Lucky me! One of the agents in my office, Elaine Ramirez, is also an appraiser and she was kind enough to be a speaker at our last office meeting. Honestly, I don't know much about appraisals. I do BPO's and fairly well, but appraising goes a lot deeper than that. Anyway, she explained to us how a transaction can go pretty sour and pretty fast if the appraisal comes back unfavorable. Again, lucky me, I got to hear Elaine's presentation but what about the FSBO's and Discount Broker clients out there? What if their buyer's appraisal comes back lower than the agreed upon selling price and the buyer isn't willing to put up the difference in cash? No Sale!   07/08/2008

SebringDays on the Market: 187Number of Sales: 31Average List Price: $162,168Average Sale Price: $149,221Sold to Original Ratio: 79.68%Sold to List Ratio: 92.02% Amount of Sales by Price Range:Under $100,000:                  7$100,000-$150,000:           9$150,000-$200,000:           10$200,000-$250,000             2$250,000-$300,000             1$300,000 and up                  2 Absorption Rate: 25.06 (increased 1 month from May)It will take 25.06 month to sell the current inventory if no new listings enter the market.     Andrea Mills - "market stats for sebring 6-2008" Copyright 2008 *All Rights ReservedThis article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/   07/03/2008

SebringDays on the Market: 160Number of Sales: 39Average List Price: $148,167Average Sale Price: $135,813Sold to Original Ratio: 81.34%Sold to List Ratio: 91.66% Amount of Sales by Price Range:Under $100,000:                  11$100,000-$150,000:           18$150,000-$200,000:           7$200,000-$250,000             5$250,000-$300,000             3$300,000 and up                  - Absorption Rate: 24.07If no new homes enter the market it will take 24.07 months to sell the current inventory at the current rate of sales per month.     Andrea Mills - "market stats for sebing 5-2008" Copyright 2008 *All Rights ReservedThis article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/       07/03/2008

April 2008 Residential Real Estate (Villa, Duplex, Condo, Single Family Home, Mobiles on Owned Land) Avon Park Sold Units: 11 Average Days on the Market: 90 Average List Price: $124,014 Average Sold Price: $113,564 Price Differential Sold to List: 91.57% Price Differential Sold to Original: 85.99% Sebring Sold Units: 45 Average Days on the Market: 155 Average List Price: $154,533 Average Sold Price: $139,306 Price Differential Sold to List: 90.15% Price Differential Sold to Original: 81.80%Lake Placid Sold Units: 20 Average Days on the Market: 172 Average List Price: $185,395 Average Sold Price: $170,649 Price Differential Sold to List: 92.05% Price Differential Sold to Original: 76%   Andrea Mills - "Avon Park, Sebring, Lake Placid Market Stats Update - 4/2008 *All Rights ReservedThis ... 05/04/2008

April 26 & 27 ~ Sebring Relay for Life at Fireman's Field: ~ Saturday 26th 12 pm survivor luncheon ~ 1 pm Opening Ceremony. Sunday 27th 7:00 a.m. Sunrise service and closing ceremony ~ for more information call Jennifer Shoffner 863-381-2430 or www.myspace.com/sebringrelayforlifeApril 26 & 27 ~ Flea Markets at Highlands County Fairgrounds also known as Firemen's Field 8 am - 2 pm. For more information call 863-382-2255April 28 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave. Ice Cream Shuffleboard 6:30 p.m. For more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245April 28 - Horse & Pony Rides - Monday's 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 donation per child, all proceeds support Heartland Horses & Handicapped's free riding program for children and adults with special needs. Located at 118 E. College Dr. Avon P... 04/29/2008

April 2008 April 1 - Avon Park, FL STA-BIL 12 Minutes of Avon Park Hosted by Florida LMRA at Avon Park Mower Plex www.floridalawnracing.net or flyingrugg@earthlink.net  (863) 382-1070 April 1 – 3 ~ Spring Break Horseman Day Camp offers children ages 6-16 Costs includes lunch, snacks, drinks & all riding equipment.  Camps can be broken down into daily rates.  For more information call 863-655-1582 or www.orchidhillstables.com   April 1 -  4 ~ Discovery Camp ~ Spring Break ~ The Children’s Museum is offering a Spring Break camp 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day.  Take a pretend cruise to tropical destinations, explore their culture, dine on their cuisine, dance to their music & make souvenirs to take home.  For more information call the museum 863-385-5437.     April 1-13 ~ “Pirates of Penzance”, ... 03/27/2008

