CS/HB 643 Florida Foreclosure Fraud - Protecting Homeowners in Lakeland Florida  First of all, I am not an attorney and therefore this blog is for your information only. If you are facing foreclosure, it is important that you seek an attorney, who specializes in foreclosure.   What is Foreclosure? Foreclosure is an action by the lender to take back your property. If you have been served with a foreclosure complaint, in the State of Florida you and/or your attorney have 20 days to respond to this notice. It is critical that you hire an attorney, who specializes in foreclosure.  You still have the right to fight foreclosure, however hiring an attorney is essential. There are steps you can take when you cannot make or have already fallen behind on your mortgage payments.   Contact your len... 09/24/2008

ALDI Grand Opening in Lakeland Florida, Shopping Groceries - German Style Driving north on Highway 98, located next to the restaurant Golden Corral I'm sure you noticed- there is a new kid in town. ALDI - Are you wondering where the name originated? AL=Albrecht DI=Discount. Here is a little history of the retail store ALDI for you. Brothers Theodore and Karl Albrecht took over their mother's modest store at the end of WWII, creating ALDI what is thought to be the original discount store in Germany. Since 1975, ALDI South expanded to the United States with over 800 stores currently open and now we have the pleasure to welcome ALDI to Lakeland, Florida on September 25, 2008. A typical ALDI store in northern part of Germany Are you ready to shop German Style? I remember when I grew up in G... 09/23/2008

Lakeland Florida Homes New on Market – Weekly Update   Hi fellow readers, there are currently 2,347 homes listed for sale in Lakeland, Florida. The average sales price is $228,346 and the average size of a home is 1,865 square foot, which calculates to $122, 44 per square foot. The average listing price for this week’s new homes is $240,400 with average square foot of 1,825. Last week, there were 69 homes newly listed with area Realtors®. The lowest priced home that came on market is $30,000 and the highest priced home new on market is listed for 2,900,000.00 which is a property of 27 acres formerly used as a working horse ranch; a three parcel tract that consists of two single family homes. There was also 1 Duplex listed for $70,000, 5 manufactured homes listed with an average price of... 09/21/2008

Lakeland Florida Farmers' Market - Soap for the Soul   Yeah....the month of August has passed and I was happy to see local merchants back at the Farmer's Market this past Saturday morning downtown Lakeland. As I made my way around visiting various vendors and their products and produce, one merchant stood out for me - Jane Gavin's Soap for the Soul I love handmade soap, especially because of its natural aroma, made with only 100% food grade oils, all vegetable and no animal fats or detergents. The soaps contain only pure essential oils and/or skin fragrance oil; custom blended and crafted in small batches to assure high quality using the cold process method.  Ingredients such as Rice Brain Oil - High in vitamins A and E. Used for years in Japan for skin care. Improves your skin's supple... 09/18/2008

Lakeland Florida Homes Sold and Lakeland Homes For Sale Folks interested in Lakeland Florida’s real estate market have seen and read my detailed monthly blog about the average homes sold by Zip Codes compared to the previous month and year. Now, for the local folks living here in this beautiful growing city of Lakeland know that Zip Codes such as 33803, 33811, and 33813 are located on in South Lakeland and Zip Codes with 33809 and 33810 are located in North Lakeland. Did you ever wonder where in Lakeland sold the most homes in one month? What is the address of the home sold? How much your neighbor’s home did sell for and when did it sell? What is the difference in List price vs. Sales price? Then look no further, the map here will give you all the answers you need as well as when the ho... 09/16/2008

Gorgeous view from the Pool Area, no home backing up to this property ! Over 2,400 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2bath home with a SOLAR HEATED POOL ! Move-In ready, Immediate Occupancy Available. Located in beautiful Bloomfield Hills Community in North Lakeland.  If you haven't seen Bloomfield Hills, you've missed a part of Polk County, Central Florida that you can't even imagine we have.  Enormous shade trees, winding streets, tennis courts, sidewalks.  YES, this is in North Lakeland, convenient to Lakeland Regional Hospital and other medical facilities. $324,900 www.rainbowerhome.info Directions:  Hwy. 98 N.from Interstate 4, left on Gib-Galloway, left into Bloomfield Hills, left on Rainbower Drive, home on left.  2137 Rainbower Drive. Cheryl Skinner-Marble Exit Realty of Lakeland cherylsk... 09/12/2008

