Don’t miss the Polk County Builders Association Parade of Homes. This is the last weekend for you to tour Polk county new homes during the Parade. The hours are Saturday, Oct. 23 and Sunday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A "Don't Miss" is the Community of the Year winner, BridgeWater. Highland Homes if offering deals at this community!  Buyers who visit BridgeWater during the parade will get a FREE waterfront lot premium plus a FREE refrigerator, washer and dryer. Located in Lakeland, BridgeWater is Landmar’s premier master-planned community. Highland Homes builds in this elegant community and offers buyers more than 20 floorplans to choose from with fantastic features such as wood cabinetry, Whirlpool appliances and bathroom wall tile. Residents will find a quiet retreat at BridgeWate... 10/21/2010

It's not too late for Pumpkins - Pumpkin Patch by Lake Morton in Lakeland FL Fall is here, the weather is gorgeous and the Pumpkin Patch in Lake Morton Neighborhood Lakeland FL is the perfect site for taking pictures of your baby's or grandchild's first pumpkin picture. The front lawn was covered in orange, mom's taking snapshots of their little ones, while the ducks were quacking, the birds were chirping, and the swans graciously swimming in Lake Morton. I could not resist to get creative with the pictures I took.     Although fast approaching, there is still time to find that perfect pumpkin to take home for Halloween - Remember Halloween is Sunday, October 31, 2010! First United Methodist Church of Lakeland is holding it's annual Pumpkin Patch. Rows and rows of pumpkins in various s... 10/21/2010

Lakeland FL Homes For Sale - Lakeland Properties Just Listed for October 1 - October 15, 2010 Update for the Lakeland Real Estate market!  Newly listed homes for the period of October 1 - October 15, 2010.  A total of 155 Lakeland FL homes were recently listed with area Realtors®.  The average sales price of Lakeland home for sale just listed increased to $159,625 from my previous report. The total inventory of Lakeland homes is 1896 as of 10/19/2010. The types of homes and average prices for sale in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 2 duplex listed with an average sales  price of $47,950 7 condos listed with an average sales price of $101,925 17 manufactured/mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $52,726 1 villa listed with ... 10/20/2010

Lakeland Florida – 2010 Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival The annual Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival takes place around Lake  Mirror and in the Downtown Lakeland Florida area on October 15 - 17, 2010. Best of all – it’s free! This is one of my favorite events drawing a crowd of about 35,000 people wandering around Lake Mirror viewing a field of about 600 vehicles. It is considered as one of the best shows in the Southeast. There is no doubt in my mind that visiting Lake Mirror Classic will mesmerize car enthusiasts around Lakeland and the country. This fun-filled charity event raises money for Lakeland’s area non-profit groups, such as the Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts, the First Tee, Historic Lakeland, and Lakeland Regional Cancer. More than $250,000.00 has been raised or donated h... 10/12/2010

  Lakeland FL Foreclosures vs. Lakeland FL Short Sales – Lenders and Title InsuranceFor the past week we heard that banks such as JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America - now all 50 states, and GMAC suspended foreclosures in over 20 states including Florida. Florida Judges halting foreclosures, primarily due to fraudulent and improper paperwork and rubber-stamping or “robo-signing” without reviewing the documents. Title Insurance Company stopped issuing owner’s title policy on foreclosed properties making it impossible to buy a foreclosure.Most owners who have stowed away their Owner’s Title Insurance Policy may want to find it and dust it off, especially with all this foreclosure mess where there is no real assurance of rightful ownership. When it comes to the Lakeland Foreclosure market I n... 10/11/2010

Lakeland Florida Homes For Sale - Easy Home Search with QR Codes  Have you seen print ads lately with some funny bar codes looking like the one on the right here?  They are very popular in Europe and Asia for folks who love the mobility and the information these QR codes provide. There are plenty of Lakeland homes available in all different price ranges, shapes or sizes from Ranch to Traditional or Colonial Style homes.  Whether you are looking for a home under $100,000 or looking into the more luxury market.  Recognizing that Lakeland has plenty to offer, from it's festivals, theaters, and community support, its closeness nonetheless to Orlando and Tampa provide its residents with the opportunity to visit such notorious attractions as Disney World, Bush Gardens and Sea World in Centra... 10/08/2010

Lakeland FL Homes For Sale - Real Estate Update for September 16 - September 30, 2010 Update for the Lakeland Real Estate market!  Newly listed homes for the period of September 16th - September 30th, 2010.  A total of 154 Lakeland FL homes were recently listed with area Realtors®.  The average sales price increased to $145,747 of Lakeland home for sale from my previous report that were just listed. The total inventory of Lakeland homes is 1958 as of 10/05/2010. The types of homes and average prices for sale in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 1 duplex listed with a price of $30,000 5 condos listed with an average sales price of $161,638 18 manufactured/mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $62,333 7 townhomes/villas listed... 10/05/2010

