New "LEGO" Club at Library in Spring Hill, Florida Who doesn't remember playing with LEGOs as kids?  Now Children in the Spring Hill, Florida, can join the new "LEGO" Club at the Spring Hill library.  All materials will be provided by the library and kids ages 8-12 can play together and build their favorite LEGO creations.  The "LEGO" Club meets every third Thursday of the month from 5-6 pm.  The next event will take place on Thursday, April 17, 2014. Advanced registration is encouraged but not required.  The Spring Hill library is located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, Florida. For more information about the "LEGO" Club, call the library at 352-754-4043 or visit their website. New "Lego" Club at Library in Spring Hill, Florida Photo Credit:  Toy Bricks by Idea Go, freedigitalp... 04/12/2014

Realtors Go on Parade of Homes in Spring Hill, Florida Home builders in Hernando County, Florida, are currently presenting their model homes in the annual Parade of Homes and Hernando County Realtors loaded up a bus to tour these model homes today. We started out after a quick breakfast gathering and loaded up a bus to go on the Parade of Homes.  With nearly 50 Realtors on tour, participation in the event was great!  All in all, we saw 13 model homes and condos by nine home builders across Hernando County!     Given the fact, that there had not been much new home construction in the last few years, this tour of the Parade of Homes in Hernando County was a great way to get re-aquainted with the local builders and their product.  There were definitely a few models that I were new to me an... 04/08/2014

  Rotary of Spring Hill Florida Hosts Annual Middle School Brain Bowl     The Rotary Club of Spring Hill once again hosted the annual Middle School Brain Bowl on Saturday, April 5, 2014 for the 21st time!   A popular event, the Brain Bowl is an academic competition among the public middle schools in Hernando County.  Teams of students ring in with buzzers to win the opportunity to correctly answer a questions from a variety of subjects including math, science, geography, literature, history and current events.     As always, competition between the teams was stiff this year with an excellent showing by all schools involved.  Ultimately, the team from Challenger K-8 School took the victory and the team from Explorer K-8 School took second place.  Students, families, and organizers enjoye... 04/07/2014

Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes Quoted in Florida Realtor Magazine   There is a familiar face in the April edition of the Florida Realtor Magazine.  The focus of this month's Florida Realtor Magazine is on global real estate and internatinal buyers and sellers. Yes, I am thrilled to have been quoted in one of the articles about Community-based Marketing Ideas to reach international buyers in your backyard! My little "blurp" in the magazine is about how to tap into the vacation market in working with foreign buyers.  Some of my Florida Realtor collegues read the article before me, I didn't know about it until earlier this week, I received a few congratulatory messages via email and social media.  Not only was I surprised, I also feel honored that one of my contributions was chosen for t... 04/02/2014

Tuesday brought Bananas! After a long, long wait, our bananas are finally ripening!  The banana trees in our backyard had been blooming last Fall and set fruit.  Gardening in Florida can take many different forms and fruit trees like citrus and bananas are a favorite of many Florida gardeners.     All winter long, I've been making sure, the baby bananas didn't get "cold" even wrapping them up when there was the slightest chance of a frosty night.     It took them a long time to grow and turning yellow but with warmer temperatures setting in, I noticed the other day that the green started to turn lighter.  Today, I was able to pick the first small bunch, eight bananas in all.  There are only seven in the photo because I had eaten the first one fresh from the tree!  I doesn't get any bett... 04/01/2014

In Florida Spring Home Selling is in Full Swing As winter is refusing to let go in many states north of us, Spring home selling here in Florida is in full swing.  Spring Hill home owners who are thinking about selling can still take advantage of the Spring home selling season.  Typically, our season starts shortly after the new year and is fueled by more than one group of people who are looking for second homes and vacation homes in Spring Hill, Florida as well as primary residences: 1.  There are the "snowbirds" - those people who are renting a place in the sun during the winter months - and who are now faced with having to go back "up north" soon.  Snowbirds are beginning to make plans for the coming season and many decide they would rather have a place of their own so they won't have... 03/29/2014

Just for Fun:  Something on a Stick Day! There is a day for everything and today - just in case you didn't know - is "Something on a Stick Day!" Lots of good things apparently come on sticks.  Popsicles and lollipops automatically come to my mind.  How about more healthy things like fruit and veggies, and there is always shrimp and meats - grilling season is coming up soon!  Who needs silverware when you can put it on a stick? What things do you come up with for "Something on a Stick Day?" Hope you enjoyed this totally useless trivia and enjoy your Friday!    Photo Credits:  choco stick by digitalart, grilled meat by boulemonademoon, twisted candy by Stuart Miles, freedigitalimages.net         03/28/2014

