Lakeland Real Estate Blog by Petra

Lakeland Florida - Celebrate Seniors at "First Friday"

The Downtown Lakeland Partnership hosts every month on the First Friday a free event at Munn Park. January's theme is "Celebrate Seniors"; this celebration is on January 2^nd, 2009 inviting seniors and their families for a fun evening filled with arts, classic car shows, music and entertainment along the streets surrounding the lovely "Munn Park".

Why "Celebrate Seniors"? To me, seniors today are yesterday's groundbreakers - who were the teachers who taught my children, the doctors who delivered my children, the carpenters who built my home, police, firefighters, lawyers, plumbers, entrepreneurs and service members of the military - they are your fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers - the backbone of your family truly deserving to be honored on this special day.

Has a senior citizen made a difference in your life?

Remember this is a family celebration - an event filled for the whole family to enjoy.

Lakeland's First Friday free event starts at 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Senior service organizations with info about their groups will be at Munn Park as well as shops and restaurants will stay open late for your convenience.  

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

Lakeland Florida - Celebrate Seniors at "First Friday"

 Petra Norris

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050

Telephone (863) 619-6918

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 12/21/08

Hi fellow readers, it's Tuesday and time for my weekly update on newly listed properties in Lakeland. The numbers of homes recently listed were down from the previous week of 59 homes to 46 homes listed with area Realtors® However; there is still an abundance of inventory of homes available - currently a total of 2,391 homes are for sale. The average sales price is $215,028 and the average size of a home is 1,845 square foot, which calculates to $116.55 per square foot.  

Types of homes newly listed:

No duplex or condominium units were listed last week

4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $102,350

1 townhome/villa offered for sale at $124,980

41 single family homes with an average price of $192,653. 

Let me point out to with my weekly update of the newly listed homes in the Lakeland area, some details on the priciest home that came on the market as well as the cheapest home. The top of this week's list is a 2005 pool home; it features 3 bedrooms/4 baths and has over 5,800 square feet of living space being offered for $1,499,900. This multi-story home is located in the Lone Palm Golf community.  On the contrary, the cheapest home this week's newly on the market is a 3 bedroom 1 bath home listed for $29,900; it is located in the College Hill subdivision - WOW! a home for under $22.00 per square foot. 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 - 05 at an average price of $159,980

33803 - 04 at an average price of $238,850

33805 - 05 at an average price of $78,060

33809 - 03 at an average price of $185,666

33810 - 17 at an average price of $153,311

33811 - 02 at an average price of $196,450

33812 - 02 at an average price of $204,450

33813 - 03 at an average price of $180,166

33815 - 05 at an average price of $356,380

Weekly update on distressed properties in Lakeland

The distressed home market has seen a decrease in properties being offered for sale from last week's 18 properties to 16 properties newly listed. The average price for a home is $127,962 ($79.17 per square foot). Distressed homes are categorized as "Bank-Owned", "Require 3^rd party approval (Short Sale)", "Pre-foreclosure", and "In-Foreclosure".

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 12/21/08 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

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

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Christmas & Holiday Wishes from My House in Lakeland Florida to Yours

With all the stress surrounding the holidays, from traveling to your destination, last minute Christmas shopping to baking cookies and preparing the Christmas dinner. Let's not forget the real reason for this special day - The Birth of Jesus Christ- born in a manger among sheep's and cows.

May your travel to your destination and return be safe. I wish you all a stress free holiday, peace to all and a happy, healthy and great new year 2009.

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 12/14/08

Hi fellow readers, newly listed homes were up from the previous week of 56 homes to 59 homes listed with area Realtors® There are currently a total of 2,409 homes for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $216,379 and the average size of a home is 1,848 square foot, which calculates to $117.09 per square foot.  

