License-Free Fishing Days in Florida are Back!   Florida requires licenses for saltwater and freshwater fishing but each year, there are a few days, when no licenses are required to fish. That's good news for those who don't have a recreational Florida fishing license and would like to try fishing to see if it is something they would enjoy.   Here are the upcoming dates for recreational license-free fishing days in Florida: November 29, 2013:  License-free Freshwater Fishing Day November 30, 2013:  License-free Saltwater Fishing Day December 28, 2013:  License-free Freshwater Fishing Day   With waterways, lakes, rivers, and hundreds of miles of coastline, Florida is the Fishing capital of the world.  Fishing is a great way to enjoy the Florida outdoors and nature and fishing is somethin... 11/22/2013

Just Sold!  Waterfront Home in Hernando Beach, Florida Another great waterfront home in Hernando Beach, Florida has just been SOLD by Hernando Beach Realtor Silvia Dukes of Tropic Shores Realty.   Property Details: 4251 Camelia Drive, Hernando Beach, Florida Built:  1999 Living Area:  1332 square foot under heat and air Total Area:  3344 square foot under roof Waterfront:  72 feet       Lot Size:  0.16 acres SOLD Price:  $280,000 at 97% of list price    Days on Market:  67 days from list date to closing date Financing Terms:  VA Loan Are you looking for your waterfront dream home?  This one is gone now but there are others.  To find out more about available Hernando Beach waterfront homes for sale, please contact Silvia Dukes, Tropic Shores Realty. There are many great features the happ... 11/15/2013

Hernando Beach, Florida Home Sales October 2013 October 2013 saw an increase of Hernando Beach waterfront home sales by 50% compared to the previous month!  Inventory has also increased - some of these are new listings and some are back-on-market listings. The direct Gulf access neighborhoods of Hernando Beach continue to be most popular with buyers. List and sales prices of waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach continue to fluctuate from month to month.  Compared to the previous month, average and median list prices decreased overall.  Overall sold prices also decreased. Broken out by neighborhoods, direct Gulf access neighborhoods experienced price decreases, central Hernando Beach homes for sale experienced increases in list prices, and list prices for homes located in Hernando... 11/12/2013

  What is happening with Flood Insurance?  -  An Update   In July 2012, the "The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012" was signed into law extending the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years - a positive thing.  However, the law also included many program reforms that are now being implemented.    One of these are increases in flood insurance policies as result of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and home owners are concerned, rightfully so. On October 29, 2013, a bill also known as the "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013", was introduced in Congress to delay the implementation of rate increases for certain properties including: -  all grandfathered homes  and businesses that were built to code and later remapped into a... 11/04/2013

Hernando Beach Waterfront Homes Sales and Market Report September 2013 While Hernando Beach Waterfront homes sales in September 2013 decreased by 25%, average sold prices remained stable and median sold prices increased.       Inventory is remaining stable with 45 Hernando Beach waterfront homes on the market.  The majority of these Hernando Beach waterfront homes for sale are located in the neighborhoods with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.  Only 13 homes are located in the indirect access neighborhoods.   There are currently twelve waterfront homes in Hernando Beach under contract.  Of these, nine are pending and three are waiting to resolve contingenies such as inspections, financing, or third party approvals.       Waterfront living is a lifestyle.  Working with a Hernando Beac... 10/14/2013

Video - Dolphin Playing under Dock in Hernando Beach, Florida There was a lot of splishing and splashing going on under this dock in our Hernando Beach, Florida, neighborhood this morning. The Dolphins were out playing or catching fish and churning up the waters in the canal.  It's not easy catching these guys on video but I tried anyway.  Take a look at the result:   Dolphin Playing in Hernando Beach Florida   Waterfront living is a lifestyle.  If you are interested in living in a waterfront community like Hernando Beach, Florida, work with a local Realtor who knows the area and will give you the local perspective.  Please Contact Hernando Beach Realtor Silvia Dukes for more information about homes for sale in Hernando Beach, Florida and area information!     09/28/2013

Hernando Beach Cardboard Boat Race was a Great Success and Fun for Everyone! The first annual Hernando Beach Cardboard Boat Race took place today with dozens of participants and hundreds of spectators enjoying the event that took place at the Hernando Beach Marina.     Crowds gathered early this morning to inspect the cardboard boat entries before the race and to get a good spot from which to watch the race. Boat designs were very creative - some inspired by Vikings, Swamp People, and maybe even the Teacup ride at another well known Florida attraction.  Construction varied with skill level from the very basic - well - cardboard box - to some very sophisticated designs that looked liked real boats. Most of the cardboard boats proved to be quite seaworthy!  Only two entries sank right at ... 09/21/2013