Ride the Easter Eggspress Train Rides At Crews Lake Wilderness ParkAll aboard the Easter Eggspress Trains at Crews Lake Wilderness Park on Saturday, April 19, 2014.   The Central Pasco and Gulf Railroad (7.5” gauge) is having an Easter celebration with Train Ride Easter Egg Hunts for ages 1-3, 4-6, and 7-10. Trains to the hunt areas leave on the hour at 11am, 12,  1, 2, and 3pm. $3/per person; children under 1 year are free. To access the CP&G website, click here.   Be sure to bring your basket (for the eggs) and your camera.   And I’ve heard a rumor that the Easter Bunny will put in a special appearance. Best put this one on your calendar right now. There is a $2.00 charge per car for admittance to the park.     The Easter Eggspress Train Rides event brought to you as a courtesy by   T... 03/24/2014

Florida Realtors talk to Lawmakers during Great American Realtor Days Wednesday was Great American Realtor Day in Tallahassee, Florida, and I had the pleasure to participate with a group of Realtors from Hernando County and our neighbors to the north, Citrus County.   Florida Realtors from across the state attended this day in Tallahassee to meet with their respective lawmakers.  Hernando County Realtors met with Senator Wilton Simpson, Representative Jimmy Smith, and Speaker of the House Rob Schenck to discuss topics that concern Realtors and homeownership including issues such as property insurance, commercial lease tax, affordable housing and water issues. Senate President Don Gaetz addressed the attendees and the 2014 Florida Realtors team in a welcoming speech held on the steps of ... 03/22/2014

Celebrating Spring with Rotary "End Polio Now"     Just in time for Spring, Rotary clubs everywhere are engaging in a new awareness campaign to promote "End Polio Now" with the purple crocus as a symbol. Did you know?  Polio kills and paralyses young children.  There is no cure for polio but it can be prevented through immunization.  Just 25 years ago, 350,000 children were affected by polio each year.  Thanks to the efforts of Rotary and other organizations, there were only 223 cases in 2012.  We are "This close to ending polio!" Rotary International has been involved in a worldwide immunization program to end polio and as each child is immunized, it receives a purple dot on one finger to make show that it has received the immunization.  Thus, the purple crocus was selected as a symbol... 03/20/2014

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Timber Pines Community in Spring Hill, Florida! The residents of the Timber Pines 55+ Golf and Country Club are showing their community spirit    once again with all the beautiful decorations for St. Patrick's Day throughout the community! Clover abounds and there seem to be quite a few lucky Irishman who have moved into the community wishing everyone a "top o' the morning to ye". When you live in Timber Pines, there must be a pot of gold somewhere and if you can't find it, you may just be content with getting a hole in one!  With four private golf courses in the community available to residents, you should be getting plenty of practice to achieve this goal! Meanwhile, enjoy the many activities and festivities surrounding St. Patty's Day! Curious about l... 03/16/2014

Building Lot for Sale in Pristine Place, Spring Hill, FloridaJust listed by Spring Hill Realtor Silvia Dukes of Tropic Shores RealtyExceptional corner building lot for sale located in desirable gated community of Pristine Place in Spring Hill, Florida.  This oversized Pristine Place lot can accommodate a large home with swimming pool so build your dream home on this beautiful lot in a neighborhood of upscale homes and enjoy Florida living!Property Details:Address:  Cornwall Lane, Spring Hill, Florida 34609Lot Size:  14,278 SF or 0.33 acresList Price:  $22,500  This lot has SOLD. Please contact me to find out about other available properties. Thank you! About Pristine Place in Spring Hill, FloridaPristine Place is a gated and deed-restricted neighborhood in Spring Hill, Florida.  Communi... 03/13/2014

Timber Pines 55+ Community - Villa with Family Room - Just Sold! by Silvia Dukes PA, Realtor with Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida This Timber Pines villa with family room home has now sold!  The home is in good condition and was positioned well compared to other competing properties and those that had recently sold.          The seller received two offers within just a few days on the market and was in a great position to negotiate for a full price contract.  It took only 19 days from placing this Timber Pines villa for sale in the Multiple Listing Service until closing date!    Property Detail:  6610 Inverary Lane, Spring Hill, Florida   2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths   Living Area under Heat/Air:  1457 SF     Total Area under Roof:  2021    Sold Price:  $85,000    Terms:  Cash     The... 03/12/2014

