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September Homes Sales rise overall in Polk County

The Polk County Florida housing market rose overall in September with 596 existing home sold – an increase of 8% from the previous month (551 sold homes) in Polk County – an increase in sales activity of 25% from the previous year. Overall Polk’s median price for existing homes increased by a small margin from the previous month to $102,227; however, dipped 27% from the previous year of $139,900.

Take a look at the city you live in and see what the numbers are for September 2009 for existing home sales – single family homes, condominiums, manufactured homes -including distressed properties in Polk County.

City                                             Average Sold Price          Median Sold Price           # of Homes Sold

AUBURNDALE	99,111		92,000	23
BABSON PARK	285,000		285,000	1
BARTOW	79,453	80,000		15
CHAMPIONS GATE	150,000	150,000		1
DAVENPORT	136,818	121,000		133
DUNDEE	91,167	83,500		3
EAGLE LAKE	155,000	155,000		1
FORT MEADE	36,680	30,000		5
FROSTPROOF	22,000	22,000		1
HAINES CITY	98,482	78,000		28
HIGHLAND CITY	65,000	65,000		1
INDIAN LAKE ESTATES	37,000	37,000		1
KISSIMMEE	109,117	88,000		19
LAKE ALFRED	107,200	98,000		5
LAKE WALES	98,896	80,000		25
LAKELAND	129,025	121,000		183
MULBERRY	96,436	102,555		15
POINCIANA	79,361	70,000		61
POLK CITY	93,178	62,347		7
SOLIVITA	185,000	185,000		1
WINTER HAVEN	107,469	99,500		67

Let’s take a look at the distressed Polk County real estate market!

Distressed properties, which includes Bank owned, pre-foreclosure, in foreclosure and short sales count for 62% of our total sales in Polk County for the month of September.

• 281 sold homes were Bank Owned – median price $74,200 – Days on Market 31
• 89 sold homes were Short Sales – median price $114,000 – Days on Market 141

The data for this report was obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”.

Florida overall real estate statistics

The Florida Association of Realtors® reports that existing home sales rose 34% in September from the previous year and a 4.1% increase from the previous month. Florida’s median home price continues to stumble with distressed properties dictating the housing market – Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month dipped to $142,000 for a 34% decrease from the previous year and 3.66% from the previous month.

Lakeland Florida – CommonGround a place to be for all Children

Recently, I strolled around the most interesting playground I’ve ever seen, Lakeland CommonGround – oh boy, I wished I had a playground like this when I grew up. The best thing is it is right here in this beautiful city of Lakeland.

The thought originally of such a park came from two Lakeland-area mothers of children with special needs, who contacted the Parks and Recreation Department with their suggestion. After four years of fundraising, planning and construction, this park opened up for all children ages 2-12 earlier this year.

Lakeland Florida CommonGround Park – a Place for Children of all abilities

Located in Edgewood Park, at the corner of Edgewood Drive and Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland’s CommonGround uses the space very efficiently with two separate playground areas, a rock-climbing wall, an astroturf mound for kids to roll down, and much more for all children of all abilities. Play zones are exceptionally designed, so children can play side-by-side.

The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until dusk!

I just love when city, community leaders, various fund raising organizations, such as the Rotary Clubs, businesses and volunteers come together and create such a place for children. Again, this just goes to show that Lakeland is not just a pit stop of Interstate 4. It is a great place to raise a family with children of all abilities.