Homes Sold in the bay area
$277,500
5314 Cottonwood Tree Circle 4 bedrooms, 2 baths Valrico in River Hills: Built in 1994, this family home has formal living and dining area with French doors, family room, kitchen with granite counters, decorative backsplash, stainless-steel appliances and breakfast bar, updated light fixtures, master bedroom with large walk-in closet, updated baths with quartz counters and custom cabinetry, volume ceilings, screened oversized lanai with brick pavers, newer roof and new A/C system. Listed at $285,000, the 2,030-square-foot home sold in February. Signature Realty Associates, Brenda Wade Team
$185,000
8382 Windridge Way 3 bedrooms, 2 baths Weeki Wachee in Windridge: This great-room-plan home, built near a small pond on just under half an acre in 2003, has a double-door entry, open kitchen with breakfast bar, eating area, built-in microwave, smooth-top range and LumaDome ceiling and fan, laundry room, carpet and tile flooring, caged pool and expanded covered lanai and attached garage. The 1,858-square-foot home sold at its listing price in February. Keller Williams Realty Elite Partners, Dougherty/Denis Team
$180,000
13727 Judy Ave. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths Hudson in Hudson Beach Estates: This corner-lot home, built on a deep-water canal in 1977, features new cabinetry throughout, granite counters, new windows and blinds, brand-new kitchen with eating area, stainless-steel appliances, microwave and convection oven, new glass-enclosed shower, wood-burning fireplace set into brick wall, wall-to-wall hearth, new doors, ceramic tile flooring and one-car garage. Listed at $185,000, the 1,573-square-foot house sold in February. Century 21 East Lake Realty TO SUBMIT YOUR SALE for consideration in this column, please send us a photo of the home plus the address, sale price, listed price, month sold, number of bedrooms and baths, and short description. Submissions may be emailed to bmoch@tampabay.com (put HOUSE VALUES in the subject line) or mailed to: Tampa Bay Times/House Values, Attn: Barbara Moch/ Newsroom Services, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731
More for your money in the Hernando County Parade of Homes Contrasting shutters, sconce lighting and a multi-faceted roof line keep the Palmwood Construction Cabana Key model interesting on the outside, but the inside is the real surprise, as the front doors open into a pool courtyard area at the heart of the 3/3/2 with 1,934 square feet of living space.
BY NICK STUBBS Times Correspondent
There’s a lot to like about Hernando County, particularly if you are in the market for a new home, where there are significant cost savings, thanks in large part to low impact fees.
Compared to neighboring Pasco County, savings of between $10,000 and $20,000 can be realized on a singlefamily detached home. That’s not chump change, and it may be a good reason to check out the annual Hernando County Parade of Homes of the Nature Coast, which runs until the end of March. This year, 16 homes and two residential communities
are featured. All entries and their addresses are displayed on the parade website at www .paradeofhomesnaturecoast .com. Five of the models this year are “virtual” entries and can be toured only via video on the site. It’s a good time for buyers in Hernando, said Nita Beckwith, certified executive officer of the Hernando County Builder’s Association. In addition to the
impact fee savings, builders are offering attractive deals. Another factor is that interest rates are creeping up, so locking in now may be wiser than waiting. With the cost savings of buying in Hernando, new homeowners can add value with upgrades. “They can spend more money on upgrades and have more value in their home,”
Beckwith said. Those who may be skeptical of moving to “the country” have nothing to worry about, said Beckwith. While the county has plenty of rural charm, its commercial districts rival more populous counties to the south. The days of having to travel out of the county to shop are past. Beckwith notes that county officials have been keen to help new businesses set up
shop in Hernando, providing the “goods and services people need.” Cortez Boulevard commercial development is an example, where there has been rapid expansion with new stores, restaurants, medical facilities and offices. In fact, for those who put a premium on medical services, there are few places
See Hernando, 3H