Boating Safety Class Starting at Coast Guard Auxiliary in Hernando Beach Florida Boating safety is a major issue in a waterfront community like Hernando Beach, Florida, where most home owners are also boat owners.  Our local Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary offers numerous classes around boating every year, this three-class session is a must for every boater and the knowledge and skills gained from it could one day be a life saver! What:  Boating Safety Beginners Class When:  Tuesday, July 15 - Thursday, July 17, 2014 (Three-class session) Time:  7:00-9:30 pm   Where:   Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary, 4340 Calienta Street, Hernando Beach   Fee:  $35 per person, includes text materials   Info:  352-754-5417   What will you learn in this boating safety class?  The class covers... 07/04/2014

Waterfront Home in Hernando Beach - Just Sold!   Listed by Hernando Beach Realtor Silvia Dukes of Tropic Shores Realty, this Hernando Beach waterfront home has just sold!   Property Details: 4063 Centavo Court, Hernando Beach, Florida Built:  2006          Living Area:  2962 SF          Total Area:  5688 SF        Waterfront:  118 feet Sold Price:  $399,000   The sellers listed their dream home with me because of an upcoming relocation.  With four bedrooms and three baths on three levels, and a private pool, this large waterfront home offers space for everyone.   Many extras such as gourmet kitchen, 10 ft ceilings throughout, three balconies overlooking the saltwater canal behind the home and great water views, made this home very attractive for prospective buyers.     The new owners pu... 07/01/2014

Scalloping Season 2014 Has Begun in Hernando Beach, Florida! Today, June 28th, marks the begin of the 2014 scalloping season that will go through September.  Bay scallops thrive in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Hernando Beach up to Crystal River and you'll find them in three to six feet of water.  Scallopers will be out there with snorkels and fins to scoop up those tasty treats from the sea either by hand or using a small dip net.  There is a bag limit of 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell per person per day or one pint of scalop meat per person per day.   Additionally, no more than 10 gallons of whole scallops or 1/2 gallon of scalop meat are allowed per vessel per day.  A saltwater fishing license is required. Scalloping makes for a fun day out on th... 06/28/2014

Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary Offers Basic Kayaking and Canoeing Course   What:  Kayaking and Canoeing Safety Program When:  Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Time:  7:00-9:30 pm Where:  Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary, 4340 Calienta St, Hernando Beach, FL 34607 Cost: $20 per person Info: 352-397-5417   Kayaking and canoeing are among the favorite pastimes and sports in the waterfront community of Hernando Beach.  However, paddlers need to consider their safety when sharing the Hernando Beach waterways with many other boaters.  This basic kayaking and canoeing safety program will cover such topics as safely entering and exiting your kayak or canoe, boating emergencies, hill types, and legal requirements.  Class fee includes a navigation chart and registration starts one hour before cla... 06/08/2014

 Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales May 2014 Waterfront home sales in Hernando Beach, Florida, continued at a steady pace in May 2014 with only slight fluctuations from the previous month.   Active listings of waterfront homes currently available for sale in Hernando Beach increased by three homes. Average list price increased but median list price decreased. Currently, there are nine Hernando Beach waterfront homes under contract, up by two homes. In May 2014, five homes sold in Hernando Beach, down one from the previous month. Of the homes sold, four were located in neighborhoods with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and one is located in Hernando Beach Central.       Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Inventory Active Listings:  63 List Price Range: $139,900 - $613,900 Average List ... 06/06/2014

    National Fishing and Boating Week is June 1 - 8, 2014   National Fishing and Boating week is a national celebration of fishing and boating and according to the "Fishing and Boating Community" is designed to "highlight the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing people’s’ quality of life and preserving our country’s natural beauty."   During this time, many states will offer "free" fishing days where fishermen and women can fish without a fishing license.  Never been fishing?  Want to find out what's it like?  This is a great opportunity to go fishing for the first time or take your kids on their first fishing adventure!         Florida Free Fishing Days   Please note and mark your calendars, Florida free fishing days are expanded with some extra days to enjoy thi... 05/25/2014

