Lakeland Real Estate Blog by Petra

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Spring Dance Concert in Lakeland, FL

Harrison School for the Arts proudly presents The Spring Dance Concert on May 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 p.m.


DanceThe Spring Dance Concert will offer Salome, a dramatic contemporary ballet based on the play by George Bernard Shaw. Set in Mexico in the early 1800's, the comedic piece, Cantina Don Juan-ita is about the rivalry between two town beauties over a handsome young Don. The light hearted ballet, Momentary Mingling, is bout how humans pass in and out of friendships. Finally, No Exit is a fast pace abstract contemporary dance to Michael Nyman music.

 

 

 

You can purchase your tickets online at http://www.harrisonarts.com/ Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for students and senior citizens.

 

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

Harrison School for the Arts - The Spring Dance Concert

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

PO Box 92050, Lakeland, FL 33804-2050

(863) 619-6918
This blog is solely my point of view

I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland real estate landscape and all it has to offer.

Lakeland’s Real Estate Market 411

March Home Sales Improved overall in Polk County according to the Lakeland Ledger Report. With all its negative publicity that the Real Estate Industry has received, it is a positive sign that the media finally has something encouraging to write about Real Estate.

What does the statistics say for Lakeland, Florida?  Lakeland's Lake Mirror

According to the data obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS there were 159 homes sold in Lakeland compared to last years 188 homes sold - a decline of 32 homes. The average sold price for a home in Lakeland was $152,761 last month. Last year's average sold price was $185,497 in March - a plunge of 17%. Of the 159 homes sold there were 25 homes sold in distress - short sale, pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, and/or bank owned. The average home sold in distress last month was $104,662.

 

 

My report below is a breakdown by zip code which gives you a detailed view of each area with last year's market information. The data for this report was obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Lakeland's Residential Report March

There is some good news on the horizon when you compare March 2008 data with the total amount of properties sold in February 2008. There was an increase of 24 more homes sold in March. I don't want to speculate on the coming month of a continued increase in home sales, I do notice more calls on my listings as well as buyers looking for great deals.

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

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

Lakeland's Real Estate Market 411

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

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 619-6918

This blog is solely my point of view

I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland real estate landscape and all it has to offer.

Starting Here, Starting Now and Visual Arts Continuum Exhibit at Harrison School for the Arts

Harrison School for the Arts proudly presents "Starting Here, Starting Now"

TheatreDon't miss the upcoming performance of "Starting Here, Starting Now" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 18, & 19, and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., April 20, 2008.

Starting Here, Starting Now is a musical revue, an excitement of love and the confusion of modern relationships featuring the work of Richard Maltby, Jr., who wrote the lyrics and David Shire, who composed the music.

Each song is a perfectly crafted story, showcasing the adaptability of its performers taking them from tender ballads to ecstatic shouting-from-the-rooftop celebrations. The musical stories are connected with narration written by the Harrison cast members, which appear in text on a screen above the actions.

Ticket prices are $8 for students/seniors and $10 for adults. Tickets may be purchased on the Harrison secure site www.harrisonarts.com using a credit card and will include a nominal merchant fee. Remember to bring your e-ticket to the event. Tickets will be available at the door one hour prior to performance.

Visual Arts Continuum Exhibit in the Mitchell Gallery

The opening reception for the Continuum Exhibit, inspired by faculty artist Rocky Bridges' tour of Japan, will take Visual Arts Toolsplace on Friday, April 18, 2008 in the Mitchell Gallery of the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, at 6:30 p.m.

Following his participation in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program, artist/teacher Rocky Bridges conveys his experiences with his Harrison students.  Through a fully funded three-week study of Japan, the JFMF aims to increase the level of understanding between Japan and the U.S. by immersing American teachers in Japanese culture.

 

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

Harrison School for the Arts proudly presents "Starting Here, Starting Now"

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

                            PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 618-6919

I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland real estate landscape and all it has to offer.

Have you haggled lately?

I have been looking at the Flip Video camera for some time now and noticed at Best Buy last week that they Flip Videowere on sale for about $149.00. I gave it a try at the store and I really liked the style and the simplicity of the camera. Well, I did not buy the Flip Video last week because I wanted research more about the camera online, read the reviews; last but not least do a little price comparison.

 

Best BuyYesterday, my husband and I drove to Best Buy again, not to buy the Flip Video but to look at cables for our television. I stopped by at the video counter to see if there was a change in price of the camera and to my revelation the price increased to $179.90. The sales associate walked up to me and asked if he could be of any help and I replied "yes, of course the Flip Video's price increased and I was asking if you would sell it to me for $149.00." He told me that he could not make that decision. I said, okay can I speak with the manager. After about ten minute wait, the manager came up to me and asked if there is anything he could do and I kindly replied if he could arrange to sell me the Flip Video for the sales price of last week, since I could get it online for a cheaper price. He took out the price tag from the shelf and walked away for a minute. When he came back, he gave the authorization to the sales associate to sell the Flip Video for the sales price.

 

By the way, where was my husband? I guess he felt a little embarrassed by my haggling and stayed away. I guess if you don't ask you will never find out. Give it a try - it sure made my day.

 

Here is my first video shoot with my Flip Video - Enjoy!

 

 

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

Have you haggled lately?

 

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

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 619-6918

This blog is solely my point of view

I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland real estate landscape and all it has to offer.

Is it time to buy or is it time to sell in Lakeland, Florida - you decide!

StatisticsIt has been an interesting First Quarter this year. From January through March, there were 394 residential HouseForSalehomes sold in Lakeland, Florida compared to last year's first quarter total of 522 home sold - a decrease of 128 properties or if you will 32.50%. The average sold price for this quarter was $170,499 (average sq. ft. $101.73) compared to $198,774 (average sq. ft. $120.54) a decrease of 17% for the 1st quarter in 2008. Are you looking to buy?

Folks, as every week for the past 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.

Lakeland's Residential Weekly Report

There are currently 2403 properties for sale, which is an increase of 15 listings reported the previous week. Last week's average sales price decreased modestly. However, the average sold price increased by 5% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/24/08-3/31/08. 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".

How long will it take to absorb the current inventory? According to the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, there are HouseSoldcurrently 2628 active and pending listings available in Lakeland. The definition of Pending is that it has not sold as of today and/or the Pending listing has not been updated to Sold status in the Multiple Listing. Realtors® sold 156 properties in Lakeland last month. Since the absorption rate is not an exact science it may influence your decision to put your home on the market. Based on my calculation, the truth of the matter is that the absorption rate for Lakeland is 73 weeks. Are you thinking about selling?

 

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

Subscribe to my Blog

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

Is it time to buy or is it time to sell in Lakeland, Florida - you decide!

 

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

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 618-6919

This blog is solely my point of view

I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland real estate landscape and all it has to offer.

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report for 3/24/08-3/31/08 – Polk County, FL

Folks, as every week for the past 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 2388 properties for sale, which is a decrease of 52 listings reported the previous week. Last week's average sales price increased modestly. However, the average sold price increased almost 20% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/17/08-3/24/08.

So far, for the month of March, the Mid-Florida Regional MLS reports that 25 homes sold in Lakeland were in foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, bank owned, and/or required 3rd party approval (short sale). The average sold price was $104,662 with an average of $73.65 per square feet. However, a total of 124 homes were sold by Realtors®, who had sellers that had not distressed homes; the average sold price for such properties were $182,390 with an average of $105.43 per square feet.

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

Lakelands' Residential Weekly Real Estate Report

 

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

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report for 3/24/08-3/31/08

 

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

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 618-6919

This blog is solely my point of view

I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland real estate landscape and all it has to offer.