military
Retiring from Active Duty Military or Relocate to MacDill, AFB – Tampa, FL?
July 28, 2010 by Petra Norris · Leave a Comment
Just recently I sold a home in Lakeland, FL to an active duty military member who is relocating to MacDill AFB – Tampa, FL. Why in the world they chose Lakeland over Tampa you might ask? The drive alone from Lakeland to MacDill is about 40-50 minutes depending on traffic. The single answer is location, location, location…..
You see, they thought way ahead of their time, where do I want to raise my family or where do I want to retire and live comfortable? Military members and their family are known to sacrifices. The separation from their families while deployed in another country, another state is in my humble opinion one of their challenging sacrifices military families share every day. When it comes time to retire or to relocate and where the duty station may be at MacDill AFB, or even Ft. Benning, GA – my husband’s last duty station, many feel they want to get away from a military base but still want to be within driving distance for shopping, amenities and activities, such as the annual military air show. It is a no brainer for a soon to be retiring active duty military member to make the driving sacrifice.
While Lakeland FL with it small city feel, it is smack dab in the middle and convenient to all major attractions and white sandy beaches.
Guaranteed Veterans Administration Loan Program allows Active Duty Military Members and Veterans receive 100% financing with a maximum loan limit for $417,000 in Lakeland FL. You can buy a very nice home considering the loan limits and comparing recent home prices here in Lakeland, FL
Lakeland has very affordable home prices compared to Tampa, FL or Orlando, FL
- Lakeland, FL – average home prices for single family homes in June 2010 was $125,040
- Tampa, FL – average home prices for single family homes in June 2010 was $205,140
- Orlando, FL – average home prices for single family homes in June 2010 was $169,711
Thinking about retiring or relocating close to a military base? Consider Lakeland Florida in your next home search, it is all right here with the click of your mouse – just click away!
military
Real Estate News Alert – Homebuyer Tax Credit and National Flood Insurance
July 1, 2010 by Petra Norris · Leave a Comment
It has all come down to the wire! Congress voted to extend homebuyers tax credit and national flood insurance.
Homebuyer Tax Credit Bill HR 5623 – The closing date of the previous stated closing deadline by June 30, 2010 has been extended through September 30, 2010. This extension will help homebuyers who signed purchase contracts before April 30, 2010 and are waiting for the property owner’s lender for approval. According to the National Association of Realtors, it will benefit more than 14, 000 contracts in Florida.
Active Duty Military members exception - military families and active-duty servicemembers currently living overseas, deadline is April 30, 2011.
National Flood Insurance Program - Congress extended the bill HR5569 a short-term program retroactive to May 31,2010 until September 30, 2010.
military
Lakeland Fl – First Friday “Honoring Service” – November 6th, 2009
November 4, 2009 by Petra Norris · Leave a Comment
What can you expect to see in and around Munn Park – First Friday “Honoring Service”?
With all Lakeland First Friday events, Downtown Lakeland Partnership has always done an outstanding job organizing, which proved at last month event of “Art Walk”. I’ve never seen that many people downtown Lakeland comingling, shopping, dining and having a good time.
It all starts at 6:00 p.m. with the National Anthem that will be performed by the Harrison School for the Arts string quartet in front of Brooke Pottery.
- Color guard demonstration by Lake Gibson High, Lake Region, and George Jenkins High Schools.
- Dance and ROTC performances throughout the evening are scheduled – Kentucky Avenue will close from Lemon Street to Oak.
- Music and Entertainment
- Student art displays along the streets
At 7:00 p.m. between Main and Lemon Street, you’ll be entertained by clogging and nutcracker dances.
- Girl Scouts are sponsoring card making activities to be sent to troops overseas.
- Massages will be offered
- Prizes to win, sign up for drawings and more.
- Lifestyle Fitness Center will also have you entertained
There is so much more from Nonperishable Food Drive organized by Brooke Pottery to benefit the Talbot House to Operation Drop Zone donating items for our active military members deployed overseas. Think about our military veterans when you shop downtown Lakeland!
Also, Senator Paula Dockery, who just announced her run for governor will be there to talk with you.
Stop by at the classic car show!
Being married to a veteran, who served 20 years in the Army and both of my sons (SIL) serving in the military, one as a Marine reservist and the other active duty in the Air Force, this is very dear to my heart. Veterans Day is November 11th and Lakeland, Florida’s First Friday local event “Honoring Service” could not have been timed any better.
