polk county real estate
Polk County Existing Home Sales for January 2010
February 27, 2010 by Petra Norris · Leave a Comment
Slow start of the overall Polk County Home Sales in January when comparing sales history for the past year. Although average Polk County home prices have somewhat been stable in recent months, the number of homes sold in Polk County took a nose dive when comparing the number of sales from the past few months. If you are a person that is visual like me, just take a look at the chart below to see what I’m talking about. Please keep in mind, the figures reflect all homes as indicated below, not just single family homes you see in media reports.

500 existing homes sold – a decrease of 21% from the previous month (636 sold homes) in Polk County – an increase in sales activity of 111 Polk County homes sold from the previous year. Overall Polk’s median price for existing homes decreased by 1 ¾% from the previous month to $97,950, however remained almost the same from the previous year of $98,000.
Take a look at the city you live in and see what the numbers are for January 2010 for existing home sales – single family homes, condominiums, manufactured homes, duplex, villas, and townhomes -including distressed properties in Polk County. Please take note only sales recorded by Realtors® are taken into account. The source for this data is Mid-Florida Regional MLS Service, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
City Average Sold Price Median Sold Price # of Homes Sold
| AUBURNDALE | 110,675 | 111,950 | 16 |
| BARTOW | 106,201 | 80,000 | 8 |
| CLERMONT | 88,000 | 88,000 | 1 |
| DAVENPORT | 117,716 | 110,000 | 122 |
| DUNDEE | 75,000 | 75,000 | 2 |
| EAGLE LAKE | 9,100 | 9,100 | 1 |
| FORT MEADE | 140,750 | 106,500 | 4 |
| FROSTPROOF | 64,283 | 63,000 | 3 |
| HAINES CITY | 91,398 | 79,900 | 32 |
| KATHLEEN | 40,000 | 40,000 | 1 |
| KISSIMMEE | 138,545 | 100,000 | 11 |
| LAKE ALFRED | 92,450 | 92,450 | 2 |
| LAKE HAMILTON | 60,500 | 60,500 | 2 |
| LAKE WALES | 64,199 | 45,000 | 19 |
| LAKELAND | 126,320 | 112,900 | 145 |
| MULBERRY | 108,136 | 118,620 | 14 |
| POINCIANA | 85,345 | 72,000 | 51 |
| POLK CITY | 38,451 | 47,000 | 3 |
| WINTER HAVEN | 112,701 | 91,000 | 63 |
Let me break down January 2010 Polk County existing homes sales into various categories:
- 447 Single family homes, townhomes, villas and ½ duplex – median sold price $103,000 – 148 Average Days to Closing
- 19 Condominiums – median sold price – $65,000 – 149 Average Days on Closing
- 34 Modular, manufactured/mobile homes in park/out of park – median sold price $56,500 – 233 Average Days to Closing
Let’s take a look at the distressed Polk County real estate market!
There were 183 existing homes sold, not categorized as distressed properties, at a median sold price of $130,000 with 206 average days to closing, which counted for almost 37% of our total sales. The distressed properties however; which includes Bank owned, pre-foreclosure, in foreclosure and short sales counted for 63% of our total sales in Polk County for the month of January.
- 234 sold homes were Bank Owned – median price $79,450 – Average Days to Closing 81
- 83 sold homes were Short Sales – median price $102,000 – Average Days to Closing 247
polk county real estate
Polk County Existing Home Sales for December 2009
January 30, 2010 by Petra Norris · 1 Comment
Overall Polk County Home Sales rose and prices fell in 2009 from the previous year.
Is this true in your neck of the woods? I’m sure you heard about that this is a buyer’s market in the news and media outlets, but is it really? Real Estate still remains very local and real estate statistics in each town or even in each neighborhood/community could differentiate by a great margin resulting in a seller’s market. Therefore consulting with a local Realtor® with market knowledge and experience is essential to your home buying or home selling needs.
636 existing homes sold – an increase of 7.98% from the previous month (589 sold homes) in Polk County – an increase in sales activity of 185 Polk County homes sold from the previous year. Overall Polk’s median price for existing homes decreased by 4.59% from the previous month to $99,700 and declined 18% from the previous year of $122,000.