Platform Art, Inc is a non-profit organization "committed to cultivating an understanding and appreciation of art in its many forms through production of multiple art events yearly.  Platform Art events showcase new and exciting talent in the fields of the visual arts, film, fashion, music and performance, while providing a supportive and stimulating social atmosphere.  " The organization's next event is the Platform Art Party in Florida's Aviation Museum located at 4175 Medulla Road in Lakeland. Each attendee will be treated to free admission to the Air Museum, artwork by 20 Central Florida artists, short films by independent filmmakers, a vintage fashion show with an aviation twist, and a performance by Florida Dance Theatre. There will also be live music performances in the courtyard... 09/10/2008

Lakeland Florida Monthly Market Report August 2008 The month of August was not very encouraging for Lakeland when considering the amount of properties sold and average sold price, comparing the data to the past statistics. The amount of units sold decreased further down to 129 from the previous month of 142 homes sold. The average sold price for August was $156,708 in Lakeland alone, which is a decrease of 5% from the previous month. The time it took a home to sell was an average of 162 days.  Do you remember what a home sold for on average in Lakeland in August 2007? The average sold price for a residential home was $192,467 The total residential properties sold were 199 units. The average days on market were 141 days. Take a look at my spreadsheet below. I've separated the report by z... 09/10/2008

The Lakeland Downtown Lakeland Partnership will be hosting the 11th Annual "State of Downtown" Luncheon & Silent Auction on Wednesday October 11th. It will be held at The Lakeland Center, Exhibit Hall West. This year's theme is: "Downtown Lakeland; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" The guest speakers include: W.W. Wolfson, Lakeland native John Hutto, President, Downtown Lakeland Partnership Jim Studiale, Director of Community Development, City of Lakeland There will be presentations announcing the winners of the: Dudley Uphoff Award Golden Swan Award The Partnership Award The cost is $30 per person with corporate tables available for $300. The cost at the door at the venue will be $40. You may make reservations on-line HERE. Don't forget to visit Central Florida's premier real estate websi... 09/09/2008

The Polk Theatre, in Downtown Lakeland, celebrates its 80th Anniversary with an event being billed as: Red Carpet Night - A Community of Stars Polk Theatre is rolling out the red carpet with a very special revue featuring local celebrities & professional entertainers: vaudeville, burlesque, dance, satire! (choreographed by Florida Dance Theatre) featuring the inaugural debut of Opera Lakeland bringing world renown talent to our stage including: Special guest appearance by America's Tenor, Daniel Rodriguez, New York's 9/11 singing policeman. Soloists include Won Cho, Kyoung Cho, Liana Valente and Elena Lagalante. Followed by an alley party featuring live music, food, drink & cash bar. Start time is at 7 p.m. & prices are as follows: $100 (includes VIP seating, pre-show party & alley part... 09/09/2008

If you still have a taste for Downtown Lakeland after the festivities of First Friday, go to the Lakeland Art Festival on September 6th & 7th. J Rowan Galleries will be hosting the event. It will be held on South Kentucky Avenue between Main Street & Lemon Street. Event hours will be 10 am to 5 pm. Don't forget to visit Central Florida's premier real estate website at www.GateArty.com for all your real estate needs! 09/05/2008

Lakeland Florida - First Friday "Back to School" Did you miss last month First Friday "Dog Days of Summer"?  I had so much fun taking my grandkids to this fun-filled entertainment of music, shows, Lakeland's K-9 police demo, and of course all the beautiful dogs. We enjoyed dinner at Crispers - perfectly created summer salad, awesome sandwich and great tasting soup and their kids meals are always a favorite with my grandson. We've listened to live music while eating and then made our way across to Munn Park to see the classic car show, did a little bit of shopping and watched the dogs happily wagging their tails.  Check out the pictures and video of the K-9 police demo! Wish you could own one of these beautiful classics?     Absolutely great time for the whole family          Check out t... 09/02/2008

While You Were Sleeping, Hurricane Gustav is Making his Mark!   Although it never became a Hurricane, Tropical Storm Fay broke a record by making landfall four times in Florida. While some counties are considered disaster areas here in Florida and still cleaning after Fay, a much bigger fish - anticipated storm, Hurricane Gustav is being closely watched by the National Hurricane Center in Miami that could possibly reach category 3 and reach the Gulf of Mexico by the end of this week. After watching and reading news reports there is no storm to be taken likely. Who would have thought that Fay would have such an impact here in Florida? This goes to show that every measure and precaution must be taken serious in order to survive this Hurricane season. Polk County Emergency Management provi... 08/26/2008

