Lakeland Real Estate Blog by Petra

 Did you purchase a home last year and you had to take out private mortgage insurance (PMI)?

This will be the first time that you will be able to deduct the full premium on this year's federal tax return if your adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less. Families with incomes between $100,000 and $109,000 are eligible for a reduced deduction. According to Kevin Schneider, president of the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America (MICA), this year's tax break could be worth $350.00 per taxpayer - an annual deduction that qualified homeowners can take each year through 2010.

Congress approved this tax deduction in late 2006, which applied to loans with mortgage insurance that closed in 2007. Congress also voted to extend the mortgage insurance tax deduction through 2010, this extension was part of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007.

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

P.O. Box 92050 -

Lakeland, FL 33804

(863) 619-6918

The business section of the Lakeland Ledger reports the housing market continues to have difficulties in Polk County and across the State of Florida.

Folks, as every week for the past few weeks you will find my weekly report below to offer you with an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL. This report is by zip code and is in my opinion more accurate than measuring by school zones, since school zone changes are in progress and Realtors® not always input the school zones into the Multiple Listing.

There are currently 2440 properties for sale, which is an increase of 46 listings reported the previous week. Last week's average sales price increased modestly. However, the average sold price decreased almost 29% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/10/08-3/17/08.

For the month of February, a total of 135 Residential Homes have sold for an average price of $169,791, which is a decline of 13% from the previous year. There were also 125 Listings that have expired and have not re-listed.

My weekly report is obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include "For Sale By Owner".

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

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

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report for 3/17/08-3/24/08

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Harrison School for the Arts Music Department will present their Jazz and Chamber Winds Concert on Thursday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.

You will hear some of the selections performed by The Harrison Jazz Band that includes: Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra, Switch in Time by Sammy Nestico, and A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie.

 Spyro Gyra performing Morning Dance

The Chamber Winds will perform selections such as: Jack Hawes' Pieces of Eight and Walther Lampe's Serenade op. 7. The Harrison Orchestra Department is under the direction of Rob Lambert and Matt Davis.

Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens and $7.00 for adults and can be purchased online at Harrison School for the Arts web site or at the box office located in the Patrick Mitchell gallery on 750 Hollingsworth Road in Lakeland next to Lakeland High School. The box office opens at 6:00 p.m.

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

Harrison School for the Arts - Jazz/Chamber Concert

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Saturday was a very exicting day for our daughter Jeanne and her kids - our grandchildren, Amanda and Austin. After a six month deployment to Iraq, LCPL David Savage and his company, which is a Reserve Transportation Company stationed in Orlando, FL came home safe.

At this time, I would like to say "Thank you for their Serving and Thank you for their Sacrifice" to every member of this AR community. who have family and friends deployed overseas in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and anywhere else in the world. I can't wait until every Soldier in the Armed Services is home "Safe and Sound".

 Address: 512 W. Skyline Drive

Property Type: Mobile Home - Double Wide

Location: Lakeland, FL - Polk County

Price: $59,900

MLS#: L4608011

Great Buy for folks that desire a second home to escape the cold weather up north or folks that want to retire to an affordable home with land ownership in Lakeland, FL. This double wide mobile home has updated appliances, oversized showers, covered porch for you to enjoy evenings with family, friends, and neighbors.

 Priced competitively at $59,900

2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Built in 1972 - has an added air conditioned Florida Room to enjoy the homes's peaceful surroundings. A "handyman workshop" and laundryroom is attached to the home. The furnitures of this home is included in the purchase or will be removed if desired. The mobile home is located West Lakeland in the Sams Leisure Lake Estates Subdivision, it is not an over 55 community and Homeowner Association Fees are optional for club house and swimming pool usage.

Spacious Living Room to enjoy your guests and spend quality time with family.

Kitchen features updated appliances

Dining area features a built in China Cabinet for your precious collection of china and glasses

Your air-conditioned Florida Bonus Room allows you to spend time indoors with an outdoor setting.

For a private showing and additional information contact Petra Norris directly at (863) 712-4207 or visit my website at www.petranorris.com. Click here to search for more homes in Lakeland, FL!

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

Hello, as every week for the past few weeks you will find my weekly report below to give you an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL. This report is by zip code and is in my opinion more accurate than measuring by school zones, since school zone changes are in progress and Realtors® not always input the school zones into the Multiple Listing.

There are currently 2394 properties for sale, which is minimal increase of 9 listings reported the previous week. Last week's average sales price increased modestly. However, the average sold price decreased by 3% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/03/08-3/10/08.

My weekly report is obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include "For Sale By Owner".

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

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

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report for 3/10/08-3/17/08

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Please join me when these gifted Piano Students present their annual Spring Piano Concert on Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

This piano concert will not only feature solo piano repertoire of Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Debussy; but also feature a Romance of Sergei Rachmaninoff written for six hands; Ritual Fire Dance of Manuel de Falla, and a movement of the Sonata for Two Pianos of Claude Bolling. Bolling's piece depicts a musical duel between a "classical" and "jazz" pianist's including drums and bass. There is a little something for everyone at this concert. The piano students are under the direction of Rebekah Haubry.

The concert takes place in the Harrison School for the Arts Theatre located at 750 Hollingsworth Road in Lakeland, next to Lakeland High School. The theatre has room for 650 patrons. Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens and $7.00 for adults. You may purchase tickets online at Harrison School for the Arts web site.

Pictures provided by Dawn Kahre

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

Harrison School for the Arts - Piano Concert

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Do you go above and beyond for your client?

The phone rings, a Realtor® calls for an appointment to show your client's home within the next two hours. You call your clients to confirm the showing, only to find out that they are out off town and their house is not up to par, since they were not expecting a showing.

With a smile, you jump in your car and drive to your client's property that is located across town. Do what I think most real estate agents would do - make it presentable! But wait, what if you are out on an appointment or you are out off town yourself? Do you have a backup plan?

Communicating with your clients and your clients communicate back to you is the best back up plan you can have. Let your clients know when you are not in town and tell them about your back up plan.

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

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Below you will find my weekly report to give you an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL by zip code.

There are currently 2385 properties for sale, which is a decrease of 19 listings reported the previous week. Last week's average sales price decreased modestly as well as the average sold price had an insignificant increase compared to my prior report Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 2/25/08 - 3/03/08.

My weekly report is obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include "For Sale By Owner".

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

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

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Harrison School for the Arts - Choral Concert

If you missed the Harrison School for the Arts theatre sold out performances last month "Pride and Prejudice".  You're in for a treat at this year's Spring Choral Concert on March 20, 2008 @ 7:30 p.m.

 picture provided by Dawn Kahre

The Harrison Chorus will be premiering the "Opera in a Box" program for the middle schools with an abbreviated presentation of Hansel and Gretel during the first half of the concert.  The second half will include songs from around the globe, including Japan, Brazil, Africa, England, and more. The choral students are under the direction of Judy McLaurin.

Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens and $7.00 for adults. You may purchase your tickets on-line at Harrison School for the Arts web site or on the evening of the performance at the Harrison School for the Arts Box Office. Enjoy the evening with these talented young artists!

Watch out for more upcoming performances in the near future!

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

Petra Norris -CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view