Just Say No Community LuncheonWednesday, April 8, 2009Bartow Civic Center12:00 Noon $10.00The Just Say No Committee is getting geared up for its 20th Annual Just Say No campaign.Bartow area 5th grade students have been attending the Just Say No activities for 19 years. their participation is made possible through contributions by generous individuals and organizations. With continued budget cuts to our schools, we are asking that our local business community help to offset the costs of this event.So far, we have generous contributions from the Bartow Community Healthcare Foundation, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Bartow.If you would like to make a contribution to this event, please mail your contribution to the Bartow Chamber Office, at 510 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. Please make c... 03/25/2009

Lakeland Florida Harrison School - Piano Concert & Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band Concert The Harrison Piano Students under the direction of Rebekah Haubry will be performing solos and ensembles repertoire from some favorite composers, such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, Brahms, and many more at their annual Spring Piano Concert on Tuesday March 24th , 2009 at 7:30 p.m. on the main state of the Harrison School for the Arts Theater located at 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801 Surprise! The senior piano ensemble class will be performing an exciting closing number for your enjoyment!   Freshmen - Derik Thomas, Richard Anderson, Alvaro Ulloa. Sophomores - Angel Lee, Tyler Seymour, Matthew Oliver, Sabrina Morby, James Maffett, Robert Fleitz. Juniors - B... 03/21/2009

Hi folks, here is my weekly update on newly listed Lakeland properties! There were 76 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $194,453 or $95.50 per square foot. While the numbers of newly listed properties decreased from 84 homes the previous week to 76 listed with area Realtors®; we have seen a steady inventory in recent months at about 2,200 properties that are actively marketed for sale according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS). Let’s give the inventory some perspective - during the height of the market around June 2005 our inventory was at 473 homes and the month of supply was at 1.16. In February of 2008, the property inventory grew to over 3,000 home, that translates to approximately a 28 month of supply. We continue experiencing a high volume of inve... 03/18/2009

Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts presents "An Evening of Opera"   The Harrison Choral Department under the direction of Judy McLaurin and Chad Brady is inviting you to "An Evening of Opera" at 7:30 p.m. on the main state of the Harrison School for the Arts Theater located at 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801 The Harrison Chamber Singers will present "One False Move," a modern opera by Susan Kander. Set in a high school, "One False Move" is based on the troublesome issues of girl bullying between two girls, Amy and Bonnie, The junior and senior women will bring to life this powerful drama through songs. After intermission, the audience will be treated by these talented soloists and small ensembles performing repertoire such as:         Marriage of Figa... 03/16/2009

Lakeland Florida Housing Report for February - Has it Bottom Out? The housing market in Lakeland Florida still showed difficulties. But there are some promising signs that showed some improvement, so keep reading…. While the average sales price of $132,801 ($69.50 per sq.ft) for February dropped to 22% from the previous year, it showed a slight increase of 1% from the previous month. There was also an increase in properties sold, 125 Lakeland properties were sold in February compared to 113 homes sold the previous month. Over the past three month, the average sold price for a Lakeland home was $132,800. What do you think has the market in Lakeland, Florida bottom out? With the recent declining inventory and the latest sold data information within the past few months, there are definitel... 03/15/2009

Local gallery, Arts on the Park, will be hosting a benefit concert this Friday, March 13th. The popular group, The Sofa Kings, are headlining the event that starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for members of Arts on the Park & $20 for non-members. This price includes 2 drinks. Arts on the Park is located at 115 North Kentucky Avenue in historic Downtown Lakeland. For more information, call 863 680 2787. See you there! Don't forget to visit Central Florida's premier real estate website at www.GateArty.com for all your real estate needs! 03/12/2009

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale - Weekly Update on New Listings 03/01/09 - 03/07/09 Hi folks! Here are the numbers of my weekly update. The numbers of homes newly marketed have increased from the previous week of 71 homes to 84 homes listed with area Realtors®. The average sales price for the newly listed homes dipped to $188,280 or $96.89 per square foot. Currently, Lakeland's total inventory as of Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 slightly decreased to 2,199 homes listed for sale. The average sales price is $214,563 and with an average size of a home is 1,865 square feet, which calculates to $115.05 per square foot.   1 ½ duplex listed at $88,000 6 condominiums listed with an average sales price of $135,966 4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $96,500 5 Townhomes/Villas list... 03/12/2009

