Recently, my husband and I drove to Lake Mirror after dinner to listen to good music, stroll around the lake, enjoy a beautiful sunset and close out this great evening with Fireworks. While relaxing sitting on the bench, we’ve met this nice couple from up north, who come to Lakeland to escape the cold weather climate and the snow from October through April to enjoy this beautiful weather and the great atmosphere Lakeland has to offer when they put on shows like this. So we sat there and talked about everything, such as news, Lakeland, arts, children, and even politics. My very first blog I wrote that I Love Lakeland and this blog emphasize that Lakeland has so much to offer despite being a small town with it’s arts, crafts, botanic garden, the many lakes, museum, parks, theaters and entertainment - even ice skating in Winter - no it doesn’t snow here and the lakes don’t freeze.

So why would you not want to live in Lakeland?

I took some pictures I’d like to share with you for you to see that Lakeland, FL is a great city to live in, centrally located between Orlando and Tampa and is only hopscotch away from all major attraction.

Lake Mirror at Sunset                                     

Swan Derby

There are always activities going on here in Lakeland and most of them are free of charge:

Mayfaire-on-the-Lake @ Lake Morton on May 10^th and May 11^th.

Farmers Curb Market open every Saturday from 8:00AM-2:00PM

First Friday of the month Lakeland welcomes you to go shopping and dining Downtown where stores have extended business hours.

Fisherman Statue                                         Constructionworker Statue

Did I mention that with all the activities Lakeland has to offer, such as the Swan Derby or the Mayfaire-by-the-Lake you also get the see Fireworks.

Oh I forgot! If you are looking to buy a home here in Lakeland, give me a call or search my web site for homes.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved -

Would you want to live in Lakeland?

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

P.O. Box 92050

Lakeland, FL 33804-2050

Telephone (863) 619-6918

This blog is solely my point of view

March Home Sales Improved overall in Polk County according to the Lakeland Ledger Report. With all its negative publicity that the Real Estate Industry has, it is a positive sign that the media finally has something encouraging to write about Real Estate.

What does the statistics say for Lakeland, Florida?

According to the data obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS there were 159 homes sold in Lakeland compared to last years 188 homes sold – a decline of 32 homes. The average sold price for a home in Lakeland was $152,761 last month. Last year’s average sold price was $185,497 in March – a plunge of 17%. Of the 159 homes sold there were 25 homes sold in distress – short sale, pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, and/or bank owned. The average home sold in distress last month was $104,662.

My report below is a breakdown by zip code which gives you a detailed view of each area with last year’s market information. The data for this report was obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |

Lakeland’s Real Estate Market 411

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker –

This blog is solely my point of view

It has been an interesting First Quarter this year. From January through March, there were 394 residential homes sold in Lakeland, Florida compared to last year’s first quarter total of 522 home sold - a decrease of 128 properties or if you will 32.50%. The average sold price for this quarter was $170,499 (average sq. ft. $101.73) compared to $198,774 (average sq. ft. $120.54) a decrease of 17% for the 1^st quarter in 2008. Are you looking to buy?

Folks, as every week for the past weeks you will find my weekly report below to offer you with an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL. This report is by zip code and is in my opinion more accurate than measuring by school zones, since school zone changes are in progress and Realtors® not always input the school zones into the Multiple Listing.

There are currently 2403 properties for sale, which is an increase of 15 listings reported the previous week. Last week’s average sales price decreased modestly. However, the average sold price increased by 5% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/24/08-3/31/08. My weekly report is obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”. 

How long will it take to absorb the current inventory? According to the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, there are currently 2628 active and pending listings available in Lakeland. The definition of Pending is that it has not sold as of today and/or the Pending listing has not been updated to Sold status in the Multiple Listing. Realtors® sold 156 properties in Lakeland last month. Since the absorption rate is not an exact science it may influence your decision to put your home on the market. Based on my calculation, the truth of the matter is that the absorption rate for Lakeland is 73 weeks. Are you thinking about selling?

 If you are interested in a specific area or neighborhood, feel free to contact me at petra@petranorris.com

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved

Is it time to buy or is it time to sell in Lakeland, Florida - you decide!

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker -

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 618-6919

This blog is solely my point of view

Folks, as every week for the past weeks you will find my weekly report below to offer you with an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL. This report is by zip code and is in my opinion more accurate than measuring by school zones, since school zone changes are in progress and Realtors® not always input the school zones into the Multiple Listing.

There are currently 2388 properties for sale, which is a decrease of 52 listings reported the previous week. Last week’s average sales price increased modestly. However, the average sold price increased almost 20% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/17/08-3/24/08.

So far, for the month of March, the Mid-Florida Regional MLS reports that 25 homes sold in Lakeland were in foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, bank owned, and/or required 3^rd party approval (short sale). The average sold price was $104,662 with an average of $73.65 per square feet. However, a total of 124 homes were sold by Realtors®, who had sellers that had not distressed homes; the average sold price for such properties were $182,390 with an average of $105.43 per square feet.

