Happy St. Patrick's Day!   Here is a story that one of my friends shared with me.  I thought you might enjoy it today and maybe share it with your friends over corned beef and cabbage! And it's true to their legendary frugal way as well! It's no wonder the Irish are smiling!     Happy St. Patrick's Day!    While on vacation in Rome, I noticed a marble column in St. Peter's with a golden telephone on it. As a young priest passed by, I asked who the telephone was for. The priest told me it was a direct line to heaven, and if I'd like to call, it would be a thousand dollars. I was amazed, but declined the offer. Throughout Italy, I kept seeing the same golden telephone on a marble column. At each, I asked about it and the answer was always the same: It was a direct line to heaven and I cou... 03/17/2015

Rotary Club of Spring Hill Florida - Brain Bowl 2015 -Fun and Games   The 2015 Brain Bowl competition between the Middle Schools in Hernando County fittingly took place on 3/14/15, also known as "Pi"-Day! Student teams of five Hernando County Middle Schools competed against each other in this competition that contains challenging questions from math, science, literature, history and current events. After six games with two rounds each, the team from Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics emerged as the winners. This was the 23rd year, the Rotary Club of Spring Hill has organized this popular event that is free to students, parents, and spectators to attend.  Many local businesses and organizations have sponsored the event to cover the cost any proceeds are applied to the schol... 03/15/2015

Big Band Music Live at Colorama Music Experience in Hudson, Florida   We enjoyed a great dinner with entertaining live Big Band music at Colorama Music in Hudson, Florida, yesterday.  Called "Mr. Lucky's" about ten musicians played some of the great tunes of the big band era. We learned that many of these musicians had in been playing in some famous big bands of the time such as the Lionel Hampton Big Band or had been band leaders themselves.  And I have to say, these guys haven't lost their beat!  When they first started playing, it sounded as if it was a recording, it was so good and smooth.  Being a jam session, anyone can participate and in fact, a guest in the audience got up and sang in a beautiful voice reminiscent of the great Satchmo Louis Armstrong.  And there is a dance floor... 03/13/2015

Meanwhile in Florida... White as Freshly Fallen Snow   No, this is not about one of Florida's beautiful white sugary beaches or a cold front moving in with temperatures dipping below 60 F.   This is about the blooms on our small plum tree in our backyard. With warmer temperatures moving in, it has covered its branches with small fragrant white flowers that almost look as if the branches were covered in snow. The bees love it!  And luckily, this is probably the closest we will get to real snow!    Meanwhile in Florida... White as Freshly Fallen Snow 03/09/2015

Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida Home Sales February 2015 presented by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty February home sales in the Timber Pines golf course community in Spring Hill, Florida remained strong.   Although two fewer home sales closed in February than the month before, buyers have been very active in this 55+ community and there are currently 36 homes and villas under contract in the Timber Pines community.     Homes and Villas for Sale in Timber Pines Inventory of homes for sale in Timber Pines increased again this month, an indication that sellers are gaining confidence in the market and rising values as well as a desire to take advantage of the busy winter season with many snowbirds in the area looking for homes.   Average and median list prices... 03/08/2015

Off to Great American REALTOR Days in Tallahassee, Florida   Just in time for the beginning of the 2015 Florida Legislature session, Florida REALTORS are traveling to Tallahassee to impress on Our lawmakers that we care. Today was the first day of the two day Great American REALTOR Day event that will give Realtors from around the State an opportunity to see their lawmakers in action.  Tomorrow, Hernando County Realtors will meet with our representatives in the House and in the Senate to discuss several important housing issues that concern Realtors and Floridians.   Talking points will include:  --- fully funding affordable housing; --- phasing out a tax on commercial rents; --- restoring water resources while protecting property rights; --- and capping fees charged by community associ... 03/03/2015

Discovering Unusual Features in Homes for Sale in Spring Hill, Florida   This morning, I met the appraiser at one of the homes that I have listed for sale in Spring Hill.  The buyer's agent also showed up to meet her buyer's  inspector from the Pest Control company for the WDO (wood destroying organism) inspection. While we were waiting for the appraiser and WDO inspector to finish their work, the conversation turned to the various features of the home.  The buyer's agent noted how much the buyer's loved the old "phone box" in the garage.   I had never actually noticed it before so I had to take a look.  There it was, hanging on the garage wall, was a box with a key on the side that revealed a rotary phone inside.  Now, I'm old enough to have grown up with rotary phones but I had never ... 03/02/2015

