Lakeland, FL

Lakeland Real Estate Update - 11/01/09-11/15/09

Update for the Lakeland real estate market! Currently, there are 1943 homes for sale throughout Lakeland – as of 11/19/09. Newly listed homes for the period of November 1^st through November 15^th totaled 153 Lakeland homes recently came on the market. A decline from the previous my previous report. Average sales price of $176,647 or $89.01 per square foot with area Realtors®.

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

3 duplex listed with an average sales price of $93,276

6 condos listed with an average sales price of $152,183

7 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $72,614

6 Townhomes/Villas listed with an average sales price of $92,866

130 single family homes with an average price of $191,121

Lakeland’s newest homes listed! The priciest Lakeland real estate is a 1996 pool home is located on Scott Lake; featuring 5 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths with over 6,100 square feet of living space currently offered for $2,995,000. On the contrary, the cheapest Lakeland home newly listed is a 2 bedroom 2 baths listed for only $30,000 – just over $26.00 per square foot – located in the Rolling Glen subdivision.

Please continue to read for a more detailed report by clicking this link

If you're thinking of buying a home in Lakeland in the future, why not think about buying now? Here are five good reasons you may want to take that step toward home ownership sooner than you might have originally planned.

1. Historically Low Interest Rates. With the economy in its present state, interest rates have been going lower and lower. You may never see interest rates this low again, or at least not in the near future. So this reason alone may be why you'll want to become a homeowner now.

2. Great Tax Benefits. With the renewal of the Home Buyer Tax Credit, you now have until the end of April, 2010, to find the perfect home in Lakeland and sign a purchase agreement. Meet some other requirements and close on the home by June 30th of 2010 to take advantage of this bonus. Read my post from last week to help determine if you meet the requirements. This legislation can save qualifying home buyers up to $8,000 on their purchase.

3. Buyer's Market. Home prices are low making this a buyer's market. Decide what features you want in your new home and start your search. With prices as low as they are, you may be able to get a lot more house for the same price as you could have just a few years ago. Or you may be able to buy a suitable home for much less than you could have several years back.

4. Ample Inventory. Even though prices and interest rates are low, many people are still unable to afford a new home. This means that there are a lot of houses available on the market today. So for those who are still able to purchase a home in today's economy, there are a lot of great homes in and around Lakeland to choose from.

5. Personal Needs. There are many individual reasons why you may be wanting to move into another home. Maybe you have a growing family and need more space, you want to be closer to work, you're retiring and want a smaller abode, or you just need a change of scenery. Whatever your personal reasons may be, combined with all the other things just mentioned, now is a great time to buy.

For those wanting to take the next step to home ownership, contact Damion Boyce and let the Boyce Team use their expertise to help you find the perfect home and the perfect deal in Lakeland.

Amanda Oaks is a beautiful, prestigous, gated, community in Lakeland. The homes are all gorgeous, custom built homes on larger lots. The subdivision is located near the excellent schools of Scott Lake Elementary, Lakeland Highlands and George Jenkins High School.

Come experience the Florida Lifestyle in Lakeland with the nearby sparkling beaches of Clearwater Beach and just a little bit to the south is St. Pete Beach. It is a just short drive to I-275 and then it is an easy commute to Largo, Clearwater, Bradenton, St. Petersburg, or a quick trip to MacDill Air Force Base or go east to the theme parks of Disney World, Sea World or Universal Studios.

Let us show you your new home in Lakeland today! Just contact us at Solaris Realty of TampaBay.

Whether you ever wanted a luxury home with a view of water or a condo next to downtown you can find them and more in the Lakeland area. Lakeland has a wide range of housing choices and we can help you find your dream home.

The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and Solaris Realty of TampaBay. Pam Mabe is a broker working in the Tampa area helping buyers and sellers buy and sell homes. Contact Pam at 813-245-0316 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco County area. Information is provided in this blog with the intent to educate homeowners and buyers about Lakeland, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Valrico, Odessa and other communities in the Tampa area. For more information on different communities and subdivisions go to my website at TampaHomeGuides.

Visit my profile to find my more about my services. Call 813-245-0316. To view homes for sale in the Greater Tampa area, click here and then fill in the information on your dream home.

Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts – Fall Orchestra Concert

The Harrison Orchestra Students under the direction of Robert Lambert & Matt Davis will be performing repertoire from some of your favorite composers at their annual Fall Orchestra Concert on Thursday, November 19^th, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. on the main state of the Harrison School for the Arts Theater located at 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801

Come enjoy an evening of orchestral music at the Fall Orchestra Concert. This concert provides an opportunity for you to hear the pieces that will be performed on orchestra’s trip to La Croix Valmer, France in June 2011.

• Crown Imperial - William Walton (20th century British composer)
• An American in Paris - George Gershwin
• Selections from Camelot - Lerner & Loewe/ arr. Robert Russell Bennett
• Brook Green Suite - Gustav Holst, and much more….

Ticket price for the performance is $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.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming performances of The Harrison Fine Arts Series for 2009/10:

Parallel Realities, Visual Arts Exhibit - Friday, October 23, 2009 - Friday, December 18, 2009

Jazz Band Concert - Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Music of the Season - Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Visual Arts Senior Showcase - Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - Sunday, February 28, 2010Reception, January 22 at 6:00 PM @Polk Museum of Art

Eighth Grade Small Works Invitational 2010, Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, January 29, 2010 - Friday, February 12, 2010 - Reception at 5:00 PM

Winter Dance Concert - Friday, January 29, 2010 - Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Sit and Spin, Visual Arts Exhibit - Thursday, February 18, 2010 - Friday, March 19, 2010

Reception at 6:00 PM

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 05, 2010 - Saturday, March 06, 2010

at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 7, at 2:00 PM

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 12, 2010 - Saturday, March 13, 2010

at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 PM

Harrison Wind Ensemble Concert - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Chamber Music Concert - Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Piano Concert - Thursday, April 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 25, at 2:00 PM

Idealistic Notions, Professional Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - Reception at 6:00 PM

String Orchestra Concert - Monday, April 26, 2010 First United Methodist Church, Lakeland at 7:30 PM

Spring Dance Concert - Friday, May 07, 2010 - Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Symphony Orchestra Concert - Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Spring Choral Concert - Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Jazz Band Concert - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Many home owners have received their property tax bill for 2009 in the mail. Unless you own your home free and clear, your bill generally will state:

This Is Not A Bill - Do Not Pay!

To many first time home owners and especially to many future first time home buyers wanting to purchase a Lakeland Real Estate, this is a new terminology to them. The bill also states that your bill has been forwarded to your Escrow Agent.

One of the things I love most about my job as a Lakeland real estate professional is that I get to educate my buyers about the real estate purchasing process. With a doubt, a term that is often not very well understood by new Lakeland home buyers is the term Escrow Account. So, I’ve written down a brief overview for you here.

An escrow account is a specially designated savings account into which funds are deposited for a defined purpose.

With respect to Lakeland real estate and mortgages, your escrow account is used to hold money in a neutral account prior to closing, and later to pay real estate tax bills and homeowners insurance payments.

Once your mortgage is in effect, escrow accounts are managed and disbursed by lenders or their designated servicing companies.

Lenders generally require, whether you opt for an FHA, VA guaranteed or a conventional mortgage, that you “escrow” your scheduled monthly home owners insurance (hazard insurance) as well as a set amount for your property taxes. The lender basically wants to be sure that you will be able to cover these bills when they come due. When the time does come for them to be paid, your lender cuts a check to each entity from your escrow account. You do not have to pay these bills directly.