by Tropic Shores Realtor Silvia Dukes PARecently, I've been increasingly working with investors looking for foreclosure or bank-owned homes for sale in Spring Hill, Florida. My investor buyers have successfully bought and sold several homes in the Spring Hill area over the last year. They often buy homes that are distressed enough so that they won't qualify for financing and are not of interest to home buyers who are looking to move quickly. The homes, these investors buy typically need a lot of work including new roofs, kitchen and bathroom remodels, as well as many other repairs and replacements in addition to the usual cosmetic improvements like paint and new flooring. Today, they closed on another project foreclosure home that they will be working on in the next few months going thr... 09/30/2015

Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida 34606 Home Sales July/August 2015presented by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty Homes sales in the Timber Pines golf course community in Spring Hill, Florida experienced seasonal fluctuations this summer.  An upswing in July was followed by a slower month of August.  Currently, there are 34 homes and villas under contract in the Timber Pines community.  Of these, 22 are single family homes and 12 are villas.  Timber Pines Sales July 2015 Compared to June 2015, the number of sales of homes and villas in Timber Pines increased.   For single family homes in Timber Pines, the sales price range decreased resulting in decreases in both average and median sales price Villas in Timber Pines saw an increase in sales price range as well ... 09/20/2015

What's so Different about this Bathroom? Forget about the toilet seat not being down or non-existent for that matter. Forget about the stain on the bathroom floor.  Take a close look. Do you notice the wainscoting on the wall?  It's at a normal  height.  Now take a look at the fixtures.  The toilet and the pedestal sink. Do they appear low? Small?  Maybe Patrick, the Starfish, on the wall is a give-away? You got it!  Imagine my buyer's surprise when we opened the door in this Spring Hill home and found this - a kid-friendly bathroom with fixtures appropriate in height to accommodate smaller children. Now offered as a bank-owned home, one of the previous owners converted part of a large laundry room into this kid-size bathroom complete with paper towel and papercup dispensers! Now if the... 09/08/2015

Jazz in the Park in Spring Hill Florida What:  Cool Summer Jazz at the Lake HouseWhen: Sunday, August 16, 2015Time:  2:00 - 5:00 pmWhere:  The Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Drive, Spring Hill, FloridaAdmission:  $5.00 per personInfo:  352-799-9690 Jazz lovers will enjoy this summer jazz concert by the Hernando Jazz Society performing "Cool Summer Jazz" selections.  The event takes place on the grounds of the Lake House at Kenlake, there is an open air stage and plenty of room for seating or bring your own chairs or a blanket.  You may also bring your own drinks and snacks! Enjoy an afternoon of Jazz in the Park in Spring Hill, Florida!     08/12/2015

Women's Council of REALTORS® Supports Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program Did you know that when children enter foster care, they often only have two trash bags to carry their belongings in?  On any given day, there are approximately 8000 children of all ages in foster care in Florida coming from all different backgrounds and speaking several different languages. When Florida Women's Council of REALTORS® (WCR) found out about this, they wanted to help.  WCR members in Florida have collected new rolling travel bags and suitcases in a statewide effort to distribute these bags to 21 local Guardian Ad Litem offices in 20 judicial circuits.  Today, three members of the WCR Nature Coast Business Resource Group were happy to deliver travel bags to two Guardian Ad Litem office in Hernando County ... 08/11/2015

Floridians Shop for Back to School Supplies Tax Free August 7-16, 2015 Just in time for Back to School, Floridians once again can shop for school supplies without paying sales tax! Florida sales tax is 6% but depending on the county you live in, sales tax may be higher because of local surtax.  Thus Florida residents will save at least 6% on purchases, that is at least $6 for each $100 spent.   The tax savings will include purchases of clothing and shoes up to $100 each, school supplies up to $15 each, and certain electronic equipment such as computers and tablets up to $750 each for home and personal use.  For a complete list of tax exempt school supplies, go to the website of the Florida Department of Revenue or click on the photo to the right.  Don't have a need for "back to school" ... 08/06/2015