Lakeland FL Homes For Sale - Real Estate Update for September 1st - September 15, 2010 Update for the Lakeland FL Real Estate market!  Newly listed homes for the period of September 1st - September 15th, 2010.  A total of 156 Lakeland FL homes were recently listed with area Realtors®.  The average sales price of Lakeland home for sale decreased to $133,102 from my previous report. The total inventory of Lakeland homes is 1988 as of 09/22/2010. The types of homes and average prices for sale in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 8 condos listed with an average sales price of $97,125 12 manufactured/mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $49,167 4 townhomes/villas listed with an average sales price of $71,175 132 single family ho... 09/22/2010

Lakeland Florida Short Sale and Foreclosure Home Prices – August 2010  For the month of August, the Lakeland real estate market of short sales and bank-owned (REO) properties market share decreased to 57.75% from the previous month. There were a total of 108 properties sold, compared to 102 in July and 75 distressed Lakeland homes sold the year prior, according to Mid-Florida Regional MLS. Home prices for Lakeland Short Sales continue to decline as their counter parts of traditional home sales, while average Lakeland Foreclosure prices have increased by almost 20% from the previous month.  Currently there are a total of 2,001 Lakeland FL homes for sale and 487 homes under contract (9/20/2010). By calculating total inventory, homes that are under contract which are included in my invent... 09/20/2010

Overall Lakeland Fl Home Prices for August 2010Overall Lakeland FL Home prices fell for the 3rd straight month to $115,431 in August.  However, the amount of homes sold increased to 187 from July’s home sales. Average and median prices continue to decline from the previous year.  While distressed properties continue to be a major contributor in determining market values for Lakeland FL homes, August market share of distressed homes decreased to 57.75% from the previous months.  Lakeland Homes sold in August: 187- previous month:  169 – previous year August 09: 166 soldAugust – average sales price $115,431Previous month: $116,042 (-0.53%) – previous year August 09: $136,324 (-15.33%) August – median sales price $98,000Previous month: $99,000 (-1.01%) – previous year August 09: $130,000 ... 09/20/2010

Only 2 days left to register for this great event!  New Home Seminar is being presented by the Skinner-Marble Team at Exit Realty of Lakeland. Held at the Exit Realty of Lakeland Main Office:  1715 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland, Fl 33803 When:  Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is an event you will not want to miss.  Come and join us to learn ... 1)  How easy it is to buy a BRAND NEW condo or single family home. 2)  How you can obtain closing costs assistance. 3)  How to qualify for the LEASE buyout program. Monthly payments are VERY affordable.  Contact me TODAY to reserve your space, seating is LIMITED!!!! Call or text 863-602-8670 to make your reservation, hurry, don't miss out!!!  ADMISSION IS FREE Cheryl Skinner-Marble, Jay Marble Realtors, Webpro Realty, LLC Search... 09/11/2010

  Why Wait To Do an Inspection on a Short Sale? When buying a Short Sale, time and patience is key to a successful short sale transaction. Home Inspections are generally carried out after the seller accepts the buyer’s offer during a traditional sale and bank owned property, which is usually completed within a couple of weeks.  Generally, homes for sale as short sales are being sold as-is with right to inspect.  So, why would a buyer want to wait until receiving an approval from the seller’s lender? Buyers would argue the time of inspections due to lengthy process receiving an approval for the short sale.  However, the sooner the inspection is completed, the sooner the buyer can move on to another property should the property require extensive repairs. The buyer can exercise the right t... 09/08/2010

Lakeland FL Homes For Sale - Real Estate Update for August 15th - August 31, 2010 Update for the Lakeland Real Estate market!  Newly listed homes for the period of August 15th - August 31, 2010.  A total of 184 Lakeland FL homes were recently listed with area Realtors®.  The average sales price of Lakeland home for sale decreased to $144,258 from my previous report. The total inventory of Lakeland homes is 1997 as of 09/07/2010. The types of homes and average prices for sale in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 1 duplex listed with a sales price of $28,000 6 condos listed with an average sales price of $98,683 15 manufactured/mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $71,153 5 townhomes/villas listed with an average sales price ... 09/07/2010