Types of homes newly listed:

1 ½ duplex listed at $109,000

1 condo newly listed at $152,500

3 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $77,125

4 townhomes/villas offered for sale at $120,081

50 single family homes with an average price of $184,062 

With every weekly update of newly listed homes in the Lakeland area, I always provide you with some details on the priciest home that came on newly on the market as well as the cheapest home. The top of this week's list is a 2008 Rick Strawbridge home built in 2008; it has a 5 bedroom 5 bath and features 3,600 square feet of living space being offered for $669,900. It is located in the Crescent Woods community.  On the contrary, the cheapest home this week's newly on the market is a 2 bedroom 1 bath HUD home listed for $12,350; it is located in the Baxter J W subdivision. 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 - 03 at an average price of $112,833

33803 - 06 at an average price of $230,926

33805 - 08 at an average price of $141,399

33809 - 08 at an average price of $188,200

33810 - 10 at an average price of $148,481

33811 - 07 at an average price of $167,746

33812 - 01 listed for $265,000

33813 - 06 at an average price of $370,933

33815 - 09 at an average price of $78,005

Weekly update on distressed properties in Lakeland

The distressed home market has seen a decrease in properties being offered for sale from last week's 17 properties to 18 properties newly listed. The average price for a home is $109,701 ($72.87 per square foot). Distressed homes are categorized as "Bank-Owned", "Require 3^rd party approval (Short Sale)", "Pre-foreclosure", and "In-Foreclosure".

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 12/14/08 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

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

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Tips on handling "House Karma" in Today's Real Estate Market

Has your home been on the market for a long period of time? I'm sure it is not easy for you worrying about the sale of your home with the housing market in turmoil and the crisis in the economy. How do you handle the "house karma" - a term that real estate agents use widely - anxiety about selling your home?

With mortgage rates at an all time low, home prices at their lowest reaching folks who are still looking over the fence and plenty of homes on the market, I'm very optimistic that the year 2009 will improve as the year progresses.  Homeowners who price their home realistically will be at ease managing to sell.

Let me give you some suggestions for "house karma" - selling anxiety.

Count to ten...... this may help but honestly surrounding yourself with an agent who is calm and collected, who can handle stress very well and has been there, hence gone through past recession is by far the best suggestion to alleviate stress and greatly improve your chances of a smooth sale. Real Estate Agents, whose income  depend solely on commissions from selling your home are as equally stressed as the property owner who is trying to sell the home. This can only sum up to more stress which amounts to an unsuccessful sale.

Exercise regularly is a great stress reliever - a great workout constitutes to optimism and positive attitude.

Harmony within the household - aim for a sense of normalcy, allowing children their playtime as long as they agree to put their toys back before a showing.

Disappear for showings - homeowners still believe that being present at the time of showing could be positive knowing all the ins' and outs' of the home. However, prospective buyers mostly feel uncomfortable and nervous when the seller is present, making it hard for them to imagine the home as their own. Consider visiting friends or go watch a movie at the theater to relief anxiety.   

Leave for a weekend getaway - getting out of town works wonders and is an excellent stress reliever when selling your home. You don't have to take your property off the market while you are taking a break. In this day and age where cell phones, emails and texting are as common as food, a skilled listing agents should have no reason they can't reach you promptly to keep the communication line open and discuss offers coming in while you're away.

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

Tips on handling "House Karma" in Today's Real Estate Market 

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 12/07/08

Hi fellow readers, as we getting closer to the Holiday Season, fewer homes are being listed as it shows in this week's report that 56 homes were newly listed with area Realtors® compared to the 63 homes listed the previous week. There are currently a total of 2,399 homes for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $217,515 and the average size of a home is 1,854 square foot, which calculates to $117.32 per square foot.  

