Keepin’ it real estate 🏡

Ducks and birds on grass in foreground with Lake Mirror and Lakeland skyline

Real estate sales in Florida topped $177 billion in value last year. | Photo by LALtoday

There aren’t enough flame emojis on the Internet to describe the Lakeland housing market. In August 2022, the median home in Polk County sold for $313,409, a 27.7% jump year-over-year. Yowza. 🔥

With interest rates on the rise, prices show few signs of cooling off. But for those hoping to dip their toes in the home buying waters soon, it helps to know what trends to expect. Put on your floaties, and let’s hear what the local experts predict.

Look out for the ‘burbs

Wendy Wilson, a realtor with CENTURY 21 Myers Realty, said the suburbs are growing thanks to new Lakelanders looking for more space. That means areas in Lakeland Highlands, Medulla, and Christina could see heavy house buying activity, thanks to more people working from home and willing to move further from the urban core.

While median home prices for single-family homes in Lakeland are well above $349,000, places like far North Lakeland are more in the $250,000 range — and, likewise, bidding wars will heat up all over.

Don’t give up on Polk County

Buyers hoping to find areas with less competition may want to think about getting a sweet pad outside of Lakeland proper. Jared Weggeland, realtor, builder, and remodeler with Focus Group Florida, said there may be more options in nearby towns, noting “the further out you go, the less competitive it becomes.” He’s also seen new home builders offering big discounts to move inventory.

Worth it to wait?

Both Wendy and Jared expect interest rates to continue to increase, and home prices to continue to appreciate. Wilson says “interest rates are higher than a couple of years ago, but still lower than they have historically been,” and according to Weggeland, there’s a 69% shortage of available homes. Basically, get on that dream home now.

MORE HOT REAL ESTATE TIPS

POLL

Give us your predictions: Over the next six months, the real estate market here will…

A. Heat up even more
B. Level off and stay about the same
C. Start to cool off a bit
D. I have no earthly idea

MAKE YOUR PREDICTIONS

EVENTS

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Today

Lunch Pop-Ups at Catapult | Mon., Sept. 12-Fri., Nov. 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult 502 E. Main St. | Free | Support Lakeland’s small business scene and enjoy lunch crafted by five of Catapult’s entrepreneur kitchen members.*
Dixieland Art Crawl & Shocktober Showcase | Fri., Oct. 14 | 6 p.m.-12 a.m. | Union Hall, Lakeland | Free | Hear live music while you shop locally made goods from artists, makers, bakers, and small businesses at this market.
Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Nov. 13 | Hours vary | Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City | $12.00 - $15.00 | Have some fall fun with a corn maze, animal adventure hayride, cow barrel train, and a miniature golf course.

Saturday

Architectural Tour at Polk County History Center | Sat., Oct. 15 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Polk County History Center, 100 East Main Street, Bartow | Free | Join this tour of the History Center to discover its neoclassical architectural elements, ongoing restoration, and historic preservation resources.
Coffee with the Artist: Susan Martin | Sat., Oct. 15 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland | Free | Meet artist Susan Martin to celebrate her exhibit, “Efflorescence,” over a cup of coffee.
Festival de Las Americas | Sat., Oct. 15 | 1-7 p.m. | Central Park, 251 Ave. A SW, Winter Haven | Free | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with food, local vendors, entertainment, and a live concert on the lawn.

Sunday

Swantoberfest 2022! | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 12-7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, Lakeland | Free | Celebrate Oktoberfest season with Swan Brewing’s gold medal-winning beers, live music, and food trucks.
Just Between Friends Sale | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | RP Funding Center, Lakeland | Free | Shop this community-wide consignment sale for children’s clothing + gear.

Monday

Amplify Lakeland: Find Your Voice. Increase Your Influence | Mon., Oct. 17 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Well Lakeland, 114 E Parker St, Lakeland | Free | Learn about leadership from Mayor Bill Mutz, Polk County Commissioner Martha Santiago, and Toastmasters International President Matt Kinsey — refreshments provided.

