Highlands County Market Update - the month of May so far...

*Residential Real Estate (Villa, Duplex, Condo, Single Family Home, Mobiles on Owned Land) Highlands County

May 2008 as of 5/11/2008

Sold Units: 16
Average Days on the Market: 99
Average List Price: $138,809
Average Sold Price: $132,034
Price Differential Sold to List: 95.12%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 88.69%

As of today, there are 8 more properties to close before May 31, 2008.
We have a total of 153 properties* contingent or pending.

Stats for 2008 Jan thru May

Mobile Homes - Owned Land vs. Rented Land

Whether you prefer a single wide, a double wide, or a modular home might not make that big of a difference. What might be more important to you is whether or not you own the land your mobile home sits on. Both have advantages and disadvantages as well. When you own the land and the mobile is your primary residence, you might qualify for a homestead exemption in the State of Florida - in return you will have to pay property taxes. Mobile homes on rented land do not qualify you for an exemption but you also don't have to pay property taxes in return. From a financial point of view, it might be worth figuring out which is more feasable for you.

Many folks hesitate buying a mobile on rented land. What I mostly hear from buyers is "What if the parks gets sold?" Your best bet is to look at the park itself. Some parks have rented AND owned land, which would make it very hard for the park owner to sell the park. It might also be worth talking to the park owner in person when considering "rented land".

This week in Highlands County - May 11 thru May 17

May 11 - Fly-In Breakfast Sponsored by the Civil Air Patrol Squadron 314 and EAA Heartland Chapter 1240 be held at the Avon Park Jet Center at the Avon Park Executive Airport from 8:30 am till 11:00 am. Enjoy a delicious complete breakfast (scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, toast, pancakes, coffee, juice, and more) buffet style for only a $5 donation. Aviators and Non-Aviators are cordially invited to Drive-In, Fly-In, or Walk-In. For more information, call (863) 453-5046

May 12 - Horse & Pony Rides - Monday’s 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 donation per child, all proceeds support Heartland Horses & Handicapped's free riding program for children and adults with special needs. Located at 118 E. College Dr. Avon Park. For more information call 863-452-0006 or check out www.heartlandhorses.org

May 12 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave. Ice Cream Shuffleboard 6:30 p.m. For more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245

May 12 - Orientation for Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations. Call Corey Keller to Enroll at 239-777-8557

May 13 - Sebring Chamber of Commerce Membership Breakfast sponsored by Florida's Blood Centers. 6:45 AM at Kenilworth Lodge.

May 13 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave., 12:30 p.m. Bridge ~ 4:00 p.m. Table Tennis. Form more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245.

May 14 - Lunch Club Wednesday, which is a ladies networking club will meet for lunch at the Sebring Elks Lodge. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building. Doors will open at 11:30 am; meeting starts at 12:10. For more information contact Diana Albritton, 381-8170 or www.lunchclubwednesday.org

May 14 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave. Ice Cream Shuffleboard 6:30 p.m. For more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245

May 14 - The Lake Wales Ridge & The Environmental History of Florida ~ Part 6: Archbold Biological Station, “Reading / Discussion ~ Paradise Lost” 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm For more information call or to register contact Marti 863-465-5471 or ocaam@embarqmail.com

May 15 - Sebring Chamber After Hours Business Mixer 5-7 pm sponsored by Residence Inn (members only)

May 17 - Friends of Highlands Hammock presents Music In the Park “California Toe Jam Band” 7-9 pm, 50s, 60s, 70s, oldies music. (Concerts are outdoors) in the picnic area of Highlands Hammock State Park. Call 863-386-6094 or www.floridastateparks.org for more information.

May 17 - Annual Blueberry Bash at Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery Sat 9-5. Visit www.henscratchfarms.com Sample blueberry recipes and lots of fun and activities for the whole family at this late Spring event. Call 863-699-2060 for more information

May 17 & 18 ~ Flea Markets at Highlands County Fairgrounds also known as Firemen’s Field 8 am – 2 pm. For more information call 863-382-2255

This week in Highlands County May 4th - May 10th

May 3 & 4 ~ Flea Markets at Highlands County Fairgrounds also known as Firemen’s Field 8 am – 2 pm. For more information call 863-382-2255

May 5 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave. Ice Cream Shuffleboard 6:30 p.m. For more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245

May 5 - Horse & Pony Rides - Monday’s 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 donation per child, all proceeds support Heartland Horses & Handicapped's free riding program for children and adults with special needs. Located at 118 E. College Dr. Avon Park. For more information call 863-452-0006 or check out www.heartlandhorses.org

May 6 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave., 12:30 p.m. Bridge ~ 4:00 p.m. Table Tennis. Form more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245.

May 7 - The Lake Wales Ridge & The Environmental History of Florida SFCC Museeum of Florida Art & Culture ~ “Voice of the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas plus exhibit of “Florida’s Legendary Highwaymen.” For more information call or to register contact Marti 863-465-5471 or ocaam@embarqmail.com

May 9 - Afternoon Tea Series 3 pm “Mother’s Day Tea” at The Tea Room at Lake Sebring (Sebring Lakeside Golf Resort) 1062 Lake Sebring Dr. for more information call 863-385-7113.

