Lakeland Florida Market Report for October 2008 - Back to 2004 prices

Hi folks! The month of October has shown that 136 homes were sold in Lakeland at an average price with a continuous decline to just under $150,000. When comparing the data to last year, we have seen that the average sold price of a home decreased by 24% from $184,486 to $149,333. Folks, these are prices we have seen in 2004 here in Lakeland, Florida alone.

Take a look at my spreadsheet below. I've separated the report by zip code instead of school zones; it gives you a more accurate report in my opinion. The data for this report was obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include "For Sale By Owner". 

For more information on the location of these sold properties in Lakeland, price and size of the home click on map picture which leads you to the interactive Community Walk map created by Chuck Welch of Lakeland Local.

Check out the graph here, the gap continues of the average list price vs. the average sold price for the year 2008. To lower the inventory on hand, the gap must approach towards the average sold price.

The graph below will give provide detail information of how many homes sold in Lakeland by Zip Code and by month.

Lakeland's current inventory reached 2,426 of residential homes in active and 247 homes in pending status.  

Distressed properties are homes in pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, bank owned, as well as short sales - Of the 136 homes sold last month, 52 homes were sold with an average sales price of $118,382. Only 10 homes were sold the previous year, due to Short Sales and/or Foreclosures.

There are currently 468 homes facing foreclosure.

117 homes are in pending status waiting for bank or lender approval to close.

What is the average price for these types of homes?

In Lakeland, you will find distressed properties in every price category.  The average price currently listed is $148,632. The priciest home currently on the market is listed for $750,000 and the lowest priced home is $19,000.   

Let's take a look at last month sold report for the surrounding cities in Polk County:

Winter Haven - 66 properties sold - average sold price $151,126 - average $81.36 per sq.ft.

Bartow - 14 properties sold - average sold price $129,379 - average $65.62 per sq.ft.

Mulberry - 6 properties sold - average sold price $115,281 - average $68.73 per sq.ft.

Auburndale - 15 properties sold - average sold price $171,558 - average $81.63 per sq.ft.

Polk City - 6 properties sold - sold price $77,159 - $64.63 per sq.ft.

If you are interested in a specific area or neighborhood, feel free to contact me at petra@petranorris.com or click the search button below.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |

Lakeland Florida Market Report for October 2008 - Back to 2004 prices

 Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker -

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 -

Telephone (863) 619-6918

Lakeland's Harrison School For The Arts - Fall Piano Concert

The Harrison Piano Department, will present a concert on Thursday, November 13, 2008, on the main stage of the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, at 7:30 p.m.

Photo was taken by Rebekah Haubry

The very talented piano students will play solo and ensemble literature, including Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement for 2 pianos and 8 hands, as well as Darius Milhaud's Brazileira from Scaramouche for 2 pianos and 4 hands. Other works by Chopin, Brahms, Debussy and Prokofieff will be performed.

The Seniors from the visual arts department from the Harrison Arts Center will be joining the concert by providing visual interpretation of some of our concert pieces, which will be projected on stage as the pianists play.

Performers for the concert are Senior Pianists Bryce Bresnan, Tyler Campbell, Samantha Sokolski, Garrett Williams; Junior Pianists Mary Catherine Savant, Lorel Schmitzberger, Shelli Sokolski, Benjamin Vickers, Miranda Walls; Sophomore Pianists Amanda Callihan, Robert Fleitz, Angel Lee, James Maffett, Sabrina Morby, Matthew Oliver, Tyler Seymour; and Freshman Pianists Richard Anderson, Derik Thomas, Alvaro Ulloa.

Photo was taken by Cathy Sokolski

Ticket prices are $5 for students/seniors and $7 for adults. For box office hours and online ticketing visit http://www.harrisonarts.com/. Tickets may be purchased on the Harrison secure site using a credit card and will include a nominal merchant fee. Remember to bring your e-ticket to the event. You may also purchase tickets at The Harrison Box Office which opens at the night of the concert at 6:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved | 

Lakeland's Harrison School For The Arts - Fall Piano Concert 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050  

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 10/26/08

Hi fellow readers, there are over 2,400 homes for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $220,000 and the average size of a home is 1,851 square foot, which calculates to $118.85 per square foot.  

There were 80 properties newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price was $163,792.

