Lakeland Real Estate Blog by Petra

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market - Weekly Update for 9/21/08

Hi fellow readers, there are currently 2,369 homes for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $229,252 and the average size of a home is 1,871 square foot, which calculates to $122, 53 per square foot.  

The average listing price for this week's new homes on market in Lakeland is $244,924 with average square feet of 1,999.

Last week, there were 74 homes newly listed with area Realtors®. The lowest priced home that came on market is $21,000 and the highest priced home new on market is listed for 2,550,000.00 which is a newly built home by Duane McQuillen Construction located in the Crescent Woods Subdivision in South Lakeland.

There are 4 manufactured homes listed with an average price of $64,600, 5 condominium units listed for an average price of $183,760 and 65 single family homes with an average price tag of $260,726. 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 maps providing you a better guidance when searching for homes in Lakeland, Florida.

• 33801 - 6 properties - average list price $110,883
• 33803 - 11 properties - average list price $195,090
• 33805 - 6 properties - average list price $167,743
• 33809 - 9 properties - average list price $237,811
• 33810 - 15 properties - average list price $183,066
• 33811 - 6 properties - average list price $261,350
• 33813 - 19 properties - average list price $409,809
• 33815 - 2 properties - average list price $32,950

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.

What is more interesting is that of the 74 homes newly listed for sale, 21 properties for sale in Lakeland, Florida are distressed homes with an average list price of $149,333. Distressed homes are homes currently in pre-foreclosure, bank-owned, foreclosure and or trying to get approval for a short sale.

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 9/21/08 

Petra Norris - Realtor®

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

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

Telephone (863) 618-6919

This blog is a must read in all parts of this country, since everybody is affected.

CS/HB 643 Florida Foreclosure Fraud - Protecting Homeowners in Lakeland Florida 

First of all, I am not an attorney and therefore this blog is for your information only. If you are facing foreclosure, it is important that you seek an attorney, who specializes in foreclosure.  

What is Foreclosure?

Foreclosure is an action by the lender to take back your property. If you have been served with a foreclosure complaint, in the State of Florida you and/or your attorney have 20 days to respond to this notice. It is critical that you hire an attorney, who specializes in foreclosure.  You still have the right to fight foreclosure, however hiring an attorney is essential. There are steps you can take when you cannot make or have already fallen behind on your mortgage payments.

•   Contact your lender immediately
•   Work out a prepayment plan with your lender
•   Modify your current mortgage by extending the length of your loan
•   Piggy back past due amounts

Another option would be Forbearance. Your lender may allow you to delay payments for a short period of time, with the understanding that another option will be used afterwards to bring the account current.

Did you know that your foreclosure notices (Lis Pendens) are public record?

This is the most vulnerable time of your life and scam artists just waiting for you to fall for it with all kinds of tricks up their sleeves:

Lease-Back or Repurchase Scams - they simply try to convince you that they will continue paying your mortgage and renting the home back to you by signing the deed over to them. You could be out of your home and still be held responsible for your mortgage. Don't be fooled!

Bait and Switch - posing as mortgage brokers or lenders offering to refinance your loan with affordable rates and payments by con you into signing over home ownership instead of refinance documents. Don't be fooled!

Phantom Help - charges you high fees upfront for work you as a homeowner could do yourself.  Don't be fooled!

Foreclosure Prevention Specialist - phony counselors, if it is too good to be true turn the other way. Don't be fooled!

Don't sign any documents, such as your deed to your home. The Federal Trade Commission's web site has some valuable information regarding avoiding foreclosure as well as info for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help you spot, stop, and avoid them.  

On October 1, 2008 the Florida Foreclosure Fraud protecting homeowners will go in effect.

In 2007, an estimated 150,000 foreclosures were filed in the state of Florida. Unfortunately, this created for scam artists and criminals a niche market by defrauding homeowners making false promises to save homeowners from foreclosure. Foreclosure rescue consultants and/or equity buyers are prohibited from starting services without first executing a written agreement with you, the homeowner, and charging upfront fees before completing or performing all services as agreed. There are further protections with regard to cancellation of such agreement, and other prohibited acts of offering or providing foreclosure related services you should read in this bill.

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

CS/HB 643 Florida Foreclosure Fraud - Protecting Homeowners 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

ALDI Grand Opening in Lakeland Florida, Shopping Groceries - German Style

Driving north on Highway 98, located next to the restaurant Golden Corral I'm sure you noticed- there is a new kid in town.

ALDI - Are you wondering where the name originated? AL=Albrecht DI=Discount.

