The month of April brought a mixed bag to Timber Pines as far as sales transactions are concerned in the community.  Sales for single family homes saw a slight decline over those for March 2009.  Both average and median sales prices declined and the marketing time increased.  On a better note, the number of homes under contract remained stable.  Sales for Villas in Timber Pines offering maintenance-free living were a different story in April.  Number of closed transactions increased as well as the overall price range and with it the average sales price.  Active listings decreased but so did average and median prices.  With a total of 174 active listings, available homes decreased again over those from March.  Timber Pines is located off US 19 in Spring Hill, West Central Florida on the ... 05/08/2009

We started in this business when it was going downhill so we have never seen it really good.  We have had to work really hard to get our business.  We learned everything the hard way.  We spent a lot of money getting our names out there and it seems to have worked.  We had a great year in 2008 and were the #1 Sales Producing Team at our company which happens to be the #1 Company in our County by millions.  We have had this thing happen that we aren't sure about - we are so busy we can't breathe.  We are not complaining but we have not seen this side of the market before.  We find we are working twice as hard for 1/2 the amount of money.  But we are selling homes and our sellers and buyers are happy!  Perfect world - almost.  We have short sales hanging out there and foreclosures - but t... 04/28/2009

April brings good news for sales activity in the Timber Pines Country Club community in Spring Hill, Florida. For the second month in a row, sales increased in Timber Pines over those in February 2009.  Closed transactions for March 2009 increased by 100% for single family homes and by 30% for villas. With a total of 186 active listings, available homes decreased from February numbers in both categories.  Pending and contingency contracts for single family homes have increased but decreased by a slight margin for the villas.  Yet, overall more homes are under contract this month than last month. Sales prices have also increased in the median and average prices while market day has decreased signifantly again illustrating that a well-priced property can be sold in a reasonable time frame... 04/02/2009

Today I almost had a flash back to a few years ago.  Back then, buyers desperately trying to find a home would bid above the listing price and often more than one offer would be submitted on the same property on the same day ensuing in a price war (although in reverse if you want to stay true to the definition). I'm currently working with two sets of customers: one an investor who would like to add to his rental portfolio trying to pick up inexpensive units.  The other a young couple, first time homebuyers as such, who are looking for an affordable home. Both are looking are REO properties of which there are many at good prices.  Customer 1 feels he still needs to bid quite below list price to get a "deal".  Customers 2 are putting in viable offers but get discouraged when they learn th... 03/23/2009

Jake is my English Mastiff who had his 7th birthday in January.  Unfortunately Mastiffs don't have a very long life span.  They are truly gentle giants.  I've learned a lot from Jake.  He likes to lay on soft things - it makes sense to me.  He greets everyone with a happy face.  He is always happy!  I have learned if I greet people with a happy face - that is what I will get in return.  He gets a lot of rest so he is always refreshed.  I learned if I get my 8 hours of sleep at night - I'm much more able to tackle the stresses of the day.  He drinks water and limits his calories.  I'm working on that one!  He always looks forward to seeing me when I get home.  He sits in the front window with his head on a table watching for my car.  That is love.  He's very loyal.  He never leaves me al... 03/09/2009

Timber Pines, a 55+ gated golf course community in the heart of Spring Hill, FL Timber Pines Country Club community consists of approximately 3500 privately owned homes and villas ranging from 1 bedroom/1 bath villas to 4 bedroom homes.  Built between 1985 and 1998 by US Homes, units are resident owned.  The Timber Pines Country Club community offers its residents a variety of amenities including two swimming pools, tennis courts, club house, activities and clubs, performing arts center, and not to forget several golf courses that include a 18-hole Championship golf course, all in all 63 holes to put a golf ball in! As expected, number of closed transactions in Timber Pines for February increased overall with four single family homes and five villas transferring to new owners.  64% of h... 03/08/2009

Hernando County Real Estate Market Report:  February 2009 Real Estate sales numbers are in for February 2009.  Compare these February numbers to those of January 2009 and you will find that the number of sales transactions has increased and the sales price range also expanded albeit in both directions, up and down.  While buyers are still looking for bargains, it is encouraging to see that they are also looking and buying in the upper prices ranges.  Likewise, the number of homes under contract and pending also have increased by nearly 30%.  Vacant land sales remain at previous levels.  Forty percent of lot sales for February were for waterfront properties, again an encouraging number for waterfront lot owners who are looking to sell --- provided they are priced correctly!  The highest ... 03/01/2009

Mardi Gras came to New Orleans in 1699 when early French explorers celebrated it on the banks of the Mississippi. New Orleanians added to  the celebration by hosting parades and balls. Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and is celebrated on that day of the week, this year on February 24th. But the date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the lunar calendar that is used to determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday marks the end of Mardi Gras. Throughout time, different Mardi Gras customs developed in different cultures. Who hasn't heard of Carnival in Venice with its beautiful masks, or Carnival in Rio with its Samba dancing in the streets. In Germany, Mardi Gras is celebrated as Karneval, or Fasching.  Paradise indeed fo... 02/23/2009

  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 Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty. Let me help you find Your Place in the Sun! 02/22/2009