Take a look at the city you live in and see what the numbers are for December 2009 for existing home sales – single family homes, condominiums, manufactured homes, duplex, villas, and townhomes -including distressed properties in Polk County. Please take note only sales recorded by Realtors® are taken into account. The source for this data is Mid-Florida Regional MLS Service, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
City Average Sold Price Median Sold Price # of Homes Sold
| ALTURAS | 170,000 | 170,000 | 1 |
| AUBURNDALE | 130,567 | 119,000 | 18 |
| BABSON PARK | 125,000 | 125,000 | 1 |
| BARTOW | 124,190 | 116,000 | 10 |
| CLERMONT | 69,167 | 71,000 | 3 |
| DAVENPORT | 131,928 | 123,925 | 126 |
| DUNDEE | 89,100 | 89,900 | 5 |
| EAGLE LAKE | 64,500 | 64,500 | 2 |
| FORT MEADE | 70,000 | 50,000 | 3 |
| FROSTPROOF | 66,167 | 56,500 | 3 |
| HAINES CITY | 102,388 | 87,500 | 42 |
| HOMELAND | 54,900 | 54,900 | 1 |
| KISSIMMEE | 75,317 | 67,500 | 15 |
| LAKE ALFRED | 88,207 | 94,200 | 6 |
| LAKE WALES | 100,233 | 80,000 | 21 |
| LAKELAND | 123,866 | 113,950 | 194 |
| MULBERRY | 128,936 | 133,500 | 17 |
| POINCIANA | 81,444 | 74,950 | 80 |
| POLK CITY | 72,430 | 63,000 | 10 |
| WINTER HAVEN | 98,405 | 92,500 | 78 |
Let me break down December 2009 Polk County existing homes sales into various categories:
- 571 Single family homes, townhomes, villas and ½ duplex – median sold price $105,100 – 150 Average Days on Market
- 26 Condominiums – median sold price – $72,250 – 136 Average Days on Market
- 38 Modular, manufactured/mobile homes in park/out of park – median sold price $52,750 – 181 Average Days on Market
Let’s take a look at the distressed Polk County real estate market!
There were only 258 existing homes sold, not categorized as distressed properties, at a median sold price of $125,000 with 162 average days on market, which counted for 41% of our total sales. The distressed properties however; which includes Bank owned, pre-foreclosure, in foreclosure and short sales counted for 59% of our total sales in Polk County for the month of December.
- 300 sold homes were Bank Owned – median price $77,250 – Average Days on Market 45
- 78 sold homes were Short Sales – median price $110,140 – Average Days on Market 196
polk county real estate
Real Estate Market Update for Polk County – November 2009
December 29, 2009 by Petra Norris · Leave a Comment
I was recently asked by a reader why are my Real Estate Market Statistics being published later in the month. I simply replied that I want to be as accurate as I possibly can to my readers and followers. Generally, I blog about my monthly Lakeland Real Estate Market Report around the 15th of each month for the preceding month and for my Polk County Real Estate Market towards the end of the month.
Generating monthly market reports too early can lead to erroneous statistics which I learned the hard way. Realtors® get their information from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and although we have to input listings, changes to a listing and information when a property was sold within a short time, real estate agents fail to report the data in a timely manner.
As far as my Polk County market reports concerns, the same thing applies for reporting requirements from each real estate agent and with thousands of properties being listed in the MLS and hundreds of listings sold every month, accuracy and timing of my Real Estate Market reports is important to me. And for an added bonus, I wait until I receive the National and Florida Real Estate Market Report so you’ll see not only what happens in Polk County, but on state and national level as well.
So without further ado, here is my real estate update for the month of November 2009 in and around Polk County.
The National Association of Realtors® reports that existing homes sales remained very strong for the month of November giving credit for the first time homebuyers program. The Florida Association of Realtors® reports that existing home sales rose 61% in November from the previous year, showing for the past 15 months that overall real estate sales in the State of Florida have increased. While much credit is given for the extended and expanded homebuyers tax credit for the increased sales activity in the past, the decline in home values and sales prices resulting from the increased sales of distressed properties and foreclosures.
Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month continued downwardly to $139,000 for a 12% ($158,200) decrease from the previous year and less than 1% ($140,300) from the previous month.
The Polk County’s overall housing prices improved slightly.
589 existing homes sold – a slight decrease of 3.6% from the previous month (612 sold homes) in Polk County – an increase in sales activity of 220 Polk County homes sold from the previous year. Overall Polk’s median price for existing homes increased from the previous month to $104,900; however, dipped 17% from the previous year of $127,000.
Take a look at the city you live in or want to move to and see what the numbers are for November 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 | 110,156 | 125,000 | 21 |
| BARTOW | 92,496 | 79,000 | 21 |
| CLERMONT | 54,833 | 62,500 | 3 |
| DAVENPORT | 137,355 | 132,500 | 110 |
| DUNDEE | 78,342 | 86,625 | 3 |
| EAGLE LAKE | 82,425 | 88,350 | 4 |
| FORT MEADE | 74,467 | 67,500 | 6 |
| FROSTPROOF | 103,925 | 70,000 | 6 |
| HAINES CITY | 118,744 | 115,000 | 43 |
| HOMELAND | 27,500 | 27,500 | 1 |
| INDIAN LAKE ESTATES | 43,000 | 43,000 | 1 |
| KATHLEEN | 160,000 | 160,000 | 1 |
| KISSIMMEE | 99,265 | 70,000 | 17 |
| LAKE ALFRED | 89,283 | 97,350 | 6 |
| LAKE WALES | 79,657 | 57,500 | 14 |
| LAKELAND | 122,591 | 119,000 | 174 |
| MULBERRY | 112,090 | 125,100 | 25 |
| POINCIANA | 94,498 | 79,500 | 57 |
| POLK CITY | 50,667 | 50,000 | 3 |
| WINTER HAVEN | 102,082 | 90,000 | 73 |
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 57% of our total sales in Polk County for the month of November.
