shot if they were caught trying to get to the west yet fully willing to take that risk. Being shot and killed for trying to escape the bonds of communism was better than living in the bondage and depressed state. Of course for a young girl to know this, to feel this and to witness this- one can not come away from this experience without having it mold a part of who you are.

My father had a dangerous assignment of smuggling intelligence and smuggling people over, around and through the wall. We were even able to meet some of these men who would hide in the smallest of compartments like only Houdini could do in order to cross the border. Without a full understanding of the nature of his business somehow I felt that he was doing a great duty to expand the love of freedom and help do his part to eventually bring down that wall. My experiences and recollections could fill a book.

So as my brother was giving me the step by step on the wall coming down he promised to bring me back a piece of that wall and he did. I have pieces of the Berlin wall that I treasure. I treasure these broken pieces of the wall because they symbolize that freedom can prevail. They symbolize the blood freely spent in order to bring many to taste the sweet savor of freedom. They remind me never to forget the sacrifices of many military and civilians who helped to break through the barrier and then to tear down the wall. They speak to me saying: never forget and never let it be in vain.

President Reagan did so much to help bring down the iron curtain and the Berlin wall. Below is his world famous speech to Russia's Gorbachev; Tear Down That Wall! Many of you were too young to remember or to young to care but this was one of the most important historic moments in history. Please take the time to watch and listen. This is important to understand the past so that we may have the strength and the fortitude to stand by those being oppressed, to make it possible for those oppressed to know that one day they too, can taste freedom and to never allow tyranny to come to visit us or those we care about. To feel what the people felt, to get a glimpse of what happens when the people have had enough, watch the video below President Reagan's speech. The video is 9 minutes long but very powerful about what happens when hundreds of thousands of people demand freedom.

Let us all remember the day the wall came tumbling down!

Tear Down That Wall- A Day Imprinted In My Mind Forever by Coach Katerina Gasset is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

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Veterans Day Events in Hernando and Pasco Counties, Florida

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:14:14 -0600

Veterans Day Events in Hernando and Pasco Counties, Florida

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Here is how Hernando and Pasco Counties will honor its Veterans:

Hernando Beach: The VFW Post 9236 will hold a ceremony beginning at 10:00 AM. The post is located at Shoal Line Blvd. Everyone is welcome.

Shady Hills: The VFW Post 8681 will hold a ceremony beginning at 11:00 AM. The post is located at 18940 Drayton Street off County Line Road. The Post Color Guard will be joined by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sea Cadets, Hudson High Drill Team, and Pasco County Fire Department Honor Guard. Vintage military vehicles will be on display. There will be a BBQ following the ceremony and live music in the hall.

Brooksville: The annual Veterans Appreciation Parade will be held on Saturday, November 14, beginning at 10:00 AM. Parade lineup will begin at 8:30 AM and the parade will lead through downtown Brooksville. The public is encouraged to walk with the Veterans and to bring flags to show support for the men and women of the military.

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Hernando County Real Estate Market Report: October 2009

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:47:01 -0600

Hernando County Real Estate Market Report: October 2009

Inventory of Homes for Sale in Hernando County has again decreased over the previous month and closed transactions increased over September.

There were several sales moving into the higher prices ranges including a 41 acre ranch with a 4 bedrooms, 4 baths pool home plus all the out buildings one might expect on a ranch. This property sold for the highest price of $950,000 and also represents one of the highest priced sales in recent months in the county.

Several other sales in the $300,000 to $400,000 price ranges helped to bring up the average sales price for October over last month. However, the real story here is once again the median price level which despite these trophy sales increased by less than a $1000 - an indication that most sales are taking place in the lower ranges.

The number of homes under contract, either with contingency or pending contracts, decreased by 10 properties over last month. Once again, both median and average prices have decreased.

Active Home Listings: 2211

Sold October 2009: 198

Price Range: $20,000 - $950,000

Median: $105,650

Average: $121,948

Average Days on Market: 126

Of the homes sold in October 2009, 27 were short sales and 50 were REO or bank-owned properties, and the remaining 121 sales were "regular" market sales.

Homes currently under Contract: 548

Of the homes currently under contract, 213 are with contingency contracts and 335 are pending.

Of the total homes under contract, 231 are short sales, 102 are foreclosure properties, and 215 are market sales.

Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 11/9/09, believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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October 2009 Real Estate Market Report: Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:10:57 -0600

October 2009 Real Estate Market Report: Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida

Inventory of Homes for sale in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida has decreased once again over the previous month. There are 66 villas and 73 single family homes available for sale in the Timber Pines Country Club community.

The majority of homes for sale in the Timber Pines community are offered below $200,000. There are only four homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range and only three homes for sale above $300,000.

The number of homes sold in October in Timber Pines remained stable with 12 units sold. Only one of these sales was a foreclosure property, all others were market sales. However, sales price range was lower this month bringing down the average and median sales prices by 11% and 12% respectively over those from September.

Number of homes under contract in Timber Pines increased again over last month. Only one of the homes under contract is a short sale and only one other is a foreclosure property. Here too, prices are trending downward somewhat, average and median list prices are lower over those from last month.

Overall however, sales performance in the Timber Pines Country Club community remains stable. The median price level for Timber Pines home sales again outperforms the median price level in Hernando County as a whole.

For this month only, the average price level for Hernando County sales in general is just slightly higher thus outperforming the Timber Pines statistics but only because of one high end property in the county sold nearing the one Million dollar mark. Additionally, the Timber Pines community experiences much lower levels of distressed sales than in Hernando County in general.

Timber Pines is a 55+ Country Club community offering an active life style with several golf courses, two community pools, Activities Center, Clubhouse, Performing Arts Center, as well as many social clubs and events. The community is a gated community with an park-like ambience and 24-hour security.

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.

Actively Listed Homes for Sale in Timber Pines: 139

Price Range: $57,990 - $399,000

Average: $136,593

Median: $129,999

Days on Market: 216

Number Properties under Contract: 17

Pending Contracts: 10, Contingencies: 7

Price Range: $60,000 - $209,000

Average: $127,855

Median: $129,500

Average Days on Market: 202

Total Transactions Closed: 12

Price Range: $71,000 - $172,000

Average: $121,400

Median: $122,400

Days on Market: 205

Data derived from Hernando County MLS as of 11/9/09 and believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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Florida Waterfront Living: These Views will leave you Speechless!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:44:56 -0600

Florida Waterfront Living: These Views will leave you Speechless!

You cannot buy these views! But you can buy the house. This is the view from a third floor balcony of a home for sale in Hernando Beach, Florida.

Intersecting canals make for great and unobstructed water views with the grassy marsh preservation areas of Hernando Beach in the distance. Looking to the right, one can even see the Gulf of Mexico.

Hernando Beach, Florida, is a residential boating and fishing community along Florida's gulf coast. The community offers a wide variety of waterfront homes for sale ranging from the affordable low 100's to the 800's.

And if you are looking for waterfront living in a quiet residential community with easy access to Tampa, please contact me.

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

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:24:33 -0600

October 2009 Real Estate Market Report: Hernando Beach, Florida - Direct Access to 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 is the October 2009 market report for Hernando Beach Waterfront Homes located in those areas of the hernando Beach community that have direct boating access to the Gulf of Mexico.

The number of homes for sale in Herando Beach with direct Gulf access has remained stable. The list price range dropped significantly on the higher end resulting in a change in both median and average list prices, median upward, and average downward.

The lowest priced home in Hernando Beach, Florida, is a home that is severely fire damaged. It is offered as a short sale.

Hernando Beach Waterfront Homes Offered for Sale: 68

Price Range: $82,000 - $719,000

Median: $337,450

Average: $351,678

Hernando Beach Waterfront Homes Under Contract: 6

Price Range: $159,000 - $579,000

Median: $249,450

Average: $292,733

Four of the homes under contract are pending, the remaining two are under contract with contingencies. Four homes are offered as market listings, one is a short sale, and one is a foreclosure home.

Hernando Beach - Closed Transactions in October 2009: 2

Sold Property 1: A two-story stilt home, offered as a short sale at $190,000 sold for $165,000. Built: 1986 Bed/Bath: 2/2 Living SF: 1344 Waterfront: 50 ft on a saltwater canal

Sold Property 2: A one-story pool home, offered as a market sale at $239,900 sold for $225,000. Built: 1974 Bed/Bath: 2/1 Living SF: 1024 Waterfront: 54 ft on a saltwater canal

Hernando Beach is a residential waterfront community located in west central Florida along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Hernando Beach is within easy reach of the international airports at Tampa and Orlando as well as central Florida area attractions.

Data derived from the Hernando County MLS as of 11/2/09, believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

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