Petra Norris - Lakeland Florida Realtor® Lakeland Florida Real Estate,

Free Arts & Entertainment Event in Lakeland Florida - Saturday Nov 14th 2009

Did you enjoy this past weekend's free events honoring the people who service? Check out this Saturday's free art & music event on November 14, 2009 from 11am-5pm. This event takes place downtown Lakeland at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater.

This event would help bring unity to the community of Lakeland through a common passion; creative arts. It would be a place for talented artists within our community to release their gifts, bringing a positive influence into our city. Artists would have the opportunity to network & share with other artists of the same vein and hopefully it would provide profit for them by selling their pieces/music. To simply put it, they want to promote art.

There will be all sorts of live entertainment throughout the day, featuring: The Florida Dance Theatre, Southeastern's fX Percussion Group, Joe Gavin, John Conklin, Terra Terra Terra and more!

If you would like to learn more about the event, please visit their website: http://www.kristinacollins.org/events.html

First Friday in Lakeland Florida – Local Event “Honoring Service” – November 6th, 2009

Being married to a veteran, who served 20 years in the Army and both of my sons (SIL) serving in the military, one as a Marine reservist and the other active duty in the Air Force, this is very dear to my heart. Veterans Day is November 11^th and Lakeland, Florida’s First Friday local event “Honoring Service” could not have been timed any better.

With all Lakeland First Friday events, Downtown Lakeland Partnership has always done an outstanding job organizing, which proved at last month event of “Art Walk”. I’ve never seen that many people downtown Lakeland comingling, shopping, dining and having a good time.

What can you expect to see in and around Munn Park?

It all starts at 6:00 p.m. with the National Anthem that will be performed by the Harrison School for the Arts string quartet in front of Brooke Pottery.

• Color guard demonstration by Lake Gibson High, Lake Region, and George Jenkins High Schools.
• Dance and ROTC performances throughout the evening are scheduled – Kentucky Avenue will close from Lemon Street to Oak.
• Music and Entertainment
• Student art displays along the streets

At 7:00 p.m. between Main and Lemon Street, you’ll be entertained by clogging and nutcracker dances.

• Girl Scouts are sponsoring card making activities to be sent to troops overseas.
• Massages will be offered
• Prizes to win, sign up for drawings and more.
• Lifestyle Fitness Center will also have you entertained

There is so much more from Nonperishable Food Drive organized by Brooke Pottery to benefit the Talbot House to Operation Drop Zone donating items for our active military members deployed overseas. Think about our military veterans when you shop downtown Lakeland!

Also, Senator Paula Dockery, who just announced her run for governor will be there to talk with you.

Stop by at the classic car show!

Update for the Lakeland real estate market! Currently, there are 1940 homes for sale throughout Lakeland – as of 11/03/09, still balanced no major increase in inventory for the past few weeks. Newly listed homes for the period of October 16th through October 31^st totaled 192 Lakeland homes recently came on the market. Average sales price of $177,940 or $85.32 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:

2 duplex listed with an average sales price of $36,299

5 condos listed with an average sales price of $104,560

16 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $96,212

11 Townhomes/Villas listed with an average sales price of $110,561

158 single family homes with an average price of $195,022

Three Lakeland homes exceeding $1 million were just listed. The priciest Lakeland real estate was a former “Home of the Year” in the 2006 Spring Parade. This custom built pool home is located in the Lazy Creek subdivision; featuring 5 bedrooms and 5 baths with close to 6,000 square feet of living space currently offered for $1,499,000. On the contrary, the cheapest Lakeland home newly listed is a 2 bedroom 1 bath listed for only $10,000 – just under $12.00 per square foot – located in the Palma Ceia Court subdivision.

For a more detailed report, please continue to read by clicking this link!

The Florida Association of Realtors® reports that existing home sales rose 34% in September from the previous year and a 4.1% increase from the previous month. Florida’s median home price continues to stumble with distressed properties dictating the housing market – Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month dipped to $142,000 for a 34% decrease from the previous year and 3.66% from the previous month.

The Polk County’s housing market.

596 existing home sold – an increase of 8% from the previous month (551 sold homes) in Polk County – an increase in sales activity of 25% from the previous year. Overall Polk’s median price for existing homes increased by a small margin from the previous month to $102,227; however, dipped 27% from the previous year of $139,900.

Take a look at the city you live in and see what the numbers are for September 2009 for existing home sales - single family homes, condominiums, manufactured homes -including distressed properties in Polk County.

City Average Sold Price Median Sold Price # of Homes Sold

Let’s take a look at the distressed Polk County real estate market!

Distressed properties, which includes Bank owned, pre-foreclosure, in foreclosure and short sales count for 62% of our total sales in Polk County for the month of September.

• 281 sold homes were Bank Owned – median price $74,200 – Days on Market 31
• 89 sold homes were Short Sales – median price $114,000 – Days on Market 141

The data for this report was obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”.

Lakeland's CommonGround Park was originally thought of from two Lakeland-area mothers of children with special needs, who contacted the Parks and Recreation Department with their suggestion. After four years of fundraising, planning and construction, this park opened up for all children ages 2-12 earlier this year. CommonGround Park's playground is designed to have fun play experiences, as well as aid children in their cognitive, physical and emotional development.

I just love when Lakeland's community leaders, various fund raising organizations, such as the Rotary Clubs, businesses and volunteers come together and create such a place for children.

Located in Lakeland's Edgewood Park, at the corner of Edgewood Drive and Buckingham Avenue, CommonGround uses the space very efficiently with two separate playground areas, a rock-climbing wall, an astroturf mound for kids to roll down, and much more for all children of all abilities. Play zones are exceptionally designed, so children can play side-by-side.

The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until dusk!