Boating in Hernando Beach, Florida, Memorial Day Weekend Memorial Day weekend is a big weekend for boating in Hernando Beach, Florida!  Whether small boats, large boats, motorized or moved by muscle power, there is room for everyone in the canals of Hernando Beach and the Gulf of Mexico.   The weather is fantastic and on a weekend like this, there can easily be a couple hundred boats anchored in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico just behind a few small barrier islands.  This is where everyone hangs out and has a good time swimming, snorkeling, and splashing in the water until it's time to go home!   Looking for a waterfront home?  Waterfront living is more than living in a house by the water.  For real estate and information about living in Hernando Beach, Florida, please call He... 05/25/2014

Sneak Peak: Hernando Beach Waterfront Home for Sale offered by Silvia Dukes PA, Tropic Shores Realty, 352-584-7441 Just in time for summer, this three-story waterfront home in Hernando Beach, Florida, will soon be listed for sale.  The sellers are currently making the last preparations to get their home ready for sale before it will be available.  Property Details: This home offers three bedrooms, two baths on the main living levels, plus a bonus room on the first level with its private bath.  The living area has an open floor plan and it affords some beautiful water views from anywhere in that space. This beautiful Hernando Beach waterfront home for sale is located in a neighborhood of Hernando Beach with direct Gulf access.  Dock your boat behind your home and leave whenever you want ... 05/21/2014

Friday Foto:  Mister Bluebird - Sing me a Song... This year, we are blessed with a number of Bluebirds who have discovered our neighborhood in Hernando Beach, Florida, and seemingly made it their home as well.  Bluebirds are not just pretty, they are also very accomplished singers.  This one was sitting on the power lines in front of our house and I just loved the entertainment.  Although the photo shows three birds, it's a collage of three photos of the same bird showing off from different angles. Mister Bluebird - Sing me a Song... enjoy your Friday! 05/16/2014

    Evening Sky in Hernando Beach Although the sun always sets every night, tonight it was hiding behind some cloud cover so we didn't actually get to enjoy one of those spectacular sunsets we are used to.  Nevertheless, while we were coming in from our boat ride in the Gulf of Mexico, the evening sky over Hernando Beach was picture perfect. Enjoy!       05/10/2014

Florida Nature Video:  A New Butterfly is Born! This morning just as I was about to leave the house, I noticed something moving under the window sill.  I just caught this brand new Gulf Fritillary Butterfly - also known as Passion Butterfly - emerging from its cocoon.  I have written about the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly before as I am observing them all the time in the passion vine that is growing in my front yard, obviously its favorite food.  Click on the link and you can see a few photos of all the different life stages of the Gulf Fritillary butterfly.  Naturally, I ran to get my camera and then watched him as he was drying his wings for about 15 minutes before taking flight for the very first time leaving only an empty cocoon behind.  What an amazing experience right in my own Flori... 05/09/2014

Sunday Fun on the Water in Hernando Beach, Florida Whether boating or floating, there is a lot of fun to be had in a waterfront community like Hernando Beach, Florida.  This Sunday, boaters where making their way to the Gulf of Mexico while others relaxed in their "private island" raft loungers. Waterfront living is a lifestyle that involves more than just living by the water.  If you are interested in living in a waterfront community like Hernando Beach, Florida, please contact me for more information about the various neighborhoods, styles of homes, water ways, dining options, marinas, and more!  You may also visit my website to look for homes for sale in Hernando Beach or call me at 352-584-7441 to receive free listing notifications of waterfront homes - tailored to your specific nee... 05/04/2014

What is Your "Million Dollar Listing?" Not every market is like New York or San Francisco or other places in the country where million dollar listings are as common as sand on a beach. That is definitely true for the real estate market in Hernando County, Florida, where average and median home prices have been hoovering around the $100,000 mark for several months now and are slowly on the upswing. Why am I bringing this up anyway?  Well, it's been a rainy day and I admit, I've just been watching a couple of episodes of the TV "not-so-much-reality" show "Million Dollar Listing" and am just drawing a few comparisons.  Million dollar listings and more importantly, million dollar sales just don't happen very often in my market area.   To be precise, there have only been three residential pr... 05/03/2014

  Hernando Beach Waterfront Home with Pool Now Under Contract listed by Hernando Beach Realtor Silvia Dukes, PA, Tropic Shores Realty As summer is approaching quickly, waterfront homes are becoming a desirable commodity for many buyers.  This Hernando Beach waterfront home with pool just went under contract and is scheduled to close in June of this year. Property Details: 4063 Centavo Court, Hernando Beach, Florida Built:  2006 Living Area:  2962 square foot under heat and air Total Area:  5688 square foot under roof Waterfront:  118 feet Lot Size:  0.20 acres List Price: $439,000 For more details about this great Hernando Beach home, click on the above link. If you are looking for waterfront living in Florida, consider the waterfront community of Hernando Beach.  We are located on the ... 05/03/2014