- 250 sold homes were Bank Owned – median price $75,000 – Days on Market 26
- 80 sold homes were Short Sales – median price $115,500 – Days on Market 111
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”.
For all of your Polk County home search, click on the search picture below:
polk county real estate
September Homes Sales rise overall in Polk County
October 31, 2009 by Petra Norris · Leave a Comment
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.
polk county real estate
What exactly do National and Florida home sales statistics for August 2009 really say?
October 5, 2009 by Petra Norris · 1 Comment
This real estate market report covering not only the Lakeland real estate market, it specifically covers the whole real estate market in Polk County. It was published in the October 3, 2009 edition of Polk Homes of The Ledger. I realize that some of my readers do not subscribe to The Ledger and therefore missed out on my article. So without further ado, here is the unedited version of my article with links to various sites for your information.
The National Association of Realtors® reported a decline in existing home sales in four regions. The seasonally adjusted sales declines were as follows:
- Northeast – existing home sales fell 2.2%
- Midwest – sales dipped by 6.6%
- South – sales decreased by 3.1%
- West – sales declined 2.7%
What do the stats really say? Absolutely nothing! It is like talking about the national weather forecast – there is nothing to write about. Let me examine the real estate statistics reported from the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). They report that existing homes sales rose 28% compared to August 2008. Again, nothing more than the Florida weather report – nothing to write about. Often these published statistics lead to more questions, such as how many of these homes were short sales, bank owned properties, or regular sales. None of this is reported nationally and state wide.
I’ve had my share doing market reports for Polk County and Lakeland real estate in the past and always expressed what is exactly selling. Real estate is very local and the housing report, according to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for the month of August is as follows:
551 existing home sold – a decrease of 7.7% from the previous month (597 sold homes) in Polk County – an increase in sales activity of 22% from the previous year. Overall Polk’s median price for existing homes declined almost 6.5% from the previous month to $101,000 and dipped 27% from the previous year of $138,950.
At the time of this report, there were a total of 6106 properties for sale and 1748 properties currently under contract that have not closed. Where is the real estate market headed? Real Estate professionals use an absorption rate – though not an exact science, it is based on current and pending inventory and recent sales. Taking all the figures into consideration, we currently have about 15 month of supply – a true buyer’s market.
Let me break it down even further for you. I’m sure you’d like to know how your city was performing in August 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 |
137,338 |
117,000 |
13 |
| BARTOW |
85,433 |
51,500 |
12 |
| DAVENPORT |
124,509 |
110,000 |
103 |
| DUNDEE |
73,500 |
73,500 |
2 |
| EAGLE LAKE |
74,500 |
74,500 |
1 |
| FORT MEADE |
29,900 |
29,900 |
1 |
| FROSTPROOF |
73,833 |
80,000 |
3 |
| HAINES CITY |
146,554 |
115,000 |
35 |
| INDIAN LAKE ESTATES |
115,000 |
115,000 |
1 |
| KISSIMMEE |
86,919 |
91,750 |
20 |
| LAKE ALFRED |
97,663 |
98,500 |
8 |
| LAKE WALES |
113,364 |
114,500 |
22 |
| LAKELAND |
136,324 |
130,000 |
166 |
| MULBERRY |
130,492 |
137,950 |
12 |
| POINCIANA |
80,132 |
69,900 |
77 |
| POLK CITY |
49,057 |
49,100 |
7 |
| WAVERLY |
17,500 |
17,500 |
1 |
| WINTER HAVEN |
137,597 |
105,200 |
67 |
Let me share with you what the National Association of Realtors® and Florida Association of Realtors® doesn’t tell you – the distressed market!
Distressed properties, which includes Bank owned, pre-foreclosure, in foreclosure and short sales count for 53% of our total sales in Polk County for the month of August.
223 sold homes were Bank Owned – median price $79,000
70 sold homes were Short Sales – median price $115,000
Last year August 2008, there were 111 properties sold as distressed properties – an increase of 164%
Buying distressed properties can be very time consuming and tedious. Are you looking for a great deal and overwhelmed with an abundance of inventory on the market. Hire a local Realtor®, who knows the local market and is working diligently for you to get the best deal.
