Stormy Spring Weather in Florida Today - Glad it's not Snow! This should make all the northerners feel good for a change.  We are experiencing a very wet and stormy day here in Florida today ahead of a cold front that's bringing cooler temperatures tomorrow. It's been lighting and thundering all morning.  It's raining buckets and the wind is kicking!  We've already had almost four inches of rain today and may get some more before the day is over.  It's a day for staying in the house and making the best of a rainy day.  But of course it could be much worse.  We are glad this isn't snow that's coming down!  According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Water Science School, one inch of water equals about ten inches of snow.  Could you imagine Florida getting 40 inches of snow?  ... 03/29/2014

Flood Insurance Relief Bill Signed by President   This week, the President signed the long awaited flood insurance relief bill into law and with that, anticipated flood insurance rate increases for waterfront properties or those located in flood plains has been halted.   Over the last few months, there was much uncertainty resulting from the Biggert-Waters Act that subsequently discouraged prospective buyers of waterfront properties.  Read previous updates on the Biggert-Waters flood insurance repeals.    With the change to the law waterfront home owners and prospective buyers of waterfront properties can breathe easier and we are anticipating an increase in sales of Hernando Beach waterfront homes in the coming months!   Just in time for boating season!   Homeowners who have already pa... 03/25/2014

Hernando Beach Florida Dolphin Raffle to Support New Community Park The Hernando Beach Property Owners Association is currently raising funds for the construction of the Triangle Park at the intersection of Shoal Line and Osowaw Boulevards as part of the Hernando Beach beautification program. There has already been quite a bit of activity these past months to clear the area and reshape it for new landscaping and walk ways.  A few new palm trees have been planted already.  A few weeks ago, I wrote about the bear statue that has been installed at the Hernando Beach entrance in recognition of the Florida bear population in the area.   Jude Simpson, 2014 President of the Property Owners Association, explains in this video a little more about the plans for the park:   Interested in living in... 03/18/2014

Repealing Biggert-Waters - Update on Flood Insurance March 2014 Waterfront home owners can breathe a little easier today as the United States Congress has just passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act H.R. 3370 by a vote of 72-22.   In October, I wrote about the original legislation known as the Biggert-Waters Act that was enacted in 2012 and took effect in October of last year threatening many waterfront home owners with unaffordable flood insurance rate increases.  In January, the Senate passed a bill to remedy the unintended effects of the Act to which the House responded with a version of their own that then had to be passed by the Senate.   The final bill that was just passed by Congress and is now being sent to the President for signature will repeal some of the unin... 03/14/2014

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales February 2014 Hernando Beach waterfront home sales decreased in February with only three sales. Average and median sales prices also decreased as buyers stayed in lower price ranges than the month before. Inventory increased by only one waterfront home and the list price range expanded into the upper price ranges. As a result, average list price also increased while the median list price is remaining stable. Average days on market for current inventory of Hernando Beach homes for sale is 132 days.     Currently, there are seven Hernando Beach waterfront homes under contract, an increase from the previous month.  Of these, five are located in the direct gulf access neighborhoods and one each is located in the deed restricted neighborhood of Hernando B... 03/09/2014

How Prickly is it?     While driving around, looking at property, I found this beautiful Prickly Pear Cactus growing along the water in Hernando Beach, Florida.   It had bloomed a few weeks ago and is now covered with purple fruit.  In Mexico, these plants are also known as Nopales for their pads which are edible.  When I lived in Southwest Texas, I pickled some nopales leaves and they were quite tasty with a bit of crunch to them.  Be careful of the spines when processing the pads.  The fruit can also be eaten although I've never tried it personally.  I have however tried Prickly Pear Jelly once and thought it was quite nice. You just never know what you will find.  Have a great Sunday! 02/09/2014

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales January 2014 There were six waterfront home sales in Hernando Beach in January 2014, a definite improvement from December that didn't have any homes sales and an increase in sales from November. Average and median sales prices have decreased. Inventory has increased Average list price has increased and median list price is stable.   Currently, there are five Hernando Beach waterfront homes under contract.  Of these, four are located in the direct gulf access neighborhoods and one is located in the deed restricted neighborhood of Hernando Beach South.      Home buyers of Hernando Beach waterfront homes took advantage of affordable Hernando Beach home prices and stayed in the lower  price ranges.  As a result, both average and median sold prices decrea... 02/08/2014

