Using Your Equity to Build Your Dream Home in Citrus Hills

Many of us work our entire lives to have that one dream home in the perfect place.

You don’t have to settle for less, when there are plenty of ways to get exactly what you want, with the equity you already have!

Pictured Above: The Dali Pool Area

What is a Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan can be one of the most cost-effective ways to borrow money.

Interest rates are lower on mortgages than on almost any other type of loan right now.

Taking out a home equity loan is also known as a “second mortgage.”

This loan uses your home as collateral and lets you borrow against your existing equity!

How Much Equity is Enough?

Most lenders want you to have 15% to 20% in equity in order to pull some of the money out.

Some lenders prefer a little more equity, in order to keep your total mortgage commitments to 80% or less of your home’s value.

Income & Debt Factors

Some lenders will look at your income against your debt as well, to ensure you can afford the new loan.

Typically, for a home equity loan, lenders like to see your debt-to-income ratio at less than 43%.

Some will allow your debts to make up a larger portion, depending on outside credit factors.

Credit Factors

Your payment history and credit score will also make up a large portion of qualifying for a home equity loan.

If your score is above 620, the better your chances will be, and the lower your interest-rate will be!

All in all, it’s a small price to pay to live the life you’ve always wanted, and in the home of your dreams!

Pictured Above: The Tiki Bar in Citrus Hills

Wild Florida Peacocks - Unique Florida

When Florida comes to mind, you may think of beautiful white-sand beaches, or sunshine every day!

One thing that may not come to mind is our unsuspecting neighbor, coexisting with us here in the sunshine state, the peacock!

“Peacock” is a general term used to describe all species, but the specific peacock species we see in Florida is actually called “Peafowl,” and females are called “Peahens.”

In numerous counties across Florida, it is not uncommon to see wild peacocks on the side of the road as you’re driving to/from work, or even in your front yard sometimes!

For many Floridians this is an exciting occurrence that we look forward to.

Neighborly or Nuisance?

Most communities in Florida seem divided on whether peacocks are a nuisance, or a bit of natural beauty for the community.

That being said, there’s no question of the appeal the peacock brings to the human eye.

Between the unique contrast of black and white lines marking their faces, to the hypnotizing feather patterns of their tail feathers, it’s hard to resist the exotic beauty they bring to your neighborhood.

Many people say they’re good to have around when small children are playing outside, as residents tend to drive slower to avoid hitting them in the streets.

On the other hand, many neighbors do not like waking up every morning to a new friend in their front yard.

Especially during mating season, when their loud squawks can be heard from blocks away.

If you’re trying to sleep at night, and a 13-pound bird is walking on your roof, scratching on the ceiling, I’d imagine it would be frustrating.

Dangers

Being 160 miles across, at its widest points, Florida has many natural critters crossing the roads at different times of the year.

We see everything from turtles coming inland to lay their eggs, sand-hill cranes, wild turkeys, flamingos, pelicans, and as you now know, wild peacocks!

Many of these creatures are trying to either reach the two substantial surrounding bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Others are trying to follow their natural instinct to travel in certain directions for migration, or scourging for food.

Floridians do try their best to protect the native creatures that cross the roads as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean they are always successful.

Traffic is a big threat to the wild peacocks roaming the streets, but it’s definitely not the biggest.

There are only few natural predators to these beautiful birds in the Florida area, such as coyotes or bobcats.

These threats don’t seem to hinder the population much at all, as there are no signs of these neighborly peafowl diminishing in numbers.

Reproduction

Peacocks in Florida usually mate between the February and July months, and lay an average of 6 eggs per season.

Peahens can not lay eggs until they are usually around 2 years old.

Peacock hatch-lings can usually be seen around this time as well, as it only takes 1 month on average for these hatch-lings to emerge from their eggs!

It’s an endearing sight to see the hatch-lings running around the community with their mothers watching close by.

Children love to go to local parks to feed baby peacocks treats like fruit, peanuts, or green vegetables, all of which directly contribute to a well-balanced peacock diet.

All in all, getting to choose where we want to live is easy when such unique wildlife surrounds our area.