First Annual Cardboard Boat Race to take Place in Hernando Beach, Florida When:  September 21, 2013 Race Starts:  10 am  Where:  Hernando Beach Marina, 4139 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach, Florida Information:  352-666-7239 The first annual cardboard boat race in Hernando Beach, Florida promises to be a fun event for the entire family!  Sponsored by Hernando Beach Marina, the contestants had to enter by July 30 to allow for plenty of time to construct their boats. There are quite a few guidelines for the cardboard boat race , the most important one is that all boats have to be constructed entirely of cardboard - the only exception is duct tape but wood or metal is not allowed.  That includes screws, nuts, bolts, nails!  On the day of the cardboard boat race, there will be food, vendors... 09/14/2013

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales August 2013   The number of closed home sales in the Hernando Beach waterfront community decreased again in August 2013.  At the same time, the number of homes under contract increased, and current inventory of homes for sale in Hernando Beach has decreased.    Overall, sales activity is remaining stable.  The increase in homes under contract is ensuring that home sales in this popular Gulf coast waterfront community will remain steady throughout the remainder of this year.     Inventory of Homes for Sale in Hernando Beach, Florida Overall, of currently available homes for sale in Hernando Beach, median list prices are remaining stable and average list prices slightly decreased from last month. Slight fluctuations in average and median pricing is to ... 09/12/2013

Tampa Boat Show 2013 - It's OK to Dream! We took off early today to visit the annual Tampa Boat Show at the Tampa Convention Center.  It was a gorgeous day - just perfect for looking at all those yachts - one more beautiful than the other! Inside the Tampa Convention Center - more boats of all sizes and persuasions from shallow water fishing boats for flats fishing, speedboats, and some pretty decked out pontoon party boats!   We said hello to the guys from the Blue Pelican Marina from Hernando Beach, Florida, who were there with several of their boats!  If you are ever in Hernando Beach, check them out, their marina is right across from the Hernando boat ramp and they have a great shipstore as well! There were some pretty interesting boating and water related products at the Tampa Boat... 09/08/2013

Hernando Beach Waterfront Lot - Just Sold! Listed and sold by Hernando Beach Realtor Silvia Dukes of Tropic Shores Realty   Beautiful Hernando Beach waterfront lot has JUST SOLD at 3532 Gulf Coast Drive in Hernando Beach, Florida.  This Hernando Beach waterfront lot is located on a wide saltwater canal and a smaller side canal with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico!  Boating, fishing, and other water activities can begin right here!  The new owners are planning to build their dream home from where they will enjoy spectacular views across intersecting canals down the waterways, and all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.    Property Details: Size:  10,850 square foot or 0.27 acres Waterfront:  137 feet - two sides! Waterfront Extras:  Seawall and Floating Dock Sold Price:  $110,000 Views:  ... 09/07/2013

Hernando Beach Property Owners Meet for Ice Cream Social after Summer Break! Hernando Beach property owners got together for their first meeting after the summer break.   Hernando Beach home owners discussed the upcoming officer nominations and ongoing community projects such as the beautification of the traffic triangle at the southern end of Hernando Beach and a community cleanup of invasive trees. We also received updates from the recent Port Authority meeting and a report from our County Commissioner.  After the business meeting, neighbors enjoyed each others company and caught up on the latest neighborhood news over ice cream! We also voted on our favorites of the photos submitted to the annual photo contest that took place over the summer. Many Hernando Beach residents submitted t... 09/05/2013

A Boat Ride for Summer Fun in Hernando Beach Florida What would you do for summer fun if you lived in a waterfront community like Hernando Beach, Florida?  You already have your boat docked in the canal right behind the house, the weather is great and the water is calling! Jump into your boat and take a ride through the Hernando Beach canals, out through the channel and into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico!  If you want, you can take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico - in places off the main boating channel, you can even stand. Of course, sunset cruises are always a special treat even when there are clouds on the horizon.   Let me take you on a little boat ride off the coast of Hernando Beach!  Enjoy!     Waterfront living is a lifestyle.  Working with a Hernando Beac... 09/01/2013

