Florida Real Estate

Spring Hill – Un Paraiso en la Florida Central

Jose Prieto — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:09:54 +0000

Spring Hill es una ciudad localizada como 35 millas al norte de Tampa, en el Condado de Hernando con una poblacion de cerca de 100,000 residentes y pertenece a la Costa Floridana de la Naturaleza. Su localizacion tiene a Hernando Beach al oeste, Brooksville al noreste y Hudson al sur. Es afamada por tener muchos campos de golfo, tanto publicos como privados y muchas cadenas de negocios se han extendido hasta aca (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Loew’s, Staples, Office Depot, Sears, Penney’s, Kohl’s, Target, Best Buy y otros) y tambien muchos buenos restaurantes (incluyendo latinos) y bodegas latinas. En adicion tiene hospitales excelentes, muchas casas de cuidar enfermos y otras de rehabilitacion de enfermos. La atraccion mayor a esta area es la baja tasa de crimenes y sus cercania a Tampa, Orlando, Tarpon Springs y otras joyas turisticas. En adicion hay muchas excelentes viviendas a buenos precios.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp

Kathy Hamble — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:16:57 +0000

I love that time of year when you get your box of season tickets in the mail. That tells you that football season is just a month away. The Buccaneers training camp starts this Sat, July 31st. Last season was not at all what the team or the fans were expecting. They went through all the quarterbacks on the roster to finally get to the rookie Josh Freeman. Most rookie quarterbacks sit on the sidelines and learn for their first few seasons. He didn’t have that luxury. It was a pleasant surprise to see him take control of the team the way he did. There is a lot of potential on this years roster. The team acquired 9 picks this year in the 2010 draft. Early reports were that the team plans on using some of them as starters this season. Get your tickets to the training camp and see how well they play before the season kicks off.
The Buccaneers are holding a free night practice at Raymond James Stadium. It will be held Saturday, August 7 at 7pm. They will be selling $ 1 hotdogs and soft drinks. Parking is free. After practice, there will be a fireworks show.
Go to www.buccaneers.com to join the free One Buc Club and receive complimentary training camp tickets.
Training Camp is Saturday, July 31 – Friday, August 6
Featuring Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Practices
All One Buc Club members may receive up to six (6) tickets to each practice
Appearances by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and Captain Fear
Incredible Photo and Autograph Opportunities
Discounted Concessions
Merchandise Tent
Free Parking

Update on Flood Map

ekempsey@tampabay.rr.com — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:51:47 +0000

My HOA at Woodland Waters forwarded a media release this morning. As indicated in my prior blog, the release stated that we could follow the link to the site, but when I did that the site said the maps were “coming soon”. I called and left a message for Brenda Frazer at Hernando County, and she promptly returned my phone call. She said it should be available by tomorrow afternoon; she just wanted to get the release out so the dates for the meetings were available. If you want to attend, the information is in my prior post.

As always, we keep you posted.

Have a great day and enjoy!

Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando

Flood Map Media Release for Hernando County

ekempsey@tampabay.rr.com — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:30:16 +0000

I live in Woodland Waters in Weeki Wachee, and our HOA forwarded this media release to us. I tried to “view the flood map” on-line and it said “coming soon”. I am not sure why they would do a media release and not have checked it. I have a call into Brenda Frazer. I tried it several times and it came onto the same page and said “coming soon”. In any event, there is still some good information in the release that we wanted to pass along.

As always, we will keep you posted!

Have a great day and enjoy!

Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2010

New Preliminary Flood Maps Issued
Updated Maps Show Flood Risks Have Changed
Hernando County is releasing updated, digital flood hazard maps for public review and comment prior to their final adoption. The maps show the extent to which areas throughout Hernando County are at risk for flooding. Used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements, the new maps replace maps that are more than 25 years old.
Residents and business owners can use the maps to obtain reliable information about their flood risk on a property-by-property basis. The maps also provide flood zone and elevation data to help community planners, engineers, builders and others decide where and how new structures, developments, and remodeling projects should be built. The maps may be viewed online at www.hernandocounty.us/floodmap/ or in person at the Development Services Department, 789 Providence Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida. Two Open House sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, and Thursday, August 12, 2010, both from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria at Central High School, 14075 Ken Austin Parkway, Brooksville, Florida. The public will have the opportunity to review the maps and have one on one discussion with representatives of County and City government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
“Flooding is an increasingly frequent and costly problem throughout this part of Florida, and not just in high-risk areas,” said Cecilia Patella, Emergency Management Director. “Having more accurate and easily accessible maps is an important step in understanding the risk, so we can take steps to protect and insure against it.”
The maps were developed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hernando County and the City of Brooksville. The process included an extensive, multi-year review of the changes brought about by environmental, land use and other forces, use of state-of-the-art aerial mapping and risk modeling techniques, and a comprehensive pre-release review.
The digital maps are also known as Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) because they are now in digital format (for easier access on the internet) and are used to determine flood insurance rates and requirements. In reviewing the new Hernando County maps, many property owners may find that their risk is higher or lower than they thought. A total of 23,983 parcels in Hernando County are shown as moving into the high-risk areas, and 236 are moving out. If the risk level for a property changes, flood insurance and building standards requirements can change as well.
The Open Houses scheduled for August 11th and August 12th will provide an opportunity for residents to view the new maps, understand how their properties may be affected, review their options and learn more about financial and material steps they may need to take to protect their investment. A local phone number, (352) 540-6300, is also available to answer questions and address residents’ concerns about the new flood maps.
The updated DFIRMs are still preliminary and have not yet been officially adopted. In addition to the public meetings, there will be a 90-day Public Comment Period when property owners can submit appeals and protests if they can show that the maps are in error. The maps will become effective once all comments are received and addressed. At that time, the new flood insurance requirements will take effect.
While the federal flood insurance requirements won’t be based on the new DFIRMs until they take affect, Hernando County has elected to use the preliminary flood risk information to manage development in the floodplain where it shows a higher risk than the current effective map which is more than 25 years old.
Residents may learn more about the flood map modernization project, view the new preliminary digital flood maps and find a schedule of upcoming meetings at www.hernandocounty.us/floodmap/. Individuals with general questions about the local map update efforts can also call (352) 540-6300. For information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Brenda Frazier
Community Relations Coordinator
Hernando County Government
20 N. Main Street, Room 163
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 540-6780 office
(352) 442-1673 (cell)
(352) 754-4477 Fax

Watch HCGB – Hernando County’s Local Government Channel – on-line at:
www.hernandocounty.us and click on the livestreaming icon

Bank Of America foreclosed on wrong house in Spring Hill

Kathy Hamble — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:57:09 +0000

I can not believe what is happening with banks today. I just read an article that I wanted to share with you. I hope it gives you some perspective.
In February the unthinkable happened to a couple hoping to retire in Spring Hill, Florida. They found out that Bank of America had foreclosed on their home, even though they had paid cash for their retirement home over 5 years ago. The bank removed all their belongings and changed the locks on the doors. All of this couples personal belongings are lost. The couple filed a lawsuit in federal court regarding the matter. The bank had an incorrect address on the foreclosure documents. The house they were suppose to foreclose on was 10 houses down the road. The owners of the home and even a Realtor hired by Bank of America tried to convince them it was the wrong house. They proceeded with the foreclosure anyway. It is absurd that they can get away with this kind of behavior. This has happened to several houses since this article. The moral of the story, monitor your home closely, as well as the banks. To read the full article, visit: http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/bank-of-america-forecloses-on-house-that-couple-had-paid-cash-for/1072632

Spring Hill – A Paradise in Central Florida

Jose Prieto — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:49:30 +0000

Spring Hill is located about 35 miles north of Tampa, FL in Hernando County. It boasts a population of about 100,000 residents and belongs to Florida Nature Coast. Its location has Hernando Beach to the west, Broksville, FL to the northeast and Hudson, FL to the south. It boasts many golf courses, both public and private, many business chains (Wal-
Mart, Home Depot, Loew’s, Staples, Office Depot, Sears, J C Penney’s, Kohl’s, Target, Best Buy, etc.) and many excellent restaurants. In addition it has many very good hospitals and many nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. The main attraction to this area is its low crime rate and its proximity to Tampa, Orlando, Tarpon Springs and other tourist attractions.

