Florida Realtors Participate in Meals of Hope Event Realtors from across the State participated in a food packaging event for Meals of Hope today during the Florida Realtors annual conference and expo in Orlando.        Meals of Hope was founded to combat hunger in our communities by providing nutrional prepackaged meals.  Participation in events like this are a great way to support those in need across the US.   .               08/13/2014

  Views of Tampa Bay Area from the Air   It's always good to have your camera handy even when flying in an airliner.  I had a window seat the last time I flew into Tampa International Airport and the views as we were coming in from over the Gulf of Mexico were stunning.  As we were approaching the Tampa Bay area, I was able to get some nice shots of the area from the air that show what our area has to offer from sandy white beaches to golf course communities, waterfront homes, and more.  Take a look!   1.  Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Park     2.  Old Tampa Bay Bridge connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.     3.  Feather Sound Country Club Community near St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.     4.  Westshore Yacht Club, Tampa     5.  Tampa Bay Wa... 08/06/2014

Women's Council of Realtors Leadership Academy 2014   After three days of learning and networking at the Women's Council of Realtors (WCR) Leadership Academy in Chicago I am back at work in Florida. The last three days were jam-packed with back-to-back session with topics such as Flag Protocol, Organizing effective governing board meetings, social media marketing, video strategies, and more.  While I don' t have an exact number, I am estimating that at least 250 President-elects for local chapters and state chapters as well as incoming Regional Vice Presidents for WCR came together for this weekend and the ballroom at the Marriott Hotel was filled to capacity for the general sessions.  With all these activities there was still time for play. Saturday night was a dinner dance with DJ and... 08/04/2014

Charity Cruise-In in Spring Hill, Florida   This will be a great event for all classic car lovers and at the same time it's a great event for giving back to the community!   What:  Charity Cruise-In sponsored by Monster Transmission and Chick-Fil-A When:  Tuesday, August 5, 2014 Time:  5 pm to 8 pm Where:  Chick-Fil-A, 13143 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, Florida Information:  1-800-708-0087     Monster Transmission and Chick-Fil-a are coming together again to sponsor another cruise-in event for a charitable cause.  This time, the event will benefit needy school children by collecting school supplies for back-to-school backpacks.  There is no admission fee for cars or spectators but everyone is encouraged to bring some school supplies to support this worthy cause.  There will be live music, ... 07/28/2014

Giving Back to my Community through Rotary It's been several years now since I joined the Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Florida.  What attracted me to Rotary was the idea of networking with other professionals in the community but also learning about and participating in the many community projects Rotary clubs around the world are involved in.   My club has a focus on children and youth and most of our activities center around causes that will help the kids in our our area.  One of my favorite activities is the delivery of dictionaries to all the third graders in Hernando County.  There are several schools each with several classes and we present each kid personally with their own dictionary.  Some have never owned their own book and even in todays world of digital media, they are absolu... 07/27/2014

  Hernando County Farmer's Market Offers German Bread from Yalaha Bakery   This morning, I went to the Hernando County Farmer's Market that takes place every Saturday morning off US 19, Commercial Way, in Spring Hill right in front of the Rural King Store. To my absolute delight, there is now a stand by the best bakery between Spring Hill and Orlando, the Yalaha Bakery!  The Yalaha Bakery offers authentic German bread and pastries - and being a native German I know!     I wrote about the Yalaha Bakery in a previous post and my  60 miles one-way trips to their store near Howey-in-the-Hills for really good bread and pastries - trips well worth it - but now the Yalaha Bakery is  practically coming to my doorstep and that's even better. I came to the Farmer's Market in Spring Hill early thi... 07/26/2014

  Body Language - What Are You Saying Without Speaking a Word?   Body language is an important part of how we present ourselves and can also play a big role in business negotiations.   But not only is body language an important factor in face-to-face communication, it also comes across in our online and printed communications. Lately, I've noticed a trend in the photos that agents use on their marketing materials where they use either full body shots or shots from the waist up where the person is crossing their arms. My guess is that this is supposed to convey a message of conficence, resolve, and competence.  But does it? The crossing of the arms is by its appearance alone a closed posture versus one that is open.  Rather than conveying the intended message, it may convey that the pers... 07/25/2014