May 10 - Saturday Night Cruise Car Show on the Circle, Downtown Sebring, 6 pm. Call 863-385-4803 or email rjk1rjr@aol.com for more information.

May 10 & 11 ~ Flea Markets at Highlands County Fairgrounds also known as Firemen’s Field 8 am – 2 pm. For more information call 863-382-2255

Our local market in April 2008

April 2008
Residential Real Estate (Villa, Duplex, Condo, Single Family Home, Mobiles on Owned Land)

Avon Park
Sold Units: 11
Average Days on the Market: 90
Average List Price: $124,014
Average Sold Price: $113,564
Price Differential Sold to List: 91.57%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 85.99%

Sebring
Sold Units: 45
Average Days on the Market: 155
Average List Price: $154,533
Average Sold Price: $139,306
Price Differential Sold to List: 90.15%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 81.80%

Lake Placid
Sold Units: 20
Average Days on the Market: 172
Average List Price: $185,395
Average Sold Price: $170,649
Price Differential Sold to List: 92.05%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 76%

Our Market - Highlands County YTD

Residential Real Estate (Villa, Duplex, Condo, Single Family Home, Mobiles on Owned Land) Highlands County

April 2008 / April 2007
Sold Units: 77 /95
Average Days on the Market: 151 / 172
Average List Price: $156,769 /$173,013
Average Sold Price: $142,467 / $165,271
Price Differential Sold to List: 90.88% / 95.53%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 80.30% /90.92%

March 2008 / March 2007
Sold Units: 93 /126
Average Days on the Market: 156 /168
Average List Price: $155,410 /$184,893
Average Sold Price: $144,028 /$173,731
Price Differential Sold to List: 92.68% /93.96%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 81.41% /88.15%

February 2008 / February 2007
Sold Units: 83 /80
Average Days on the Market: 181 / 146
Average List Price: $157,058 /$178,285
Average Sold Price: $146,698 /$169,950
Price Differential Sold to List: 93.40% / 95.32%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 83.37% / 90.98%

January 2008 / January 2007
Sold Units: 53 /70
Average Days on the Market: 153 /139
Average List Price: $172,481 /$221,834
Average Sold Price: $149,267 /$209,479
Price Differential Sold to List: 86.54% /94.43%
Price Differential Sold to Original: 81.95% /90.9%

Newest Addition: Coleus

When I was a child, my mother received a Coleus cutting from one of her friends. Within a very short time, the small cutting had grown into a huge plant in her living room window. Today at Home Depot, I spotted the above Coleus and it is the same variety my Mom had back then. For 99 cents, I couldn't say no. I took two cuttings and planted the parent in an old watering can next to my front door. The roots were already dangling out of the drainage holes and I guess it was about time it was re-potted. I gave it plenty of water and a small dose of fertilizer. I'm hoping to be able to take more cuttings and eventually have enough to use it as a pretty border infront of my azaleas.

Baking Soda to encourage new growth???

I have two Japanese Boxwoods in huge pots on each side of my pool. We planted them 1 1/2 years ago in an effort to create a nicer pool area. I hadn't paid much attention to the boxwoods because I thought of them as "slow growers" that didn't need much care. This spring I started fertilize them and I planted marigold seeds around them. I noticed one of them had a lot of ants crawling around. My grandma used to deter ants with baking soda. I wasn't sure if it worked for her but I figured I'd give it a try. The ants were gone within a day. After a week I noticed an unusual amount of light green new growth on the boxwood while the other one remained the same. I couldn't have been the fertilizer because both received the same amount. I kept watching for another two weeks and it seems that the bakin soda boxwood had almost doubled in size.

Yes, I treated the second boxwood with baking soda as well. After a week, it showed a lot of new growth. I've been googling baking soda to see if it, in fact, acts as a growth booster. No luck.

Now I'm wondering, of course, if I could use it on other shrubs as well. I have a hibiscus in the front yard and the, for Florida obligatory, hedge of pink azaleas.

Marigolds Forever

I've always loved marigolds. Not so much for their scent, which is said to repel garden pests, but for their simple progagation methods. You simply wait until the bloom wilts and collect the seeds to plant new marigolds.
I first tried them in 1993 back in Germany. I had only a small balcony and all I could do was small scale container gardening.
Well, I'm now gardening on a bigger scale but it is my first year since quite some time. I have marigolds growing between my vegetables, in a big terra cotta pot next to the front door and I seeded them in pots to surround Japanese Boxwood.

The ones I have this year were a mix and there's no telling what colors they will be. It's a dwarf variety and ever since I've seen my neighbor bringing home very tall marigolds in pots, I've been wanting to get some tall ones as well. The season is long here in Florida and I will pick up some more seeds next time I go to Home Depot.

