How Can a Full Service Lakeland FL Real Estate Agent Help Homeowners Sell Their Homes? It pays to hire a full time real estate agent when selling a Lakeland FL home If you are thinking of selling your home in Lakeland FL then you should seriously consider working with a full-service real estate agent. With a competent and full-service Realtor at your side, you won’t have to wait too long or spend too much figuring out how to best market your home and get the ideal price for it. Target Market One of the best ways that a full-service Lakeland Florida real estate agent can help you is by identifying a proper target market for your home. Let’s say you have a three-story Georgian home. What kind of buyer would your home appeal to the most? That would take you months to research, but as it fa... 12/02/2012

Overall Existing Lakeland FL Housing Market – October 2012 Lakeland FL has homes for sale in different types of communities; from a retirement community to an active urban community, or even a community for families with growing children. There are also communities to suit different types of needs and tastes such as gated communities, golf communities, subdivisions, and even rural communities for those who prefer a more secluded environment. With almost 74 miles of land, Lakeland, FL is the biggest city in Polk County. The population reached 94,000 as of July 2009 and is still growing. Lakeland is conveniently situated in between Tampa and Orlando, FL and provides commuters easy access to the Interstate. Lakeland offers accessibility to airports, sporting venues and the famous white san... 11/30/2012

Holiday Happenings In Lakeland Florida - Entertainment and Shopping Galore In the midst of the holiday season there is so much going on in the next few days and weeks that the whole family can enjoy in this beautiful City of Lakeland FL.  Just to name a few: Holiday Walkabout - Celebrate the Season in beautiful historic Downtown Lakeland FL on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. Visit, dine and shop local stores as they will showcase their specials. Santa & Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, Christmas caroling, stroll through beautiful Munn Park and enjoy the holiday settings.  For more information, please visit Downtown Partnership’s website by clicking here. Wrap-up the Holiday shopping at Lakeside Village - Shopping, movies, dining, entertainment, arts & crafts... 11/25/2012

Lakeland FL Carillon Lakes Homes for Sale | Market Report for October 2012 As media reports always speaks generally, rather than locally, their market reports certainly does not represent the local market, especially when it comes to a community such as the Carillon Lakes community or any local Lakeland FL Real Estate market.  If you are a buyer or a seller in the Carillon Lakes community of Lakeland FL, it is important to know and understand the real estate market so you can make an informed decision when it comes to buying or selling Carillon Lakes homes for sale in Lakeland Florida.   Lakeland FL Homes for Sale – Carillon Lakes Community Carillon Lakes in Lakeland Florida was developed over ten years ago and it is a deed restricted community. There are a variety of homes and condomin... 11/24/2012

Lakeland FL Sandpiper Homes - October 2012 Real Estate Market Update Sandpiper Golf & Country Club, an active 55+ community, is located in North Lakeland FL with easy access to I-4, top medical facilities, shopping a dining. The homes were built in the late 80’s through the late 90’s and contain approximately 1200 single homes and villas from over 900 – 2,000 square feet. Homes have 2 or 3 bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, and offer a variety of floor plans and upgrades, such as enclosed patio, flooring, kitchen, appliances, etc. They are mostly used as vacation homes for our Snow Birds as their winter resident; however year around living shows an active lifestyle in this community, such as golfing, swimming, social gatherings, walking, exercising, dining and much more.    A snapshot of the ... 11/20/2012

Why You Should Consider Buying an Overpriced Home in Lakeland FL At first glance, this seems the worst kind of advice that any real estate agent would give you. Why should a homebuyer even consider making an offer for an overpriced house in Lakeland FL? It does not make any sense at all. Or does it? Home Sellers without Agents Overpriced Homes May Not Be Overpriced – Don’t Shy Away From It – Hire an Experience Buyer’s Agent Most people assume that overpriced homes are not worth even negotiating for because their owners surely know what they are doing, and they are obviously just waiting for someone gullible enough to take the bait. Well, you know how not all assumptions are right and the only way to find out the truth is to ask. If a particular property in Lakeland FL is something you t... 11/19/2012

Finding a Swimming Pool Home for Sale in Lakeland FL Gunite Pool Home – Lakeland FL Florida is best known for its beaches and assortment of theme parks, and sometimes that’s the very reason why locals prefer to have their own swimming pools at home. There are just days when the mere thought of the bustling crowds that frequent Florida’s beaches and water parks is enough to tire you out. If you want your own little oasis to enjoy whenever you want then you need to buy a home in Lakeland FL that has its own pool. If you are interested in buying a Lakeland FL home for sale that has a pool in it and it’s your first time to consider this type of home, you should be aware that there are three types of in-ground pools that a house may have. Gunite Pools This is the most traditional type of poo... 11/17/2012