What is DOM in Real Estate and What Does it Mean?   Sooner or later prospective buyers and sellers will come across the abbreviation DOM and ask what is hiding behind this piece of real estate jargon.  The short answer is:  DOM stands for Days on Market and indicates the number of days a property has been on the market for sale.  Having said that, looking at days on market at face value will not always tell the whole story of a home for sale.   Days on market start counting from the day a Spring Hill home for sale is entered in the Multiple Listing Service - or MLS for short - and continue to accumulate until this property goes under contract.   Some properties seem to accumulate a lot of DOM while others seem to have only a few days.   There are lots and lots of properties on the marke... 03/11/2014

Home Sales in Timber Pines, Spring Hill Florida for February 2014 Real estate market data for the Timber Pines community in Spring Hill, Florida provided by  Silvia Dukes PA, Tropic Shores Realty    Homes Sales in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida Inventory of homes for sale in Timber Pines increased since last month for the first time in several months.  Average and median list prices continue  to increase. Average days on market for homes sold in Timber Pines in February was 69 days while average days on market for homes that are still in inventory is presently at  73 days.  Closed home sales in Timber Pines increased in February by two units compared to January 2014 home sales in Timber Pines. Currently, 29 homes and villas are under  contract in the Timber Pines community, a slow d... 03/08/2014

Spring Forward 2014 - Daylight Saving Time Begins Reminder to change your clocks tonight and set them ahead by one hour before going to bed. Spring has been a little slow to arrive in many parts of the US so maybe springing forward into daylight saving time will set a signal!  Did you know?  Almost all the states in the US are participating in Daylight Saving Time except for Arizona and Hawaii! While you are setting your clocks, you may also remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.    photo "Beautiful Orange Flowers And Grass" courtesy of jannoon028, freedigitalphotos.net Spring Forward 2014 - Daylight Saving Time Begins   03/07/2014

Florida Birdwatching - Palm Warbler on the Patio Anyone who has followed my blog for a while knows I love birds and birdwatching.  Today, I noticed this little Palm Warbler on the patio jumping around in the Blueberry bushes that I am keeping there in big pots.  The blueberries are currently in full bloom and this little bird kept sticking his beak into the blossoms.  I wonder what he was looking for?  Palm Warblers eat small insects and sometimes berries as well but there are no berries on the bushes yet.  Whatever it is that is attracting this little Palm Warbler, it was entertaining watching him and even more fun trying to catch him in the act on camera.  Florida is the winter range for the Palm Warbler which is making him a snow bird escaping the ice and cold of his more northern su... 03/06/2014

Hernando County Florida Home Sales February 2014 provided by Silvia Dukes, REALTOR, Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida Hernando County homes sales stabilized in February with just one fewer sold property than the previous month.   Homes under contract increased once again from the previous month.  While January saw a dramatic increase, this number normalized in February with a nearly 5% increase in homes under contract.   February home sales in Hernando County saw one home sale that achieved a price well above all the others with $1,340,000. Not surprisingly, this one sale positively influenced average and median home sales overall.  To put things into perspective, the next highest home sales price in Hernando County for February was $360,000.     As a result of this one sale, a... 03/03/2014

Maintenance Free Villa in Timber Pines 55+ Community Now Pending! listed by Realtor Silvia Dukes, Tropic Shores Realty, Spring Hill, Florida   This maintenance free villa in Timber Pines 55+ community in Spring Hill, Florida is now pending! Whether it was the Timber Pines golf and country club amenities or the carefree lifestyle this maintenance free villa in Timber Pines has to offer,  this home stayed on the market for only six days before it went under contract.     Listed for sale on a Friday, this end unit Timber Pines villa received not one but two competing offers just a few days later.  Not surprising, because the seller did not make any of the biggest seller mistakes.  This Timber Pines villa for sale was positioned correctly, the seller prepared the home for sale with new pain... 03/02/2014

A Few of my Favorite Things about Spring!    by Silvia Dukes   New green leaves and pink peach blossoms bees and birds and even a 'possum lady bird bugs with polka dot wings those are a few of my favorite things ... about Spring!   Rays of warm sunshine as it touches my skin nature awakening to a call from within listening to birds and song that is fit for kings those are a few of my favorite things... about Spring!      Spring is in the air!  Even here in Florida where nature gives us plenty of green and nice flowers even in the winter time, we  feel that Spring is coming!  I've noticed in the last few days, that our decidious trees are putting on new, fresh green that looks so light and beautiful in the sunlight.  My neighbor's peach tree has been blooming and if  you sit still and ju... 03/01/2014