Here is a little history of the retail store ALDI for you. Brothers Theodore and Karl Albrecht took over their mother's modest store at the end of WWII, creating ALDI what is thought to be the original discount store in Germany. Since 1975, ALDI South expanded to the United States with over 800 stores currently open and now we have the pleasure to welcome ALDI to Lakeland, Florida on September 25, 2008.

A typical ALDI store in northern part of Germany

Are you ready to shop German Style?

I remember when I grew up in Germany, my mom send me off with my grocery bag to the store to get items like sugar, milk, jam, and coffee at the local discount store. My parents never bought brand name items, always buying the store's own name brands because there was considerable savings compared to other traditional stores and the quality of the products were just as equal. Grocery shopping in Germany is very different. German folks go grocery shopping almost on a daily basis by taking along shopping bags saving every cent there is to save by these straightforward grocery chains.

The store embraces a no-frills attitude here in Lakeland. There will be nobody bagging your groceries at check out, shopping carts are rentals and can only be accessed and operated when you deposit a Quarter (25-cent) in the cart's lock. Most of ALDI's products about 95% are made up of their own private label brands, which is why they are called a discount store with prices at its lowest - "Shop Smart Florida". Products are presented efficiently on self-displaying cases on pallets or shipping crates keeping labor costs down. ALDI's products have multiple UPC bar codes scanning dependable from every direction, so the cashier does not have to search for the code, which speeds up the process at check out.

Here is my recommendation. Before leaving your home, put a plastic or heavy duty box with handle in the trunk of the car. After you complete your shopping, all you have to do is put your groceries in the box you took with and bring them right into your house to put away. Saving on plastic bags, money, and helping the environment.

ALDI is located at 4745 US 98 Hwy N. - The store hours are Mon-Sat 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sundays 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

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

ALDI Grand Opening in Lakeland Florida, Shopping Groceries - German Style 

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

Hi fellow readers, there are currently 2,347 homes listed for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $228,346 and the average size of a home is 1,865 square foot, which calculates to $122, 44 per square foot.

The average listing price for this week’s new homes is $240,400 with average square foot of 1,825.

Last week, there were 69 homes newly listed with area Realtors®. The lowest priced home that came on market is $30,000 and the highest priced home new on market is listed for 2,900,000.00 which is a property of 27 acres formerly used as a working horse ranch; a three parcel tract that consists of two single family homes. There was also 1 Duplex listed for $70,000, 5 manufactured homes listed with an average price of $82,444, and 2 condominium units listed for an average price of $93,900 and 61 single family homes which by zip code are as follows:

• 33801 – 6 properties
• 33803 – 13 properties
• 33805 – 2 properties
• 33809 – 6 properties
• 33810 – 16 properties
• 33811 – 13 properties
• 33812 – 3 properties
• 33813 – 8 properties
• 33815 – 2 properties

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.

What is more interesting is that of the 69 homes newly listed for sale, 19 properties are distressed homes. Distressed homes are homes currently in pre-foreclosure, bank-owned, foreclosure and or trying to get approval for a short sale. 

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

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 Farmers' Market - Soap for the Soul  

Yeah....the month of August has passed and I was happy to see local merchants back at the Farmer's Market this past Saturday morning downtown Lakeland. As I made my way around visiting various vendors and their products and produce, one merchant stood out for me - Jane Gavin's Soap for the Soul

I love handmade soap, especially because of its natural aroma, made with only 100% food grade oils, all vegetable and no animal fats or detergents. The soaps contain only pure essential oils and/or skin fragrance oil; custom blended and crafted in small batches to assure high quality using the cold process method.  Ingredients such as

• Rice Brain Oil - High in vitamins A and E. Used for years in Japan for skin care. Improves your skin's suppleness and resiliency.       
• Coconut Oil - Provides rich lather and adds hardness to each bar of soap.
• Palm Oil - Gives soap a smooth texture and provides lather       
• Botanicals - Oatmeal, yerba mate' tea, finely ground orange peel to exfoliate and soothe skin.        
• Scents - All natural oils and/or skin safe fragrance oils.

Jane carries a variety of natural soap bars. If you love a calming bath before bedtime, then Lavender would be your choice. For the kitchen or working outside gardening, Lemongrass and Pumice is the perfect soap to clean hard working hands. For men and women, an earthy and woodsy soap is Patchouli.

Fragrance Oil Soaps like Almond and Oatmeal soap provide a silky smooth feeling with a delicate scent. Do you love to exfoliate with lots of oatmeal - Oatmeal, Milk and Honey or try White Tea and Ginger with lots of yerba mate' tea? Orange and Clove has a rich and spicy scent with finely ground orange peels. Sandalwood soap has a warm, woodsy, outdoor fragrance. Uplifting scent that is sweet and fruity and stays with you all day - you will definitely love Pear soap.

