Parks in Hernando County | Jenkins Creek at Linda Pedersen Park Jenkins Creek and Linda Pedersen Park are located half way between Hernando Beach and Weeki Wachee on the west side of Hernando County, Florida. Connected by an aluminum bridge, written about in a previous post, both Jenkins Creek and Linda Pedersen Park are popular for fishing from the bank or the boardwalk.  Many a mullet was caught here that became dinner later that evening! Linda Pedersen Park is open from dawn to dusk while Jenkins Creek is accessible at all hours.  There are covered picnic areas as well as there are picnic areas as well as larger Pavillions with power that can be rented for parties, family reunions or other events. The parks encompass a total of 135 acres of Florida nature of which 25 acres have been ... 12/26/2012

Muhly Grass - A Florida Native in Your Landscape       by Silvia Dukes PA, Tropic Shores Realty These are a few of my Muhly Grass plants that are growing in my front yard. Every Fall, they flower and produce beautiful pink plumes that gently sway in the wind.  There have been many occasions when I overheard passer-bys walking in the neighborhood ooh-ing and aah-ing over these showy plants. Landscaping with native plants has quite a few benefits.   They are adapted for the climate you live in so they are resistant to disease and pests.  They also don't require much "fussing" in the way of fertilization and watering and are often quite happy to be left alone.  Such is the case with this Muhly Grass. The Florida climate can be extremely dry for months and then be extremely wet with lots of... 12/07/2012

Home Prices for Hernando Beach Florida in November 2012 Real estate market data for Hernando Beach, Florida provided by Silvia Dukes of Tropic Shores Realty.    Hernando Beach Home Prices   November sales of waterfront homes in Hernando Beach continued at the same pace as in the previous month with three closed sales.  All properties sold in Hernando Beach in November were located in the direct Gulf access areas.   There are currently 10 properties under contract so an increase in sales can be expected in the months to come. If you are considering buying a waterfront home in Hernando Beach, Florida, you can still find deals on houses in Hernando Beach but working with a good real estate agent who understands the market and knows the area is a must.    While it appears that the Hernando ... 12/05/2012

Christmas Boat Parade in Hernando Beach | Florida The Hernando Beach Yacht Club is hosting the annual Christmas Boat Parade again this year on Saturday, December 1, 2012 beginning at 6:00 PM. Traditionally, the Hernando Beach boat parade begins at the Hernando Beach Yacht Club and travels through the Hernando Beach canals to the Gulf of Mexico and back. All boat owners are invited to participate in the parade with their decorated vessels. Entry "fee" is one unwrapped toy to be donated to Toys for Tots in Hernando County. In connection with the boat parade, there will also be a Chili cook off.  If you are interested in participating in either the parade or enter the chili cook off, call Fleet Captain Aaron Nangle of the Hernando Beach Yacht Club at 727-916-0001. The Hernando Beach Christ... 11/19/2012

Time to Harvest - Bananas from my Garden in Hernando Beach Florida The banana trees have made a nice come back this summer after suffering a bit from the cold winter we had two years ago.  There was no fruit last year but this year, one of them put on a bunch of bananas that were ready to be picked!  Yes, it is November but living in Florida gives us a long growing season.      After the harvest, this particular banana tree will not produce again and slowly dry up.  During this process, the remaining trees around it will draw some nourishment and moisture that remains in the stalk from it so it is advisable not to cut the tree right away. And what do you do with golden yellow bananas from your own garden?  Well, you eat them!  These bananas are shorter than the ones you buy in grocery s... 11/19/2012

Foto Friday:  The Eagle has Landed in Hernando Beach Florida One of our more illustrious residents in the waterfront community of Hernando Beach is this American Bald Eagle that chose one of the dormant trees as his roosting place.  We often have the opportunity to see these majestic birds soar high over the waterways and canals of Hernando Beach in order to spot their next meal. This beautiful sighting is yet another great example of the many opportunities of bird watching in Hernando Beach.  Did you notice how the smaller birds are keeping an "eye" on the Eagle? By the way, the words "the Eagle has landed" were among the first words spoken by Neil Armstrong after the moon landing in 1969 as the landing craft was named "Eagle".     Waterfront living is a lifestyle.  Working with a Hern... 11/15/2012

Hernando Beach Florida Waterfront Home - Just SOLD!   Beautiful three-story waterfront home in the upscale waterfront community of Hernando Beach, Florida has just SOLD! Built:  2003   Living Area:  2223   Total Area under Roof:  4775   Three bedroom suites, four baths total, elevator, spacious kitchen, fireplace, central vaccuum, bonus and game rooms, and many more interior features.  Extras include heated pool, boat lift, floating dock, 164 ft of seawall, lush tropical landscaping, and fantastic water views all the way to the Gulf of Mexico! Truly, waterfront living at its best!  The lucky new home owners purchased this property for only $370,000 with conventional financing.     Are you looking for a waterfront home in Hernando Beach?   There are many waterfront homes for sale in our ... 11/07/2012