4 mobile homes with an average price of $83,106

2 townhomes/villas marketed with an average price of $71,400

59 single family homes averaging $175,405 

Newly listed is 1993 pool home in the Grasslands gated golf course community featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. This home is being offered at $539,000. On the contrary, the cheapest home listed is a bank owned mobile home featuring 3 bedroom/2bath and is being offered for sale for $9,900. The data for this report was obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include "For Sale By Owner". All my reports are illustrated by zip codes and the map provide you a better guidance when searching for homes in Lakeland, Florida.

The breakdown by zip code is as follows:

33801 - 12 properties average price $84,778

33803 - 13 properties average price $162,415

33805 - 03 properties average price $78,133

33809 - 07 properties average price $169,687

33810 - 21 properties average price $180,213

33811 - 05 properties average price $209,360

33812 - 04 properties average price $191,175

33813 - 12 properties average price $221,159

33815 - 02 properties average price $66,450

For more information on the location of the properties, pricing and size of the home click on map picture which leads you to the interactive Community Walk map created by Chuck Welch of Lakeland Local.

If you follow the distressed home market, there were 24 properties newly listed with an average price of $144,150 or $78.81 per Sq.Ft.

Like what you see - want additional details on a specific property? Look no further, click on the "Search for Homes" icon.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved | 

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 10/26/08 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050  

Telephone (863) 618-6919

My Reflection of the Presidential Election 2008

As I watch history being made today while writing is blog, it is exciting for me to watch the whole process of the election. Although I did not vote because I'm German citizen, it is just a phenomenal time for me and for us residents of the United States to be part of this history.

The voter turnout was unprecedented in all parts of this great country. I was so happy to see that my husband finally voted for the first time. My daughter, a first time voter, sent in her absentee ballot via federal express so her vote will be counted.

This defining moment will also be very challenging for our president-elect Barack Obama. As I watch John McCain's concession speech; he so eloquently said with cheers that we as a country should come together in unison and get this country back on track - "Americans never Quit".

The times ahead will be challenging indeed with two wars and the financial crisis. As I watch Barack Obama igniting the watchful audience with his victory speech he states that we must work hard - "step by step, block by block with calaces on our hands. "Yes We Can". I'm sure that neither Senator Barack Obama nor Senator John McCain thought of when they first announced their running for presidency.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |

My Reflection of the Presidential Election 2008 

Petra Norris

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050

 Lakeland, FL 33804-2050

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Who Is Your Real Estate Agent? - Are You Currently Working With A Realtor®

The most important responsibility as Realtors® to our clients and customers is to protect them from harm.  

When showing properties for potential buyers or doing a Comparable Market Analysis for potential sellers, we sometimes get sidetracked and fail to ask the all important question - Are you currently working with a Realtor® or Who is your Real Estate Agent? - This is harmful especially when this potential customer already has an established relationship with another Realtor®

Last month I have written a post about the "Most Violated Article" of our Code of Ethics after attending my Quadrennial Member Education Course before it would expire on December 31, 2008. I always believed in to ask that very crucial question as a courtesy and out of respect to my colleagues until I attended and read that it is our duty as Realtors® to ask.  It is our duty and responsibility and not theirs. With the internet being one of the great resources a buyer or seller has, it still does not replace the Realtor®. In reality, the consumers don't know how Realtors®  work, we sometimes assume they do - consumers sometimes think so, too.

How can we make a difference?

• Explain to a potential seller the listing agreement
• Explain a potential buyer the buyer brokerage agreement
• What it takes to sell a house from "cradle to grave"   
• What all entails to buy a house from the first showing to closing

There are only 62 days left in this year, have you taken your Code of Ethics Training course yet? The article below from the National Association of Realtors® is just a small reminder on the importance of this training.

Article 16
REALTORS^® shall not engage in any practice or take any action inconsistent with exclusive representation or exclusive brokerage relationship agreements that other REALTORS^® have with clients. (Amended 1/04)

Standard of Practice 16-13 

All dealings concerning property exclusively listed, or with buyer/tenants who are subject to an exclusive agreement shall be carried on with the client's representative or broker, and not with the client, except with the consent of the client's representative or broker or except where such dealings are initiated by the client.

