By Dustin R Burke, Adonai Financial This is the first blog on Lakeland and is being put out there as an "icebreaker".   Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida with an estimated population of 89,108 (according to the 2006 Census Bureau).  Lakeland is the spring home to the Detroit, Tigers, headquarters for Publix Supermarkets, and the first Red Lobster Restaurant.    Lakeland has one local newspaper, the Ledger (owed by the New York Times), and five local radio stations. The median family income is $40,468 with $19,760 per capita.  Lakeland was recently rated in CNN Moneyline for one of the best real estate markets in the US.  The expected population at 2020 is 115,000. Please share information you have on local business, real estate, events or anything else relative to the City of L... 02/27/2008

Time is running out and so is your savings!Monday, March 3rd is fast approaching, if you are the one who bought or sold a homestead in 2007. It is the deadline to apply for homestead exemption and portability of Save Our Homes tax benefits, which is the difference between the assessed value and market value of a homestead due to the annual limit on increases in assessed value. Homeowners, who already applied for a homestead exemption on their new homes, must complete a separate application by March 3, 2008. To download an application form for portability, visit your local property appraiser's web site or Florida Department of Revenue web site.It may not be a whole lot of savings, but every little bit helps in this difficult financial time. Time is of the essence! 02/27/2008

As I bring to you my weekly market update for Lakeland, I must emphasize there are a currently over 2400 residential properties for sale in Lakeland. There are 234 homes currently pending to close, which is an increase of 20 homes from my last week's report, however there were 5 properties less sold. The average days on market increased from 117 to 156. The average sold price decreased by $7877 approximately 5% from my last week's report. If you are interested in a specific area or neighborhood, feel free to contact me at petra@petranorris.com 02/25/2008

Harrison School for the Arts of Lakeland, FL presents:   Pride and PrejudiceI want to talk about a High School that is near and dear to my heart. In 1989 Harrison Arts Center opened its doors to 154 students. It is the only High School in Polk County with a strong emphasis in the arts program. Students currently enrolled majoring in their field of Music, Dance, Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Visual Arts. These students take their General Education Classes at Lakeland High School. Harrison School for the Arts proudly presents the east coast premiere of Marcus Goodwin's adaptation of Jane Austin's famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. The public performances will tale place on February 28th, 29th, and March 1st at 7:30 p.m. and March 2nd at 2:00 p.m. There is limited seating for this event. T... 02/24/2008

While I think nobody posted any Real Estate Market Statistics for Lakeland, I believe it is my duty to inform my clients and the public interested about the current market condition in Lakeland, FL - "GOOD and BAD". Below you will find my weekly report that I will be posting every week to give you an inside on what is happening in the Residential Real Estate Market in Lakeland, FL.  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". Dont' you agree that your clients need to know about the current market condition in their area and not always hear it from the media? 02/19/2008

Are you looking to buy Homeowners Insurance? Since Hurricane Charley, Frances and Jeanne stormed through here in Polk County, FL in 2004, homeowners have seen their homeowners insurance rate skyrocket. My insurance rate tripled since that time and I'm sure we are all in the same boat.Gov. Charlie Crist announced the launch of the "Shop and Compare Rates" Web site. This web site will serve as a valuable tool for homeowners and consumer who are trying to compare rates before they purchase their home.  "It serves as a starting point to help Floridians find the insurance policy best suited to their needs," says Gov. Crist.www.shopandcomparerates.com lists standard yearly insurance premiums based on a structure of a 5-year old, Florida concrete block home, with a current replacement value of... 02/14/2008

Radon  in Polk County, FLRadon is a radioactive gas that you can't see, smell or taste, however it may be a problem at home. It cames from the soil and it moved up from the ground through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Any home, old and new may have a radon problem. According to the Florida Department of Health, elevated indoor levels are seen as the second leading cause of lung cancer.Where would you find Radon in Polk County?Uranium is mixed with the abundant deposits of phosphate in the ground, therefore it can be found on Land that has been mined for phosphate or land containing phosphate rock that was never mined.It can also be found from land containing fill dirt brought in from the mined or mineralized areas.How can you find out if Radon is in your home?The Environm... 02/09/2008

