05.03.2024

Today’s Forecast

91º | 11% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. | Sunset 8:03 p.m.

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Real Estate

A look at Lakeland’s spring real estate market

Aerial overview of a housing development

From housing to commercial, we’re giving you the scoop on what you need to know about real estate in Lakeland. | Photo via S&D Real Estate.

Spring flowers aren’t the only thing the month of May brings. Entering into this new month also means we’re officially more than a quarter of the way through 2024.

This year, the Lakeland real estate market has been a hot topic of conversation on our social media + in our inbox. So we’re breaking down the data to help you stay informed, whether you’re buying, selling, renting, or just sizing up the market.

A photo of a historic home in Lakeland, FL painted teal, yellow, and purple. — The Lakeland housing market offers a wide variety of homes, from historic to new construction.
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Photo by @mcmill_painting

Residential

According to Rocket Homes, Lakeland’s housing market is overall classified as a “seller’s market” as of April 2024, meaning home prices tend to be higher and properties usually sell faster. This tracks with last year’s data as well, as Lakeland was also classified as a “seller’s market” in April 2023.

Currently, the median sale price of homes in Lakeland is $313,410 — nearly $4,000 more than last year. However, out of the 279 homes sold in April 2024, more than 50% were sold for under the asking price. Properties are also moving quickly, with 55% of homes sold in 30 days or less.

Lakeland’s build-to-rent housing market is booming, too. A new study ranked Swan City as a top emerging market in the US. Nearly 500 homes intended for long-term renters were built around the city from 2019 to 2023, and another 317 are in progress now.

An exterior shot of Thom Downs Antiques — The historic building housing Thom Downs Antiques is currently on the market for $2,195,000.
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Image via LDDA, provided by Augie Schmidt

Commercial

Things are just as hot when it comes to commercial real estate. According to PropertyShark, there’s more than 15.2 million sqft of commercial space available in 172 commercial properties across the city, ranging from retail and office spaces to warehouses and vacant land.

Submit your real estate questions and we may feature them in an upcoming newsletter. If you’re a local real estate agent and want to help answer reader questions, email us.

Asked

What type of real estate content would you be most interested in reading?

A. Quarterly recaps of market activity
B. Pieces pertaining to real estate history or historic homes + buildings
C. Monthly roundups of homes + apartments for sale/rent
D. Other

Answer here on the dotted line

Events

Friday, May 3

First Friday: Tres De Mayo | Friday, May 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Start the Cinco de Mayo party early with drinks, dancing in Munn Park, and later hours at downtown businesses.
Raising Emotionally Strong Kids | Friday, May 3 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Trinity Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Get parenting tips from nationally known child and family therapists, Sissy Goff + David Thomas.

Saturday, May 4

Birding on the Boardwalk | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Grab binoculars and a birding guide at the Blanton Family Lagoon to explore the park’s bird residents.
May the Four Paws Be with You | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Polk County Animal Control, 7115 De Castro Rd., Winter Haven | Free | Microchipped, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered pets will be free to adopt at this themed event.
Watermelon Festival | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Enjoy watermelon and hands-on activities for kids — museum admission is free during the event.
Florida NWTF Family Fun Day | Saturday, May 4 | 12-5 p.m. | Tenoroc Public Shooting Range, 3755 Tenoroc Mine Rd., Lakeland | $0-$35 | Enjoy a day outdoors with clay shoots and fishing hosted by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
“Star Wars” Bingo | Saturday, May 4 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Choose the Sith or Jedi alliance and compete to see which one wins the most Bingo rounds.

Sunday, May 5

Cinco De Mayo Celebration | Sunday, May 5 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Dinosaur World, 5145 Harvey Tew Rd., Plant City | $18.95-$38.95 | Enjoy music by Las Aztecas and bites from Happybelly Tacos & Grill as you peruse the park.
Cinco De Mayo at Swan Brewing | Sunday, May 5 | 12-7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Spanish guitarist Samuel Ortiz and Tito’s Latin Cuisine food truck will be on hand for this celebration.
“Gloria” | Sunday, May 5 | 3 p.m. | City Central Church, 310 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland | $10-$11 | The Lakeland Choral Society will perform works by Vivaldi, including “Gloria 589.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Plan Ahead

Culture

Mayfaire by-the-Lake unveils this year’s stork-tacular Feature Poster

Presented by a LALtoday Partner

Two people stand in front of an outdoor art stand featuring realistic landscape paintings.