Hernando Beach Florida Homes SOLD Report October 2012   Sales of Hernando Beach waterfront homes declined in October 2012 to only three sales.       All of the waterfront homes that sold were located in the direct Gulf access areas of Hernando Beach.      Data derived from Hernando County MLS 11/2/2012, believed to be accurate at time of compilation but not guaranteed.      The home below is one of the three Hernando Beach waterfront homes that sold in October 2012.  Built in 1993, it is a two-story, stilt-home construction, with 1410 SF Living Area, three bedrooms and two baths.  It was last listed at $219,000 and sold for $206,600 with conventional financing.         Inventory of waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach has decreased to 58 homes.   Only two properties are distresse... 11/02/2012

Is it Time to Buy Waterfront Lots in Hernando Beach, Florida? Hernando Beach vacant land sales of waterfront lots have been sluggish again this year thus far.    Prices are still low on waterfront building lots.  There were a total of fifteen waterfront lot sales in Hernando Beach since January ranging from $22,501 to $260,000.  Ten of these waterfront sales took place in the indirect gulf access areas with an average sales price of $32,100.  There were five waterfront lot sales in the direct gulf access neighborhoods of Hernando Beach.  Three of these were located on wide saltwater canals and sold with sales prices ranging from $55,500 to $79,500.  The two remaining direct access lots have direct frontage to the Gulf of Mexico with fantastic open water views.  These two prime lots sold... 10/27/2012

Foto Friday and Florida Nature:  Catfish is for Dinner I realize not everyone gets excited seeing one of these birds.  After all, for many people, vultures with their bald heads have a strange look and the fact that they are scavengers does not contribute to their likability.  However, I did get excited when I spotted this Turkey Vulture today on my neighbors dock in Hernando Beach as he was picking on a dead catfish.  Vultures are not hunters so he was taking advantage of this catfish that had probably been lost by another bird, most likely the Osprey that also lives in the neighborhood.   Turkey Vultures have a red head whereas Black Vultures have black heads.  You don't seem to see Turkey Vultures that much anymore as Black Vultures are the more aggressive species and often even try ... 10/26/2012

Sandhill Cranes Flying into the Sunset in Hernando Beach, Florida Waterfront living in Hernando Beach is great for bird lovers like me.  Not only do we have the opportunity to encounter a huge variety of water birds but we also see year round garden birds and many migrating birds.  Bird sizes also vary hugely from the tiniest Hummingbird to the big and majestic Sandhill Crane!  Just as the sun was setting after another glorious Fall day in Hernando Beach, Florida, another great birding opportunity arose as these two Sandhill Cranes flew over on the way to their roosting place for the night.  The sunlight is reflecting in their plumage and I was lucky to catch them in flight with my camera.         There is much to do in a waterfront community such as Hernando Beach, Florida.  Bird watch... 10/20/2012

Hernando Beach Florida Real Estate Market Report September 2012   There were six Hernando Beach home sales in September 2012.   Four of the waterfront homes that sold were located in the direct Gulf access areas of Hernando Beach,  one  property is located in the central area of Hernando Beach with indirect Gulf access and there was one home sale in the Hernando Beach South neighborhood, the only deed-restricted neighborhood in Hernando Beach.       Data derived from Hernando County MLS 10/3/2012, believed to be accurate at time of compilation but not guaranteed.        Inventory has increased to 60 waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach ranging from $125,000 to $645,000 with an average list price of $290,360 and a median price of $273,450.  The added homes for sale were listed in ... 10/05/2012

Hernando Beach Bash - October 5, 2012 The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the ever popular Beach Bash again this year. The Beach Bash will take place on October 5, 2012 from 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm at the Hernando Beach Club at 3145 Flamingo Blvd in Hernando Beach, Florida.   The Hernando Beach Club is located right on the Gulf of Mexico with beautiful views of the sunset over the water.  There will be live music, games, and many surprises.  Tickets are $15 per person and include dinner and entertainment.  For more information, please contact the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce.  Come on out and have some fun!       If you are interested in waterfront living and would like more information about the waterfront community of Hernando Beach and homes for sale... 10/03/2012

