Lakeland, FL

Today many people are wanting their homes to be more "green". This month's Parade of Homes in Lakeland is featuring one home, located at 4322 Tokose Place, which is the state's highest scoring Florida Green Building Coalition "Platinum" Level home. It is also the first home in the state of Florida to receive NAHB ANSI Gold Level Certification.

ANSI approved the National Green Building Standard, or ICC-700 as it is also called, in January of 2009. There are four levels, bronze, silver, gold and emerald that can be earned for an energy-efficient home. By incorporating green features into the homes they build, builders receive points in six specific areas, including site development, energy conservation, water conservation, indoor air quality, resource conservation and homeowner education. These accumulated points will determine the level of certification that a home attains.

Lakeland's featured home uses such things as solar power, special insulation and extra-tight construction practices to make it more energy efficient throughout the coming years. While many homes on today's market may not have quite as many "green" upgrades as this special home, there are homes available that have been constructed or remodeled with the idea of lowering utility costs in the years ahead.

When househunting in Lakeland, look for such things as upgraded insulation, solar lighting, Energy Star rated lighting fixtures and appliances, double-pane windows and doors, and even counter tops created from recycled products.

Check the outside of homes you are considering as well, since another way to save energy costs is in a home's landscaping. Homes that feature Florida-friendly landscaping which includes plants that require less water, irrigation systems that use less water and even rain collection systems such as the cistern used in the home mentioned above, can all lower water bills and help conserve Florida's water.

When you begin your house hunt in the Lakeland area, keep in mind that a "green" home can save you money in the future. Let Damion Boyce and The Boyce Team help you find that green home for a lifetime of savings, both in utility costs, and the earth's resources.

Although sale prices continue to impact our real estate market negatively for the month of September, Lakeland sales activity peaked for the second time this year.

Lakeland Homes sold in September: 183 - previous month: 166 – previous year September 08: 158 sold

Which zip codes represents the most sales activities since January 2009?

Lakeland Real Estate average and median home prices

September - average sales price $129,025

Previous month: $136,325 (-5%) – previous year September 08: $164,462 (-22%)

September - median sales price $121,000

Previous month: $130,000 (-7%) – previous year September 08: $149,900 (-19%)

Prices peaked during the summer month and with fall on the horizon home prices are dropping.

The graph below represents average and median prices in Lakeland for various categories.

What are the various average prices in each Lakeland zip code?

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 and graphs for this report were obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”. The numbers highlighted in pink represents the zip codes where average sold prices have exceeded.

Distressed properties in Lakeland, Florida

For the month of September, distressed homes and bank-owned (REO) properties had a market share of 54% in the Lakeland Real Estate market. There were a total of 98 properties sold in September compared to 43 distressed Lakeland homes sold the year prior, according to Mid-Florida Regional MLS.

• Average days on market (DOM) for bank-owned properties are 85 days
• Average days on market (DOM) for other distressed properties are 183 days.

27 Distressed Homes Sold - average sold price $147,775 – median sold price $116,400

71 Bank-owned (REO) sold – average sold price $95,380 – median sold price $72,500

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.

Whether you're a native of Lakeland, a visitor, or just moving to the area, you've probably noticed the beautiful swans on Lake Morton. They're such a part of the city that the swan has become Lakeland's mascot with statues of swans at every turn and pictures in every brochure.

Native swans have been in the area since about 1923 and their population was at about 20 by the mid-1930's. Disease and predators, however, took their toll on these beautiful creatures and in 1954, the last of Lakeland's swans wound up as a quick meal for a local alligator.

A previous resident of Lakeland, Mrs. Robert Pickhardt, then residing in England, heard about the demise of the swans and decided to see if there was anything she could do to remedy the situation, so she contacted the Queen of England to ask for help.

In 1954 a large flock of swans was living on London's Thames River. They were the descendants of a pair of swans given to Richard the Lion-Hearted by former Queen Beatrice to honor his work in the Crusades.

After learning of the loss of Lakeland's last remaining swan from Mrs. Pickhardt, Queen Elizabeth graciously agreed to donate a pair of swans from Richard the Lion-Hearted's flock. However, Lakeland would be required to come up with $300 to cover the cost of catching and shipping the swans to Florida.

A former visitor to Lakeland, after hearing about the tragic demise of the swans and wanting to help Lakeland in its effort to bring new swans to the city, decided to donate the money needed. Soon thereafter, a graceful pair of Mute Swans was transported to Lakeland and released on February 9, 1957, to set up housekeeping in their new home on Lake Morton.

The pair of swans quickly adapted to their new surroundings, learning to outwit the alligators who would have them for lunch, and presently about 80 descendants of these swans live and thrive on Lake Morton and other city lakes.

You too can live and thrive in the Lakeland area and Damion Boyce and The Boyce Team are ready, willing and able to help you find the perfect home here. With its beautiful weather, unique wildlife and sunny disposition, Lakeland is the perfect place to raise a family or retire from a cold climate. Contact Damion to see some of the homes available in the Lakeland area and you too can begin enjoying the Florida lifestyle sooner than you think.

It is no secret around here in Lakeland Florida that October is when the students at Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts present their annual musical theater production. This year’s classic, “Brigadoon”, will be a remembrance of past musicals' great successes. Musicals like “Singing in the Rain”, “Starting Here, Starting Now”, “King and I” and “Pirates of Penzance” brought exhilaration and a full house to Lakeland’s Harrison School for the Arts theatre. This year you will be astonished by these High School kids from departments such as musical theater, music, dance, orchestra and theater departments, showcasing their exceptional talents.

Imagine you are going to bed at night and the next day you wake up a century later….. then you don’t want to miss this romantic Lerner & Loewe classic musical, which tells the story of two Americans who discover a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years. Containing such songs as Heather on the Hill, I’ll Go Home With Bonnie Jean, and Almost Like Bein’ in Love in Brigadoon you will find that anything truly is possible…even miracles.

Photos were taken and provided by Andy Glogower http://innerglowphoto.com/

Performances: October 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m. – October 25 at 2:00 p.m. ****Reserved Seating****

Ticket prices: $8.00 for student/seniors - $10.00 for adult ticket

Box Office hours: October 22^nd 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

October 23^rd 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

October 24^th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

October 25^th 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Purchase Tickets online at www.harrisonarts.com

Update for the Lakeland real estate market! Currently, there are 1934 homes for sale throughout Lakeland – as of 10/20/09, which remained balanced for the past few weeks. Newly listed homes for the period of October 1^st through October 15^th totaled 185 Lakeland homes recently came on the market. Average sales price of $154,469 or $89.68 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:

7 condos listed with an average sales price of $112,385

16 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $96,662

8 Townhomes/Villas listed with an average sales price of $89,521

154 single family homes with an average price of $165,762

The priciest Lakeland real estate just listed is a 2008 pool home located in the Crescent Woods subdivision; featuring 4 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths with over 4,400 square feet of living space currently offered for $895,000. On the contrary, the cheapest Lakeland home newly listed is a 2 bedroom 1 bath listed for only $10,000 – just under $15.00 per square foot – located in the Palma Ceia Court subdivision.

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