Most folks want to hear the bad news before the good news in hopes that the bad news is still not too bad when comparing the Good and the Bad. However, with Real Estate news, people have lately watched the negative news reports or read the not so good news in the newspaper. Therefore, I will start with the good news first.

Good News - Lakeland’s housing market has improved to 145 homes sold in June 2008 from the previous month of 124 homes sold. The average sold price also increased by 14% from the previous month. It also took less time to sell a home in June with an average of 143 days. 

Now, the Not So Good News – When statistics being compared, it is compared with the previous year and here comes the bad news. Lakeland had 145 homes sold last month, compared with 193 the previous year. In addition, Lakeland’s average home sales price of $169,148 was down almost 15% from 198,592 a year ago. Of the 145 homes sold last month, 33 homes were sold due to Short Sales and/or Foreclosures with an average sales price of $118,371. Only 7 homes were sold the previous year, due to Short Sales and/or Foreclosures.

This home is priced below the average sales price and it is listed for $149,000 -  To view video, please click on the picture below. Check it out! You may also visit the property’s website at www.2231MiguelSt.com

Lakeland Home Priced below average sold home prices

 

 

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 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 Real Estate Market Report by Zip Code - June 2008

 

 

 

Lakeland’s current inventory is 2563 of residential homes in active and pending status

 

Tee Time at Huntington Hills Golf & Country Club in Lakeland, FL

 

Do you like to play Golf? Then this is the place for you. Lakeland has to offer this semi-private 18-hole

Huntington Hills course that was designed by Ron Carl with its tree-lined fairway, elevation changes, sand bunkers and a water hazard that waits as you make your round through the golf course. It has been opened since 1992 and features 6,768 yards of golf from the longest tees a par of 71 with multiple tiers with only a slight slope. The greens are large and of Bermuda grass that produce a medium speed with a course rating of 72.6 and a slope rating of 126.

 

Check out the photos of the golf course!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huntington Hills Golf & Country Club is open daily from 8:00 a.m. For tee time, pricing and membership call the Pro Shop at (863) 859-3689.

 

Surrounded by this beautiful golf course there are almost 400 attractive homes nestled in their gated community. Currently, there are 13 homes for sale ranging from $169,900 to $479,900 with an average price range of $339,885.00. The homes vary in size from 1,629 square feet to 3,040 square feet.

 

Folks, if you are in the market to buy a home and want to live in a Golf Course Community, such as the Huntington Hills Golf and Country Club in Lakeland. Look no further!

Check out this video tour of this beautiful home in the Huntington Hills Community!

    Please visit this home’s personal website for additional information at www.6926HazeltineCir.com                            

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

Tee Time at Huntington Hills Golf & Country Club in Lakeland, FL

 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

Are you still looking over the fence?

So why don’t you hop over and take a look at my market report for Lakeland and the surrounding cities within Polk County, FL. There are currently over 8100 properties for sale in Polk County. WOW – A lot of properties for sale and as long as Polk County has a high inventory, the prices will be dropping - Supply and Demand. My market area is in Lakeland and Lakeland has around 2400 properties for sale. The average listing price in Lakeland is currently $234,000.

We are still waiting for the market to rebound. Last month according to the Mid Florida Regional MLS the numbers for Polk County homes sold dropped to 427 from 514 properties sold the previous year. The average sold price for Polk County for April 08 was $167, 285 compared to $198,367 in April 2007, a decrease by 15%.

Lakeland’s market is almost a mirror image of Polk County. The average sold price for the month of April 08 was $163,555 compared to last year’s number for April of $199,619. 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 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”.

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

Winter Haven - 69 properties sold - average sold price $175,753 

Bartow - 13 properties sold - average sold price $91,595

Mulberry - 22 properties sold - average sold price $143,686

Auburndale - 17 properties sold - average sold price $163,832

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

Click here to search for properties in Lakeland and surrounding cities!

 

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

Are you still looking over the fence?

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

PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 - Telephone (863) 619-6918

This blog is solely my point of view

 

 

The article ” In Downer Market, Home-Selling Savvy Is Needed” in The Ledger from Jonathan Clements, who writes for the Wall Street Journal, inspired me to write about to Price It Right. First of all, before you are thinking about putting a price tag on your house, make sure your house is in tip top shape so you can get the most dollars for your priced possession. Do your research of homes that are For Sale in your neighborhood. Please keep in mind that tiles, paint, or laminate flooring in your house is not an upgrade - it is simply upkeep.  I also recommend doing your research on homes that were sold within the last 6-12 months.

I’m sure you can call a real estate agent and ask for their help and honest opinion, because that is what we here for to serve the public - at least I am, if you want my assistance.

Researching and pricing the home right is very tedious and time consuming because you would have to factor in several items, i.e. square feet, pool, fireplace, garage, etc. You get the point!

Put yourself in the buyer shoes and ask - would I want to buy this house for that price? Or have your friend look at your house and ask the same question - would you buy my house for that price? 

Folks, hiring a Realtor® would be the obvious choice - don’t you agree? He or she has the resources and experience selling homes. In addition, Realtors® sell homes every day and are not personally attached to the home as you are.

Folks, bottom line is that in today’s sluggish economy make sure your house is priced right, even if it means pricing the home 10-20% below comparable homes within your neighborhood. The longer you have your house on the market, the more it will cost you - financially and psychologically.

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

  When I visit clients, talk to people I meet, talking to family and friends. Everyone ask me, “Is it a good time to buy a house?” My answer is “yes”. The real estate market has recently seen an abundance of inventory in every price range. I’ve seen prices fall to levels before the 2005 boom and interest rates are still at low levels. But, before you go house hunting, do a little homework. Here are my top six recommendations: 

• Get your free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com to see if the report matches your financial activities.
• Talk to a local lender about getting pre-qualified. Ask for a prequalification letter. Why? With a letter in your hand, you can start searching the internet and driving the neighborhood without wasting your valuable time.
• Hire an experienced, full-time REALTOR®, he or she is knowledgeable about the current market, negotiating a purchase price, facilitating the whole transaction on your behalf, arrange for home inspections and consultation, if necessary.
• Make a budget and stick with it.
• Wait until after a few month of your closing to make big purchases, i.e. car, furniture to make sure if you still can afford making these additional payments.
• Limit your credit card spending.

With mortgage rates fall to lowest since 2004, and home prices continue to fall it is a great time to buy.

 

Homeowners are asking me: Is it a good time to sell? With the continued slowdown in the Real Estate Market and abundance of homes on the market, it generally depends on the homeowner’s motivation, pricing and equity. Ask yourself those three questions, before you consider selling:

• Can I afford to price my home competitively with other homes on the market?
• Can I afford to sell my home below market appraisal, if necessary?
• Can I make my home look presentable and clean at all times?

Also, please consider to look at your house in the eyes of a potential buyer. Remember what stood out when you first bought this house?

The good news to all is that your future dream home is more affordable today than it was one to two years ago and a seller is more eager to negotiate a purchase price with a willing and able buyer.

More importantly, if you want to sell your house, list at or slightly below market price and you will sell it. If you don’t want to really sell it, than don’t put it on the market. I don’t think you want people combing through your house looking through dressers, closets and cabinets only to reject you.