Shrimping in Hernando Beach, Florida The Hernando Beach, Florida, area is known as a residential boating community with its beautiful waterfront homes where you can have your boat docked right behind your home. A little known fact is that Hernando Beach is also home to a shrimping fleet that produces no less than 25% of all bait shrimp that is sold in Florida.  Thus, although far from being a major industrial port, shrimping in Hernando Beach contributes a great deal to the local economy.     If you happen to live on one of the main canals in Hernando Beach, you can watch the shrimp boats go out in the evening and come back in the early morning hours with their catch.  Aside from several bait shops that serve the sports fishing community, there are also a couple of fish markets located ... 10/01/2012

Hernando Beach VFW Serving Up Sunday Breakfast Hernando Beach VFW Post 9236, Men's Auxiliary, in Hernando Beach, Florida, is inviting the public to its Sunday Breakfast that is offered on the last Sunday of each month. The breakfast menu includes all the favorites: scrambled eggs,  fried potatoes, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, toast, blueberry pancakes, french toast, plus orange juice and coffee.  Price for the breakfast is only $7.00. If you would like to add a little something extra to your Sunday breakfast, Mimosas and Bloody Mary's are also served. So, come, take the whole family, and visit the Hernando Beach VFW Post 9236 on the last Sunday of each month for breakfast! Hernando Beach VFW Serving Up Sunday Breakfast Waterfront living is a lifestyle.   Working with a Hernando Beac... 09/29/2012

Casual Waterfront Dining - Swanie's Bar and Grill in Hernando Beach, Florida My husband and I recently went to Swanie's Bar and Grill in Hernando Beach for an early dinner.   Swanie's has been in its location at 4417 Caliente Street for a few months and has developed quite a following of regulars. The inside dining area is quite large but we chose to sit outside on the back deck overlooking the small Hernando Beach shrimper's fleet as the fishermen were preparing to leave for the evening.  Sitting under the sun umbrella, listening to music and watching the activity was quite relaxing and enjoyable after a busy day. Swanie's has a full bar and a dinner menu that ranges from seafood to steak as well as daily specials.  They also have a lunch menu with some delicious sounding sandwiches.  ... 09/26/2012

Playing in the Sunset at Pine Island, Florida As a perfect ending to a beautiful Sunday, we enjoyed a great sunset at Pine Island beach right here in Hernando County, Florida.  Located at the Gulf of Mexico, the water is still pleasantly warm.  Bustling with swimmers and sunseekers during the day, people come to Alfred McKethan Park on Pine Island in the evening to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. It's another beautiful aspect of waterfront living, always different and always magical.  Enjoy!     Waterfront living is a lifestyle.  Working with a waterfront Realtor who lives and stays active in the community will give you the local perspective!  If you are looking for waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, or Pine Island, Florida, and would like more informat... 09/23/2012

Friday Foto:  Panoramic Waterfront in Hernando Beach, Florida This week's Friday Foto is not a photo at all but a short video capturing the beautiful panoramic views many of our Hernando Beach residents can enjoy from their homes. This one was taken from a vacant building lot that will soon be for sale in Hernando Beach. While I was standing on level ground, imagine the views from a two- or even three-story home!      Waterfront living is a lifestyle.  Working with a Hernando Beach Realtor who lives and stays active in the community will give you the local perspective!  If you are looking for waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach, Florida, and would like more information about our community and living in Hernando Beach, Florida, please contact me. 09/21/2012

Hernando Beach Property Owners get together for Ice Cream Social Hernando Beach neighbors got together for their first business meeting of the Hernando Beach Property Owners Association (HBPOA) after the summer break.   After a recap of recent developments in the community and the election of the nominating committee for the 2013 officers of the association, members enjoyed each others company to catch up personal news, vacations, and neighborhood news during an ice cream social. The next meeting of the HBPOA will be the first Thursday in October at 7 p.m with a guest speaker discussing mosquito control and sensitive land issues.  Hernando Beach, Florida, is a waterfront community along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico just North of Tampa.   Membership in the Hernando Beach Property Owne... 09/06/2012

Hernando Beach Florida Real Estate Market Report August 2012   Hernando Beach home sales in August 2012 included six properties in the direct Gulf access areas of Hernando Beach and two properties in the central area of Hernando Beach with indirect Gulf access for a total of eight sales.  Again, there were no sales in  August 2012 in Hernando Beach South, the only deed-restricted neighborhood in Hernando Beach.       Data derived from Hernando County MLS, believed to be accurate at time of compilation but not guaranteed.        Currently, there are 55 waterfront homes for sale in Hernando Beach ranging from $104,900 to $645,000.  Average list price is $292,772 and median price is $269,000.  Inventory remains stable but average and median prices increased over July.   Absorption Rate: At... 09/04/2012