Types of homes newly listed:

1 condo newly listed at $170,000

5 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $83,080

50 single family homes with an average price of $229.732

With every weekly update of newly listed homes in the Lakeland area, I always provide you with some details on the priciest home that came on newly on the market as well as the cheapest home. The top of this week's list is a  former 2000 Parade Home winner built by Mark Hulbert; it is a 5 bedroom 4 and ½  bath pool home, featuring over 4,600 square feet of living space and being offered for $1,490,000. It is located on Banana Lake in the Highlands-By-The-Lake community.  On the bottom of the list and also this week's cheapest home newly on the market is a 3 bedroom 1 bath home listed for $36,000; it is located in the Palma Ceia Court subdivision. 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 - 05 at an average price of $128,920
• 33803 - 10 at an average price of $169,370
• 33805 - 02 at an average price of $60,500
• 33809 - 08 at an average price of $187,025
• 33810 - 09 at an average price of $175,871
• 33811 - 05 at an average price of $129,780
• 33812 - 03 at an average price of $686,600
• 33813 - 11 at an average price of $322,463
• 33815 - 03 at an average price of $92,633

Weekly update on distressed properties in Lakeland

The distressed home market has seen a decrease in properties being offered for sale from last week's 23 properties to 17 properties newly listed. The average price for a home is $131,832 ($88.10 per square foot). Distressed homes are categorized as "Bank-Owned", "Require 3^rd party approval (Short Sale)", "Pre-foreclosure", and "In-Foreclosure".

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 12/07/08 

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 Real Estate Market Report for November 2008 - Wonder how many Realtors® got paid?

Hi folks! November proofed to be one of the slowest months since January in sales history for this year with only 105 homes sold in Lakeland. Lakeland has about 135 homes sold average this year. I wonder how many Realtors® received a commission check in November or even this year alone.  Let's take a closer look how long it would take to sell all these homes? According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), there are currently over 2600 properties for sale and/or pending (waiting to close). At an average rate of only 135 homes being sold per month, it would take approximately 18 months to absorb Lakeland's entire inventory without putting any new listings on the market. How long has your property been on the market?  Thinking about dropping the price - stop chase the market!

The average sold price for a Lakeland home in November decreased by 16% from the previous year of $184,486 to $160,282.

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, overall the average list price has decreased below 180,000 since the beginning of this year in Lakeland. The average sold price so far this year amounts to $165,000 in Lakeland.

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

Distressed properties are homes in pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, bank owned, as well as short sales - Of the 105 homes sold last month, 38 homes were sold with an average sales price of $123,287. Only 9 homes were sold the previous year, due to Short Sales and/or Foreclosures.

There are currently 502 homes facing foreclosure.

110 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 $142,945. The priciest home currently on the market is listed for $540,000 and the lowest priced home is $22,900.   

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

Check out Florida Mortgage Blogger Kevin Sandridge blog regarding sales in Winter Haven - 56 properties sold - average sold price $126,969 - average $73.11 per sq.ft.

Bartow - 6 properties sold - average sold price $91,650 - average $59.13 per sq.ft.

Mulberry - 5 properties sold - average sold price $138,328 - average $82.83 per sq.ft.

Auburndale - 10 properties sold - average sold price $294,897 - average $94.29 per sq.ft.

Polk City - 3 properties sold - sold price $109,036 - $62.94 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 Real Estate Market Report for November 2008 - Wonder how many Realtors® got paid?

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

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 -

Telephone (863) 619-6918

Music of the Season - Lakeland's Harrison School for the Arts

Music of the Season on December 11^th, 2008 @ 7:30 p.m. is by far one of the best concerts being performed during the Christmas holiday season and this year's performance by the Choral and Orchestra Department will be no different - I promise.

The Choral Department will present Johann Sebastian Bach's Cantata BWV 142 (Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis - Bach Works Catalogue) „Uns ist ein Kind geboren - Unto us a child is born" together with Harrison's Orchestra Chamber Group lead by Judy McLaurin

 Cantata BWV 142  Uns ist ein Kind geboren - Johann Sebastian Bach

I. Concerto

II. Chorus - Uns ist ein Kind geboren

III. Aria - Dein Geburtstag ist erschienen

IV. Chorus - Ich will den Namen Gottes loben

V. Aria - Jesu, dir sei Dank gesungen

VI. Recitative - Immanuel

VII. Aria - Jesu, dir sei Preis gesungen

VIII. Chorus - Alleluja 

After intermission, the Orchestra will take the stage and present Holiday favorites such as "Festive Sounds Of Hanukah arranged by Bill Holcombe; "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Gustav Holst -setting by Robert W. Smith; "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson and for the whole audience to join and sing along with the Harrison Symphony and Harrison Singers is "Christmas Music for Orchestra and Voices" arranged by John Cacavas

Tickets are selling fast! You can purchase your tickets online at www.harrisonarts.com. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and senior citizens. 