The data for this report were obtained from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, it is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This report does not include “For Sale By Owner”.
polk county real estate
Lakeland Real Estate – What Polk County’s Real Estate Future Holds
April 29, 2009 by Petra Norris · Leave a Comment
Lakeland real estate – The National Association of Realtors® reported that existing home sales declined 12.2% in March 2009, the Florida Association of Realtors® reports an increase of 30% or 13,085 existing homes sold from the year prior.
The median sales prices continued to slide for March from the previous year for existing homes on the national level to $175,200 (12.4%), state wide to $141,300 (30%), and Polk County to $99,900 (35%). Below are some other counties with their median home sold prices for March 2009 for you to compare.
- Brevard County – $137,500
- Hillsborough County – $143,000
- Pasco County – $111,550
- Osceola County – $119,900
- Pinellas County – $135,900
- Orange County – $137,100
Polk County home sales were up as it shows in Lakeland, Florida according to the Mid-Florida Multiple Listing Service (MLS), 571 existing homes were sold in Polk County – an increase in sales of 21.37% from the previous year and 22% from the previous month.
While working as a Lakeland Realtor® the predominant question I’m asked by sellers, buyers, and people on the streets is “When will the housing market rebound?” Well, I’m not an economist and surely, no one really knows and if you ask three economists right now, you more than likely will get three different answers. I am, however, realistic and honest about when I’m asked this question, when I say that the Real Estate Market will not change all that much during the course of this year or even next year.
While I do know that the housing market is very local in each state, each city and in some areas each neighborhood, let me break it down even further for you. I’m sure you’d like to know how your city is performing in Polk County, Florida
City Average Sold Price Median Sold Price # of Homes Sold
| AUBURNDALE |
109,324 |
110,000 |
21 |
| BABSON PARK |
155,000 |
195,000 |
3 |
| BARTOW |
114,182 |
73,100 |
13 |
| CLERMONT |
48,000 |
48,000 |
1 |
| DAVENPORT |
142,037 |
131,100 |
104 |
| DUNDEE |
105,500 |
105,500 |
2 |
| EAGLE LAKE |
144,200 |
144,200 |
1 |
| FORT MEADE |
31,500 |
31,500 |
2 |
| FROSTPROOF |
79,781 |
72,250 |
8 |
| HAINES CITY |
108,025 |
102,900 |
27 |
| INDIAN LAKE ESTATES |
77,500 |
62,500 |
4 |
| KISSIMMEE |
78,426 |
61,000 |
26 |
| LAKE ALFRED |
104,429 |
115,000 |
7 |
| LAKE HAMILTON |
181,168 |
181,168 |
2 |
| LAKE WALES |
90,448 |
72,500 |
23 |
| LAKELAND |
135,632 |
123,500 |
155 |
| LAKESHORE |
27,000 |
27,000 |
1 |
| MULBERRY |
110,513 |
115,250 |
18 |
| POINCIANA |
81,931 |
71,500 |
73 |
| POLK CITY |
124,688 |
129,000 |
8 |
| WINTER HAVEN |
98,157 |
87,250 |
72 |
While there is definitely a great time to buy, is there also a good time to sell?
The housing bubble of 2005 here in Polk County and its surrounding cities, such as Lakeland, Florida was manifested by increased home values we’ve never seen before, as much as 10%, 20% even 25% and these values were not maintainable in other areas as well much like around the country. Homeowners have expressed that they would rather wait until the market comes back – Interesting, how long are they going to wait?
The fact of the matter is that values have dropped considerable since the housing boom of 2005; depending in what town you live in. Have we reached bottom? Anybody could speculate at this time, but it seems to me that sellers are worried about their lost equity, their unwillingness to part with the lost equity in their current home, although they would buy another home under these same conditions.
Let’s look at another way to rationalize the Real Estate market and what kind of appreciation is necessary to get back to where we were at the market peak is to look at stocks.
For example, you purchase a stock for $100 dollars and it loses value by 25%. The stock is now worth $75 dollars. Many would incorrectly assume that if the stock goes back up by 25% it would be worth $100 again. WRONG – it would be worth $93.75. The stock needs to appreciate around 33.5% just to get back to break even! It works the same way with housing folks but on a larger scale.
If you owned a home worth $300,000 in 2005 and it has dropped by 25% it is now worth $225,000. Well guess what if the market goes up 25% the home will be worth $281,250. Still some way off from $300,000!
In a more healthy and stabilized market, economists predict that once we do finally hit bottom we will only see a more historical adjustment of 2-3% yearly appreciation on our homes. The slower the rebound, the healthier the Real Estate Market will be in the future. It will take some time to get to the levels prior to the market correction.
Wanting to sell your home should not be based on lost equity you once had on paper, if you really want to move.
Interest rates are at an all time low and this will not last forever. While it may take years before we get back to the levels of 2005, what are the chances interest rates will be as low as they are today? Remember, as your home appreciates, other Lakeland real estate values will do the same.