I asked Jane what gave her the idea to make and eventually sell these handmade soaps and this is what she told me:

I first began using homemade soap three years ago, and was surprised at the difference from soap I purchased at the store.  It left my skin feeling soft and conditioned, not to mention how good the soap smelled!  For my daughter's wedding, she wanted to give away homemade soap as wedding favors, so I learned how to make the soap from Chris Boch, Master Soap Maker.  I made all of the soap for my daughter's wedding, and loved making it so much, I continued to make it.  Then I thought of trying to sell my soaps, and stumbled upon the Lakeland Farmers' Market as a way to do that.  I committed to the market for the months of September and October, and now I am in the soap business!  You can e-mail me at gavincurtis@msn.com, or call me at 299-1030 if you wish to get in touch with me.

 Jane Gavin

Soap for the Soul

The Lakeland Farmers' Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in front of the Peterson building on Kentucky Avenue.  Please support our local merchants by shopping local products.

The oils are locally grown and insecticide free

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Don't you love the beautiful Orchids?

Flowers, fruits and vegetables, breads, soap for the soul, oil, home made sauces or condiments like peach chutney, arts and crafts and live music is all there for you to see and to buy. 

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

Lakeland Florida Farmers' Market - Soap for the Soul  

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 Sold and Lakeland Homes For Sale

Folks interested in Lakeland Florida’s real estate market have seen and read my detailed monthly blog about the average homes sold by Zip Codes compared to the previous month and year. Now, for the local folks living here in this beautiful growing city of Lakeland know that Zip Codes such as 33803, 33811, and 33813 are located on in South Lakeland and Zip Codes with 33809 and 33810 are located in North Lakeland.

Did you ever wonder where in Lakeland sold the most homes in one month?

• What is the address of the home sold?
• How much your neighbor’s home did sell for and when did it sell?
• What is the difference in List price vs. Sales price?

Then look no further, the map here will give you all the answers you need as well as when the home was built, the size of the home as well as the number of Bedroom and Bath. You can even zoom in to get detailed street names and facilities, such as the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport or a local Golf Course Community, as well as Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

By clicking on the picture of the map below, you'll be instantly taken to the Community Walk interactive page to see the information pointed out.

What about the folks that are interested in relocating to Lakeland, Florida? Recently, I had a conversation with Chuck Welch, a fellow blogger on Lakeland Local, about his recent move to Lakeland. He expressed that he wished there was a way to map homes that are currently for sale. Looking for homes in Lakeland from a different state would give a home buyer an edge to be able to see what is located nearby and what is the price range of the homes currently for sale.

Now with well over 2000 homes for sale in Lakeland, it would be a total chaos to have all homes mapped. With his expertise in creating maps and me providing the necessary information, we will incorporate the information you need for homes that newly come on the market on a weekly basis.

What information will I be able to access?

• Address of the home List price
• Size of the home
• Number of Bedrooms and Baths

By clicking on the picture of the map below, you'll be instantly taken to the Community Walk interactive page to see the information pointed out.

Disclaimer: The data for the maps were obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

Lakeland Florida Homes Sold and Lakeland Homes For Sale

Petra Norris – Realtor®

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

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

Telephone (863) 618-6919

Tweet...Tweet... Rockin' Robin, Twitter

This morning I found an invitation in my email box from a fellow Active Rain member to Twitter.The first thing that came to my mind the musical gal in me was ....Tweet....Tweet.... Rockin' Robin. Now of course I heard of Twitter and read a few blogs on Active Rain about Twitter that supposed to bring family and friends together. Never took it seriously enough to consider until lately learning more about social media networking on a webinar held by Domus Consulting Group, which I currently attend every Friday for the next 11 weeks. So off, I clicked to Twitter's web site to check it out, listen to the intro video - Twitter in plain English. So, what are you doing? After listening to the video, my first question I asked myself.

What am I doing and who really cares, besides my family, what I currently do? But wait! There are a few more questions that popped into my brain.

• What does Twitter do for you from a Realtor® point of view?
• Would you mix business with personal?
• How often do you keep up with Twitter?

I understand that you can download various application be engaged on Twitter via SMS and join other social networking groups such as Facebook. I would say that I'm a regular blogger, always reachable by phone and email. Professionally, I'm a Realtor® first and wondering about the time involved to keep up with Twitter.

What's your take on Twitter - Tweet...Tweet Rockin' Robin?

In the meantime, enjoy the video.

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

Tweet...Tweet... Rockin' Robin, Twitter 

Petra Norris

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 618-6919

Lakeland Florida Monthly Market Report August 2008

The month of August was not very encouraging for Lakeland when considering the amount of properties sold and average sold price, comparing the data to the past statistics. The amount of units sold decreased further down to 129 from the previous month of 142 homes sold. The average sold price for August was $156,708 in Lakeland alone, which is a decrease of 5% from the previous month. The time it took a home to sell was an average of 162 days. 

