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