Lakeland, Florida has many beautiful golf communities. South Lakeland:  Eaglebrooke Near Downtown/Centrally located:  Grasslands North Lakeland:  Highland Fairways, Sandpiper, & Huntington Hills. Each of these communities have a clubhouse and pool as well as golf. Highland Fairways and Sandpiper are Adult Community / 55+. Huntington Hills, Grasslands & Eaglebrooke have homes various priced homes, from the empty-nester to luxury homes. We have homes available in all of these golf communties at this time. Contact me for a list of homes. Cheryl Skinner-Marble Realtor, Webpro Realty, LLC 863-602-8670 I work with out-of-area Realtors.       09/02/2010

Real estate agents across the country are learning new ways to sell homes and satisfy sellers in a real estate market different than any other.  Banks are in control of the most sellable real estate.  The rest of the inventory consists of short sales and the occasional relocation sale.  As a real estate agent with 15 years of experience, the toughest part of my job is explaining to sellers that the most important goal for them is to quickly determine what the real value of their home is. Most sellers start the process of selling their residential property the same way.  Sellers shop for an agent that has experience, sounds aggressive, and believes in getting top dollar for the property.  The homeowner's focus is on the agent being in agreement with the homeowner's needs as it relates to... 09/01/2010

Cypress Lakes - Active Adult Golfing Retirement Community in Lakeland Florida Looking for manufactured homes in an active adult 55+ community?  Look no further...Cypress Lakes in Lakeland Florida has all the bells and whistles active adults can imagine. Located in North Lakeland just of Hwy 98 N when  entering this community you are greeted by shining lakes, cypress tress and an array of well maintained manufactured home built primarily by Palm Harbor and manicured lawn that you never have to mow or remove snow as you make your way to the 24hr manned gated entrance and throughout this great community. Avid Golfer.... you are challenged by 2 picturesque 18-hole golf courses - Big Cypress South Champion Golf Course designed by Ron Garl - Big Cypress North Executive Golf Course designed b... 08/31/2010

Lakeland FL Homes For Sale - Real Estate Update for August 1st - August 14, 2010 Update for the Lakeland Real Estate market!  Newly listed homes for the period of August 1st - August 14, 2010.  A total of 143 Lakeland FL homes were recently listed with area Realtors®.  The average sales price of Lakeland home for sale increased to $161,693.03 from my previous report. The total inventory of Lakeland homes is 1994 as of 08/27/2010. The types of homes and average prices for sale in Lakeland, Florida according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 2 duplex listed with an average sales price of $59,200 3 condos listed with an average sales price of $43,633 12 manufactured/mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $67,758 4 townhomes/villas listed with an average sa... 08/27/2010

.......Lender Business Processing Service.  Not quite sure how long they have been offering their servies to lenders but I have just had my first experience with them this week. In fact, I am on hold with them as I write this article. I've been on hold for over 2 hours!!! I wrote a post a few weeks back about receiving Short Sale approval from Chase in 5 days. My approval was good until August 23rd. I had a really great Chase negotiator by the name of Gregory Williams. Mr. Williams is awesome at what he does and always responded to me very quickly. I emailed him last Friday asking for an extension of a couple days so we could get the transaction closed. He called me immediately to let me know the file had been sent over to LBPS and Chase had nothing else to do with it. YIKES!!! This is ... 08/26/2010

Lakeland Florida Short Sale and Foreclosure Market Report – July 2010  For the month of June, the Lakeland real estate market of short sales and bank-owned (REO) properties increased its market share from 54% the previous month to 60%. There were a total of 102 properties sold, compared to 117 in June and 71 distressed Lakeland homes sold the year prior, according to Mid-Florida Regional MLS. Currently there are a total of 1,976 Lakeland FL homes for sale and 513 homes under contract (8/20/2010). By calculating total inventory, homes that are under contract which are included in my inventory share because these properties have not closed in which a buyer could walk away at any given time. Bank owned properties – Inventory share is 15.95% Short sale properties – Inventory share is 26.67... 08/20/2010

  Lakeland Florida News – U.S. News & World Ranks Florida Southern College 8th In Southern Region U.S. News & World ranked Florida Southern College in Lakeland Florida 8th place in the Southern Region based on graduation, retention rates, faculty quality, class size.   Lakeland’s Florida Southern College is a private liberal arts school affiliated with the Methodist Church that offers outstanding liberal arts and science core, as well as great professional programs for business and the medical field.  Graduates of Florida Southern College become scientists, doctors, lawyers, teachers, business leaders, and volunteers contributing throughout our world. And the buck doesn’t stop there!  Lakeland’s Florida Southern College, according to the 2011 edition of the Princeton Review, received to... 08/18/2010