You're invited to attend the upcoming Purchasing a Short Sale or Bank-owned Property.  This seminar is FREE.  What is a short sale?  What is the difference in bank-owned and short sales?  How to determine if a short sale is the best buy.  Seating is limited, reserve your space today !  These seminars are held bi-weekly, contact me for the date of the next seminar. cherylskinner@aol.com Cheryl Skinner-Marble Exit Realty of Lakeland Realtor 03/06/2009

Jason Lee Miller over at WebPro News released a blog post today stating that as far as the United States House of Representatives is concerned, bloggers, freelancers, independents, and nonprofit journalists are not "true journalists."  As such, they should not be protected from having to divulge their news sources if asked to by the government. Wow.  Really?  Are we really here? God.  I'm still reeling from this one.  The US Government - or part of it - actually putting into words its desire to deem some Americans free to speak their mind and seek the truth without fear of having to put their sources in jeopardy while all but issuing those not wearing their US Press Pass a gag order (emphasis on the "gag"). I can't really put my disgust and frustration any better than Jason did - so her... 03/06/2009

Lakeland Community Theater presents Charles Dickens "Oliver" You really don't want to miss this theater performance and what I heard through the grape vine, you won't be dissapointed by what this small Lakeland Community Theater has in store for you. It never seizes to amaze me by the impeccable talents and art rich programs Lakeland Florida has to offer. From the concert of local young musicians performing solos with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, to exhibits of local artists at the Polk Museum of Arts and to the recent performance of Lear, Inc. presented by the Harrison School for the Arts, I'm certain that this upcoming theater performance will bring a smile to your face.  Ready to ask for more....  Lakeland Community Theatre is pleased to present "Oliver!," one of the most beloved... 03/04/2009

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale – Weekly Update on New Listings 02/22/09 - 02/28/09 Hi folks! Here are the numbers of my weekly update. The numbers of homes newly marketed have increased from the previous week of 51 homes to 71 homes listed with area Realtors®. The average sales price for the newly listed homes is $218,905 or $98.08 per square foot. Currently, Lakeland’s total inventory as of Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 slightly increased to 2,208 homes listed for sale. The average sales price is $213,594 and with an average size of a home is 1,863 square feet, which calculates to $114.65 per square foot. 4 condominiums listed with an average sales price of $94,225 8 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $86,062 2 Townhomes/Villas listed with an average sales price of $122,4... 03/03/2009

Lakeland Florida Short Sale Information Short Sales in Lakeland Florida are becoming more and more common in recent months and notably though, a lot of homeowners still don’t have any idea what a short sale is and what are the required documents the lender requires. First of all you the property owner, the most important thing you must know and understand that you the property owner and seller of your home, you still own your home, you still hold the title to your property, and more importantly you still make the decision of what offers will be accepted or not. Your bank/lender does not own your property. Your bank/lender may have filed a Lis Pendens and foreclosure proceedings may have begun, but until your property is sold on these local courthouse steps, you the owner are still the p... 03/02/2009

First-Time Homebuyers - Claim your $8000 Tax Credit on your 2008 Tax Return First-Time Homebuyers listen up! It is now the best time to buy homes in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, and all the surrounding cities in Polk County, Florida.  Prices for Homes in Lakeland, Florida and throughout Polk County have dropped to 2004 level.  Interest rates are at an all time low, lingering around 5%  Housing Inventory have reached it’s highest level  Now, you can deduct $8,000 when buying your first Lakeland home. Also, check out the "newsflash" from the IRS! The Internal Revenue Service announced today that an expanded tax break is available for eligible First-Time Homebuyers. You don’t have to wait until next year to receive your $8,000 tax credit and the best news of it all you don’t have to pay... 02/26/2009

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale - Weekly Update 02/15-02/21/09 Hi folks! Here are the numbers of my weekly update. The numbers of homes newly marketed have decreased from the previous week of 94 homes to 51 homes listed with area Realtors®. The average sales price for the newly listed homes is $184,268 or $91.35 per square foot. Currently, Lakeland’s total inventory as of Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 continued to decline modestly to 2,199 homes listed for sale. The average sales price is $215,633 and with an average size of a home is 1,863 square feet, which calculates to $115.75 per square foot. 1 condominium listed at a sales price of $177,000 3 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $54,900 47 single family homes with an average price of $192,680 Lakeland has seen a ste... 02/24/2009