Avon Park - The City of Charm

Welcome to Avon Park, with its historic green "Mile Long Mall" and landmark Jacaranda Hotel, downtown Avon Park recalls an epoch in Florida whose memory continues to linger.
The town's origin dates back to 1884 when a writer from Danbury Connecticut became fascinated with the area's pristine beauty and agricultural potential. Oliver Martin Crosby was first introduced to Florida when he signed on as editor of "The South" a New York publication that promoted Florida to northeners. He became an original investor and marketed the area abroad. One of his respondents was a dynamic couple from England, Mr. and Mrs. William King. After settling in the area Mrs. King suggested they change the name from Lake Forest to Avon Park. "This beautiful wilderness of stately pines and clear lakes" reminded her of her original home, Stratford-on-Avon.

Today, Avon Park remains a community with a quiet demeanor and comfortable lifestyle. Its proximity to Highlands County's many recreational, educational and cultural venues make it a very desirable place to call home. Visitors and residents enjoy the area's over 30 lakes, historic buildings, 106,000 acres of forest and rangeland and a unique brand of Florida living.

The Avon Park Historic District runs along Main Street from South Delaney Avenue to US 27, encompasses approximately 250 acres, and contains 13 historic buildings and 1 object. It was added to the US National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 1990.

Avon Park's "Gracious Lady", the Jacaranda Hotel boasts high ceilings and quiet hallways. Among its famous guests were the likes of Babe Ruth, Clark Gable, George Burns and Gracie Allen. Among its first guests were members of the St. Louis Cardinals, who came to Avon Park for spring training from 1927 to 1929. During World War II, the grand hotel played a hand in the war effort by housing hundreds of servicemen who had come to the area to train as military pilots.

Highlands County Events 4/27 - 5/3

April 26 & 27 ~ Sebring Relay for Life at Fireman’s Field: ~ Saturday 26th 12 pm survivor luncheon ~ 1 pm Opening Ceremony. Sunday 27th 7:00 a.m. Sunrise service and closing ceremony ~ for more information call Jennifer Shoffner 863-381-2430 or www.myspace.com/sebringrelayforlife

April 26 & 27 ~ Flea Markets at Highlands County Fairgrounds also known as Firemen’s Field 8 am – 2 pm. For more information call 863-382-2255

April 28 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave. Ice Cream Shuffleboard 6:30 p.m. For more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245

April 28 - Horse & Pony Rides - Monday’s 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 donation per child, all proceeds support Heartland Horses & Handicapped's free riding program for children and adults with special needs. Located at 118 E. College Dr. Avon Park. For more information call 863-452-0006 or check out www.heartlandhorses.org

April 29 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave., 12:30 p.m. Bridge ~ 4:00 p.m. Table Tennis. Form more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245.

April 30 - The Lake Wales Ridge & The Environmental History of Florida ~ Part 4: Archbold Biological Station, "Reading / Discussion ~ Paradise Lost" 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm For more information call or to register contact Marti 863-465-5471 or ocaam@embarqmail.com

May 1 - National Day of Prayer, join us on the front courthouse lawn at 11 am for a brief observance. Call 863-402-6564 for more information.

May 2 - Heartland Triathlon Press Conference at 9 am. Sebring Civic Center. Call the Chamber for additional information: 385-8448

May 2, 3 & 4 ~ 6th Annual Spring Ride - The Sandy Kuhn Memorial El Claire Ranch Ride to benefit the Heartland Horses & Handicapped. This will be a great weekend hosted by a breath taking working ranch in the heart of Florida. Details TBA. Contact 863-452-0006 for more information.

May 3 ~ Sebring Lions Club ~ Bar-B-Q 11:00 am – 4:00 at 3400 Sebring Parkway.

May 3 - Celebrating 38 Years Walking For Babies 2008, Highlands Hammock State Park, 7:00am - Registration, 8:00am - Walk Begins. Any questions or for more information please contact Erica Lavely at (863) 385-3198 or the Lakeland Office at (863) 687-8909 (Date moved from Apr. 26)

May 3 - "CONCERT UNDER THE STARS" Imperial Symphony Orchestra at Historic Bok Sanctuary. Gates open at 5 pm, concert starts at 7:30 pm. For more information: 863.676.1408

May 3 – Kiwanis Charities Golf Classic ~ Sponsored by Highlands Regional Medical Center. Highland Ridge Golf Club, Avon Park. For more information contact Art 863-381-5905 or Kathryn at 863-385-0230.

May 3 & 4 ~ Flea Markets at Highlands County Fairgrounds also known as Firemen’s Field 8 am – 2 pm. For more information call 863-382-2255

Sebring - The City on the Circle

Pioneer George Sebring founded his quaint lakeside community in 1911 with a circle being the central location. His idea was that all roads should lead to and from this circle, which remains true to this day. In persuit of his dream of a "delightful, wholesome community populated with "contented, happy people", George Sebring built the Kenilworth Lodge in 1916 for "well to do" travelers from up North to enjoy the winter season. Many of them did eventually relocate to Sebring. Guest would enjoy golf, swimming, fishing, concerts and dinner shows. The Seaboard atlantic Railway stopped in Sebring, which made traveling to and from Sebring easy at the time.
In the mid 20's Sebring's population had grown fourfold and the demand for housing was hard to keep up with. Sebring experienced a housing boom.