Visitors can view + purchase works from jewelers, clay artists, painters, photographers, and more. | Photo provided by the Polk Museum of Art

Mayfaire by-the-Lake, the Polk Museum of Art’s annual fine art festival, officially unveiled their feature poster artist + image — a colorful painting of wandering waterfowl on the shores of Lake Morton, set against a vibrant Lakeland sky.

The committee chose award-winning impressionist Heather Nagy’s striking submission from among 150+ entries. Why storks? The Florida resident decided to focus her poster image on Lake Morton’s iconic residents after learning they were once on the brink of extinction.

🖼️ 52 years of local art

The beloved event began in 1971 as a small craft fair on the Lakeland Library lawn. It’s since become one of the largest outdoor art festivals in Central Florida, welcoming 15,000+ visitors and 150+ artist booths from all over the country every year on Mother’s Day weekend.

But don’t lake our word for it — experience this one-of-a-kind art showcase yourself during its upcoming 52nd celebration, happening next Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 12.

Meet the artists + plan your visit

News Notes

Number

1,700. That’s how many are on the waiting list for Swan Landing + Swan Lake Village, Lakeland’s newest affordable housing communies. For context, that’s nearly 10 times the total number of available apartments. Rent prices will be based on each resident’s income. (The Ledger)

Development

The city commission will vote Monday whether to buy land that will be used for a new fire station servicing northwest Lakeland. The 8,500-sqft station is expected to handle 3,600+ emergencies annually. (LkldNow)

Legacy

Douglas Clemons, a Polk County engineer-paramedic, will be honored this weekend at the National Firefighters Memorial in Maryland. Clemons served Polk County for 27 years before dying while on duty in 2022. Learn how you can pay your respects from Lakeland. (The Ledger)

Outdoors

More Central Florida growers are adding blackberries to their crops as University of Florida researchers work to find varieties better suited for the Florida climate. Find them at local spots like Parkesdale Market + Fancy Farms. (Fox 13 News)

Job

Considering a career change? The Florida Chamber Foundation released its list of the Top 30 in 2030 High-Demand Careers for each county in Florida, and Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers ranked first in Polk. Pro tip: Find more high-demand careers for Polk on page 52.

Learn

Join a free Discover Your House History workshop on Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lakeland Public Library’s main branch. Expect to learn about available resources for researching your home’s past — from what was on the land to its architectural significance.

Fun Fact

Did you know the Central Florida region is home to more than 50% of the state’s ATV registrations? Polk County is capitalizing on this with the 300-acre expansion of Bone Valley North. Check out the park’s new features like the “moto-coaster” during its grand opening tomorrow. (Fox 13 News)

Eat

Spice up your mid-week lunch with Pinoy Cravings’ new lunchbox program. Fans of the small biz can place orders on Mondays for pickup in the Catapult parking lot on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Drink Up

Drink Up Week — our annual celebration of Lakeland’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming July 22-July 26. If you’re a local business, you’re going to want to get in on the buzz. Be our exclusive presenting sponsor and advertise your brand with us during Drink Up Week.

Travel

🚂 Take a midnight train going anywhere

Pro tips for riding an Amtrak train from Lakeland

An exterior view of the Lakeland Amtrak train station

Lakeland’s Amtrak station can be found north of Lake Mirror. | Photo by LALtoday

Did you know Lakeland’s Amtrak station has been operating at 600 E. Main St. since 1998? In the 2023 fiscal year, 20,300+ riders took a train through Swan City, with ticket revenue topping $1,114,516.

Not sure where the travel bug is taking you? Check the travel planning map. Our station is known by two station codes (LAK and LKL) for northbound and southbound routes, respectively.

After you set your departure location to match the direction you’re wanting to head towards, you’ll be able to see the available stops, routes, and fares. Some options include heading south to Miami, north to New York City, or skipping interstate traffic and traveling to Orlando — sounds like a dream if you ask us.

You can buy tickets online or in person. Choose a coach seat to save, or upgrade to a private room for a more comfortable ride.

Chugga-chugga on over to more pro tips

The Buy

Ingredients for a perfect margarita. Try the Simple Times Mixers Margarita Bundle to get a taste of something new, like the Strawberry Sage mix.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Amelia

From the editor

Speaking of real estate — my fiancé and I entered our homeowner era this week after buying our first house together here in Lakeland. If you have any good tips + tricks for us as we embark on this journey, I’m all ears.

A man and woman stand in front of a wall with various Lakeland-themed signs on it. They'e holding a key-shaped sign that says "It's key time!"

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