What Can a Full Service Lakeland FL Real Estate Agent Do for Homebuyers? It pays to hire a full time real estate agent when buying a Lakeland FL home A full-service real estate agent in Lakeland FL can help you in various ways and they can certainly do more than an average real estate agent does. Understanding the Market If you have tried buying a home on your own but failed to find even one that’s attractive and meets your budget at the same time, then you definitely need the help of a full-service agent. This type of agent will be able to assist you from start to finish. They’ll typically start by finding the properties that are worth your time and consideration – properties that you wouldn’t even have known were in the market without the right contacts. Maximizing the Benefits of Ope... 11/15/2012

Lakeland FL Short Sales - Successful Closing - Carrington Mortgage Servicers Lakeland FL short sale agent Petra Norris with CDV Transatlantic, Inc. had another successful short sale closing. Carrington Mortgage Servicer agreed to a full waiver of deficiency with no additional funds/promissory note the seller had to bring to the table.  Seller also received relocation assistance of $3000.00 Hardship – Curtailment of Income Property: 3 bedrooms/ 2 baths – 1559 sq.ft. heated built in 1995 Listing price $120,000 Mortgage: $205,000 Sold Price: $115,000 From listing to closing – 73 days Lakeland FL Homes for Sale - Short Sale Overview Maps Photos Features Neighborhood $115,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 1,559 sqftLot: 14,700 sqft Location 139 W Socrum Loop... 11/13/2012

Lakeland FL Short Sales - Successful Wells Fargo HAFA Closing Wells Fargo agreed to a full waiver of deficiency with no additional funds/prommisory note the seller had to bring to the table.  Seller also received relocation assistance of $3000.00 Hardship - Curtailment of Income Property: 4 bedrooms/ 1 1/2 bath - 1455 sq.ft. heated built in 1962 Listing price $75,000 Mortgage: $166,000 Sold Price: $65,000 SOLD! 105 LAKE GIBSON LANE - LAKELAND FL 33809 Lakeland FL Home for Sale - Short Sale near Lake Gibson Overview Maps Photos Features $65,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms1 Bathroom1 Partial BathroomInterior: 1,455 sqftLot: 14,258 sqft Location 105 Lake Gibson LaneLakeland, FL 33809USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" but... 11/12/2012

Buying Flood Insurance for Your New Home in Lakeland Florida If you are currently working on your budget for buying a new house in Lakeland Florida, you should definitely factor in the cost of flood insurance. And no, this is not because you are about to move into Lakeland FL. The truth is, no matter which of the country’s fifty states you live in, there will always be arisk of having your home flooded. Ultimately, insuring yourself against such damage is the smartest and most practical thing you can do as a homebuyer. Flood insurance may be required by your loan provider. If you are thinking of applying for a loan to buy a new house in Lakeland FL, you should be aware that certain loan providers consider flood insurance a requirement for loan approval. It depends on where your future h... 11/08/2012

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale – Tips on Staging Staging your Lakeland FL Home When selling your home in Lakeland Florida, it’s very important that you try to see your house as a grand stage that’s meant to impress or at least to create the ideal impression on potential homebuyers. To help you get started, here are some tips that will enable you to see your house in the eyes of prospective buyers. What are the first things that you notice about your house? Pretend that you are on a house hunting trip. As a potential homebuyer, you would no doubt want to take your time inspecting every nook and cranny of the property. Do so with your own home. What do you like most and least about your home? Inspect your home once during the day and another time at night. You will be surprised at the number ... 11/06/2012

Lakeland Florida Short Sale Agents - Frequently Asked Questions Answered Home owners in Lakeland FL who are financially unable to continue to pay their mortgage are always looking for answers with respect to short sales. Sellers and buyers even after about 5 years of short sales are still not sure exactly what a short sale is. Let me help you with this question and other frequently asked questions: 1. What is a Short Sale? Short Sale is defined as follows: The lender agrees to accept a payoff for less than the balance of the mortgage to allow the sale of the property. 2.  Can I be current on my mortgage payment and still do a short sale? Homeowners have been told by the government to stop making their mortgage payments and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who are regulated by the Fed required... 10/25/2012

