Mortgage Deliquency Rises

The mortgage delinquency rate, which is defined as the percentage of mortgage holders who are over 60 days or more late on their payments, rose for the tenth consecutive quarter (thru 2nd QTR, 2009). It is now at an all-time high of 5.81%. How should we put this figure in perspective? Well, that is an increase of 65% from the same time period last year. Nevada, Florida, California, & Arizona led the way with the highest foreclosure rates. North & South Dakota and Alaska had the lowest rates.

Polk Museum of Art exhibit

Hollywood in Lakeland Florida

If you have tried to drop by the Polk Museum of Art, Mister Fish restaurant, Lakeland Public Library, or anywhere near that spot around Lake Morton lately, you would have noticed a lot of hustle & bustle. Well it seems like Hollywood has got its eyes firmly fixated on Lakeland & its many picturesque backdrops. The movie, tentatively titled, “Endure,” is scheduled to be shooting in Lakeland through May 8th. The movie is based on a fictitious town named “Lakeridge, Florida.” Stars of the movie include Judd Nelson & Devon Sawa. Many of you will remember Nelson from the many movies he acted in during the mid 1980’s. Such 80’s classics like St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club, & Making the Grade. The director, Joe O’Brien is a Lakeland native.

See more Lakeland photos on Flickr

Lakeland Profiles – Lake Morton

With Mayfaire by-the-Lake a mere week away, I thought I would blog about the site of this annual event.Picturesque Lake Morton is the beautiful backdrop of this event every Mother’s Day weekend, but it’s also a place to go to simply relax & enjoy the scenery. Although it is named Lake Morton, for Kentucky native John P. Morton, Lakeland residents know it is really “Swan Lake,” where Lakeland’s signature resident calls home. The majestic swans, the muse of many local artists, are found at this quaint locale on the southern edge of downtown Lakeland. Lake Morton is located between Lake Mirror & Lake Hollingsworth. Morton is widely considered the epicenter of artistic activities in Lakeland. The Lakeland Public Library & The Polk Museum of Art both overlook beautiful Lake Morton & the DowntownAntiques District is just a hop, skip, & jump away! The annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake, an outdoors Art festival, is held every Mother’s Day weekend.

Residences of Lakeland’s important community leaders and civic buildings are located here. The Public Library, the Lakeland Woman’s Club, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and the Sorosis Club were all built on Lake Morton.

For additional PROFILES and beautiful virtual tours of sites in an around Lakeland & Central Florida, visitLakelandPoints.com.  

Lakeland Profiles, Art – Swansation and Kaleidoscope Butterflies

Lakeland has long been known for its appreciation of public art projects. Two such projects are the “Swansation Art Project” and the “Kaleidoscope Butterflies in Flight.” The intent of both projects were centered around civic awareness with the swan art benefiting local non-profits & the kaleidoscope project benefiting the CommonGround Park.

Swansation is a public art project in originating in downtown Lakeland responsible for bringing the community together to celebrate one of Lakeland’s most well known celebrities, the swan. This unique charitable project benefits local nonprofit organizations. The majestic swan, widely considered the mascot of this culturally rich community, is prevalent in much of its landscape. From murals, to pictures, & even sculptures, the swan lives not only at Lake Morton, but also in the hearts of the local residents.

Kaleidoscope, Butterflies in Flight is responsible for the numerous distinct butterfly sculptures throughout Lakeland. Originally intended as a fundraiser modeled after the highly successful Swansation public art project which took place in 2002, Kaliedoscope has become a integral part of the Lakeland art landscape.

Kaleidoscope’s four to eight foot aluminum butterfly sculptures are mounted on poles and displayed throughout Lakeland. The butterflies were transformed into unique works of art by local and regional artists. This public art project was designed to enrich cultural activity and positively impact the Lakeland community through a uniquely different charitable event.

Kaleidoscope Butterflies in Flight is a fundraiser for the construction of CommonGround, Polk County’s first “inclusive play experience.” Children of varying abilities and disabilities will be able to play together side by side in a play environment. The park itself will be in the shape of a butterfly, a symbolic representation of the individuality and unique character of every child. It will be one of six such playgrounds in Florida and only one of these inclusive playgrounds is currently open to the public. The playground will be located in Edgewood Park near the corner of Edgewood Drive and Buckingham Avenue.

See our photos on flickr

A MUST SEE – Polk County Public Safety and Crime Reports

Shopping for a home & not familiar with how safe the neighborhood is for your family? Central Florida’s premier real estate website, gatearty.com, has unveiled a NEW feature. The new Crime Tracker link offers up an overview map with records of criminal activity. This handy tool even allows you to enter an address to see if there has been any recent criminal activity in the area.

Other features on the Public Safety tab of the page include:

• Animal Control
• Emergency Management
• Lakeland Fire Department
• Lakeland Police Department
• National Hurricane Center
• Polk County Sheriff
• Sex Offender Search

Do you Squidoo ?

We have created some new lenses for lakeland and real estate.

Please go visit them and let us know what you think !
 Lakeland Florida Information

Lakeland Realtor Gate Arty 

Best Deals on Lakeland Florida…

Houses More Affordable Than Ever

The National Association of Realtors has reported that the Housing Affordability Index jumped 13.6% in January to a record high of 166.8. Another sign that buyers bold enough to jump into the market will be rewarded. Not to mention the tax benefit they will receive for doing so prior to the end of the year! The aforementioned index measures the relationship between home prices, income, & mortgage interest rates. The index is the best it has ever been since monitoring of this relationship began back in 1970.

http://www.gatearty.com/blog/Entries/The_%22NEW%22_housing_tax_CREDIT/

State Farm to Leave Sunshine State

State Farm, the largest private property insurer operating in Florida, filed plans to stop selling property insurance in Florida.

The company’s departure includes coverage for home owners, renters, personal liability, boats, and business. The company does plan on continuing to write auto policies, where it is the market leader.

Governor Charlie Crist was hardly affected by the announcement of the Insurance giant. “They probably charge the highest rates in the state, anyway. Floridians will be much better off without them,” he said. When asked if State Farm was “posturing,” Crist said, “I don’t really know, and I don’t really care.”

State Farm recently lost a legal to increase property insurance rates aa astounding 47 percent.

State Farm claims they have been crippled by the state-imposed policy to give hefty discounts to customers who strengthen their homes against hurricanes. It has been losing up to $25 million a month in Florida. This in spite of the fact that there have been no recent hurricanes.

To allow policy holders to find alternative coverage, State Farm plans on phaseing in the cuts over two years.

Before State Farm can proceed, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation must approve its plan within 90 days. Then, State Farm has to provide 180 days notice to customers before it lets any policies nonrenew.

Homes Are Now Affordable

I get asked all of the time . . . “have we hit the bottom of the real estate market yet?” In truth, I just don’t know, but it seems that some buyers might think so. The National Association of Realtors reported today that the Pending Home Sales Index rose 6.3% to 87.7 in December from a revised reading of 82.5 in November. What do these numbers signify? Quite simply, homes are becoming more affordable to the home-buying public. NAR’s House Affordability index rose 10.9% in December to 158.8, the highest since NAR began tracking affordability in 1970.

Freddie Mac . . . your landlord?

Freddie Mac announced today that it would permit homeowners who have lost their home to foreclosure to actually turn around and rent them back from Freddie Mac. “Keeping foreclosed properties occupied and in better repair will support local property values and promote a faster recovery in the housing market,” said Freddie Mac CEO David Moffett.