My weekly report is obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”.

If you are interested in a specific area or neighborhood, feel free to contact me at petra@petranorris.com

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report for 3/24/08-3/31/08

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker -

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 618-6919

This blog is solely my point of view

Did you purchase a home last year and you had to take out private mortgage insurance (PMI)?

This will be the first time that you will be able to deduct the full premium on this year’s federal tax return if your adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less. Families with incomes between $100,000 and $109,000 are eligible for a reduced deduction. According to Kevin Schneider, president of the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America (MICA), this year’s tax break could be worth $350.00 per taxpayer - an annual deduction that qualified homeowners can take each year through 2010.

Congress approved this tax deduction in late 2006, which applied to loans with mortgage insurance that closed in 2007. Congress also voted to extend the mortgage insurance tax deduction through 2010, this extension was part of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007.

The business section of the Lakeland Ledger reports the housing market continues to have difficulties in Polk County and across the State of Florida.

Folks, as every week for the past few weeks you will find my weekly report below to offer you with an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL. This report is by zip code and is in my opinion more accurate than measuring by school zones, since school zone changes are in progress and Realtors® not always input the school zones into the Multiple Listing.

There are currently 2440 properties for sale, which is an increase of 46 listings reported the previous week. Last week’s average sales price increased modestly. However, the average sold price decreased almost 29% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/10/08-3/17/08.

For the month of February, a total of 135 Residential Homes have sold for an average price of $169,791, which is a decline of 13% from the previous year. There were also 125 Listings that have expired and have not re-listed.

My weekly report is obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”.

If you are interested in a specific area or neighborhood, feel free to contact me at petra@petranorris.com

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report for 3/17/08-3/24/08

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Harrison School for the Arts Music Department will present their Jazz and Chamber Winds Concert on Thursday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.

You will hear some of the selections performed by The Harrison Jazz Band that includes: Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra, Switch in Time by Sammy Nestico, and A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie.

Spyro Gyra performing Morning Dance

The Chamber Winds will perform selections such as: Jack Hawes’ Pieces of Eight and Walther Lampe’s Serenade op. 7. The Harrison Orchestra Department is under the direction of Rob Lambert and Matt Davis.

Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens and $7.00 for adults and can be purchased online at Harrison School for the Arts web site or at the box office located in the Patrick Mitchell gallery on 750 Hollingsworth Road in Lakeland next to Lakeland High School. The box office opens at 6:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved -

Harrison School for the Arts - Jazz/Chamber Concert

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Please join me when these gifted Piano Students present their annual Spring Piano Concert on Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

This piano concert will not only feature solo piano repertoire of Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Debussy; but also feature a Romance of Sergei Rachmaninoff written for six hands; Ritual Fire Dance of Manuel de Falla, and a movement of the Sonata for Two Pianos of Claude Bolling. Bolling’s piece depicts a musical duel between a “classical” and “jazz” pianist’s including drums and bass. There is a little something for everyone at this concert. The piano students are under the direction of Rebekah Haubry.

The concert takes place in the Harrison School for the Arts Theatre located at 750 Hollingsworth Road in Lakeland, next to Lakeland High School. The theatre has room for 650 patrons. Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens and $7.00 for adults. You may purchase tickets online at Harrison School for the Arts web site.

Pictures provided by Dawn Kahre

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved –

Harrison School for the Arts – Piano Concert

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

Hello, as every week for the past few weeks you will find my weekly report below to give you an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL. This report is by zip code and is in my opinion more accurate than measuring by school zones, since school zone changes are in progress and Realtors® not always input the school zones into the Multiple Listing.

There are currently 2394 properties for sale, which is minimal increase of 9 listings reported the previous week. Last week’s average sales price increased modestly. However, the average sold price decreased by 3% compared to my prior report of the Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 3/03/08-3/10/08.

My weekly report is obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”.

If you are interested in a specific area or neighborhood, feel free to contact me at petra@petranorris.com

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report for 3/10/08-3/17/08

Petra Norris - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view

If you missed the Harrison School for the Arts theatre sold out performances last month “Pride and Prejudice”.  You’re in for a treat at this year’s Spring Choral Concert on March 20, 2008 @ 7:30 p.m.

 picture provided by Dawn Kahre

The Harrison Chorus will be premiering the “Opera in a Box” program for the middle schools with an abbreviated presentation of Hansel and Gretel during the first half of the concert.  The second half will include songs from around the globe, including Japan, Brazil, Africa, England, and more. The choral students are under the direction of Judy McLaurin.

Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens and $7.00 for adults. You may purchase your tickets on-line at Harrison School for the Arts web site or on the evening of the performance at the Harrison School for the Arts Box Office. Enjoy the evening with these talented young artists!

Watch out for more upcoming performances in the near future!

Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved

Petra Norris -CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. - Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
This blog is solely my point of view