Florida is already known for its wondrous beauty and amazing weather year-round.

The beautiful wildlife is JUST a perk!

Dames and Peace Caves - Unique Florida

As we all know, there are many different day-trips to choose from in our area. Our area offers everything from beaches, springs, hiking, biking and really and natural wonder that you can think of for our state! One unique day-trip that we HIGHLY recommend here in Citrus County would have to be the Dames and Peace Caves which in the Withlacoochee State Forest!

Trail 22 Location and Information

Located just 30 minutes South of the Villages of Citrus Hills gates, this trail-head can be somewhat hard to find if you don’t know exactly where to look. If you’re looking for the correct trail, it’s called Trail 22, off of S. Lecanto Hwy (491).

There are no signs or parking area to let you know you’ve reached your destination, but there is a small peace sign spray painted at the trail-head to indicate you’ve reached it. You’ll usually see a few cars parked on the side of the road as well.

The Dames Caves Trail is an easy 1.2 mile out-and-back trail that brings you right back to the road where your car is parked. Since the trail is only elevated a total of 45 feet, the only climbing you’ll have to do is if you actually want to get in or out of some of the caves. This mild elevation makes for a nice day-hike for any age groups!

Vandal Cave

Two of the most popular caves on this trail are called “Vandal Cave” and “Peace Cave.” Vandal Cave is located if you follow the main trail-head East, and you will stumble across it right in front of you. It may look like a giant hole in the ground at first, as this cave had a roof collapse many ages ago. You are able to look directly down into Vandal Cave and see the bottom!

If you walk around the side of Vandal Cave, you’ll find a smaller cave that grants access into the heart of the beast. After a short climb, you get to experience all the natural beauty of Vandal Cave. At this point, you will also notice why it is called “Vandal Cave” with much of the walls covered in graffiti.

Peace Cave

Peace Cave is located on a sub-trail connected to Trail 22. It’s a short walk from Vandal Cave, and you can make it there in just minutes. You’ll know you’ve reached the cave when you see a giant tree with a peace sign spray painted at the base of the tree. The opening to this cave is more of a squeeze to reach the inside, but it is still very-doable. You’ll also need a flashlight for this one, as there won’t be any light to guide you in this time, like in Vandal Cave!

Once you reach the inside of these underground caves, you’ll instantly feel the temperature drop. If you’re quiet, you can hear the underground waterways passing by. There’s just no place like it.

The 10 Best West Coast Florida Beaches

The proximity to a large number of great Florida gulf coast beaches is one thing that makes living in the Villages of Citrus Hills so attractive.

Here are TEN of the most commonly referenced west coast beaches that you are definitely going to want to check out sooner, rather than later.

1. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, Florida

After being named TripAdvisor’s #1 beach in the country back in 2018, the secret is officially out on one of our all-time favorite beach destinations. With a perfect combination of silky-smooth white sand and a small-town atmosphere, Clearwater should continue to be at the top of just about everyone’s list of favorite beach destinations for years to come.

2. Destin

Known as an ideal destination for families, Destin is one of our favorite options located up in the panhandle along Florida’s Emerald Coast. If renting a condo for a week and kicking back on the beach with just a bit of snorkeling mixed in is your idea of a good time, Destin is a perfect fit.

3. Honeymoon Island

Honeymoon Island, Florida

Located just north of Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island features the same stunning white sand beaches in a more remote setting. This option is known for being a place that locals prefer when Clearwater is a bit too busy, and it is also a fantastic place to explore by kayak.

4. Lido Key

Another popular island destination along the Gulf Coast of Florida is Lido Key, which sits just west of Sarasota. This spot has a reputation for ecotourism, deep-sea fishing, and sunset cruises, and it is also home to a first-class beach resort, as well as plenty of exciting street performers.

5. Marco Island

Marco Island, Florida

If we head all the way down to the southern end of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Marco Island is the place that stands out as a must-see destination for beach lovers. This island is located just off of Naples, and it is home to some fabulous beach resorts, as well as the Briggs Nature Center and its half-mile boardwalk.

6. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach might have a reputation as a spring break destination for college students, but it is about as laid back as the rest of the Gulf Coast throughout the rest of the year. With more than 27 miles of white sand beaches, you can always find a little section to enjoy all by yourself here, and the artificial reefs located just offshore are perfect for snorkeling. 

7. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Located just 45 minutes east of the iconic Flora-Bama beach bar, Pensacola is the farthest west of the panhandle beaches on our list. This destination offers a bit of everything, including shopping, restaurants, and a fishing pier.

8. Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Seashells are the primary attraction down on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and the amount of them spread across these popular beaches just west of Fort Myers is astounding. True shell lovers will also want to check out the nearby Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum while they are in the area.

9. Siesta Key

Siesta Key, Florida

Just south of Sarasota is where you will find the romantic beach destination of Siesta Key. In addition to white sand beaches and calm blue water, this eight-mile-long island paradise is also known for its resorts, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

10. St. Pete Beach

After kicking off our list with Clearwater Beach, it seems appropriate to close it out with St. Pete Beach, which is located just 30 minutes south. Just like Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach is one of the most gorgeous beach destinations in all of Florida, and it offers the added appeal of almost always having beautiful weather.

No matter which one of these beaches you choose to explore, it really is hard to find a bad option up and down Florida’s Gulf Coast.

In fact, we highly recommend that you make your way through all ten of these beaches and decide for yourself which ones are your favorites.

Everything You Need to Know About Citrus County Animal Services

Located just 20 minutes southwest of the Villages of Citrus, Citrus County Animal Services handles an astounding number of animal-related issues throughout the community.

They might be best known for being the primary location for pet adoption in our community, but they also utilize volunteers and donations to serve the community in ways that many people never even think to consider.

To help shed some light on everything that this fascinating operation does for both two- and four-legged residents of Citrus County, let’s take a quick look at the wide range of responsibility they are tasked with.

Local Pet Adoptions

In January of 2020, Citrus County Animal Services facilitated the adoptions of 70 dogs and 46 cats, as well as four other animals.

Adopting a pet there is actually a very simple process that just requires a valid photo ID from a local resident that is at least 18 years old, along with cash, check, or credit card to pay for the adoption fee.

The standard adoption fee is $60 for dogs and puppies and $35 for cats and kittens.

Other Animal Services Programs

In addition to facilitating more than 100 adoptions each month, Citrus County Animal Services also offers other programs like Barn Cat Adoptions and TNVR.

The Barn Cat Adoption Program offers free adoption of outdoor cats. While these cats are not suitable for adoption as indoor pets, they can be one of the best pest control options for anyone who has a large barn.

The TNVR program stands for “Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return.” This program targets what are known as community cats (friendly local strays) and allows them to provide positives like pest control while still controlling their population and monitoring for diseases.

Donation Requests

With everything that goes on at Citrus County Animal Services, it is no surprise that they are pretty much always looking for donations of all kinds of supplies.

In addition to using donated supplies for their own operation, they also manage the pet sections at eight food pantries located around the county as part of the Community Food Bank of Citrus County.

Items like towels, blankets, Dawn dish soap, canned food, dry food, and various treats and toys are always needed, and Citrus County Animal Services makes sure that all of these supplies are provided to the local residents that need them the most.

Volunteer Opportunities

Donating supplies is a fantastic way to help out Citrus County Animal Services, but donating your time can have an even more powerful impact on the community.

One way for local animal lovers to volunteer is to sign up to become a foster caregiver for shelter animals. This typically involves letting sheltered dogs and/or cats into your home for months at a time, and there is some basic training required.

Another way to volunteer at Citrus County Animal Services is to show up in person and help out with basic tasks like answering the phones, helping out with the animals, walking dogs, and cuddling kittens.

Citrus County Animal Services handles a wide range of animal-related operations that all seek to make Citrus County a better community. And with the addition of your help, they can continue to improve our community for years to come.

Even if you don’t have the time or the means to help out in a significant way, don’t hesitate to stop by their facility in Inverness and check out everything that they have going on there.