Lakeland, FL

We are back in session and to all Polk County school teachers – We Salute You! So c’mon down to downtown Lakeland and see for yourself what Downtown Lakeland Partnership has in store for you at this First Friday celebration “Back to School – Salute to Educators!”. Bring your badge for special discounts and register to win downtown dollars.

It all starts at 6:00 p.m. – restaurants, stores, galleries, and coffee shops are open late. Enter to win prizes at Brooke’s Pottery

It has been a tough assignment the past year for teachers around Polk County with budget cuts in which teachers find themselves digging deep in their own wallets to keep the classroom running with necessary supplies. Throughout the month of August, MidFlorida organized “Stuff the Desk” – an opportunity for the community come together and drop off items for our teachers with Lakeland’s First Friday – “Salute to Educators” being a final collection. Here are some suggestions to bring when you celebrate your children’s awesome teachers at this event:

• Sheet protectors
• Flash drives
• Reams of colored copier paper
• Recordable CDs (CDRs)
• Motivational stickers
• Velcro dots or strips
• Colorful pens
• Magnetic clips (heavy duty)
• Colorful Expo markers
• Sticky Tack
• Plastic bins or crates
• Classroom posters
• Binder clips
• Write-on transparencies
• Bulletin board borders
• Mailing labels
• Colorful or lined Post-It Notes

Don’t forget to stop by the classic car show on Tennessee Avenue

Hi folks! Yes, the price of your Lakeland home is still the #1 reason
why your home is still on the market.

Reason #1 – Too many sellers are under water while trying to sell their Lakeland, Fl home at a much higher price or as (For Sale by Owner) FSBO, often ignoring the fact they can no longer afford their mortgage payment, due to job loss, medical issues, divorce or other hardship. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Recommendation #1 – Do a short sale! Hire a Realtor® who is proficient and knowledgeable about what it takes to complete a short sale from start to finish – who is on your side every step of the way.

Reason #2 - You hired an agent, who promised or agreed to list your house at a higher price. I have walked away from a listing appointment before, only to see the property go on the market at a higher price and after month of being on the market, the property’s listing contract either was withdrawn or expired.

Recommendation #2 – List your home with an agent that can provide you with an extensive Comparable Market Analysis (CMA), does the research, provides you with a comprehensive marketing outline, communicates well with you and you feel comfortable hiring.

Reason #3 – I don’t have to sell now, I can set the price for my Lakeland, Fl home at a higher price first and then lower the price.

Recommendation #3 – Price it right to begin with. The most important marketing time of your Lakeland, FL home starts in the first month. Chances are you will end up with a lower offer or not sell at all. I recently experienced that a seller received an offer for his Lakeland home, seller countered and buyer walked. Home is now listed at a lower price than the original offer.

Reason #4 – Pricing your Lakeland home based on “improvements” you’ve completed – new carpet, re-roofing, appliances, landscaping, painting, re-screening are not improvements – a buyer may look at these as maintenance repairs for you to sell your home faster.

Recommendation #4 – Price your home based on an extensive CMA and recommendation by a local Realtor®.

Reason #5 - I have paid X amount of $ for my Lakeland, FL home and I’m not giving it away.

Recommendation #5 – If you bought your house before 2004 or earlier and have not refinanced or taken out a new mortgage based on values of 2005, 2006, and 2007 you will most likely be okay to sustain the Lakeland real estate market. However, if you bought a Lakeland, FL home the last 2-3 years ago, you probably have to bring money to the closing table or not sell right now.

Bi-weekly update for the Lakeland real estate market! Currently, there are 1942 homes for sale throughout Lakeland – as of 08/27/09. The homes newly listed for sale increased a bit from two weeks ago to 134 homes in Lakeland with an average sales price of $184,796 or $92.49 per square foot with area Realtors®. Although the Lakeland real estate inventory is slightly decreasing from week to week, I noticed an increase of luxurious homes coming on the market. During the first quarter, only 4 homes priced over $1 million entered the Lakeland Real Estate market, while the second quarter produced an additional 10 homes, totaling 22 Lakeland homes for sale priced over $1,000.000.

The types of homes and average prices just listed in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows:

1 duplex unit listed for $125,000

8 condos listed with an average sales price of $162,075

8 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $77,050

3 Townhomes/Villas listed with an average sales price of $138,266

114 single family homes with an average price of $195,700

There is more information about this Lakeland Real Estate update by clicking here

Welcome to Hello Gorgeous, a full service hair and spa salon - a local business in Lakeland, Florida.

At Hello Gorgeous Salon, they are there to pamper you from head to toe. Looking for a quick hair cut, massages, makeup, facials, nails, pedicure, waxing or a complete hairstyle makeover with hair extensions. The salon's experienced talented staff are here to make your makeover a pleasant experience and give you the consultation you need.

Located at 620 W. Brannen Rd in Lakeland, Fl 33813, the prices are competitive with specials for guys and gals - call (863) 648-5352 for details.

Meet Luci Hoover, the owner of hair and spa salon "Hello Gorgeous" in Lakeland, FL. She exemplifies the southern friendliness and has over 20 years experience. She opened "Hello Gorgeous" in 2004, outgrew her old location within a short time and just recently moved into her new location in May 2009.

My experience with Luci started in 2002 when my old hair stylist moved away and recommended her to me. I'm a simple person that does not need much - an occasional highlight with a scheduled hair cut and style a few weeks later, which gives my fine hair the boost it needs to keep them from flying away. There are many hair salons on my way to Hello Gorgeous, which takes me about twenty minutes - you can see that my hairstyle needs are met when I leave the salon.

Hello Gorgeous Spa Salon

620 W Brannen Road

Lakeland, FL 33813

(863) 648-5352

First-Time Homebuyers calling me are somewhat surprised when I tell them that there is really only a short time left to purchase a Lakeland home.

If you're planning on taking advantage of the existing $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program, you should buy within the next six weeks.

This program is scheduled to expire November 30, 2009, and since the financing and closing process on a Lakeland home can take up to 60 days - you may miss the mark if you wait too much longer to sign a home purchase contract.

By my calculations, you have about 6 weeks left before you miss the opportunity of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit window.

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit - A Short History - click here