The General Store in Lakeland Florida - Where Nostalgia and Therapy is Alive!     If you have not discovered Downtown Lakeland’s newest old store that has everything from Band-Aids & Fix-A-Flat to Marlboros & Toiletries, Ice Cream, Chick-O-Sticks & Moonpies to Gift Baskets, Pet Toy’s & Ice Cold Grape Crush, even Nostalgic Toys (no batteries required) & Historical Lakeland gifts, why don’t you join me and discover it now as I share with you the nostalgic of Lakeland, Florida’s only “real” General Store. Terisa Glover and Terry Lauretta, long time friends, decided in 2007 that it was now or never to open up what Downtown Lakeland really needed - Groceries, Sundries & Memories. Located at 125 South Kentucky Avenue in historical downtown Lakeland, the store is within walking distance from M... 08/18/2008

If you own a convenience store with gas service, you know the clock is ticking on being EPA compliant by 2009. Waiting could make this expensive proposition cost even more. If you need to finance the heavy cost of upgrading your business, give Rebecca a call at Schrader Inc.  - 863-229-1235 We can also finance the purchase of a convenience store or the remodeling of your existing store.   08/09/2008

Welcome to Lakeland Florida Monthly Market Report July 2008   Not much of a difference happened in terms of properties sold in Lakeland Florida for July 2008. The amount of units sold decreased slightly to 142 in July 2008 from the previous month of 149 homes sold. The average sold price for July was $165,063 in Lakeland, which is a decrease of 7% from the previous month. The time it took a home to sell was an average of 166 days.  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".  The average sold price in Lakeland Florida f... 08/08/2008

Does Commission Really Play an Important Role on How you Choose a Lakeland Realtor®? Are you a subscriber to Consumer Reports? I always like reading the reports and the various tests on auto, appliances, computers and such. The September's issue I received a couple of days ago released a survey, it's based on the Consumer Reports National Research Center's recent Annual Questionnaire of 3,753 readers who sold or tried to sell a home, 4,029 readers who bought one, and 7,368 readers who did both during the past few years.  According to September's issue "Paying a real estate agent a lower commission had no overall effect on the selling price." This survey compared consumers that negotiated a commission vs. consumers who did not attempt to negotiate the commission. But what was surprising ... 08/05/2008

A Crucial Home Buying Tip - Setting Priorities to Buy a Home in Lakeland Florida   Now that you’ve done your homework, you’ve got your financing in order and have been preapproved for a mortgage loan. Now, let’s have some fun finding a new home for you.   Do you have your priorities set to buy a home in Lakeland? Home buying is a very emotional time, especially if it’s your first time. Emotions can make you blind and can be a barrier in your home search, so don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. Just because the home you are considering has a gorgeous bathroom, however you forget that the living room is too small for the size of your family. Never judge a house by how the current home owner has decorated, since the decoration will most likely vanish when the seller leaves. You would wa... 07/31/2008

Lakeland's First Friday Event on August 1, 2008 Summer... ah - the dog days of summer. Your four legged friends will enjoy what Downtown Lakeland has to offer. Absolutely fun, fun, fun ...from doggie treats to Look-Alike contest - I'm sure there are similarities between a dog owner and their pet, agility activities and canine portrait; all that plus more on Lakeland's First Friday downtown starting at 6:00 p.m. Bring your whole family downtown, you don't want to miss it. Great entertainment for the entire family to take pleasure in; eat, drink, shop and play with our local merchants such as Antiquarian Restaurant, Black and Brew, FastFrame, Fitz Gallery, The General Store and many more. Many local restaurants downtown have outdoor seating with shaded areas. For your pets, watering stati... 07/24/2008

  Stop Chasing the Lakeland Real Estate Market         Watching the Lakeland Residential Real Estate market is watching the picture beside me – unorganized and out of control by the sellers. Yes, I said it “The Sellers”. I’m not talking about sellers who are facing foreclosures or trying to get a short sale approved. I’m talking about the “sellers” who still have enough equity in their home, trying to reach for the impossible – home prices at 2005 level.     Besides the characteristic of Location, Condition, Size and Age of the home, of which is beyond your control. You can control the most important aspect of the home. The price! In my recent conversation with potential sellers, some of the comments were: I can drop the price later You know that buyers are offering less anyways. I want... 07/17/2008