This past Friday, 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, theater... 04/29/2008

This Friday, May 2nd, is yet another signature local event. First Friday is a celebration of historic Downtown Lakeland that occurs . . . .you guessed it, the first Friday of every month.  Local artists & musicians are featured along the local streets & storefronts. All shops & restaurants stay open late during the event. The streets are closed to thru-traffic, so get there early! A classic car show is held on Tennessee Avenue. Every month features new & fresh feature events, so be sure to mark every First Friday on your calendar.Also on the agenda is the Spring Art Festival that will be held in conjunction with the Downtown Farmers Curb Market this Saturday.  The market is located on the corner of Pine Street & Tennessee Avenue. See you there!Don't forget to visit Central Florida's pre... 04/28/2008

Harrison School for the Arts proudly presents The Spring Dance Concert on May 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 p.m. The Spring Dance Concert will offer Salome, a dramatic contemporary ballet based on the play by George Bernard Shaw. Set in Mexico in the early 1800's, the comedic piece, Cantina Don Juan-ita is about the rivalry between two town beauties over a handsome young Don. The light hearted ballet, Momentary Mingling, is bout how humans pass in and out of friendships. Finally, No Exit is a fast pace abstract contemporary dance to Michael Nyman music.   You can purchase your tickets online at http://www.harrisonarts.com/ Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for students and senior citizens.  Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved - Harrison School for the Arts - The ... 04/28/2008

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 received, 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... 04/23/2008

It looks like a new signature Lakeland event has been born. Friday the 25th of April will mark the inaugural Lakeland Derby! What is the The Lakeland Derby? Well, simply put it's a race. You may think that a "derby" held a week prior to the prestigious Kentucky Derby must involve horses. You would be wrong! This race involves our adopted mascot, the elegant Lakeland swan. Ten "hand-crafted swans" will race along the waters of Lake Mirror. The proceeds will support Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, a local charity that provides free primary health care to the working uninsured Lakeland residents. Other events scheduled are:4:30 PM    Davenport School of the Arts Pan-A-Maniac Steel Drum Band5:00 PM    Running of the Ducks6:00 PM    Parade to the Post6:30 PM    The Lakeland Derby7:20 PM    ... 04/22/2008

Tyler Homes and Gate Arty & the Group are pleased to announce that their Parade of Homes entry, the Reno, won its category! The winners were chosen by a panel of professionals in the construction industry. The Reno is available for viewing in North Lakeland (off of Duff Road) in the Saratoga subdivision. Saratoga is a gated community adjacent to Huntington Hills Golf Course with prices starting in the 170's. There is also a Reno model available in South Lakeland (off of Shepherd Road) in Glenbrooke Chase. Prices in Glenbrooke Chase begin in the 150's. During the Spring Parade of Homes, the builder is offering numerous exclusive incentives.  You can, of course, build and design this model (& many other models) according to your own specifications. Don't forget to visit Central Florida's ... 04/20/2008

Harrison School for the Arts proudly presents "Starting Here, Starting Now" Don't miss the upcoming performance of "Starting Here, Starting Now" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 18, & 19, and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., April 20, 2008. Starting Here, Starting Now is a musical revue, an excitement of love and the confusion of modern relationships featuring the work of Richard Maltby, Jr., who wrote the lyrics and David Shire, who composed the music. Each song is a perfectly crafted story, showcasing the adaptability of its performers taking them from tender ballads to ecstatic shouting-from-the-rooftop celebrations. The musical stories are connected with narration written by the Harrison cast members, which appear in text on a screen above the actions.Ticket prices are $8 for students/seniors and ... 04/15/2008

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 1st 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 inpu... 04/08/2008

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 Lakel... 04/01/2008

The annual aerial extravaganza known as the Sun n' Fun Fly-In begins April 8thand runs thru the 13th. The major draw at this year's show will undoubtedly be the USAF Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are a squadron of elite pilots that will demonstrate solo and formation flying routines. Their showcase runs approximately 75 minutes and will feature approximately 30 maneuvers that include both air and ground exhibitions. Sun 'n Fun, a non-profit organization, is best known for its annual Fly-In held each April. The Fly-In is the major source of funding for the operation of the Florida Air Museum, the state's "Official Aviation Education Center." Additionally, Sun 'n Fun features education programs especially geared toward young people - featuring valuable "hands on" learning experiences.  T... 03/31/2008

 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 ... 03/28/2008

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 L... 03/25/2008

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 DanceThe 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 Lak... 03/25/2008

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 guar... 03/18/2008

 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 theat... 03/14/2008

Below you will find my weekly report to give you an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL by zip code.There are currently 2385 properties for sale, which is a decrease of 19 listings reported the previous week. Last week's average sales price decreased modestly as well as the average sold price had an insignificant increase compared to my prior report Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report 2/25/08 - 3/03/08.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 Petra Nor... 03/11/2008

Harrison School for the Arts - Choral ConcertIf 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 KahreThe 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 ev... 03/10/2008

 The aftermath of a date change in Florida's Primary Election Sure you have heard the news or read the newspaper why Florida changed its Primary Election day to January 29, 2008. Check out the article by Abby Goodnough "Seeking an Edge, Florida Changes Its Primary Date".The race for the democratic nomination is stronger than ever and still no clear cut winner in sight - what a mess it is. Florida's politicians now are asking for another democratic primary election or some sort of compromise.Was it necessary to move up the date to January 29th? It is my opinion that holding the primary election in Florida after February 5th would have been a better choice, considering the threats from the Republican and Democratic PartyWhat are Florida's benefits to have an early election? You tell me! I... 03/07/2008

Lakeland Residential Weekly Market Report Below you will find my weekly report to give you an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market for Lakeland, FL.   There are currently 2404 properties for sale, which is a decrease of 14 listings reported the previous week. Although the average sold price decreased by 6% from last week, the amount of 29 closed properties increased this past week from the previous reported week. My weekly report is obtained by 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 03/04/2008

The Price is Right! 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... 02/28/2008