Update on Flood Insurance Issues Last week, during the Florida Realtors® mid-winter meetings in Orlando, a town hall meeting was held that included an update and panel discussion on flood insurance including new flood maps, challenges, and solutions.  Panelists included US Congressman Dennis Ross, State Senator Jeff Brandes, Florida Director of Emergency Management Bryan Koon, Florida Floodplain Manager Joy Duperault and Florida Realtors Senior VP of Public Policy John Sebree. The update included information on an upcoming vote in the US Senate on the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act calling for a four year timeout on increases for property buyers and owners of grandfathered properties who are allowed to keep lower rates from older maps. According to Florida Realtors®, this b... 01/29/2014

Friday's Foto - Sunset in a Glass   TGIF!  After a week of working, it's nice to end the week by relaxing with a glass of wine over dinner. I stepped outside for a moment tonight to watch the sky and the sea. Setting my glass down, I noticed the light of the sun reflecting in the wine, it reminded me of one of our beautiful sunsets we can enjoy living in Hernando Beach, Florida. TGIF, have a great evening!   01/17/2014

Hernando Beach Sunset - Rhapsody in Blue Every Florida sunset is different and I love watching and photographing them.  For this one, I was a little late and the sun had already disappeared just leaving a bit of glow behind.  Night was descending quickly turning the waters of the Gulf of Mexico darker by the minute.  I love the effect of the many shades of blue in this evening scene - a Hernando Beach Rhapsody in Blue!     Speaking of Rhapsody in Blue, click on the video for a rendering of Gershwin's famous piece for clarinet and piano accompanied by a full orchestra.  It made its debut 90 years ago in 1924 and is as exciting now than it was then.  Enjoy!         01/12/2014

Florida Nature - American Bald Eagle Yesterday, I looked out of the window and this American Bald Eagle caught my eye as he was sitting on top of a light pole looking around with his Eagle eyes.   I never get tired of watching the birds here in Hernando Beach and although we often see Eagles flying high above but not too often roosting in the more populated areas.  I was glad he stayed long enough for me to shoot a few photos! Hernando County is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and we are lucky to be able to observe a wide variety of birds throughout the year.  There are a couple of Bald Eagle pairs who nest in the area and during the winter time, we also get to see a lot of migrating birds. Enjoy your Sunday!   01/12/2014

A Winter Sunday in Florida... With temperatures somewhere in the mid to high 70s, our temporary snowbird neighbors from Indiana were sunning themselves on the patio of their Hernando Beach vacation home this afternoon.   But not only snowbirds thought it was a nice winter day in Florida, everyone seemed to be out and about making the most of this beautiful Sunday. It was a great day to be  .....boating       .....kayaking         .....paddle boarding - check out the dog!                 .... and even swimming for some!             But winter weather can be a little finicky even here in sunny Florida.  We are expecting a cold front to reach into Florida by Monday afternoon with wind chills into the 30s.  Luckily, these cold spells don't last too long, by Wednesday temperatures are suppos... 01/05/2014

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales Review - 2013 to 2012 Comparison For home sales in the waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida, 2013 turned out to be better in some ways compared to 2012. Overall number of waterfront homes sold in Hernando Beach actually decreased while at the same time, median and average sold prices increased.  Homes also stayed on the market longer than in 2012 before they changed hands. Broken out in neighborhoods, the direct gulf access areas of Hernando Beach fared best in 2013 being able to increase sales even if only by one property but most importantly, increasing median and average sales prices by respectable margins. Hernando Beach South, the newest and only deed-restricted neighborhood in Hernando Beach, also saw nice increases in sold prices al... 01/05/2014

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales December 2013 Market Report The last month of year 2013 passed without any waterfront home sales in Hernando Beach in December; however, there are currently six homes under contract in this waterfront community. Inventory of homes for sale in Hernando Beach, Florida, has increased since the previous month.  Overall, average and median list prices show decreases except for the average list price in the deed-restricted neighborhood of Hernando Beach South.     Of the homes that are currently under contract, five are located in neighborhoods with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.  One property is located in Hernando Beach South which has indirect access and boaters will have to use the Hernando Beach boatlift to get to the open waters of the Gulf. Th... 01/05/2014