Super Bowl With great anticipation - will the New England Patriots go undefeated or will the N.Y Giants win the Super Bowl as the Cinderella team? I can't wait to for the game to begin this Sunday.As a Miami Dolphins fan and watching the N.E. Patriots win their games week in and week out, I ask myself "was it really necessary to spy on the N.Y Jets?" I'm sure they could have won without filming the Jets' defensive signal calling. Should the Patriots win this year's Super Bowl, I'm sure a lot of Miami Dolphins fans will say that the 1972 Miami Dolphins are the true undefeated team because they did not spy on an opposing team. I remember when I was on a Cinderella team, playing soccer, it was a long time ago, but I remember the game as it was played yesterday winning the game 1:0  - what ... 02/01/2008

  Since this is my first post, I thought I share some history about Lakeland, FL - the city that I've grown to love.   Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s, developed as the railroad reached  the area in 1884, and was incorporated January 1, 1885. The town was founded by Abraham Munn (a resident of Louisville, Kentucky), who purchased 80 acres of land in what is now downtown Lakeland in 1882 and platted the land for the town in 1884.  Lakeland is also home to the largest on-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Lakeland is home of baseball's Detroit Tigers. Their annual spring training and spring training home games are held at Lakeland's Joker Marchant Stadium. In 1990, the hit movie Edward Scissorhands starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder where the Southgate Shopping Ce... 01/31/2008

Lakeland FL Real Estate Buyer's ReportNOW is the time to BUY!  Jan. 25, 2008, rates on 30-year mortgages dropped for a fourth straight week to the lowest level in nearly four years.Freddie Mac, reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.48 percent this week, down from 5.69 percent last week.Home Buyers are finding some of the best buys in Polk County, FL at prices far below one or two years ago. Lakeland Realtor Cheryl Skinner-Marble will help you find and buy the right house in Lakeland with the best price and terms. If you need help finding the right Lakeland Mortgage Lender, let Cheryl Skinner-Marble, Exit Realty of Lakeland Realtor help!Call 863-602-8670 or visit my web site at http://www.cherylskinner-marble.com/ 01/26/2008

I called to talk to a friend and she answered the phone sobbing.  Her fiancé and business partner was in a motorcycle accident 4 blocks from their home in Lakeland Florida.  The wedding was planned for Thanksgiving weekend just a week from now.  My friend asked me if I know a smart real estate lawyer in Lakeland Florida.  I don't.  Do you?  Let me know so I can pass it on to her.  The last time I talked to her she was glowing and chattering about this wonderful man and how much she loved him.  She told me how he hadn't left her side since hurricane Wilma.  He dropped everything to go to the Keys to save her home that had been flooded.  He ripped out the drywall and got to work renovating.  She didn't know what she would do without him.  We were standing in her yard when he called to say... 11/13/2007

JP Bryant Mortgage LLCLocation: Lakeland, FlJP Bryant Mortgage would love to help you fulfill your dream of purchasing your own home. With a wide range of home loan products, we can assist you in finding the best loan program that fits your needs.  JP Bryant Mortgage will always work with your best interest in mind.Pay Off 30 Year Mortgage in 10 Years.Introducing a way to break that cycle of financial drain-the Money Merge Account. Developed by a team of financial experts with years of experience in the mortgage industry, the MMA rapidly reduces the principal of your mortgage, practically eliminating the interest from accruing on your loan. Your 30-year mortgage can now be paid off in about 8 to 11 years, with no change to your lifestyle or refinancing of your existing mortgage.Contact ... 07/10/2007

The Most Expensive Home of 2006  The most expensive house sold in 2006 was an English-style, 10,000-square-foot Alpine, N.J., mansion with guest cottages, pool, and tennis courts, according to the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.The price tag for the 63-acre estate five miles from Manhattan: $58 million. Advanced Photonix CEO Richard Kurtz bought this year's top seller from Henry Clay Frick II.In 2005, the priciest house was an oceanfront estate that sold for $70 million to Ron Perelman of Palm Beach, Fla. The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing estimates - from not-yet-complete data - that 2006 sales of homes priced at $5 million and above were up about 11 percent over 2005. And at least 10 buyers throughout the country were willing to shell out $28 million or more for high-end res... 01/26/2007

St. Luke's Ministries starts working on its plans to build affordable appartments for seniors.  They will be able to accomplish this task with help from federal tax credits.The 150-unit complex is being plan with low-income senior citizens in mind.  The complex is expected to cost about $15 million.  The complex which will be located on St. Luke's property is expected to operate separately. 01/05/2007