Do you remember what a home sold for on average in Lakeland in August 2007?

The average sold price for a residential home was $192,467

The total residential properties sold were 199 units.

The average days on market were 141 days.

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".  The average sold price in Lakeland Florida for the month of August 2008 was $156,708 and as you can see only 5 zip codes reached above average sales price (highlighted) for the month of August.

Lakeland's current inventory reached 2,334 of residential homes in active and 256 homes in pending status.  

Distressed properties are homes in pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, bank owned, as well as short sales - Of the 129 homes sold last month, 28 homes were sold with an average sales price of $132,682. Only 11 homes were sold the previous year, due to Short Sales and/or Foreclosures.

Interested in Lakeland properties facing foreclosure or short sales?  

There are currently 410 homes facing foreclosure.

83 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 $158,940. The priciest home currently on the market is listed for $750,000 and the lowest priced home is $24,500.  

With well over 2,000 homes on the market in Lakeland alone, what does it take to sell your home? Pricing is the most significant factor to get your home sold.  Buyers interested in your Lakeland home are very smart and the internet is there to help search your neighborhood until they find the best priced home. Look around yourself in your neighborhood, which homes have sold recently and which homes are still on the market? Chances are homes priced well above are still lingering around and will be there for many more months. You definitely don't want to chase the market with lowering the price every 30 days. 

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

Winter Haven - 64 properties sold - average sold price $159,606 - average $89.56 per sq.ft.

Bartow - 12 properties sold - average sold price $108,375 - average $72.54 per sq.ft.

Mulberry - 10 properties sold - average sold price $104,091 - average $68.17 per sq.ft.

Auburndale - 7 properties sold - average sold price $159,142 - average $86.68 per sq.ft.

Polk City - 9 properties sold - average sold price $135,944 - average $75.99 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 Monthly Market Report August 2008 

Petra Norris

 Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

P.O. Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 618-6919

The REALTOR® Code of Ethics - The Most Violated Article

This past week I attended Lakeland's Association of Realtors® Quadrennial Member Education Course before it would expire on December 31, 2008. This course is a must for every Realtor which must be taken every four years. I decided this year to do my continued education through hands on, a more interactive education instead of the more convenient online education courses. In our association alone, there are many REALTORS® that still have not taken this mandatory course. I was wondering how many Realtors® are in the United States that have not taken it, how many are here on Active Rain that still lacking this training? Have you taken the Code of Ethics Training yet?  Are you one of them?

There are times in our profession, we take things for granted and forget to do the smallest, though the most important thing when involved in a real estate transaction. The instructor, a very experienced Realtor® and a great teacher, who taught this course, said that Realtors® are:

• Too busy and/or
• Don't know that they violated.

The most violated Article of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics is Article 9. Please take a minute to read Article 9 below:

Article 9

         Realtors^®, for the protection of all parties, shall assure whenever possible that all agreements related to real estate transactions including, but not limited to, listing and representation agreements, purchase contracts, and leases are in writing in clear and understandable language expressing the specific terms, conditions, obligations and commitments of the parties. A copy of each agreement shall be furnished to each party to such agreements upon their signing or initialing. (Amended 1/04)

                   • Standard of Practice 9-1

                     For the protection of all parties, Realtors^® shall use reasonable care to ensure that documents pertaining to the purchase, sale, or lease of real estate are kept current through the use of written extensions or amendments. (Amended 1/93)

                   • Standard of Practice 9-2

                    When assisting or enabling a client or customer in establishing a contractual relationship (e.g., listing and representation agreements, purchase agreements, leases, etc.) electronically, Realtors^® shall make reasonable efforts to explain the nature and disclose the specific terms of the contractual relationship being established prior to it being agreed to by a contracting party. (Adopted 1/07)

Have you violated Article 9?

When going out on a listing appointment and the seller is ready to sign, do you use carbon paper so the seller has a copy of the contract before you leave their home?

What is your procedure?

When my client has no internet, and this happens especially with the elderly, I print out the listing contract with all pertinent information twice and go over with my client before they sign. When an offer comes in, I call my sellers and set up an appointment to present the offer with an extra copy in hand.

Florida Realtors® are required to take 14hrs of Continued Education within two years during their licensure. Of the 14 hrs, 3 hrs have to be law courses. I would like to see that the REALTOR® Code of Ethics Course should be part of the required 14 hrs of Continued Education taken every two years instead of four years. What do you think?

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

The REALTOR® Code of Ethics - The Most Violated Article

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

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

Telephone (863) 618-6919