Flying High Florida has a lot coastline and 663 miles of beaches!  Some of the best beaches can be found along the Gulf coast of Florida.Last weekend, we took a drive to Destin, Florida, in the Panhandle and spent a couple of days at the sugary white beaches there.  This photo was taken just before sunset. The last light from the sun created an intriguing mirror image pattern in the evening sky!              08/02/2015

Monday Morning Surprise The week started out with a pleasant Monday morning surprise when the Spring Hill community manager of Adams Homes, a local builder, stopped by the office to see me and delivered cake and wine as a thank you for a recent new home sale.   Since inventory of resale homes is low in Spring Hill, I suggested looking at new construction and introduced my buyers to Adams Homes a few months ago.  My buyers loved the homes by this builder and decided to buy a new construction home with Adams Homes.   Their new home was completed just a few weeks ago and it turned out beautifully! Knowing my buyers were happy made me happy - little did I know there would be cake, too!  Thank you Adams Homes!  Monday Morning Surprise Interested in Building a New Home in Spring Hill, Florida... 07/27/2015

Timber Pines Spring Hill Florida 34606 Two Bedroom Villa Now Sold!by Timber Pines Realtor Silvia Dukes PA, Tropic Shores Realty Just SOLD!Villa in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 1 Car Garage$84,000CASH!  Here is another great villa in the Timber Pines 55+ golf and country club community that has just SOLD!  I represented the seller of this well maintained home in a pet-friendly village of Timber Pines who was pleased to receive an offer after only two days on the market! Property Details:  6622 Brambleleaf, Spring Hill, Florida2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 1 Car GarageLiving Area under Heat/Air:  1296 SFTotal area under Roof:  1787 SF  This maintenance free Timber Pines villa is located in Pine Glen I village that features its own village pool for just Pine Glen residents... 07/19/2015

Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida 34606 Home Sales June 2015presented by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty After a strong Spring, home sales in the Timber Pines golf course community in Spring Hill, Florida fell for the first time in several months.     Sales price range decreased in June Average and median Sales prices dropped Inventory of homes and villas in Timber Pines increased since last month Overall, average and median list prices remained stable with only minor fluctuations The number of homes and villas under contract also continued to decrease There are currently five bank-owned (foreclosure) homes available in Timber Pines as well as one property offered as short sale.   Distressed homes currently make up about 11% of total inventory of homes and vi... 07/17/2015

Hernando County Florida Home Sales April to June 2015 Second quarter home sales in Hernando County Florida surpassed first quarter sales by a whopping 33% and currently, there are still 611 homes under contract in Hernando County ensuring a successful third quarter.    The trend to higher price ranges continued from the beginning of the year.  Consequently, median and average home sales prices increased in the April to June 2015 time frame. Median sold prices increased by 11% over the first quarter while average sold prices increased by 13%.  Hernando County Home Sales April to June 2015Current Number of Homes for Sale:  1111  Homes Sold Apr - Jun 2015:  1039Sold Price Range:  $4,000 - $899,900Average Sold Price:  $127,693Median Sold Price:   $115,000  Hernando County Florida home sales... 07/13/2015

New Construction Home in Spring Hill, Florida 34608 - Just Sold!by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty This brand new Spring Hill home built by Adams Homes just sold!  My buyers are from England and they contacted me last Fall to help them find a vacation home to buy in the Spring Hill area. We looked at several homes but inventory of homes for sale that matched my buyers criteria and preferences was rather low.  Although a swimming pool was on their "must have" list, I decided to show them a new construction home by local home builder Adams Homes that met all their other criteria and they fell in love with it.  After visiting the model home and talking to the builder, they decided they wanted to built a new home!First we had to find a suitable building lot for th... 07/07/2015

Timber Pines Spring Hill Florida Celebrates Fourth of July 2015 The Timber Pines Golf and Country Club community in Spring Hill, Florida is showing its colors this weekend in celebration of Independence day!  The red, white, and blue spirit is high in this 55+ community for active adults - you can't overlook the many decorations for the Fourth of July.   Looking to buy or sell a home in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida?Timber Pines is a gated golf course community offering premier adult living. Recreational opportunities include several private golf courses, two community pools, an elegant Clubhouse, a Performing Arts Cener, a Recreation and Activity center, fitness center, tennis courts, wood working shop, billiard center, and an active social life! Pleases contact Realtor Silvia Duk... 07/02/2015

Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida Home Sales May 2015presented by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty Home sales in the Timber Pines golf course community in Spring Hill, Florida finished strong once again in May with four more sales compared to the previous month.      The sales price range dropped in May down into the mid 200s.  Across the board, both average and median sales prices for villas and single family homes experienced decreases in May 2015.Compared to Timber Pines home sales from one year ago in May 2014, there were nearly twice as many home sales. Average sales price increased compared to last year; however, median sales price for single family homes sold in Timber Pines in May 2015 decreased.  Currently, there are 29 homes and villas under contract... 06/25/2015

Hernando County Florida Home Sales May 2015 Home sales in Hernando County, Florida kept up its pace from previous Spring months in May.  There were only three fewer home sales than in the previous month.  Homes currently under contract in Hernando County is also still holding strong with 630 properties in contingent and pending status.  Inventory of homes for sale in Hernando County however, has decreased once again.  With continued high buyer demand, home owners in Hernando County who are thinking about selling their home should now get ready and consider putting their home on the market.  For information about marketing your Hernando County home for sale, and current market information for your particular neighborhood, please contact Hernando County Realtor Silvia Dukes at 352-584-744... 06/24/2015

The "Kids" are all Grown up! This is a sequel to the Mother's Day post that featured Mama Duck and her big family of ducklings.   Well, the kids are all grown up now!  I couldn't believe the family seems still intact with none of the little ducklings having fallen prey to other birds.  Mom did a great job keeping a watchful eye over them and she still does as they bounce around looking for bread crumbs!  Have a great weekend! 06/19/2015

Florida Nature - Sabal Palm in Bloom  The Sabal Palm is Florida's State tree and we have a beautiful specimen growing in our backyard. It's been growing taller over the last few years and when I looked up at it the other day, I noticed it's flowering for the first time since we planted it!As with other native or plants that are well adapted for the area, the Sabal Palm does not need much in way of fertilizing or watering.  In fact, all we do is trim the old, dry palm fronds occasionally. If you are looking to enhance your landscaping in Florida with native plants and trees, consider a Sabal Palm!     06/13/2015

Hurricane Season 2015 Has Begun - Get Ready, Be Prepared!  June 1 through November 30th is hurricane season in Florida.  We have been very lucky in recent recent years and haven't been hit by a major hurricane since hurricane Wilma hit Florida in 2005.  The weather experts are predicting another quiet hurricane season for this year but nevertheless, we cannot be sure until it's over again in November.Typically, no one should be surprised by a hurricane.  One good thing about hurricanes is that we always know a few days ahead of time that one is comin so there is no excuse not to prepare ahead of time.Now is the time to get ready and prepare for hurricane season:- get together important papers including insurance policies- prepare a hurricane emergency kit that includes necessary medicat... 06/11/2015

Fallen Tree?  Call A-Z!Last weekend, heavy rain and strong wind gusts brought down a relatively big oak tree in the backyard of one of my listed homes for sale in the  Timber Pines community in Spring Hill, Florida. Luckily, the tree didn't hit or damage the house but mY seller had already moved and was a bit at a loss of what to do.  We called several tree services in The Spring Hill area for a quote.  BEFORE:    My seller decided to hire A-Z Tree Services of Hernando Beach and Spring Hill who came out right away, assessed the scope of work, made a recommendation and gave a competitive quote.  Better yet, they were able to complete the job promptly the next day.  This was another big plus since  Timber Pines is a deed-restricted community and not lastly, because there was no need to ex... 05/30/2015

Memorial Day in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida Like all other holidays, residents of the Timber Pines golf and country club community in Spring Hill, Florida, are observing Memorial Day by decorating their community.  Timber Pines is a 55+ community so naturally, many of its residents are Veterans. The last few days leading up to Memorial Day, Timber Pines is a sea of American flags commemorating the occasion.   In Timber Pines, they will remember!  05/24/2015