How to Prepare a Property Profile Report for Your Lakeland FL Home Preparing a Property Profile Sheet When Selling Homes A property profile report (PPR) is also referred to as a home information package, and you can use it to help sell your Lakeland FL home more effectively. Now, a PPR is something that an agent usually prepares on behalf of his or her client. If, however, you are not currently working with an agent then you can consider asking for a PPR from your title company. This is basically the firm that provided you with title insurance policy. Tips for Preparing a Property Profile Report to Quickly Sell Your Lakeland FL Home Even without an agent, you can still come up with an informative and helpful property profile report. Just don’t be in a hurry to finish your work. Take as ... 10/21/2012

Are You Prepared to Sell Your Lakeland Florida House? Selling your Lakeland FL Homes – Are you prepared? Preparing to sell your house in Lakeland Florida won’t come easy – especially if it’s a home you lived for many, many years – raised your children, and perhaps your grandchildren.  Also, preparing for this task can’t be accomplished overnight. There are several factors – or facets – involved, and you need to carefully consider each and every one of them before giving your real estate agent the green light for listing your property. Are you emotionally prepared to let go of your Lakeland FL home? Can you promise that you won’t stalk the future owner of your house and harass him or her about the way your old home has been remodeled or refurbished? Are you looking forward – even just th... 10/20/2012

DIY Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Fixer Upper Home for Sale in Lakeland FL DIY Mistakes When Buying a Fixer Upper Home in Lakeland FL Fixer upper homes for sale in Lakeland FLare usually offered at bargain-cheap prices, but that’s because they are called fixer-uppers for a reason. If you are not handy with a tool, then this is probably not the kind of property for you. And even if you are, you still need to be aware of the following potential mistakes that DIY homebuyers tend to commit when buying this type of house. Find out what the applicable laws are. Before buying a fixer upper house in Lakeland Florida, do make sure that you will be able to obtain the necessary permits to carry out your plans. In certain cases, you may not have the necessary funds or resources to acquire a permi... 10/17/2012

Should You Buy a Green Home in Lakeland FL? What to consider when buying a “Green” Home in Lakeland FL “Green” is one of the latest buzz words to circulate in the real estate industry. Having heard it being used over and over again, you are probably wondering yourself if it is worth buying a green house in Lakeland Florida. If so, here are some things you should keep in mind. Houses for sale in Lakeland FL don’t always have to be sold at a higher price just because they are green. There’s a popular misconception that green homes for sale are rightfully more expensive, but that’s onlytrue to a certain extent. Green homes are rightfully more expensive than usual if and only if previous homeowners had invested in actual green technology, design and décor, and furniture and fixtures. An exa... 10/15/2012

Lakeland FL Carillon Lakes Homes for Sale | Market Report for September 2012 Lakeland FL Homes for Sale – Carillon Lakes Community As media reports always speak generally, rather than locally, their market reports certainly does not represent the local market, especially when it comes to a community such as the Carillon Lakes community or any local Lakeland FL Real Estate market.  If you are a buyer or a seller in the Carillon Lakes community of Lakeland FL, it is important to know and understand the real estate market so you can make an informed decision when it comes to buying or selling Carillon Lakes homes for sale in Lakeland Florida. Carillon Lakes in Lakeland Florida was developed over ten years ago and it is a deed restricted community. There are a variety of homes and condomini... 10/13/2012

Ocwen Short Sale Success – Lakeland FL Investment Property   Lakeland FL Seller thank you card after a successful short sale with Ocwen Lakeland FL Short Sale closed with Ocwen successfully.  Investor owned a rental, which he bought in October 2005 for $150,900. About a year ago, he lost the tenant who left the place with a big mess.  Investor said that he needed to short short sale the property since they could not afford the property any longer due to loss of rents, decline in property value and their personal finances.  Long story short, I put the property on the market last September after it was made presentable.  By December 1, we had the property under contract.   All was going relatively smooth despite the rumors of Ocwen’s bad communications.  Received short sale approval from ... 10/11/2012

Lakeland FL Sandpiper Homes – September 2012 Real Estate Market Update   Lakeland FL Sandpiper Golf and Country Club Community Real Estate Market Report – up-to-date Sandpiper Golf & Country Club, an active 55+ community, is located in North Lakeland FL with easy access to I-4, top medical facilities, shopping a dining. The homes were built in the late 80’s through the late 90’s and contain approximately 1200 single homes and villas from over 900 – 2,000 square feet. Homes have 2 or 3 bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, and offer a variety of floor plans and upgrades, such as enclosed patio, flooring, kitchen, appliances, etc. They are mostly used as vacation homes for our Snow Birds as their winter resident; however year around living shows an active lifestyle in this community, such as golfi... 10/09/2012