Overall Polk County FL Existing Home Prices for January 2011 - 02/26/11 09:53 PM
 
Overall Polk County Existing Home Prices – January 2011
Polk County’s overall existing home sales slipped to a total of 545 Polk County Homes sold in January. Average home prices have also declined from the previous month to $93,705 by almost 12.50% resulting in a rough start for the Polk County housing market as traditional home sellers struggle to keep up with homes declining values.  
 
If you have read my recent featured article titled: "Proactive Ways on how to Educate the Media and the Consumer on the Local Housing Market".  - Check it out first because January's Polk County housing … (0 comments)

Surviving Your Serengeti: May The Truth Be Told! - 02/25/11 11:09 PM
Surviving Your Serengeti: May The Truth Be Told!
May the truth be told! I seldom read books like novels fiction or non-fiction, primarily I don't care much for books. In fact the book that I have started a few years ago, still lays next to my bed on a nightstand only to be dusted and put back. Now don't get me wrong, I do read a lot from newspaper, documents, contracts to educational books.   I did notice Bob Stewart's post challenge Surviving your Serengeti but ignored after reading through some of the comments and some of the blogs until today as I … (15 comments)

Lakeland Florida Short Sale and Foreclosure Market Report – January 2011 - 02/25/11 03:36 PM
 
Lakeland Florida Short Sale and Foreclosure Market Report – January 2011
 
For the month of January, the Lakeland real estate market of short sales and bank-owned (REO) properties that were sold increased to 67.46% from the previous month. There were a total of 114 distressed homes sold, compared to 119 in December and 87 distressed Lakeland homes sold the year prior, according to Mid-Florida Regional MLS.
 
Currently there are a total of 1760 Lakeland FL homes for sale and 557 homes under contract (02/25/2011). In order to get true market share, I calculated the total inventory; active and homes that are under … (0 comments)

Proactive Ways on how to Educate the Media and the Consumer on the Local Housing Market - 02/24/11 07:34 AM

Proactive Ways on how to Educate the Media and the Consumer on the Local Housing Market Lori Cain's featured blog "Members of the Media reporting on the housing market - would you shut the hell up?!!" inspired me to tell you about being proactive on how to educate the local media and the consumer on the local housing market.   A couple of years ago I was approached by the local newspaper after they have found my market reports on my Active Rain blog asking me if I could write up market reports for Polk County Florida for Saturday's issue of Polk … (17 comments)

Lakeland Fl Homes for Sale – Overall Home Sales for January 2011 - 02/22/11 06:04 PM
 
Lakeland Fl Homes for Sale – Overall Home Sales for January 2011
 
Average overall Lakeland Florida home sales took a nose dive to $94,095 for the month of January compared to the previous month.  The last time I saw average sales price like this was April 2001 at $89,607.  I don’t have the numbers prior to 2001, since our Multiple Listing Service provides data for ten years.  
 
169 Lakeland Fl houses that have sold in January which also decreased from the previous month of December of 197.  January market share of distressed homes rose to 67% from … (3 comments)

Lakeland FL Harrison School for the Arts presents “The Fantasticks” - 02/21/11 04:45 PM
 




Lakeland FL Harrison School for the Arts presents “The Fantasticks”
Try to Remember a Time in September....does this song ring a bell? 
The Fantastics written by Harvey Schmidt with it’s featured song, lyrics by Tom Jones, was the world’s longest running musical of all time (May 3, 1960 - Jan 13, 2002 - 17,162 performances)
As I was talking with Joe Sniegocki, Musical Director for Harrison School for the Arts and a great Storyteller, I might add, he said:
“The Fantasticks, is set in a side show at a carnival to tell the classic story of a girl … (0 comments)

How will Governor Scott Rejection to High Speed Rail Impact Lakeland Florida? - 02/19/11 09:42 PM
How will Governor Scott Rejection to High Speed Rail Impact Lakeland Florida?
When I heard the news yesterday that Governor Rick Scott rejected the high speed rail I was not surprised.  Governor Scott is known for its cost cutting measures as we Floridians have witnessed recently as he announced the Budget.  Reactions of outraged politicians calling it a premature decision were heard from Orlando to Lakeland and from Tampa to Tallahassee.   The phase I 84 mile high speed rail route with its initial construction between Orlando International Airport and downtown Tampa with a stop in Lakeland FL was projected to cost about $2.7 … (7 comments)

Hollis Garden in Lakeland Florida - Picture Updates - 02/19/11 06:11 PM
 
Hollis Garden in Lakeland Florida - Picture Updates
After after my appointment of showing a home with my client, it was time for me to take detour to Lakeland Florida's beautiful Hollis Garden.  What a beautiful day, sunny beautiful blue sky and best of all warm weather. There were lots of people there enjoying the picturesque garden with beautiful classic music playing in the background.   Hollis Garden is the prime location for wedding, prom, and engagement pictures. Today there were even a group of a wedding party at the garden taking pictures for the bride and groom's wedding album.  The … (2 comments)

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale Update - Lakeland FL Homes Just Listed Feb 1 through Feb 15 - 02/16/11 04:23 PM

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale Update - Lakeland FL Homes Just Listed Feb 1 through Feb 15 Update for the Lakeland FL real estate market! Newly listed homes for the first half of February.  A total of 144 Lakeland FL homes were just listed with area Realtors®.  The average sales price for Lakeland FL houses is $152,869.  The total inventory of homes that are for sale in Lakeland FL decreased to 1783 as of 02/16/2011. There are also 534 properties in Lakeland that are under contract (pending). The types of homes and average prices for sale in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 6 condos listed with … (0 comments)

Lakeland FL Short Sale - What is an Approved Short Sale? - 02/15/11 04:41 PM

Lakeland FL Short Sales - What is an Approved Short Sale?
 