Before providing substantive services (such as writing a purchase offer or presenting a CMA) to prospects, REALTORS® shall ask prospects whether they are a party to any exclusive representation agreement. REALTORS® shall not knowingly provide substantive services concerning a prospective transaction to prospects who are parties to exclusive representation agreements, except with the consent of the prospects' exclusive representatives or at the direction of prospects. (Adopted 1/93, Amended 1/04)

Who is your Realtor®?

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved | 

Who Is Your Real Estate Agent? - Are You Currently Working With A Realtor® 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050  

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 10/19/08

Hi fellow readers, there are currently 2,418 homes for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $221,684 and the average size of a home is 1,856 square foot, which calculates to $119.44 per square foot.  

The average listing price for this week's new homes on market in Lakeland is $166,525 with average square feet of 1,737.

Altogether, there were 65 homes newly listed with area Realtors®. This weeks most priciest Lakeland Real Estate newly listed is a 2005 pool home in the Amanda Oaks Subdivision featuring 5 bedrooms and 3 baths. This home is being offered at $539,000. On the contrary, the cheapest home listed has 3 bedrooms, which is being offered for sale for the land value only due to fire to the house, the sales price is $24,900. The data for this report was obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include "For Sale By Owner". All my reports are illustrated by zip codes and the map provide you a better guidance when searching for homes in Lakeland, Florida.

Types of homes newly listed

4 mobile homes with an average price of $83,106

2 townhomes/villas marketed with an average price of $71,400

59 single family homes averaging $175,405 

The breakdown by zip code is as follows:

• 33801 - 07 average price $163,491
• 33803 - 07 average price $84,485
• 33805 - 03 average price $159,300
• 33809 - 13 average price $175,707
• 33810 - 15 average price $ 170,235
• 33811 - 08 average price $178,037
• 33812 - 03 average price $241,266
• 33813 - 07 average price $204,242
• 33815 - 02 average price $97,450 

If you follow the distressed home market, there were 28 properties newly listed with an average price of $150,403 or $83.96 per Sq.Ft. 

Weekly update on distressed properties in Lakeland

The weekly inventory represents 28 properties for sale in Lakeland that came newly on the market. These homes have an average list price of $150,403 which calculates to $83.96 per square foot. Distressed homes are homes currently in pre-foreclosure, bank-owned, foreclosure and or trying to get approval for a short sale.

For more information on the location of the properties, pricing and size of the home click on map picture which leads you to the interactive Community Walk map created by Chuck Welch of Lakeland Local.

Like what you see - want additional details on a specific property? Look no further, click on the "Search for Homes" icon or contact me directly at (863) 619-6918

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved | 

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 10/19/08 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050  

Telephone (863) 618-6919

I want to do something special to a special lady and her friend Broker Bryant. If you are in Real Estate or thinking about getting into Real Estate. Check out Margaret's book - Real Estate, the Right Rome Way.

BTW - Mr. Seth Godin!!! Come over and review Margaret Rome's new book - I sure will.

Lakeland's Harrison School for the Arts presents "Pirates of Penzance"

In years past musicals like "Singing in the Rain", "Starting Here, Starting Now" and the "King and I" brought exhilaration and a full house to Lakeland's Harrison School for the Arts theatre. This year, despite the ongoing construction at the school, the show must go on and you will be astonished by the exceptional talents these High School kids from departments such as musical theater, music, dance, orchestra and theater departments, showcase.

For the next two weeks, students from the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts will present this fanatical rendition of "The Pirates of Penzance" by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

The raucous operatic tale of a young pirate apprentice named Frederic who decided to leave the pirate life forever. Feeling obliged, however, to point out the pirates' weakness being too softhearted. Apparently, all a captive must do is claiming to be an orphan and he is immediately released. Frederic, who has never seen any woman other than his partially deaf nurse, Ruth, stumbles upon a group of beautiful maidens and immediately falls in love with the Major General Stanley's daughter Mabel. Soon thereafter, the pirates arrive and want to marry the rest of the Major General's daughters. While the Major General Stanley recruits help from the police to stop the pirates, Frederic offers to help Stanley and the police to protect the ladies but soon realizes being torn by his slavery to duty under the swashbuckling Pirate King.

The show will be presented in the spirit of satire that Gilbert and Sullivan were known for, while at the same time, giving a contemporary audience an opportunity to enjoy the wit and style of slapstick and tongue and cheek hilarity. This production of Pirates leaps into the audience's seats as a boisterous romp full of high spirit with sword fights and hilarity that makes an evening at the theatre enjoyable.

