"NeverWet" - Have You Seen or Used this Household Product? Apparently, NeverWet is a fairly new household product that has been around at least since the summer of last year and is available at your favorite home improvement store.  It's made by Rust-Oleum and is a superhydrophobic spray-on coating that repels water and all kinds of other liquids.  I saw the video on YouTube and thought it was amazing!  Just imagine the possibilities especially for the upcoming Spring cleaning!  There are some pretty good examples of where you could use NeverWet including your kid's shoes, litter boxes, and other yucky stuff that you would normally have to scrub in order to clean it.  It seems that with NeverWet it doesn't get yucky in the first place. I guess it'll wear off after a while and there may... 01/30/2014

Beating Competitors When Multiple Offers Surface On Spring Hill FL Real Estate Listings        Part of the recovery in Spring Hill FL real estate scene is the increasing likelihood of multiple offers on a listed property. This is every seller’s dream— but if you are one of the bidders, it’s important that you don’t allow it to become your nightmare. There is one way— the only sure way—to keep the specter of competing Spring Hill FL multiple offers from upsetting your home buying prospects. Summed up in one word, it’s “preparation.” Preparation starts with assembling a strong financial package. If your target property attracts multiple offers, you want yours to stand out. By the time you learn that other offers are at hand, it’s probably already too late to begin putting together documen... 01/26/2014

Biggest Home Seller Mistakes Infographic Recently, I participated in an Activerain survey about the top three seller mistakes home sellers can make when they are listing their homes for sale.  The survey results are now in and the top six biggest home seller mistakes are illustrated in the infographic below. Overpricing a home Not surprisingly, overpricing a home is right at the top of biggest home seller mistakes.  Overpriced homes are not getting showings and will linger on the market without receiving offers.  Homes in the Spring Hill, Florida, area sell on average at 95% of the list price - that is the final list price at the time a buyers makes an offer.  It should not be surprising then that Spring Hill homes that are overpriced by 10 or more per cent of comparable properties will... 01/26/2014

To present or not to present... It's up to the seller to decide!  I just read a discussion about the presentation of verbal offers to buy a home.  In the post and in most of the comments, agents expressed that they would not present any offers except written offers.  There are many good reasons for this of course, one of the most important ones is that should verbal offers result in verbal contracts - although valid - may not be enforcable in a court of law.  However, one important thing was missing from the discussion:  it is not up to me as the agent representing the seller to decide which or what type of offers to accept or present.  In fact, whether or not to be presented with verbal offers is the sellers choice to make! Here in Florida, our listing contracts have a provision where ... 01/25/2014

Beware of tbe "One Ring Phone Scam" The news are buzzing with a new twist on a cell phone scam where your phone will ring and when it you answer it, the call will disconnect.   If you haven't heard of this scam yet listen up.  We all get here type of phone calls made from robocalls to random phone numbers.  As tempting as it may be, don't call those numbers back! Apparently, this latest scam is not just to identify and verify valid phone numbers but calling one of these numbers back can actually cost you dearly! If you do call back, the number will rack up charges on YOUR phone bill and the longer you stay on the call, the higher the charges.  rortedly, these calls originate from the Caribbean a with a portion of the charges going back in the pockets of the scammers! Of course, anyone c... 01/24/2014

Congratulations to the 2014 Leadership of the Florida CRS Chapter The Florida Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Chapter conducted their committee and governance meetings this week in Orlando during the Florida Realtors mid-winter meetings.  Today, during the CRS Installation and Awards luncheon, Mark Hess, Kansas CRS Regional Vice President, installed the 2014 Florida CRS Chapter's leadership team:  President Paula Angelopoulus Urbinati, President-Elect Susanna Madden, Secretary Jo Easton and Treasurer Dominic Pallini.  Congratulations!     Throughout the event, CRS members held commitee and board meetings to discuss and plan the activities for this year.  I am honored to serve as 2014 Vice-Chair of the Florida CRS Global Alliance Committee together with Chair April Gayle Gausman (... 01/23/2014

Villages of Avalon in Spring Hill, Florida   The Villages of Avalon in Spring Hill, Florida  is one of the areas newer communities. Villages of Avalon is a deed-restricted community conveniently located near the Suncoast Expressway for an easy commute to Tampa within 30-40 minutes.  The Villages of Avalon community presents itself with wide roads, beautifully maintained surroundings, sidewalks and several individual "villages".  Homeowners can enjoy the spacious community clubhouse with swimming pool and fitness center.  With just $38 a month, homeowner's association fees are low in the Villages of Avalon.   Homes for sale in the Villages of Avalon are available as new construction homes as well as resale homes.  Home prices begin in the $120s with a median home price for resale homes o... 01/21/2014