Our small town of Sebring, Florida is all the buzz in the World Famous Lemans Racing, we host the 12 hours of Sebring, this event kind of puts us on the map so to speak. It is like our Marti Gras and NASCAR all rolled into one. Over 100,000 people travel from all over the world watch this main event, it is a 3+ mile track made for endurance racing. Audi has won the past 4 years or more and have really ruled this event. Last year at the very end was one of the most exciting finish line dramas I have ever witnessed. At the same time as the formula one cars are racing on the same track so are 2 other types. One being Porsche, and last year at the end a Porsche "rubbed" the other within 1/2 mile of crossing the line to be the winner. Now I am from the south so "rubbing" is a NASCAR term and... 03/04/2008

March 2008March until gone ~ U-Pick Strawberries at Henscratch Farms, big, fat, sweet strawberries drape abundantly form their homes in our hydroponics' tower garden. Warm chocolate is available for dippins & the shake shack serves the finest shortcakes, shakes, and chocolate dipped strawberries by the pound.  For more information call 863-699-2060. December - May, Tues - Sat 10-5 Sun 12-4  March 1 - 2 ~ Historic Sports Car Races at the Sebring International Raceway.   Please call (863) 385-8448 for more information.   Tickets will be available at the Sebring Chamber of Commerce Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm or they can be bought at the gate.  March 1 & 2 ~ 40th Annual Antique Engine & Car Show at Pioneer Park (Corner of State Road 64 & Highway 17) "Shuttle Service" Wauchula to Pioneer Pa... 02/24/2008

The Highlands Wood Carvers Show will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 9am to 4pm at the Sebring Civic Center located behind the Sebring Library.  Competition, carving vendors, carving seminars and demonstrations will be held.  The cost is $3.00.  Lunch will be available.  For information call 863-382-1697 02/19/2008

MARK YOUR CALENDAR2008 RACE DATES: MARCH 12-1556th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of SebringPresented by "Fresh from Florida"Gates open on March 12 and remain open 24 hours a day through Saturday's Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. ...This event is one of Highlands countys most popular events of the year.Everyone has heard of 12 hours of Sebring.  Don't miss it.  One of the bestevents of the year!  Fun for everyone. 02/02/2008

Highlands Hammock State Park Highlands Hammock State Park is a 9,250 acre sanctuary for wildlife and humans alike. It is a dense, subtropical jungle of hardwood trees, cabbage palms, ferns, bromeliads, orchids and other airplants. Several of the trees are estimated to be at least 1,000 years old; one is reported to be the largest oak in Florida with a girth of over 36 feet.Due to the diversity of the plant communities, many varieties of wildlife are found here including Whitetail Deer, River Otters, Pileated Woodpeckers, Red Shouldered Hawks, Barred Owls and Swallow-tailed Kites. Florida Panthers, Bobcats, and Bald Eagles may also be seen on occasion. Nine nature trails offer approximately 1/2 mile walks into these plant communities, and several trails have boardwalk sections. One of th... 01/10/2008

January 2008 Janauary - March or until gone ~ U-Pick Strawberries at Henscratch Farms, big, fat, sweet strawberries drape abundantly form their homes in our hydroponic tower garden. Warm chocolate is available for dippins & the shake shack serves the finest shortcakes, shakes, and chocolate dipped strawberries by the pound.  For more information call 863-699-2060.  December - May Tues - Sat 10-5 Sun 12-4 January 1-31  ~ Bok in Bloom 8 am - 6 pm (spring colors) at Historic Bok Sanctuary, to view a list of flowering plants, go to www.boksanctuary.org/visiting/gardens.html or for more information call 863-676-1408 January 2-5 ~ Orchid Hill Stables' (You must take a minimum of 4 lessons to qualify for student discount!)  Camps can be broken down into daily rates for folks only able to atten... 01/10/2008

Lawn Mower Races To Run At Shrine Club When:Sunday, Jan. 13, 1 p.m. Where:Highlands Shrine Club 2604 State Road 17 Cost:Free - $5 Age limit:All ages Categories:Free/Cheap, Outdoor, Community More Info:Lawn Mower Races To Run At Shrine ClubSEBRING - Highlands Shrine Club lawn mower races will feature NASGRASS (North American Society of Grass Racers and Sod Slingers) at Highlands Shrine Club, 2604 State Road 17, at 1 p.m. Sunday.Admission is $5; kids under 12 are free. Those attending should bring a lawn chair.Call 471-2425 for more information 01/10/2008

SEBRING - Pig Fest begins today and will continue through Jan. 12 at Firemen's Field in Sebring.The festival will run from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. both days.Samples of barbecue and meals will be sold.The band Quickfire will be playing tonight from 6 -10 and on Saturday from 3 - 6 p.m. and 7 - 9. When:Friday, Jan. 11, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Where:Firemen's Field in Sebring Cost:Not available Age limit:All ages Categories:Free/Cheap, Outdoor, Community Can't make it?Check out these additional dates:Saturday, Jan. 12 01/10/2008