The Cove in Hernando Beach, Florida - New Restaurant Now Open The opening of the newest restaurant in Hernando Beach - The Cove - has long been anticipated as the new owners have done extensive remodeling and upgrading of the building that had previously operated as Barebones.  We were fortunate to attend the opening night the other day at The Cove in Hernando Beach, Florida, and were delighted with the ambience and flair of this new establishment.  Original artwork by a local artist graces the walls in the lounge and in the dining room, a vertical waterfall creates a soothing sound as the water gracefully falls.     Tables are set with linen cloth and napkins and the staff attended to every wish and detail.  The bread served with the salad of greens was freshly baked and had a nice tex... 01/02/2014

Hernando Beach Entrance is Getting a Facelift! This Hernando Beach beautification project had been planned for a long time and now the work at the "triangle" on the corner of Osowaw Blvd and Shoal Line Blvd has begun in earnest.  Volunteers from Pelican Marina have moved the dirt and reshaped the ground around the well-known Tarpon monument in preparation for the new landscaping design.  A few new palm trees have been planted already. In addition to the new landscaping, several bronze bears will be mounted at the site - a fitting reminder that our area around Hernando Beach is home to some Florida bears!  One of these bear monuments has already found its new place and someone came by to dress him up with a red bow just in time for the holidays!     Interested in living in Hernando Beach... 12/26/2013

Florida Nature:  Woodstorks at Jenkins Creek, Hernando Beach, Florida Almost every day I drive by Jenkins Creek and the surrounding park area just off Shoal Line Boulevard in Hernando Beach.  These past weeks, a group of Woodstorks can frequently be seen here, walking about watching the few fishermen or lazily resting in the grass.  Yesterday, I decided to get a little closer and get some photos of these rather strange looking birds before they move on.  The first Woodstork kept walking while cautiously watching me.     The second one was busy trying to swallow something that must have passed for food.  I could not recognize what it was but it might have been some cut up bait fish the fishermen left behind.     Hernando County is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and offers many g... 12/20/2013

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales November 2013 Hernando Beach homes sale activity slowed down in November 2013 compared to the previous month with fewer homes sold. On a positive note, average and median sales prices increased by 7.5% and 6% respectively. Inventory remains stable. Average and median list prices have decreased slightly because of price reductions in inventory. Seven Hernando Beach waterfront homes are currently under contract.       Inventory of  homes for sale in Hernando Beach has increased overall by one home.  Available waterfront homes in the direct Gulf access areas of Hernando Beach actually decreased, inventory remained stable in the Hernando Beach South neighborhood while Hernando Beach Central saw an increase waterfront homes for sale. Only three properties... 12/15/2013

Florida Nature - Sunday for the Birds It's been a while since I had a more leisurely day but today was one of those.  Temperatures here in Hernando Beach, Florida climbed into the mid 80s with sunny skies.  We decided to feed the fish under the dock and some Great Egrets and a beautiful Great Blue Heron came over to check out what we were doing just in case there was something in for them as well!  Both, egrets and heron, started to show off some breeding plumes and colors - the heron more than the egrets whose patch of skin over their bill should turn almost a lime green at the height of the season. Florida nature is easy to enjoy and if a Sunday is for the birds, that's just as well!           12/08/2013

Looking at Waterfront Homes in Hernando Beach, Florida, on a December Day   With temperatures in the high 70s, sunshine and blue sky, it was a great day to look at waterfront homes in Hernando Beach, Florida, today!  My buyers loved our Hernando Beach neighborhood and enjoyed the views that waterfront homes in Hernando Beach have to offer!   Imagine sitting on your backyard deck with this beautiful view!  I too, enjoy these views whenever the opportunity presents itself, it's one of the little perks of being a waterfront Realtor in Hernando Beach, Florida.   Interested in Hernando Beach Waterfront Living?   Waterfront living is more than just living by the water.  Whether you are interested in buying or selling a Hernando Beach waterfront home, make sure to work with a local Realtor who... 12/04/2013