Treat Yourself at Twistee Treat in Spring Hill, Florida Twistee Treat now serves up its tasty ice cream treats in Spring Hill, Florida! I scream - You scream - We all scream for ice cream!  This ice cream shop in Spring Hill is a fun place!  It's so colorful and the ice cream cone-shaped roof leaves no questions what kind of treat is served here!  You can choose from lots of flavors in addition to the usual vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavors, pick your favorite cone or get it in a bowl, then add some sprinkles, nuts or a dip.  They also have sundaes, shakes, and slushies at Twistee Treat and if you want something more substantial (...before dessert) try one of their "slider dogs"!      Twistee Treat in Spring Hill is located in the Beall's Plaza at 13300 Cortez Blvd, Spring Hill,... 01/20/2014

Unusual Rainbow This morning, the windshield my car was covered in dew from the night.  When I got into the car to go my first appointment, I noticed this unusual rainbow that had formed in the dew drops.  Unfortunately, I  had to turn on the wipers but not before snapping this photo to share! The graininess in the photo are the actual waterdrops on the windshield. Just another example of the creativity of Mother Nature!   01/20/2014

Brooksville Raid 2014 150 years ago during the Civil War,  Union troops launched a raid on the city of Brooksville.  This weekend, the 34th annual reenactment of this raid took place at the Scout Reservation in Spring Hill, Florida.   We attended the event today to experience the recreation of a bit of history, smell the smoke of the camp fires, listen to the drums and bugles, feel the canon shots and hear the battle cries.  In the end, as taps was played in honor of all that lost their lives, the fallen reenactors came back to life and the troops marched off the field in formation to the applause of the audience.      Interested in homes for sale in Brooksville and Spring Hill, Florida?   Please contact me at 352-584-7441 for more information about the area and a list of homes for sale... 01/19/2014

Pets and What Not to Do when Selling Your Home We love our pets and sometimes have to deal with less pleasant things associated with pet ownership.   However, when it comes to selling your Spring Hill home be aware of some seller mistakes that involve living with pets.  The following examples are all true stories that I have experienced while out with buyers showing homes with pets.  If you are squeamish, you might want to stop right here and skip this post.  Otherwise, find out what not to do when selling your home: "Can you swim in this water?"  A buyer asked me this question while we were standing outside a beautiful waterfront home enjoying the view.  Just as I was going to answer the question, the homeowner comes along scooping up dog poop and throwing it over the seawall.  Needles... 01/15/2014

We buy houses Spring Hill Florida. If you own a home and want to sell it fast, please call us today. We having been buying homes in Central and North FL for over 20 years now. 352-658-3755 or www.WeBuyHouses352.com We buy them in all conditions from junkers to dollhouses. Our specialty is damaged houses like sinkhole, fire, storm, mold, and termites. But we also buy homes with more typical issues like outdated floor plans and leaky roofs. Even if the home needs little to no work but you just need to sell quickly, we can help. We buy sinkhole houses. Sell Spring Hill home fast. We help sellers in all situations. With 20 years in the business of hundreds of homes closed, there are few things we have not dealt with. Some of these situations include: Foreclosure Short Sale Probate Relocatio... 01/15/2014

Silverthorn Golf and Country Club Community - Home Sales 2013 Home sales in the Silverthorn Country Club Community increased by an astonishing 71% over home sales in Silverthorn in 2012.  That is good news for this beautiful upscale community that was suffering from stagnating sales activity in the previous years.  With increased sales activity, total marketing time or days on market also decreased for homes for sale in Silverthorn.  Days on market in 2012 was 138 decreasing to 103 in 2013. Sales price range overall also increased thanks to one high priced executive home in the Firethorn area within the Silverthorn community that sold just before the end of the year.  Median and average sales prices; however, decreased in 2013 compared to the previous year.   Short Sales and Foreclosure... 01/13/2014