Thursday

Grand Opening of CIL’s Lakeland Office | Thu., Oct. 20 | 3-6 p.m. | CIL’s Lakeland Office, 2025 Crystal Wood Dr., 2nd floor, Lakeland | Free | Lakelanders are invited to the grand opening of the new Lakeland Office and learn more about the work CIL is doing in the area.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

87º | Scattered thunderstorms | 30% chance of rain

Coming Soon

We’re only eight days away from the opening of Bonnet Springs Park, which offers activities for bikers, runners, kayakers, and more — you’ll find us on the Crenshaw Canopy Walk. Go behind the scenes with LkldNow before the park’s grand opening on Sat., Oct. 22-Sun., Oct. 23. 🌳 (LkldNow)

Community

Lakelanders gathered to discuss the city’s future development at Tuesday’s Smart Growth Forum. A panel of seven community leaders — including City Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley and Director of Community & Economic Development Brian Rewis — answered questions about city infrastructure, development, and population growth. See their answers here. (LkldNow)

Edu

Polk County Public Schools have compiled the district’s legislative agenda ahead of the next state legislative session. The agenda includes methods to reduce the teacher shortage + support student success. The district will also request funding for projects like Polk Biztown, an entrepreneurship program. 📚 (The Ledger)

Development

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office broke ground on a $9 million substation in Poinciana — one of Polk’s fastest growing areas — on Wed., Oct. 12. The substation is next to the new Polk County Fire Rescue station, which has reduced response times by up to 10 minutes. 🚨 (Fox 13 News)

Number

$2.65 billion. That’s how much federal funding Florida will receive to improve infrastructure. Over $52 million of the funding will be used to bridge the gap on bridge repairs. Polk County is in FDOT District 1, which has 158 bridges considered to be failing or in poor condition. (WFLA)

Try This

If you have a need for speed, this is your weekend. Visit the Lake Mirror Classic car show and concours, starting tonight at 6 p.m. Then, motor over to Lake Hollingsworth for the Orange Cup Regatta powerboat races on Sat., Oct. 15-Sun., Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. 🚤 (The Ledger)

Seasonal

Are those jingle bells or wedding bells? For one lucky couple, it could be both. Polk County Wedding and Event Pros are offering the chance to get married on a Lakeland Christmas Parade float, followed by a reception worth up to $20,000. Couples can apply here by Tues., Nov. 1. 🎄

Sports

You go, girls. Assistant coach Kristin Nicholson and player Jackie Patton both made the move from women’s soccer to coaching + playing for Kathleen High School’s football team to fill gaps on the roster. Catch them in action tonight at Lake Gibson High School at 7:30 p.m. (The Ledger)

Outdoors

It’s never too early to get hooked on a new hobby. Children ages 8-14 can join Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts for its Ethical Anglers beginner fishing class on Mon., Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For $25, kids will learn freshwater fishing techniques, regulations, and more. 🎣

Family

Don’t wing it when it comes to family fun this month. Fly into the Aerospace Center for Excellence’s free Wings ‘n Things event on Sat., Oct. 29 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests of all ages can fly drones, launch stomp rockets, and more. Overnight camping is available.

Eat

It’s corn!... soup. Celebrate soup season with this yummy Chilled Corn and Green Curry Soup. 🌽 *

Drink

Cheers to the end of the work week. Bring on the weekend with drink specials from POURS, located in Publix GreenWise Market from 4-7 p.m. 🍻 *

Travel

Couples getaway idea: Get lost in the history, restaurants, and famous oak tree-lined streets of Savannah, GA. This cottage nestled right by Washington Square boasts Southern-style furnishings including glittering chandeliers and has a five star rating.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

EAT

Swan City’s spookiest restaurants 👻

LAL_ghost_kitchen_mr_beast_burger_oct_2023

Fun fact: MrBeast Burgers are named for the owner’s best friends. | Photo by @platesofportlandmaine

Have you ever ordered delivery from a Lakeland restaurant and loved it so much you wanted to go in person, just to find out that there’s no physical restaurant? Chances are, you ordered from a ghost kitchen. No, it isn’t haunted, it’s a kitchen that cooks food for delivery only.

Try these ghost kitchens around Lakeland:

It’s Just Wings | Operating out of Chili’s

Found on DoorDash and Uber Eats, It’s Just Wings serves up wings in a variety of flavors like apple BBQ, buffalo, and mango habanero. Order an eight-count, or feed the whole family with the 44-count. Try a blueberry or cinnamon apple hand pie for something sweet.

The Meltdown | Operating out of Denny’s

If you love a good melt, look no further than The Meltdown, available on DoorDash. Try the Hot Mess Melt with slow-roasted beef, caramelized onions, and white cheddar. The Meltdown also has all-day breakfast melts for the late-risers.

3 MORE GHOST KITCHENS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: I couldn’t have written today’s real estate prediction guide without the help of Jared Weggeland + Wendy Wilson. One more tip they both gave? Contact a realtor sooner than later to get their expert advice and find your Lakeland dream home — Lake Hollingsworth, I’m coming for you.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Treat yourself to a self-care day around Lakeland, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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