Lear, Inc. - Theater Performance Presented by Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland Florida There are folks that call Shakespeare’s “King Lear:” his greatest work; some folks call it the darkest, most compelling tragedy ever written. D. A. Ward’s contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic saga of pride and greed has been cast at Harrison School for the Arts. This biting tale renamed “Lear Inc.” is set amid the sleek, high-tech world of a military defense contractor’s corrupt corporate family clan. ”Lear, Inc.” unveils a workplace of treachery, lust, fraud, avarice, and . . . murder! Vice Principal for Harrison School for the Arts Daryl Ward and author of this contemporary adaptation said, “Shakespeare’s work is meant to be acted, so you need to see it played out in front of you... 02/24/2009

A Place to Relax - Lake Morton in Lakeland Florida   Lake Morton named after John P. Morton of Louisville, Kentucky is the center of Lakeland’s historic Lake Morton District areas, which extends from Florida Southern College encompassed by tree-lined brick streets showcasing recently renovated many astonishing fine historic Victorian homes, brick homes, older bungalows, cottages and Mediterranean style homes that were constructed in the early 1920’s stretching to downtown Lakeland. The immaculate spherical 40-acre Lake Morton is just a short distance away from downtown, a selection of its 1 mile shoreline was recently restored with rock material to prevent erosion and plants for aquatic vegetation planted along the shoreline. Lake Morton serves as a bird sanctuary and is the home of the... 02/23/2009

Helping Florida Homeowners - President's Homeowner and Stability Plan  The $789 billion economic stimulus plan was signed on February 17th, 2009 by President Obama during his visit to Denver, CO. Help for Homeowners across America, especially in states such as Florida, Arizona and California is on its way as it was announced today. While visiting Phoenix, AZ President Obama announced the $75 billion in mortgage relief plan to help approximately 9 million homeowners from loosing their homes. This plan is designed to help folks, who owe more than their current home value with refinancing and reorganizing their current loan to avoid foreclosure. This new plan will not help every Lakeland Florida homeowner, this program is limited to loans held or secured by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This ... 02/18/2009

Hi folks! Here are the numbers of my weekly update. The numbers of homes newly marketed have increased from the previous week of 61 homes to 94 homes listed with area Realtors®. The average sales price for the newly listed homes is $157,516 or $92.30 per square foot. Currently, Lakeland’s total inventory as of Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 declined to 2,204 homes listed for sale. The average sales price is $214,417 and with an average size of a home is 1,861 square feet, which calculates to $115.22 per square foot. 4 condominiums listed at an average sales price of $136,425 8 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $106,137 2 townhomes/villas with an average sales price of $109,400 80 single family homes with an average price of $164,911 Now, you always find homes in differe... 02/18/2009

Lakeland Florida Housing Report for January 2009 - Buyer Opportunities - Selle Challenges The news is out about the Lakeland Florida Real Estate Market, buyer opportunities will flourish with continuously decreasing prices! Lakeland's average sold prices have fallen to $131,335 ($65.60 per sq.ft.); although only a slight drop of 2 ¼% from the previous month, it is a significant stumble of 24% for the month of January of the previous year. The amount of 113 sold Lakeland homes has also taken a dive of about 16% from the previous month of December 2008. Sellers still facing challenges by chasing the market to pricing the home accordingly of what has been sold. Moreover, competition of the evolving market of distressed homes, more importantly the bank-owned (REO) properties that are dictat... 02/16/2009

Annual Pancake Festival - Kiwanis Club of Lakeland Florida  Can you imagine having pancake for breakfast, lunch or dinner? Just this past Saturday, my daughter and I were invited by a good friend Maria Negron of North American Title, who provided us with tickets to have pancakes for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Tigertown in Lakeland Florida. We decided to go and beat the crowd, who mainly eat pancakes for breakfast. Well....we were in for a surprise, folks not only eat it for breakfast, it was busy at all times of the day. The Kiwanis Club of Lakeland started early morning around 7:00 a.m. to serve over 25,000 pancakes along with 100 gallons of syrup, massive amounts of cups of coffee and juices to about 8,000 people here in Lakeland in just one day. As we made it through the reception... 02/16/2009