Foto Friday - Perfect Way to end the Week It's been a busy week with new buyers coming into town interested in homes for sale in Hernando Beach.   After a few days of researching appropriate homes, setting up appointments and showing homes - especially in August heat - I'm finally ready to relax for the evening.   What better way of doing that than sitting on the boat watching the sun getting ready for a glorious sunset!  Enjoy have a great weekend!         Would you like to be able to watch the sun set from your own dock and enjoy water views all year round?  Hernando Beach offers a variety of styles of waterfront homes for sale.  Please contact me for more information about waterfront living in Hernando Beach and available homes for sale in Hernando Beach!         08/30/2013

Hernando Beach Guard Auxiliary offers Boating Classes The US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Hernando Beach, Florida, is offering two boating classes in September 2013.   Boating Safely:  September 10, 2013, 7 PM and Boating Skills and Seamanship:  September 17, 2013, 7 PM   For more information about these classes and to sign up, please call (352) 397-5417.   The Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary is operated by local volunteers and has been serving this waterfront community of Hernando Beach for many years. Throughout the year, several boating classes are offered to the public for a minimal fee.  A few years ago, I also took one of these classes and the information and knowledge I gained back then is still coming in handy while navigating the waters around Hernando Beach.  The Hernando Bea... 08/28/2013

Waterfront Lot in Hernando Beach, Florida, 34607 - Now Pending!   This beautiful waterfront lot in Hernando Beach, Florida, 34607 is now pending!   The new owners will love the great waterviews from their waterfront lot.  Once their new Hernando Beach home has been constructed, those views will be even more stunning from any second or third floor balconies from where they will be able to see down the wide saltwater canal until it ends in the Gulf of Mexico! List Price:  $140,000 Lot Size:  0.27 acres Special waterfront features include 137 feet of seawall and a floating dock.       Are you looking for a waterfront home or perhaps a home site where you can built your waterfront dream home?    Waterfront living is a lifestyle.  If you are interested in more information about living in a w... 08/18/2013

License-Free Fishing Day Coming Up   When:  Sunday, September 1, 2013   What:    License-free Fishing Day for Saltwater Fishing     The next license-free fishing day for saltwater fishing is coming up soon on September 1, 2013.   License-free fishing days are a great opportunity to take your kids or friends who don't have a fishing license along to enjoy the outdoors and give them an introduction to fishing!   No license is required on September 1, 2013 for saltwater fishing either from shore or from a boat.  The free fishing day applies to any recreational fishing including crabbing and scalloping, both of which are popular activities in the Hernando Beach, Florida, area as well.   Fishing rules regarding size requirements or quantity still apply.  For more information visit the Florid... 08/18/2013

Waterfront Living in Hernando Beach:  Boatlift and Davits - What's the Difference?   Boatlift or Davit - which is it?  People moving to the waterfront community of Hernando Beach are looking forward to waterfront living and being able to keep their boats docked behind their home.  Many homes for sale in Hernando Beach also feature private boatlifts and davits with which boats can be stored outside the water.  I get asked a lot what is the difference between boatlifts and davits.   While both perform the same function, removing a boat from a body of water, boats will most often hang from davits and are suspended in air.  On the other hand, boats can be driven onto a boatlift that then lifts the boat out of the water. Another distinction is that davits are attached to seawalls and boatlif... 08/13/2013

Hernando Beach Waterfront Home Sales July 2013   Hernando Beach waterfront home sales experienced a noticable uptick in Hernando Beach home sales in July 2013 compared to the previous month.  Homes sales in this popular waterfront community more than doubled in July.   Inventory of Homes for Sale in Hernando Beach, Florida Average and median list prices for homes for sale in Hernando Beach are remaining stable with only slight fluctuations that are caused by price changes, new listings coming on the market and existing listings going under conract.   There is only one notable exception to this in the median list prices of homes for sale in the central neighborhood of Hernando Beach where median list decreased by 27%.   Having said that, inventory in this particular neighborhood has been... 08/11/2013

Hernando Beach Florida - Fishing Information   Scallop Season   There is still time to go scalloping in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Hernando Beach and surrounding areas.  Scallop season runs through September 24, 2013.  There are limits on how many scallops you can harvest and you will need a saltwater fishing license.  For more information visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.     Gag Grouper Season   Recreational gag grouper season began July 1 and runs through December 3, 2013.  There is a limit of two per person.     Amber Jack Season   Amber Jack season just started August 1, 2013 and will run through June 1.  Amber Jacks can get up to 40 lbs heavy and the minimum keeper size is 30 inches measured from the fish's mouth to the fork in the... 08/06/2013