Pylon Races Brooksville, FL

ekempsey@tampabay.rr.com — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:11:45 +0000

Hernando Aero Modelers are hosting their annual radio controlled aircraft pylon races from 8:30 to noon on July 31st, at the HAM field located on US 98, a mile west of the intersection of Citrus Way or two miles east of the Suncoast Parkway interchange, at the site of the Brooksville Cemex plant.

Four (one design) planes race 19 laps around a coruse involving two pylons 600 feet apart.

Admission and parking is free and if you need more information call 352-382-3948.

We will always keep you posted!

Have a great day and enjoy! Remember, we are your “educated realtors”; give us a call with any of your real estate needs.

Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando

Cinebistro at Cobb Theater in Wesley Chapel

Kathy Hamble — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 03:36:13 +0000

Cobb Theater on Hwy 54 in Wesley Chapel, Florida has to be one of my favorite movie theaters in the area. This theater has “The Cinebistro” upstairs. The Cinebistro is unique because it has a lounge area and a cocktail bar and serves anyone over 21 years old. While you are waiting for the movie to start you can enjoy something from their extensive wine list or dine on the terrace. During the show, you sit in luxurious high back leather rocking chairs, so, you can enjoy watching it like you are at home. They also have in-seat service in the theater before the movie starts. Along with a full service restaurant, they have a pastry chef that makes the most delicious pastries I have had in a long time. Even though we live in Hernando County, it’s well worth the 30 minute drive. Once you have been to the Cinebistro, movie going will never be the same.
COBB Theatre * 6333 Wesley Chapel Blvd.* 813-948-5444

Boogie Wonderland at the Show Palace

ekempsey@tampabay.rr.com — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:32:23 +0000

Looking for a delightful night out, or afternoon, The Show Palace in Hudson, Florida is putting on their rendition of “Boogie Wonderland”. It only runs through August 22nd.

There is a lot of music and upbeat performances with such classics as “70s tunes like “The Hustle, “YMCA”, “I Will Survive” and someof Donna Summer and the Bee Gees (this is my era). There’s a lot of dancing.

Doors open 2 hrs before the performance for dinner and cocktails. Sundays the doors open at 1 and the show begins 3 p.m.; Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 7:45 p.m. and doors open for dinner and cocktails at 6. Matinees are on certain Thursdays and some Saturdays with doors opening at 11:30 and show time at 1:15 p.m. Tickets are $48 plus tax for dinner and show; show only $36.95. Call 727-863-7949 or 888-655-7469 to reserve tickets.

If I can’t be in New York on Broadway, this is Florida on Broadway!

We will always keep you posted.

Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando

St Joseph’s Hospital Christmas in July toy drive

Kathy Hamble — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:53:59 +0000

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital can use our help. As you may well know, St. Joseph’s does an outstanding job in caring for children.
This hospital is well known throughout the southeast United States as a leader in pediatric heart and cancer care. They also have the 24-hour Steinbrenner Emergency/Trauma Center for Children. Every year the hospital and staff have “Christmas in July”. They put on this drive so they can provide the children they care for with toys throughout the year. These toys give the kids an opportunity to focus on something other than their illnesses and also provide some comfort to the kids while they are there. Please take some time and drop off a toy for the children. Every Christmas, you see the trucks being loaded up with donations outside the stores. Well, this is just as important. Here is some additional information about dropping off the presents: The items have to be new and unwrapped. The “Christmas in July” event will be held July 23 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The donated items can be dropped off in the circular drive in front of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital at 3001 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Donation requests include gift cards, electronics, kid-friendly movies, puzzles, arts and crafts supplies, bubbles, infant toys, crib mobiles, teen games and magazines. If you want to see a detailed wish list, please visit http://www.sjbhealth.org/documents/Donation%20Wishbook%202010.pdf If you can’t make it by the hospital, please donate by visiting the Virtual store: http://www.sjhospitalfoundation.org/ If you have any questions, please contact 813-554-8500 or visit www.stjosephchildrens.com

These kids deserve to smile…