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

Music of the Season - Lakeland's Harrison School for the Arts

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

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 -

Telephone (863) 619-6918

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 11/30/08

Hi fellow readers, there are currently 2,418 homes for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $216,336 and the average size of a home is 1,848 square foot, which calculates to $117.06 per square foot.  

Altogether, there were 63 homes newly listed with area Realtors®. The average listing price for this week's new homes on market in Lakeland is $207,038.

Types of homes newly listed:

1 condo newly listed at $194,500

4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $77,375

1 townhome/villa offered for sale at $124,900

57 single family homes with an average price of $217,798.

The priciest home that came on newly on the market is a 1967 Lake Hollingsworth home; it is a 5 bedroom 4 bath, featuring over 4,500 square feet of living space and being offered for $1,900,000. Are you wondering if this is the most expensive home listed here in Lakeland? The priciest home on the market here in Lakeland is also located on beautiful Lake Hollingsworth currently listed for $2.8 million. On the contrary, the cheapest home newly on the market is a 3 bedroom 1 bath home listed for $19,900; it is located in the Shore Acres subdivision. 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 - 09 at an average price of $85,144

33803 - 04 at an average price of $741,500

33805 - 03 at an average price of $93,833

33809 - 04 at an average price of $184,825

33810 - 16 at an average price of $167,981

33811 - 08 at an average price of $190,825

33812 - 05 at an average price of $219,660

33813 - 13 at an average price $222,976

33815 - 01 listed for $79,000

Weekly update on distressed properties in Lakeland

The distressed home market has seen an increase in properties being offered for sale from last week's 19 properties to 23 properties newly listed. The average price for a home is $153,239 ($82.11 per square foot).

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 11/30/08 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

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

Telephone (863) 618-6919

An Apprenticeship - Does it make sense in Real Estate?

The Division of Real Estate's mission is to protect the public by regulation of real estate and appraisal licensees through education and compliance.

In this beautiful sunshine state of Florida, all you need is a high school diploma and you are well on your way to your new real estate career. I remember when I took my 63 hrs pre-licensing course in real estate, it was taught in a class room setting; lessons in history of the Division of Real Estate, real estate terminology, etc were given.  However, I really would have loved for the instructor to include some practical teaching, such as how do you measure the square feet of a home, or how to do a CMA - how about you?

After passing the course with its final exam, I took the Florida real estate sales associate state licensing exam and I was given the license to be a professional real estate sales person. I was licensed to sell and/or buy real estate representing sellers, buyers, landlords or tenants - their most prized possession of a home owner.

Would an apprenticeship in Real Estate be sufficient to gain experience to become qualified to represent clients or customer for real estate purchases, exchange or buying? The experience of working for a period of time or perhaps a number of transactions under a "Master Real Estate Broker" would prepare a future real estate agent to be qualified and will certainly give the real estate practitioner the confidence representing his or her clients and customer in future transactions. After finishing school in Germany, I was an apprentice for two years in a grocery chain learning everything there is to know about being a Merchant and the products sold. It is my opinion that an apprenticeship will clearly improve the real estate agent's ability to serve its clients.

While an apprenticeship program would surely weed out and reduce the amount of application for practicing real estate, however, would such program weed out the good and the bad apples of real estate agents?

Does it make sense to have an apprenticeship program in real estate? What do you think? 

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

An Apprenticeship - Does it make sense in Real Estate? 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

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

Telephone (863) 618-6919