Timber Pines is a 55+ gated golf course community in the heart of Spring Hill, FL The community consists of approximately 3500 privately owned homes and villas ranging from 1 bedroom/1 bath villas to 4 bedroom homes.  Built between 1975 and 1998 by US Homes, units are resident owned.  Timber Pines offers its residents a variety of amenities including two swimming pools, tennis courts, club house, activities and clubs, performing arts center, and not to forget several golf courses that include a 18-hole Championship course, all in all 63 holes to put a golf ball in! Just like anywhere else in Hernando County, closed transactions in Timber Pines for January 2009 were rather few.  However, taking into consideration the time required from contract to close, this rather reflects on a slow sa... 02/08/2009

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 demonstration... 01/17/2009

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 languag... 01/15/2009

Silverthorn is a gated and deed-restricted golf course community located in Brooksville, just a few miles West of US 41 and South of US 50 offering privacy with easy access to shopping, medical facilities, major roadways, and all area amenities.  Tampa is just a short drive away, approx. 45 minutes via the Suncoast Parkway.  The community offers upscale country club living with 24-hour security, an elegant clubhouse, community center, pool and tennis facilities.  Properties available range from smaller villas to grand homes. Sales in Silverthorn in 2008 Total Closed Transactions:        38 Sales Price Range:                    $125,000 - $489,900 Median Price:                            $227,550 Average Price:                           $249,379 Average Marketing Time:           126 Day... 01/07/2009

Timber Pines, located in Spring Hill, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is rated as one of the best "over 55" Country Club Living and Retirement Communties.  The development is a gated and deed-restricted community with approx. 3500 homes and villas surrounded by five sweeping golf courses, tall pines, and natural preserve areas.  Offering a full range of activities, numerous clubs, stunning clubhouse, two community pools, tennis courts, and its own performing arts center, Timber Pines offers an active lifestyle for all interests. Sales in Timber Pines in 2008 Total Closed Transactions:        89 Sales Price Range:                    $80,000 - $373,000 Median Price:                            $145,000 Average Price:                           $160,197 Average Marketing Time:           161 Da... 01/06/2009

....all around us! Although times are difficult for many people right now it is important to recognize that there are many things that can still be enjoyed without a great deal of expense.  Just take a look around you... festive decorations - either put up by commercial enterprises such as a mall, subdivisions, communities, or private homeowners - are everywhere and the best thing of all, they are free to enjoy!  I came upon this Christmas tree the other day and was stunned! Not something I could possibly put into my house but it gave me such pleasure just sitting there, taking a break and looking at it before retrieving my camera from the car! There are added benefits too, you won't have to put up and take down these decorations nor would you have to store them! Whether you are out dri... 12/08/2008

Following a sign much like the usual yard sale signs that pop up everywhere on weekends and announcing "Holidays in the Gardens" lead me to the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens today. Located  just a few blocks away from a busy highway,    I found the most wonderful and tranquil little place, perfect for a break from the hectic of everyday life.                           Above: Entrance area.  Left: Live Oak with Ivy As I approached the entrance area, I was greeted by friendly and enthusiastic volunteers pointing out the features of the gardens.  As it happened, the second annual "Holidays in the Gardens" event took place today.  Numerous Christmas trees  decorated by local organizations and clubs were displayed throughout the gardens giving these organizations a venue to promote themselv... 12/06/2008

I know about networking - have done it many years but in more of a business/social setting.  Now we have online social networking.  Facebook and there is another one - not sure what - but I keep getting e-mails that say I've been tagged?????  I am a little leery about starting online conversations with some of these people.  I don't know what the guidelines are.  I know about Linkedin - that is more of a professional networking online.  That one I have been able to connect with old business friends.  There is Twitter - signed up but not sure about the following people?  That is almost like online stalking?  Am I out there in left field on this stuff?  I'm not real sure how to handle. One of the Tagged profiles I got was - married but was a nudist.  That's ok but I'm not.  I'm not intere... 11/20/2008

Today is the last day of the Arts Festival that the Spring Hill Art League is putting on this year for the 35th year.  Although, the weather was somewhat mixed yesterday, the show was well attended.  The setting this year at Kenlake Park is serene and beautiful and the parks additional amenities such as the band stand are well utilized with live entertainment by local groups.             There is something for every taste among the  offerings of the many vendors and exhibitors from the elaborate to the whimsical.  Beautiful paintings in oil, watercolor, pastels, and mixed media are represented in the fine arts category; decorative ceramics, wood carvings, stained glass, and fine jewelry in the fine craft category; and for the more practical minded the country crafts category includes of... 11/16/2008

Many times when I talk to people here in Florida, they comment on missing the change of seasons.  Usually, that refers to the change of colors in the Fall.  Well, while Florida's seasons are not quite as distinct as those that can be experienced in the northern states that can show off splendid and brilliant fall colors, a change of colors can still be experienced here as well.   After having lived here for a while, I've started to pay attention to the subtle changes that start taking place in late September and continue throughout the winter months.  Sometimes, you can watch the same tree go through a transformation of changing colors much as you would up North, sometimes the change takes place as a change of overall mood than a spectacular explosion of color.    Take a tour with me an... 11/15/2008

When we were in Orlando at NAR, we gave a 3 minute presentation on our area in the Global theater.  We wanted to let others know how great our area of the state is.  We wanted to show them what we have to offer vs other areas of the state. In Hernando County, we have the best home values for waterfront living over any other section of the state.  We have the manatees and dolphins, world famous fishing and great conditions for boating. You can get more house for the money here.  You can have the bells and whistles for much less than sections south of here.  We have fabulous golf course communities, gated communities, farms, and deed restricted communities. We have the Suncoast Parkway which gets you to the Tampa International Airport in apx 45 minutes.  We have shopping and restaurants h... 11/12/2008