  Organic Fall Vegetable Gardening in Spring Hill, Florida   Vegetable gardening is becoming more popular as people are looking for healthier food products.  The University of Florida is offering a class on organic fall vegetable gardening presented through their Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Horticulture Department in Hernando County, Florida.  The presenter is Dr. Bill Lester and the class will take place at the Spring Hill Branch Library.   When:  Wednesday, July 23, 2014 Time:  10:30 am Where:  Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill Admission:  FREE Information:  352-754-4433   If you are interested in healthy living and growing food without pesticides and herbicides, then this class is for you!  Registration is not required but seating... 07/20/2014

Rhino in China Shop You know about the proverbial elephant in the china shop so you may appreciate this little twist. Yesterday, I introduced you to another luxury item for sale at the KaDeWe, Kaufhaus des Westens, in Berlin, Germany, and you can read about it here.   The KaDeWe is one of Europe's famous premier shopping destinations where you can find expensive and extraordinary luxury items that you won't find in your neighborhood mall.      Not surprisingly, I spotted this Rhino was spotted on the fourth floor of this exclusive shopping paradise in the Glass, Crystal, and Porcelain department.  Note:  It's porcelain not just plain "china".   The Rhino is a product of the equally famous Meissen Porcelain Manufacturer located in Dresden, Germany, and commands the handsome sum of 20,000... 07/20/2014

  Luxury in a Bottle! Luxury in a bottle could be various things.  Many women would think of a special perfume or beauty product.  But this bottle contains a different elixir that both men and women might enjoy.  Photographed in the Delikatessen department at the KaDeWe, an upscale department store in Berlin, Germany, and housed in a special display case, this bottle contains a special blend of Blended Scotch Whiskey.         Just one of 200 bottles worldwide, this Whiskey was bottled to commemorate Johnny Walker's 200th birthday.  The bottle is packaged in its own humidor and also comes with an authentic 19th century writing pen. If you have to ask, you may not be able to afford.  This bottle is offered for sale at 23,000 Euro or depending on the exchange rate between $31,000 and $32,0... 07/19/2014

Business Opportunity in Seafood Processing, Retail, Wholesale Available offered by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes, Tropic Shores Realty Excellent business opportunity for retail, wholesale, and seafood processing and supply business available in Spring Hill, Florida. Product:  Clam neck fryers and half shell clams, a natural Florida product, would be a opportunity for catering, retail, or wholesale to restaurants or a great expansion opportunity for existing business such as restaurants, mobile food vendors, or seafood markets.  Premises and Location:  The business is located in a very visible location of Spring Hill in a commercial plaza with lots of other commercial activity conducive to walk-in traffice for a retail establishment.  Premises are leased and the sale of this business ... 07/18/2014

"I'm Not Doing That!" She Said   The other day, I couldn't help but overhear a newer agent on the phone while on floor duty.  She was loud enough for everyone in the office to hear and apparently she was venting to the person on the other end about something a customer had asked her to do.  "I'm Not Doing That!" she said and I thought, it must be something pretty bad.  Well, she kept explaining and it turned out that buyers she had been working with had asked her to preview a property and send them additional photos.   "She is not doing that?" I thought.  There are probably a ton of things Realtors do for their customers that are not necessarily part of the "job description" if such a thing even exists.   For example, over the years, I have pulled the occasional weed to maintain curb ap... 07/16/2014

Just Listed and Now Sold? Why Some Properties Don't Stay on the Market Long!   Lately, newly listed Spring Hill homes for sale seem to be listed one day and sold the next.  This is certainly true for some of my own listings that have experienced very few days on the market before receiving offers - sometimes same day offers - and sometimes multiple offers.    Usually short time on the market is not a coincidence but rather a lot of thought and effort go into the positioning and marketing of the home to achieve the desired results.  Here are some of the major reasons - in no particular order - why Spring Hill  homes for sale don't stay on the market long:     1.  Pricing.  Of course, this is one of the major reasons.  A home that is priced correctly in any market will receive more showin... 07/13/2014

Central Florida Disc Dog UpDog Challenge Coming to Spring Hill, Florida!   When:  Saturday, July 19, 2014 Time:  5:30 pm Where:  Anderson Snow Park, 1360 Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. Registration:  Required.  Please follow this link to register. Registration Fee per Game:  $10   This is a new event for the Spring Hill area that dog lovers won't want to miss!     Several games of high flying discs with high jumping dogs will be played.  Each game - Frizgility, Throw N'Go, 4WayPlay, and FunKey - will  have only 25 participants so hurry up and register to save your spot!  Register for one or for all and enjoy a fun time with your favorite canine competing against other dog/owner teams.    For more information visit the website of the Central Florida Dog and Disc Club   Spectators welco... 07/12/2014