Meet the cast members:

Frederic is played by Dereck Seay 12^th Grade

Mabel is played by Siobhan Gale 11^th Grade

Ruth's role is played by Caitlin Knowles 12^th Grade

Sergeant of the Police is played by Skyler Knopp 11^th Grade

Major General Stanley is played by Brendan Troost 12^th Grade

The Pirate King is played by Britt Michael Gordon 11^th Grade

Isabel is played by Olivia Williams 12^th Grade

Edith is played by Alexis Ripley 12^th Grade

Kate is played by Amelia Marler 11^th Grade

Samuel is played by Tyler Campbell 12^th Grade

Photos were taken and provided by Andy Glogower http://innerglowphoto.com/

Performances: October 24, 25, 31, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. - October 26, November 2 at 2:00 p.m.  ****Reserved Seating****

Ticket prices: $10.00 for student/seniors - $15.00 for adult ticket

Box Office hours:

October 21^st through October 23^rd & October 27^th through October 30^th - 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

                                                October 24^th & October 31^st 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

                                                October 25^th & November 1^st 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

                                                October 26^th & November 2^nd 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Purchase Tickets online at www.harrisonarts.com

Prior to the opening night of Pirates of Penzance, the Visual Arts Department will hold their Visual Arts Reception themed, "Stars, Stripes and Polka Dots" on October 24, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved | 

Lakeland's Harrison School for the Arts presents "Pirates of Penzance" 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050  

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Fear is a Powerful Force when Buying a Home in Lakeland Florida

In one of my previous blogs, I have written about setting priorities when it comes to home buying here in Lakeland, Florida. I have been working with a young family looking for a home. I've shown them numerous homes that were within their price range and style; recognizing that it would be an opportune time to buy. Buying a home is not my decision to make and I will pressure nobody to buy any particular home at any price I show; however, I'm here to counsel my buyers about pricing, location and the potential ability the property may or may not have. Still, the young family is torn in their decision to buy a home and have yet to make a serious offer.

Buyers search endless hours on the internet for their dream home at a bargain price. When they do find their dream home they become very exuberant about buying their home signing the purchase contract only to rescind the next day because of fear. Given the economic crisis, job security, high gas prices, and turmoil on Wall Street - these are all contributing factor causing insomnia to many confident home buyers.

For real estate professionals, it is intricate to estimate home values today, it is even more complicated to predict the value of real estate in the future. Nevertheless, buyers who purchase their homes at rock bottom price in well established communities will see their homes appreciate over time. This simple statement by Warren Buffett applies not only in the stock market; it also applies in the real estate market: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful." In today's Buyers Market - bad news is good news; it lets you buy a slice of America's dream at a much discounted price.

If you are seriously considering buying a home, let me suggests a few things that I have experienced when working with home buyers:

• Purchase your home with your eyes wide open, ignoring the negative atmosphere of news reports.
• Obtain every solid piece of information about your next home, your neighborhood, your community.
• Re-examine you reasoning in purchasing your home.
• Delaying a home purchase due to instability in the housing market could mean lost opportunity for you.
• Don't let the abundance of inventory find yourself confused by an array of choices - hire an experienced Realtor® that can help you clarify your choices and bring it back into your perspective.
• More importantly now for you is to hire a strong local mortgage lender, who will work with you to obtain all necessary documents to get a loan approval to be a strong buyer.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved | 

Fear is a Powerful Force when Buying a Home in Lakeland Florida

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050  

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Lakeland Florida - Lake Mirror Classic Car Show 2008

If you have been strolling through downtown Lakeland's First Friday where cars are on display, you will be in for a big surprise at the annual Mercedes-Benz Lake Mirror Classic.  Lakeland expects an estimated 35,000 people wandering around Lake Mirror for the three day event which is considered as one of the best shows in the Southeast. This three-day charity event raises money for Lakeland's non-profit group, such as the Junior Achievement of Polk County and the Boy Scouts of America. In it's 9^th year, the event has raised more than $175,000.00

The honorary chairman for this year's Festival is the legendary NASCAR's Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, who was the series champion in 1983 including victories at Daytona 500 and Winston Cup during his racing career.