Dick's Sporting Goods Opening Soon in Spring Hill, Florida   Spring Hill, Florida will soon have it's own Dick's Sporting Goods store.  Located in the new Cortez Common shopping center at the corner of Cortez (Hwy 50) and Mariner Blvd, the store is getting ready to open in the coming weeks.  Sports enthusiasts will love this new shopping opportunity to gear up for their favorite sporting activity.      Already a few weeks ago, another big store - Hobby Lobby - opened its doors at Cortez Commons.  Also open for business now are the Vitamin Shoppe, Mattress Firm, and two new restaurants in town:  Bob Evans and Bonefish Grill.  When I drove by the site the other day, I noticed that a WaWa gas station is currently under construction.    Dick's Sporting Goods Opening soon in Spring Hill, Flo... 02/28/2015

Concerts in Spring Hill, Florida:  At the Movies   Music lovers will enjoy these concerts featuring music from popular movies throughout the decades.     What:              Concert by Hernando Symphony Orchestra:  "At the Movies" Where:            Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, Florida When:             February 27 and February 28, 2015, 7:30 pm                           March 1, 2015, 2:00 pm Info:                 352-683-5113 Admission:     Adults $15, Students K-12 $6 Whether you like music, movies, or both, you will enjoy these concerts presented by the Hernando Symphony Orchestra on three different dates.  We often take the music in movies for granted or because it is often played in the background, don't get to appreciate it.   This is your cha... 02/25/2015

Patio Home Sold in The Wellington at Seven Hills, Spring Hill, Florida by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, Tropic Shores   This two bedroom, two bath Patio home in the 55+ community of the The Wellington at Seven Hills in Spring Hill, Florida has just sold!  I represented the buyer who was looking to rightsize from a much larger home that no longer served her needs.  This Patio home in The Wellington community offers maintenance free living as lawncare, exterior painting, and roof replacement are included in the HOA and maintenance fees.   And my buyer loved the large enclosed lanai that will allow her extend her living space to enjoy Florida outdoor living.    Property Details: 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage Living Area:  1299 SF under heat and air Total Area:  1862 SF under roof B... 02/22/2015

Chocolate Truffles or Life is Like a Box of Chocolates   Today, I was looking through some photos from our last trip to Germany when I came across this photo of the chocolates counter in one of the larger department stores we visited while in Leipzig.  I want to mention that these are just the chocolates that you can buy to assemble your own personal selection, there is another large section with prepacked chocolates across the aisle! Take a look, wouldn't you just love to have a box of these chocolates?  There must be a hundred different flavors, fillings, and shapes.  Although each type is labeled, I wouldn't even mind being surprised of what I might get.  I'm sure they are all delicious!  Chocolate Truffles or Life is Like a Box of Chocolates   02/21/2015

Jazz at the Library in Spring Hill Florida     Our libraries offer much more than books!  At the Spring Hill, Florida, library "It's Jazz" this week with the continuation of a special series of music programs about the Golden age of Jazz.   What:             It's Jazz! When:            Friday, February 20, 2015 Time:             3:00 PM Where:           Spring Hill Branch Library                        9220 Spring Hill Drive                        Spring Hill, Florida Info:               352-754-4043   This program promises to be an interesting and entertaining one.     The presenter is former Jazz radio announcer Peter La Mattina of New Port Richey who will be sharing his vast knowledge of jazz.     Visit the Hernando County Library system website for more information!     02/17/2015

Horse Show in Spring Hill, Florida   When:  Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 10 am to 3 pm Where:  Serenity Stables, 20052 Bowman Rd, Spring Hill, Florida Admission:  FREE - open to the public Info:  352-796-0238   Some say the happiest place is on the back of a horse!   On Febuary 22, 2015 you have an opportunity to watch children and adults compete on the back of beautiful horses during a free horse show.   There will be vendors, food and beverages.  Any proceeds will go to benefit Horses for Hope. Serenity Stables in Spring Hill, Florida offers riding lessons as well as boarding, carriage rides, and children camps.      Image courtesy of Gualberto107 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net   Are you looking for a home with room for a pony or horse in Hernando County? For more information and a list ... 02/15/2015

Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida Home - Just Sold by Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shore Realty   My buyers just closed on this beautiful home in the Timber Pines 55+ community in Spring Hill, Florida.     Property Details: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 3 Car Garage Living Area under Heat/Air: 2112 SF Total Area under Roof:  2827 SF Built:  1996   Lot Size:  0.31 acres Sold Price:  $180,000 Financing:  Conventional Mortgage   My buyers contacted me a couple of years ago as they were researching areas to move to and wanted to know more information about the Timber Pines 55+ Country Club community.  The manicured appearance, the private golf courses and the many other amenities of the Timber Pines community appealed to them right away but it took a while to find the right home.  Featuring a r... 02/13/2015

How to Deal with Real Estate Closing Delays Waiting to close on a home can be a stressful time for buyers and sellers.   The real estate closing process is a complex task requiring teamwork and  the coordination of lenders, Realtors, title companies, attorneys, and of course buyers and sellers.   It can get a little hectic especially toward the end when everything has to come together for the closing.  Normally, buyers and sellers don't even realize all that is going on because much of these things happen behind the scenes while they are busy with their own preparations like the moving process, changing of utilities, overnight and travel arrangements just to name a few.  But closing dates are often set far in advance and sometimes need to be changed because of unforseen circumstances th... 02/12/2015

Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida Home Sales January 2015 presented by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty   Home sales in the Timber Pines golf course community for 55+ adults continue to perform well.  Monthly fluctuations in average and median home sales are a result of the types of homes and the price ranges that buyers chose that particular month.  Longer term market observations in the Timber Pines community in Spring Hill reveal a steady increase in average and median prices for both single family homes and maintenance free villas.      Homes and Villas for Sale in Timber Pines More homes for sale came on the market in the Timber Pines 55+ community in Spring Hill, Florida since the beginning of the new year. More inventory resulted in more competition.  A... 02/09/2015

The House Looks Great.  You Still Need a Home Inspection!   Sometimes buyers ponder the question of whether or not they should spend the money on a home inspection.  But even though the house looks great, as their Realtor, I always recommend a home inspection and any other inspections including septic, wood destroying organism (WDO) or commonly referred to as termite inspection, or well water test.   The importance of the home inspection became clear again this week.  I attended two home inspections that both turned up some unexpected findings and that left both buyers glad they did spend the money on their home inspection. Even when a home is looking good and appears to be in well maintained condition, it can always be expected that the home inspector will find at least some minor issu... 02/07/2015

Pristine Place in Spring Hill, Florida - 2014 Home Sales   This Pristine Place market report is an overview of the current inventory of homes for sale and the home sales in the Pristine Place community for the year 2014.   Pristine Place is a gated community in Spring Hill, Florida, conveniently located to schools, shopping, dining, medical facilities, parks and other area amenities.  Residents of Pristine Place can enjoy streets with sidewalks, a community pool, tennis courts, and a recreation center.  Pristine Place Homes for Sale Currently, there are only eight active listings of homes for sale in Pristine Place.  List Price Range:  $183,999 to $379,900.  Average List Price:  $245,950 Median List Price:   $239,950  Average days on market:  108 There is only one bank-owned/foreclosure... 02/02/2015

New Rotarian Inducted into Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida   The Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida, inducted a new member today.   Dennis Strissel has been member of Rotary before but now that he moved to Spring Hill, Florida, we are happy to welcome him into the Spring Hill Rotary Club.    Rotary Assistant District Governor Karen Van Sickle conducted the induction ceremony and pinned Dennis before being joined by Rotary Club President Ty Mullis for the photo op!        Are you interested in Rotary? The Rotary Club of Spring Hill is part of Rotary International, a worldwide service club organization.  We are a breakfast club and meet every Thursday morning at 7:45 AM at IHOP, Commercial Way, in Spring Hill.  Guests are always welcome!  Please contact me for more information about ... 01/29/2015

Florida Winter Days     When I got home the other day from attending the Florida Realtors Mid Winter meetings in Orlando, I noticed a car had pulled up with Missouri license plates in the driveway next door.  The house is sometimes rented out to vacationers or winter visitors so I figured that's what it is. While unloading my bags, the couple next door also unloaded and I went over to introduce myself.  Our new "temporary" neighbors told me they felt lucky to have found a short term rental to escape the cold winter at home.  I had to agree with them.  Although our weather is a little less predictable in the winter months and sometimes changes drastically from one day to the next, it's still better than shoveling snow! Just to demonstrate, the above shot is from the pool area of the hote... 01/25/2015