Home Sales in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida, for June 2014   Home sales in the Timber Pines 55+ community in Spring Hill, Florida, increased once again in June 2014 by five units representing an increase of 36% over the previous month! Average days on market for homes sold in Timber Pines increased to 61 day, attributable to "slower" summer months.  Currently, there are 12 homes and villas under contract in the Timber Pines community, a decrease from the previous month.   Average and median list prices continue to go up for homes in Timber Pines. Average and median sold prices also increased in June.  Average sold prices saw a 21% increase over May.       Sales Prices in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida May 2014   After a temporary slowdown in sales in May, June picked up pace ag... 07/12/2014

Luxurious Pool Home with Four Bedrooms for Sale in Huntington Woods, Spring Hill, Florida listed by Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida   Beautiful... elegant... luxurious... those attributes come to mind when you see this newly listed pool home for sale in the upscale Spring Hill neighborhood of Huntington Woods!   Property Details: 10240 Huntington Woods Ave, Spring Hill, Florida Built:  2005       Lot Size:  0.5 acres 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, Oversized 2 Car Living Area under Heat/Air:  2463 SF Total Area under Roof:  3349 SF List Price:  $200,000         This Home is no longer available.   Please contact Realtor Silvia Dukes at 352-584-7441 for more information.     From the moment you enter this home, you will notice the attention to the many detai... 07/11/2014

    Silverthorn Golf Course Community in Spring Hill, Florida - Home Sales Report provided by Realtor Silvia Dukes, Tropic Shores Realty   This homes sales report for the Silverthorn Golf Course Community in Spring Hill, Florida covers the period from January through June 2014.    Currently, there are 18 homes for sale in the Silverthorn Golf Course Community List Price Range:  $159,000 - $899,000 Average List Price:  $310,331 Median List Price:  $245,875   From January 2014 through June 2014, 26 homes have sold in the Silverthorn community: Sold Price Range:  $95,000 - $625,000 Average Sold Price:  $201,242 Median Sold Price:  $165,500   Compared to the same time frame in 2013, average sold prices for homes in the Silverthorn Golf course community increased by 24% and median sold price... 07/11/2014

  Hernando County Florida Home Sales June 2014   provided by Silvia Dukes, REALTOR, Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida   Home sales in Hernando County, Florida, increased slightly in June 2014 fro the previous month sales.   Both average and median sales prices increased in June.  Average sale price increased by 8.6% while median sales price increased by less than 1%. The number of homes under contract in Hernando County decreased slightly. Inventory of homes for sale in Hernando County continues to decrease.  Average days on market for homes sold in June 2014 increased by 5 days to 94 days.     Hernando County Home Sales June 2014 Homes Currently on Market*:  1267 Total Homes Under Contract:  536 SOLD June 2014:  276 Sales Price Range:  16,000 - $750,000 Average Sales Price:  $... 07/10/2014

  Another Pool Home Sold in Spring Hill, Florida! listed by Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, of Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida   This Spring Hill pool home with fenced yard has found its new owner!  The seller came to me in April of this year to list this home that he had acquired as a fixer upper and completely remodeled.  He did a great job with new paint, new flooring, replacing appliances and fixtures and it didn't take long until this home went under contract. Property Details: Address:  13413 Tyringham Street, Spring Hill, Florida 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage Living Area under Heat/Air:  1200 SF Total Area under Roof:  1864 SF Built:  1987    Lot Size:  0.23 acres Sold Price:  $86,000 This home sold at 96% of list price and the buyer used conventional financing.  They wi... 07/07/2014

Model Airplane Presentation in Hernando County, Florida   The Hernando County library system is hosting two events this month at two different library branches for anyone interested in learning about model airplanes! Members of the Hernando Aero Modelers R/C club will give a presentation about radio-controlled model airplanes under the title "Identified Flying Objects." The dates, times and locations are as follows: 1.  Wednesday, July 9, 2014, 10:15am.      Ridge Manor Community Center, 34240 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville.   2.  Tuesday, July 15, 2014, 10:15am.       Main Library, 238 Howell Avenue, Brooksville.   For more registration and more information contact the Hernando County Library system at 352-754-4043 or visit their website.   Model Airplane Presentation in Hernando County, Fl... 07/06/2014