Lakeland Real Estate Blog by Petra

Memorial Day at the Air-Force Academy - A Perspective from a Non-US Citizen

Memorial Day remembrance was very different from what I've experienced in years past. Barbeque with family and friends or heading to a campground spending a three day weekend of relaxation commemorating the start of summer before the official start of summer is the standard.

Being a US-Army military wife during my husband's military career in the 80's and 90's no Memorial Day celebration came close to what I've experienced this year's Memorial Day Observance at the US Air-Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado while attending the graduation of my future son-in-law.

As the squadrons of cadets marched on to the field and stood at attention during the presentation of the wreath to honor the fallen soldiers who have fought before them. I prayed that God keep these future officers safe in their missions ahead.  

Although my father was fighting in WWII for the Germans, I just felt so humbled as a Non-US citizen but proud to be there and remembered those who have fallen, who have fought for the freedom, not to mention when the United States Military Forces invaded Germany and helped Germans regain their democracy status after the fall of Nazism marking the end of World War II and Holocaust. 

During the Memorial Day Observance, the taps played by the US Air-Force Academy's marching band while a 21 gun salute and F16s fly-over maneuver was orchestrated by the Air-Force brought tears to my eyes as I stood there stunned by the mood of somber reflection I felt across the stage.

Later that afternoon my daughter and I visited the Memorial Park near Prospect Lakes in Colorado Springs, CO. and took a stroll around the park reading the various memorials from all the different US Armed Forces of local fallen heroes, such as  the POW/MIA Vietnam memorial, 9/11 memorial, Purple Heart memorial, Submariner Memorial and many more.

 Check out the slide show of Memorial Park!

Copyright © 2009 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved|

Memorial Day at the Air-Force Academy - A Perspective from a Non-US Citizen

Petra Norris

  CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

- Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050

Telephone (863) 619-6918

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale – Weekly Update on New Listings 05/10/09 - 05/16/09

Lakeland Florida weekly update! Falling supply should lead to an increase in demand - right? The housing inventory continues to fall to 2053 properties in Lakeland (May 20, 2009) from the previous week. There were 58 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $154,880 or $92.23 per square foot with area Realtors®. The types of homes and average prices being actively marketed according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows:

4 condos listed with an average sales price of $186,925

4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $80,900

1 Townhome/Villa listed for $129,500

49 single family homes with an average price of $158,821

The priciest home that came newly on the market here in Lakeland, Florida is a 1984 Two-Story Single Family Home with an in ground pool and a view of Scott Lake in the Lake Point South subdivision; featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths with over 3,200 square feet of living space currently offered.....click here for more information including an interactive map

Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts - Spring Choral Concert

The Harrison Choral Department under the direction of Judy McLaurin and Chad Brady is inviting you to “Spring Choral Concert” on May 21^st, at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage of the Harrison School for the Arts Theater located at 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801

The Harrison Chamber Singers and the entire Choral Department will showcase some of their favorite pieces of their 2008/2009 season. This will be the last concert for this season with summer vacation upon us. As always, I was impressed by the many talents this school had to offer in the various art departments. I’m looking forward to the opening of the new building adjacent to the main stage and the many future outstanding performances.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.harrisonarts.com  and will include a nominal merchant fee. Remember to bring your e-ticket to the event. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to performance.

The Harrison Box Office will be open at 6:00 p.m. the evening of the performances. (863) 499-2939.

Copyright © 2009 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |

Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts - Spring Choral 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 for Sale – Weekly Update on New Listings 05/03/09 - 05/09/09

Lakeland Florida Homes Just Listed - Weekly Update! The housing inventory continues to fall to 2073 properties in Lakeland (May 15, 2009) from the previous week. There were 59 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $164,878 or $93.59 per square foot with area Realtors®, resulting in a decrease of homes listed from the previous week. The types of homes and average prices being actively marketed according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows:

4 duplex units listed with an average sales price of $74,875

2 condos listed with an average sales price of $84,000

6 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $78,733

47 single family homes with an average price of $186,977

The priciest home that came newly on the market here in Lakeland, Florida is a 1926 Two-Story Single Family Home, a historic landmark in the Dixieland neighborhood; featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 baths with over 3,000 square feet of living space currently offered for $649,900.  On the contrary, the cheapest home newly on the market is a 2 bedroom 1 bath property listed for $45,000 - under $23.00 per square foot - located in Chestnut Woods Subdivision.

For further detailed information and an interactive map, continue to read by clicking this link

Real Estate Twitter Fans – Here is a way to market you on Twittersphere

Localtweeps is a cool application for people to make connection locally within a zip code. This will also enhance your local advertisement without spending a dime.

Not too long ago, Twitter was unknown in my town in Lakeland Florida until we had a Tweetup/Meetup a few months ago. Since then, more and more local folks signed up on Twitter and my focus is concentrated in marketing and hyper local blogging for folks interested and living in the Lakeland area and the surrounding cities on social media marketing and networking sites.   

Real Estate is local and once you have listed yourself with Localtweeps, any tweet you send that ends with #lt will become your Localtweep status, which will be placed on top of the list.  For example, follow your real estate company for listings, open house at 123 Main Street, real estate tips, etc. the possibilities are endless…

You can also follow me on twitter at @petranorris

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale – Weekly Update on New Listings 04/26/09 - 05/02/09

Just Listed - Lakeland Florida Real Estate weekly update! There were 66 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $170,776 or $89.64 per square foot with area Realtors®, a small decrease of 4 homes listed from the previous week. While the total inventory continued showing a decline this week (2109 properties as of Thursday, May 7^th) in Lakeland, the types of homes being actively marketed changes daily according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS).

Amongst the newly listed properties, here is a breakdown of each property category:

1 duplex listed for $32,500

3 condos listed with an average sales price of $109,633

3 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $115,666

2 townhomes/villas with an average sales price of $107,500

58 single family homes with an average price of $180,995

For more detailed information including an interactive map, please click here