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales April 2014 Waterfront home sales in Hernando Beach, Florida, increased again in April 2014.  Two more homes successfully sold representing an increase of 50% compared to the previous month. The number of available waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach continues to remain stable with changes only in the distribution of inventory among the different neighborhoods in Hernando Beach.    Overall average and median list prices have decreased influenced by decreases in average and median list prices for homes located in the direct Gulf access neighborhoods of Hernando Beach.  In the indirect neighborhoods of Hernando Beach Central and deed-restricted Hernando Beach South, average list prices increased slightly while median list prices remained stable.... 05/02/2014

Sunset over Hernando Beach with Silver Lining   We had a couple hot days this week with thunder storms moving in late in the afternoons.  Last night just before sunset, the sun was still hidden behind cloud cover only it's reflection on the water could be seen as a silver lining at the horizon. A silver lining indeed as just half an hour later the scenery had changed and those with the patience to wait were rewarded with another beautiful Hernando Beach sunset. After many years of living by the water, it is still amazing to me how quickly the sky can clear and end even a gray or stomry day with a beautiful sunset that looks like a painting in the sky!   Looking to buy or sell a home in Hernando Beach, Florida? For information about living in Hernando Beach and available waterfront homes... 04/30/2014

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales March 2014 Home sales in the waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida, improved slightly in March 2014 with an increase in sales by one property.  Although just slight, average and median sales prices declined once more, an indication that buyers who are in the market for a waterfront home are still looking in the lower prices ranges. Inventory of homes for sale in Hernando Beach is remaining stable.  Price changes and change in inventory from sold homes and new listings result in normal fluctuations in average and median list prices.  Average list price has decreased somewhat while median list price has increased. Home sellers with current listings have to content themselves with average marketing times of 141 days on market.  Those homes tha... 04/21/2014

Too Cute! The Softer Side of Real Estate! Earlier this week, I went to check on one of my Hernando Beach waterfront listings and as I walked toward the back of the home, I came across this family scene! There she was, a proud Mama Duck with thirteen little ducklings all following her toward the water.   What an unexpected treat!  I only had my phone on me to take pictures with and didn't dare to move to get my camera from the car as I didn't want to lose sight of this little family.  Some moments are just too precious to let go. They finally all got to the seawall of the property and on Mama Duck's urging calls, one by one of the little ducklings took the plunge into the water where they gathered under the neighboring dock for a little more quality family time!      Too Cute!  The Softe... 04/19/2014

  Two-Story Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Just Sold!  by Hernando Beach Realtor Silvia Dukes PA, Tropic Shores Realty Property Details: 4468 Bahama Drive, Hernando Beach, Florida Bedrooms:  2    Baths:  2 Living Area under Heat and Air:  1561 SF Total Area under Roof:  3544 SF Sold Price:  $250,000   Financing:  CASH Another beautiful waterfront home in Hernando Beach, Florida, has just sold that was listed by Silvia Dukes of Tropic Shores Realty. The new owners will enjoy  living in a two-story home on a wide saltwater canal with direct access to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico!  From here, it is just minutes to the Gulf and they are looking forward to dock their boat in the canal behind their new home to go boating on a moment's notice. This Hernando Beach home features an open... 04/14/2014

    Hernando Beach Yacht Club Celebrates Blessing of the Fleet Every year, members and guests of the Hernando Beach Yacht Club get together to celebrate the Blessing of the Fleet.  This is an event that originated with Mediterranean seafarers to ensure a safe and bountiful fishing season.  In the more modern version, the Blessing of the Fleet marks the official beginning of the boating season as well.   The Blessing of the Fleet at the Hernando Beach Club drew a number of boats to be blessed by a local priest.  After the blessing, the boats proceeded out to the Gulf of Mexico for a wreath laying in honor and remembrance of those who have lost their lives at sea. The day was concluded with a dinner at the Hernando Beach Yacht Club.  The Blessing of the Fleet is one of the many interestin... 04/06/2014