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Retiring from Active Duty Military or Relocate to MacDill, AFB – Tampa, FL?

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Managing Real Estate Broker with Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. BK646565

Retiring from Active Duty Military or Relocate to MacDill, AFB – Tampa, FL?

Retiring or Relocate to Lakeland, FLJust recently I sold a home in Lakeland, FL to an active duty military member who is relocating to MacDill AFB.  Why in the world they chose Lakeland over Tampa you might ask?   The drive alone from Lakeland to MacDill is about 40-50 minutes depending on traffic.  

The single answer is location, location, location…..

You see, they thought way ahead of their time, where do I want to raise my family or where do I want to retire and live comfortable?  Military members and their family are known to sacrifices.  The separation from their families while deployed in another country, another state is in my humble opinion one of their challenging sacrifices military families share every day.  

When it comes time to retire or to relocate and where the duty station may be at MacDill AFB, or even Ft. Benning, GA – my husband’s last duty station, many feel they want to get away from a military base but still want to be within driving distance for shopping, amenities and activities, such as the annual military air show.  It is a no brainer for a soon to be retiring active duty military member to make the driving sacrifice.  

Lakeland, FLWhile Lakeland FL with it small city feel, it is smack dab in the middle and convenient to all major attractions and white sandy beaches.

Guaranteed Veterans Administration Loan Program allows Active Duty Military Members and Veterans receive 100% financing with a maximum loan limit for $417,000 in Lakeland FL.  You can buy a very nice home considering the loan limits and comparing recent home prices here in Lakeland, FL

Lakeland has very affordable home prices compared to Tampa, FL or Orlando, FL:

  • Lakeland, FL – average home prices for single family homes in June 2010 was $125,040
  • Tampa, FL – average home prices for single family homes in June 2010 was $205,140
  • Orlando, FL – average home prices for single family homes in June 2010 was $169,711


Thinking about retiring or relocating close to a military base? Consider Lakeland Florida in your next home search, it is all right here with the click of your mouse - just click away!

 

Comments(7)

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Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Excellent informatio for VA buyers Petra.  I just posted one today too.  In fact I plan to post several more.  I have such a huge market.

Jul 26, 2010 07:37 AM
Kristin Mason
New Market Title Agency - Independence, OH

Great information for our Military families.  As a mother of a soldier, I am excited when I see information posted for our retired and active military!  They do sacrifice so much for our freedoms!  Proud Army Mom!

Jul 26, 2010 07:47 AM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Lenn, thank you so much.  My husband is a military retiree and the reason we chose Lakeland, it is close to a military base but not too close. VA max loan allowance are far less that what is in your area but you will get a very nice home compared to average home sales here in Lakeland. 

Jul 26, 2010 07:49 AM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Kristin - thank you!  I retired from being a military spouse and now I'm a military mother-in-law for my daughters.  Once military, always military :) 

Jul 26, 2010 07:52 AM
John Elwell
CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc. - Zephyrhills, FL
You Deserve a Full-Time Agent, Not Reduced Results

Lakeland is a great area, just south of Zephyrhills and I have shown homes there several times. No listings though since I will leave that to the local experts like you :) With Interstate 4 the drive may be long in miles, but in general not too stressful at all. Plus, the atmosphere in Lakeland or Plant City is completely different from Tampa. I love Tampa, to be sure. But can see the appeal of Lakeland as well.

Jul 26, 2010 09:56 AM
Wendy Rulnick
Rulnick Realty, Inc. - Destin, FL
"It's Wendy... It's Sold!"

Petra - Excellent appeal to our military members, great highlight of Lakeland.

Jul 26, 2010 11:35 AM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

John - Thank you, I've come to love Lakeland for various reasons.  I could not imagine living somewhere else.

Wendy - I always loved the US military from the time I was a little girl watching them drive by in my hometown with their tanks to marry a US soldier and now living in this great country. Always supporting!

Jul 27, 2010 01:31 AM