Price of Stamps to Increase January 2014 - Stock up on Forever Stamps! You might want to stock up on "Forever" stamps again as postage rates are ging up later this month.  The 2014 postage increase will take effect on January 26, 2014 and will raise the cost of stamps as follows: Letter Postage will be 49 cents for a 1 ounce letter. Any additional ounce will be an additional 21 cents. Postcards:  Sending a postcard will be 34 cents. International Mail:  A letter sent overseas will be $1.15 for one ounce. Buying "Forever" stamps before the new postal rates take effect lets you buy stamps at the current rate and you can use them "forever" regardless of what the actual price of postage will be in the future.  Since first class letter postage will go up by 3 cents, you will save $3.00 when ... 01/12/2014

2014 Brooksville Raid Civil War Reenactment - January 18-19, 2014   What:  34th Annual Brooksville Raid Civil War Reenactment When:  Saturday, January 18, 2014             Sunday, January 19, 2014 Time:   Camps open 9 am, battles 2 pm Where:  Sandhill Scout Reservation, Cortez Blvd (Hwy 50), Spring Hill, Florida Admission:  $8/adults, $4/ages 6-12, Free admission for scouts in uniform Parking:  Free, on site Information:  352-799-0129   The 2014 Annual Brooksville Raid Civil War Reenactment also commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War Raid on Brooksville, Florida.  This is a popular annual event that draws hundreds of reenactors and thousands of visitors to the area for the two day event. Whether you are a civil war buff or have never been to a reenactment, you will find ple... 01/09/2014

Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida - 2013 Home Sales in Review Homes sales in the golf course community of Timber Pines in Spring Hill, Florida did well in 2013! Sold prices for homes sold in Timber Pines were on the increase but the real news for home sales in Timber Pines in 2013 was the increase in the number of homes sold compared to the previous year.  Home sales in Timber Pines increased by no less than 40.5% in 2013 and as a result, inventory levels continuously decreased throughout the year.  In January 2012, there were still 126 homes for sale in Timber Pines.   Fast forward to January 2013 and only 46 homes are on the market in this desirable 55+ community.   Find Homes for Sale in Timber Pines, Spring Hill Florida Timber Pines is a popular golf course community for active 55+... 01/07/2014

Another Pool Home in Spring Hill, Florida - Just Sold! by REALTOR® Silvia Dukes with Tropic Shores Realty in Spring Hill, Florida.   The buyers for this Spring Hill pool home came to me in November of last year for help in looking for their new Florida home.  They didn't find what they wanted while they were here but after a week of showings, I had a good understanding of what they liked.  So when this Spring Hill pool home became available for sale, I previewed it for them, sent them more photos and videos of the property and they were ready to make an offer.  After some negotiation, the contract was signed December 8, 2012 and the happy buyers received the keys to their new home in Spring Hill, Florida, today! Property Details: Built in 1995 with 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage, and... 01/07/2014

Home Sales in Timber Pines, Spring Hill Florida for December 2013 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 For the first time in several months, inventory decreased again in Timber Pines, down by four units. Average and median list prices continue to increase. Average days on market for homes sold in Timber Pines in December was 53 days. Closed home sales in Timber Pines increased by one unit in December compared to the previous month. Currently, 18 homes and villas are under contract in the Timber Pines community.     Sales Prices in Timber Pines, Spring Hill, Florida for December 2013 As buyers moved into higher price ranges in December 2013, ov... 01/06/2014

Preparing Plants for Cold Weather in Florida Cold weather and Florida really don't go together but every once in a while we too are reminded of what it feels like when the temperature drops. Weather changes can happen quite rapidly.  Yesterday, we had temperatures in the 70s and were walking around in shorts.  This morning, we awoke to fog, then it rained, then a cold wind set it and the degrees started falling.  By noon it was in the fifties and it's been getting colder by the hour.  By now, we've dug out warmer jackets, socks, scarves, and even gloves.  Some areas are expecting frost in the early morning hours so preparing for this cold weather is a necessity.  Northerners may wonder why Floridians hang their laundry out in the front yard on cold winter days! Since our climate is usua... 01/06/2014

Smoothing the Way for Selling Your Spring Hill Florida Home   The signs are positive for those who will be putting their home on the local market this winter. Demand is there, mortgage rates are still low, and across the nation, prices are pointing higher. If you will be selling a home in Spring Hill FL anytime soon, there are some extra steps you can take to strengthen your position.   Clarify Your Finances Getting a home loan in Spring Hill FL will be the concern of the buyer, not you. She or he will have to fill out the forms, go through the credit checks, etc. More subtle is the impact your own financial picture can have on the process of selling a home in Hernando County. If you will be moving to a new home yourself, it’s a good idea to get pre-qualified by a local Spring Hill Mort... 01/05/2014