Chances are after hours of looking online searching for Lakeland FL homes for Sale, like 87% of all home buyers in the United States, you most likely came across of homes that states “Approved Short Sale”.
Showing homes to my clients in Lakeland FL that are short sales is quite common these days, but it always throws my buyers a curve ball when it states “Approved Short Sale” followed by an immediate question: 
What is an approved short sale?
An approved short sale is established when the listing agent and lender have already completed the paper … (10 comments)

Lakeland FL Short Sale - Can I Still Negotiate An Approved Short Sale? - 02/14/11 08:31 AM
Lakeland FL Short Sale - Can I Still Negotiate An Approved Short Sale?
If you are in the market to buy a house in Lakeland Fl, chances are you have come across many Short Sales.  While the process of a Short Sale can take months the question comes up quite often when the multiple listing (MLS) description states "Approved Short Sale". First of all, an approved short sale is established when the listing agent and lender have already completed the paper work with a buyer submitting a fully executed contract for sale and purchase.  The lender completed broker priced opinion (BPO), reviewed the short … (3 comments)

Is The Time To Buy A Home Really Now? - 02/11/11 11:13 PM
Is The Time To Buy A Home Really Now?
I have read a lot of blogs lately with bloggers and commenters say that "Now" is the time to buy a home. Really?  Did you jumped on the bandwagon when the famous National Association of Realtors commercial, "It's Time 2 Buy" - was heavily advertised? I did and I'm the first one who will say that I was so wrong.  Since then Lakeland Fl home prices have dropped by 43%. I may be here the devils advocate, which brings up this question, "Is The Time To Buy Really Now?". Let's dissect this question. I … (35 comments)

Polk County Florida Celebrates 150 Years - 02/08/11 11:18 PM
Polk County Florida Celebrates 150 Years (1861-2011)
 
As residents of Polk County FL kick-off celebrating its sesquicentennial this Saturday February 12, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Polk County Historical Museum in Bartow FL, I'm always intrigued by the history of this beautiful county and it's people simply because I came from a small town that just celebrated 1000 years (millennial).  This past weekend, Lakeland's local newspaper The Ledger provided it's subscribers with an insert about 150 Years in Polk. 
 
As I read through this insert, it struck me how far Polk County has come from. … (2 comments)

Why is there Money being held in an Escrow Account? - 02/07/11 09:07 AM
Why is there Money being held in an Escrow Account?

When I meet first time homebuyers who are buying a Lakeland FL home the one thing I love to do is to educate them about the home buying process.  One of the questions I'm being asked and also not very well understood is why is there money being held in an escrow account when I purchase a Lakeland FL home? Let's define Escrow Account in connection with a mortgage! An escrow account is a specially designated savings account into which funds are deposited for a defined purpose.
Why is there money being … (3 comments)

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale Update - Lakeland FL Homes Just Listed in January 2011 - 02/04/11 04:17 PM

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale Update - Lakeland FL Homes Just Listed in January 2011 Update for the Lakeland FL real estate market! Newly listed homes for the month of January 2011.  A total of 274 Lakeland FL homes were just listed with area Realtors®.  The average sales price for Lakeland FL houses is $146,646.  The total inventory of homes that are for sale in Lakeland FL decreased to 1825 as of 02/04/2011. The types of homes and average prices for sale in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 3 duplex listed with an average sales price of $62,600 5 condos listed with an average … (1 comments)

Is A Short Sale in Lakeland FL Considered A Quick Sale? - 02/03/11 09:08 PM
Is A Short Sale in Lakeland FL Considered A Quick Sale?
This is one of the frequently asked question I answer almost every day by buyers who are looking to buy in Lakeland Fl by email, phone conversation or when showing my Lakeland FL Short Sale listings. Buyers asking "does short sale mean quick sale?" and I always start with a smile and chuckle.  First, let me define short sale? A short sale is when the seller's lender accepts less than the mortgage balance to avoid a possible foreclosure auction on the court house steps. Buying a short sale in Lakeland FL or anywhere else for … (4 comments)

How Accurate is Zillow's Zestimates in Lakeland FL? - 02/02/11 04:44 PM
How Accurate is Zillow's Zestimates in Lakeland FL?
On a recent listing appointment I was told by a prospective seller that his Lakeland FL home on Zillow's Zestimate is valued at $250,000 and that is the price he wants to sell his home. Me, the good little Realtor® that I am politely told the seller that although his house looks very nice, it is in fair condition and needs a little updating, the comparables within his community, however, does not warrant a sales price of $229,000.  I explained to him that Zillow's Zestimate is a great starting point to have when thinking about selling your … (3 comments)

First Friday in Lakeland FL - Motorcycle Mania Feb 4 2011 - 02/01/11 08:14 AM

Lakeland Florida First Friday February 4, 2011 - "Motorcycle Mania" Folks that flock to downtown Lakeland to attend First Friday events are accustomed to the Classic Car show for the past seven years. This month the Downtown Lakeland Partnership wanted to include motorcycles so they extended the hours from 6-10 p.m. The sunshine state and Lakeland, FL for that matter is heaven for motorcycle enthusiasts where you can ride your motorcycle year around. Move over Daytona Bikefest, here comes Lakeland FL Motorcycle Mania. A fun filled event for the whole family to enjoy: Live music along the streets Bay and … (1 comments)

 
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Petra Norris Realtor® Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Lakeland, FL

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CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

Address: PO Box 92050, Lakeland, FL, 33804-2050

Office Phone: (863) 619-6918

Cell Phone: (863) 712-4207

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