I just received this from Heartland National Bank (Highlands County, FL): January 7, 2008    Owner Occupied                                                         Investment Property 30 year fixed                5.875%                                    30 year fixed    6.625% 15 year fixed                5.500%                                    15 year fixed    6.375%               •·        Free prequalification •·        Loan approvals within 24 hours •·        Underwriting decisions are made locally •·        Stress-free, hassle-free, in-house loan process from application through closing •·        Fixed, Adjustable and Bridge loan products •·        Up to 100% financing on primary purchases •·        Current rate, terms and closing cost estimate provided same day     Contact Info... 01/07/2008

Sebring Market Statistics 2007 # of Sales Average List Average Sold Sold to List% Sold to Original% DOM 40 $184,910.00 $176,893.00 95.66% 92.58% 159 Jan 15 $201,767.00 $202,742.00 100.48% 98.30% 168 Feb 16 $165,450.00 $161,344.00 97.52% 95.11% 120 Mar 13 $162,551.00 $158,767.00 97.67% 91.48% 164 Apr 23 $210,954.00 $199,535.00 94.59% 90.70% 171 May 19 $166,076.00 $158,810.00 95.62% 89.28% 197 Jun 9 $188,171.00 $182,537.00 97.01% 94.33% 166 Jul 20 $121,860.00 $115,375.00 94.68% 90.96% 161 Aug 9 $165,214.00 $154,834.00 93.72% 93.09% 132 Sep 9 $183,200.00 $174,672.00 95.35% 83.82% 229 Oct 44 $159,582.00 $147,783.00 92.61% 86.15% 137 Nov 5 times as many sales in November compared to the month before and a record high for 2007. WOW, and only 137 DOM's. That's lower than the average for all o... 12/02/2007

I have seen several of the flag waving events while driving by but last Saturday, while I was on floor duty, they waved their flags right across the street from my office on Lake Jackson. No kidding, there were horns honking all morning long!I took a picture and received a summary by email from Tom Macklin:"I want to take a moment to thank everyone who was able to attend and participate in yesterday's Patriotic Flag Wave on U.S. 27 in Sebring, Fla. yesterday.  As always, our efforts were very well received by the public.  Honking horns, hand waves and thumbs up were the responses we received.  Unfortunately, but as usual there were a couple less than cordial responses.  I want to pass along a couple of personal contacts I made with several drivers.  One lady who was headed south (we wer... 11/18/2007

Thirteen years ago, a Sebring resident decided his hometown needed to highlight its Circle Pakr in historic downtown Sebring, and the Sebring Christmas Carousel of Lights was born.Every year since then, from the first week in December until the end of the month, Circle Park is aglow with Christmas lights and decorations thanks to Jon Speigel, who funds and helps decorate the park.Children and adults are drawn to the Circle to walk through the avhes of light, watch a free, 20-minute singing puppet show, buy a box of popcorn and have their pictures taken with Santa Claus at a special Santa hosue set up every year for the occasion.The puppet show consists of oversized animal heads singing traditional christmas songs with comedy routines thrown in. People take their places early on the blea... 11/11/2007

Tanglewood , located on US 27 has a lot to offer if you are looking for an active retirement. The clubhouse is the center of all activities. You will love the oversized pool with separate areas for lounging, watersports, jacuzzi jets, and a 75' lap section. A library, arts and crafts room, fitness center, large commercially equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, auditorium with concert stage and a computer/internet club are also located in the 28,000 sqft clubhouse. A wood & crafts center can be found at a separate location.Activities offered at Tanglewood:Weekly Saturday Night Dances with BandBingoSeminarsMorning CoffeesPotluck DinnersPizza PartiesLine DancingBallroom DancingGolf LeaguesSand & Water VolleyballAquaticsLighted Tennis CourtsLighted Shuffleboard CourtsBilliardsPing PongChec... 10/11/2007

Buttonwood Bay, a Sun community, is located at the south side of Sebring along the shores of Lake Josephine and Jackson Creek. This pet friendly RV Resort and Manufactured Home community has plenty to offer:Amenities include:Two Community Centers Billiards Two Heated Swimming Pools Lighted Tennis Courts Sixteen Shuffleboard Courts Lake-Front Fishing on Lake Josephine Cafe on the Lake Miniature Golf Bocce Ball Horseshoe Pits Exercise Room Nature Trails Planned Activities Pet Friendly Professional On-Site ManagementWIFI   10/11/2007