About Polk County, FL

Lakeland Florida Real Estate Market Review

The graphs below provide you with some insight in the Lakeland Florida real estate market since 2003 – the rise and the fall of home sales and property values in Lakeland. Real estate sales started to drop in 2006 as the number of Lakeland homes for sale increased by the month reaching the highest inventory of 2,303 homes for sale in 2006. During the years 2007 and 2008 the inventory increased as sales tremendously decreased. Supply exceeded the demand by so much that if no other properties came on the market; it would have taken over 2.2 years to absorb all of Lakeland properties listed in the Multiple Listing (MLS).

The Distressed Lakeland Housing Market of 2009

Property values continued to decline as homes were being foreclosed and supply started to decrease from over 3,000 to an average of 2,300. Sales of homes increased in 2009, a total 1971 properties were sold in Lakeland:

The Lakeland distressed real estate market for last year was at 47% and I suspect the percentage will increase in 2010, due to unemployment rates and declining property values.

Buyers must be aware that appraisers will include foreclosure sales in appraising of the home you are purchasing. Also be advised that the lender decides how the appraisal will be done and they will adjust appraisals to include bank owned properties. Just recently, my client’s loan was denied because of the appraisal, which did not include sales of bank owned properties within the neighborhood.

For your monthly report of the Lakeland Real Estate market in 2009, please click the links below:

Lakeland Real Estate Market - January 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - February 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - March 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - April 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - May 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - June 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - July 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - August 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - September 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - October 2009

Lakeland Real Esatate Market - November 2009

Lakeland Real Estate Market - December 2009

Lakeland Florida Annual Pancake Festival – February 13^th, 2010

Hungry for sausage and pancake? Lakeland Kiwanis Clubs is in full preparation for their 50^th annual Pancake Festival on Saturday, February 13^th, 2010. Local volunteers from the Kiwanis Club will be up early to serve all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and coffee at the hanger at Tiger Town starting at 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Come out and support Lakeland’s Kiwanis Club community programs. There will be displays and booths by local merchants along with entertainment in the afternoon. Tickets at door is $5.00 adults; $2.00 children.

Last year, my family enjoyed the good food and we were very impressed of how smooth and efficient the volunteers cooked and served pancakes, sausage and beverages. The Kiwanis Club of Lakeland started early morning around 7:00 a.m. to serve over 25,000 pancakes along with 100 gallons of syrup, massive amounts of cups of coffee and juices to about 8,000 people here in Lakeland in just one day. As we made it through the reception table towards the tent where volunteers of the Kiwanis Club flipped pancakes, gallons and gallons of pancake batters were brought in to keep the grilles cooking to feed the people graving for pancakes such as myself. There were plenty of stations set up, so waiting for fresh pancakes did not take a long time and off we were to get our tasty sausages.

Plenty of cooking stations for pancakes and sausages

Coffee and juice bar - Fresh coffee and juices were plentiful as well, even at closing time of 7:00 p.m.

Lakeland Florida Real Estate Update ~ 01/16-01/31/10

Update on the Lakeland real estate market! There are 1903 homes for sale throughout Lakeland, Florida – as of 02/06/10; the number of homes for sale remained constant for the month of January. Newly listed homes for the period of January 15^th through January 31^st increased slightly to 169 Lakeland homes. The average sales price of Lakeland homes listed with area Realtors® decreased to $160,386 from my previous report.

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 with a sales price of $95,800

7 condos listed with an average sales price of $97,243

15 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $65,793

14 Townhomes/Villas listed with an average sales price of $92,798

132 single family homes with an average price of $182,141

Lakeland’s newest homes listed! The priciest Lakeland real estate is a 1995 home on approximately 6 acres; featuring 5 bedrooms and 6 baths with over 5,100 square feet of living space currently offered for $675,000 located in the Oakmont Acres. On the contrary, the cheapest Lakeland home newly listed is a bank owned 3 bedrooms 2 baths home listed for $19,900 – just under $19.00 per square foot – located in the Winston Heights subdivision.

For a more detailed report such as homes listed by zip codes and distressed properties please continue to read by clicking this link

Buying a home in Central Florida is like standing in the middle of a stampede right now. I’ve been working with a buyer in Canada who is looking for a home in Orlando, Florida.

Properties that are well priced (very low) in Central Florida sell within a few days. So I stressed to him the importance of moving quickly to try to get a property under contract. We found a property he liked and he was willing to put an offer in sight unseen as long as I checked it out first and made sure it’s in decent condition.

It was and he decided to make the offer. We got the proof of funds and escrow deposit together and started writing up the contract. It took about 24 hours to get everything in order. I sent the contract to him and he faxed it back to me as soon as he got home from work the next day.

By the time he faxed it back and I called the listing agent to let her know we were making the offer they had already accepted another offer. Even I was surprises at how fast the home sold. This property was a bank owned property and sold within 36 hours of coming on the market.

I always make a point of telling home buyers we have to have the proof of funds and escrow deposit in place as soon as possible. When you see that home come on the market that you know is a great home and a great deal you have to be ready to jump on it. Getting your funds into one account and wiring the escrow deposit may be an annoyance but trust me you’ll be glad you did when that unbelievable deal comes along and you’re ready to make an offer immediately.

You have to feel the need for speed. You don’t want to be in second place in this market.

Davenport is a small town with a population of around 2,000. It is located around 40 minutes outside of Orlando, Florida in Polk County. Davenport's proximity to Walt Disney World attracts many tourists, most of them British, that stay for long holidays during the summer and winter months.

The small-town nature and charm of Davenport has long been a draw for vacationers wanting to visit Central Florida. Numerous short-term holiday homes in the city are rented out by British tourists, who travel from England during the harsh winters. In addition to an abundance of vacation houses, Davenport is home to large, sprawling mansions. Because of the availability of space in the town, and the low population, spacious lots are able to be developed into upscale residences.

Since the late 1990s, Davenport has grown from a small village to a large town. In 2005, a large outdoor shopping center called Posner Park was developed. Residents have welcomed the new addition, as now they do not have to travel outside Davenport to shop. The famous Champions Gate Golf Resort is only 15 minutes away, providing locals and tourists with a variety of golf-centric entertainment options.

Whether you are looking for a short-term holiday rental, or a quiet place away from the commotion of the big city, Davenport (which used to be known as Baseball City) has all its bases covered.

DAVENPORT, FL MLS LISTINGS

• Location: Polk County, Florida.
• Property Type: Single Family Homes, Vacation homes, town homes, condominiums
• Amenities: Gated Communities, Vacation Communities, lakes, parks
• Density: 2,000 Residents

To see all of The Davenport, Florida Foreclosures Homes For Sale you can visit Davenport Foreclosure Homes For Sale or visit our Bank Owned page and view all of the bank owned lisitngs by city or Community around the Central Florida area.