Damion Boyce

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.

You've probably heard by now that the FirstTime Home Buyer' Tax Credit has been rewritten and signed into law. If you're thinking of buying a new home in Lakeland within the next few months, even if you're not a first-time home buyer, you still may qualify for the credit under this new legislation. Here are five questions to ask yourself to see if your purchase will qualify:

1. Will you be purchasing your new home before June 30, 2010? If the answer is yes, and you can sign the purchase agreement by April 30, 2010 and close by the June 30th deadline, so far you qualify.

2. Will the new home you purchase be priced at under $800,000? That's the upper limit for a home to qualify for the new tax credit.

3. Will the new home be used as your primary residence? The newly purchased home must be the homebuyer's primary residence. It cannot be a vacation home or investment property.

4. Are you going to purchase your new residence from a relative? To qualify for the tax credit, the new home cannot be purchased from a spouse or relative, such as a parent, grandparent, son or daughter.

5. If you're single, is your income $125,000 or less per year? If you're a married couple filing a joint tax return, is your annual income $225,000 or less? If it's less in either of these cases, you have this requirement covered.

6. If you are a repeat buyer, have you lived in your home for at least five of the last eight years? You should qualify for the repeat buyer credit of $6,500. If you previously owned a home, was it more than three years ago? You will qualify as a first time buyer.

If you meet all six requirements, you're probably eligible for the new tax credit, which for first-time buyers can amount to as much as $8,000 or for previous homeowners, up to $6,500, depending on the purchase price of the new home.

For those planning on taking advantage of this bonus, why not let The Boyce Team help you find the perfect house. Lakeland has much to offer homeowners and now you can move into your own home for even less. Contact Damion Boyce and let him help you find the perfect home for you.

Ever wonder just how many people call Lakeland, Florida, home? Well, at the present time, about 93,000 people consider themselves Lakelanders. And of that amount, 46.5% are male and 53.5% are female. The population of Lakeland is actually up about 14.6% since the year 2000.

Lakeland boasts 5 high schools, 7 middle schools and 26 elementary schools. What about private schools and other types of schools in Lakeland? Well, there are 17 of those. So if you can't find an education in Lakeland, you're just not looking in the right places.

The U.S. cost of living index is 100 but Lakeland's is only 84.5 so despite how it feels when you're checking out at the grocery store, it does actually cost less to live in Lakeland than a lot of other cities in the United States. Lakeland is 190 feet above sea level and covers 45.8 square miles.

How about some information on the weather. Our annual precipitation is 49.13 inches with April being the driest month at an average of 2.04 inches and September being the wettest with 6.33 inches.

And then there are Lakeland's tropical temperatures. Daytime average high temperatures are in the 70's in January, February and December, in the 80's in March and April and in the 90's the other seven months. Lows range from the 50's in January, February, March, November and December, the 60's in April, May and October and the 70's in June, July, August and September. This all works out to an average annual high temperature of 85.5 and an average low of 63.2.

If you want to learn more about such things as politics, where to volunteer in Lakeland, government resources or other community info, check out the American Towns website.

If you want to learn more about finding housing in Lakeland or selling your home in Lakeland, check out The Boyce Team. Contact Damion Boyce and let him and the rest of the team use their extensive knowledge of the area to find your perfect home.

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.

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.