Lakeland, FL

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go on the market at a higher price and after month of being on the market, the property’s listing contract either was withdrawn or expired.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

July showed that there were some positive signs in Lakeland real estate market that I would like to share it with you.

Lakeland Homes sold in July: 188 - previous month: 169 – previous year July 08: 149 sold

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

Lakeland Real Estate average and median home prices

Average sales price in July: $147,904 – previous month: $145,767 – previous year July 08: $168,425

Median sales price in July: $130,000 – previous month: $125,000 – previous year June 08: $150,000

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.

Let’s break it down for you to see the supply and demand for common properties for sale versus the distressed market in the Lakeland real estate market.

Common properties only – Inventory active and pending 1672 homes resulting in 16 month of supply.

Distressed properties – Inventory active and pending 768 homes resulting in an 11 month supply.

Distressed properties in Lakeland, Florida

For the month of July, distressed homes and bank-owned (REO) properties had a market share of 40% in the Lakeland Real Estate market. There were a total of 75 properties sold in July compared to 37 distressed Lakeland homes sold the year prior – 25% market share, according to Mid-Florida Regional MLS.

24 Distressed Homes Sold - average sold price $128,189 – median sold price $120,000

51 Bank-owned (REO) sold – average sold price $95,416 – median sold price $97,580

For a more detailed report, which includes an interactive map and graphs, please visit by clicking this link to my Lakeland Market Reports

Let’s take a look at last month sold report for the surrounding cities in Polk County:

Winter Haven - 82 properties sold - average sold price $106,536 - average $61.09 per sq.ft.

Bartow - 17 properties sold - average sold price $92,666 average $52.51 per sq.ft.

Mulberry - 10 properties sold - average sold price $117,631 - average $69.23 per sq.ft.

Auburndale – 15 properties sold - average sold price $125,509 - average $65.31 per sq.ft.

Polk City - 3 properties sold – average sold price $130,000 - $104.14 per sq.ft.

Lake Alfred – 2 properties sold – average sold price $81,500 - $44.25 per sq.ft.

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.