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Florida Tourism Numbers Are Up
The weak dollar may be helping Florida's economy as state tourism officials Thursday touted increases in visitors for the first three months of this year. (Polk County does not track visitor figures, but local hotel and vacation home rentals for the quarter totaled $48.1 million, up 14.7 percent... more»
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Streetscaping Work Is Delayed Again
HAINES CITY | The downtown streetscaping project has been mired in paperwork and delayed for another month. The $2.36 million project, which involves North Sixth Street, parts of Jones Avenue and the Railroad Park area, was supposed to begin April 1. more»
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Thursday May 15, 2008
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Thursday May 15, 2008
Roads Need Upgrades, Official SaysDAVENPORT | If there's a key to boosting business growth in now-residential areas of northeast Polk County, it may lie in the quality of the local roads and highways.... more» -
Housing Investors Are Still AroundORLANDO | When Florida's real estate market was booming in 2005, many observers credited the impact of investors - people flocking into the market to purchase Central Florida homes as a smart short-term investment.... more»
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Four Corners, Polk Want to Make a Lake Special, Like Orlando's EolaFOUR CORNERS | With more than 550 freshwater lakes and numerous rivers in Polk County, it's no surprise tourism officials love to highlight the opportunities here for fishing, boating and water sports.... more»
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Wednesday May 14, 2008
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Wednesday May 14, 2008
Polk Planners OK Change in Growth PlanBARTOW | The Polk County Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a growth plan amendment that would allow a shopping center on a nine-acre parcel at State Road 60 and Rifle Range Road.... more» -
Tuesday May 13, 2008
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Tuesday May 13, 2008
iTunes, Home Prices, OOXMLThe National Association of Realtors said prices for existing single-family homes declined at the highest rate ever in the first quarter of 2008. AP's Mark Hamrick reports on that and the rest of Tuesday's business headlines. (May 13)... more» -
iTunes, Home Prices, OOXMLThe National Association of Realtors said prices for existing single-family homes declined at the highest rate ever in the first quarter of 2008. AP's Mark Hamrick reports on that and the rest of Tuesday's business headlines. (May 13)... more»
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Tribune's Newsday Sold for $650 Mil.NEW YORK | Tribune Co.'s $650 million sale of Newsday is an important step toward alleviating its debt burden - for this year.... more»
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Monday May 12, 2008
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Monday May 12, 2008
MONDAY PROFILE | FRANK KENDRICK JR.
Business Success Leads to 'Third Life'
LAKELAND | After spending 16 years building NuJak Companies., a successful, multi-million-dollar construction business, Frank Kendrick Jr. is paving the way to a more arduous challenge of building the kingdom of God.... more» -
Saturday May 10, 2008
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Saturday May 10, 2008
Citigroup to Shed Nearly $500 Bil. in AssetsNEW YORK | Citigroup Inc.'s new chief executive, Vikram Pandit, plans to stick with a global banking model after months of intense review - but only after shrinking the company by about one-fifth first.... more»
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Board Needs to Ask Lawyer About Going on PropertyQ. Our HOA board recently enacted a Uniform Real Estate Sign rule that also included the following statement: "Any sign, flag, banner, or advertising device in violation of the provisions in this section will be removed and discarded by a representative of the Board without prior notice or...... more»
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COMMERCIAL R.E.
Two Become One For Lilly, O'Toole & BrownLAKE WALES | At Lilly, O'Toole & Brown in Lake Wales, two separate buildings are finally becoming one.... more» -
IT'S ALL IN THE PRESENTATION
Sellers Beware: Buyers are Using Their Leverage for the Best AmenitiesFORT LAUDERDALE | Selling your home in today's depressed market might be as ambitious as drumming up positive PR for Britney Spears.... more»
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WHAT'S NEW
Signature Homes Staying AffordableWINTER HAVEN | Signature Homes is concerned that in spite of today's economy, families should still be able to enjoy new homes at affordable prices.... more»
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IN THE SWIM
Put Pool in State of Hibernation To Help Cut Down on CostsQ. I have lost my job and might have to sell my house. In the meantime, what can I do to keep my pool from turning green?A. Tough times call for tough actions. One option to save you money is to put your pool into "a state of hibernation." Here's what to do:... more»
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ANTIQUES
You Can Recycle Old Tools Into Folk ArtFolk art takes many forms, anything from cigar-store Indians to bottle-cap figures and carved coal pictures. It is the art of the untrained artist, and each piece is unique.... more»
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NATION'S HOUSING
Major Shake-Up in Home AppraisalsWASHINGTONA major legal brawl is breaking out over how homes are appraised, at what cost, and by whom. The outcome could directly affect the price you pay for your next piece of real estate, and the amount of mortgage money you can obtain.... more»
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ENERGY
Sunrooms Suitable In Colder ClimatesQ. We went on a ski trip to Colorado this winter and absolutely loved the big sunroom at our hotel. We felt terrific sitting in it on a bright sunny day, and I'm really going to miss this wonderful room with its terrific windows when we go back to Alabama. My husband is concerned, though, that a...... more»
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SMART MOVES
Homebuyers: Minimizing Risk in Today's Housing MarketNowadays, potential homebuyers seem to fall into two groups. One is excited at the idea of making a first home purchase in the current housing market and sees bargains everywhere. The other is also anxious to buy but is much more fearful of overpaying.... more»
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New Products: Duraflame's Bio-Wax Fire Logs and Fire StartersDuraflame has abandoned petroleum-based wax in favor of bio-wax fire logs and fire starters, making the new products carbon free, according to a company spokesperson. They also burn better and light quicker than old products.... more»
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Market Values5583 Bloomfield, Lakeland | $267,000NEIGHBORHOOD: Bloomfield HillsSALE DATE: April 17TIME ON MARKET: 10 monthsSQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,361BEDROOMS/BATHS: 4/2AMENITIES: Pool, hot tub, volume ceilingsLISTING AGENT/FIRM: Ruthe Jameson, Re/Max Experts... more»
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ForeclosuresMortgage foreclosures filed with the civil division of the Circuit Court for September 2007. Names in bold are the subject of, or have an interest in, the foreclosure action. Lighter names filed the foreclosure action.... more»
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What's New GuideASHWOOD EASTWhere: Go south on South Florida Avenue, turn west on Pipkin Road. The subdivision is about two miles on the left in Lakeland.developer: Adams Homes of Northwest Florida Inc.NUMBER OF HOMES: 28.HOME PRICES: Begin at $240,000.... more»
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Friday May 9, 2008
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Friday May 9, 2008
Citrus Groves' Values SweetenThe values of agricultural land in South Florida, which includes Polk County, rose as much as 48 percent in 2007 compared to a year earlier while prices for citrus groves show estimated increases of up to 64 percent over a two-year period. Farm land values in North Florida were more volatile,...... more» -
House OKs Massive Homeowners Rescue Plan; Veto LikelyWASHINGTON | The House on Thursday passed a massive homeowner rescue plan to provide cheaper, government-backed mortgages to half a million debt-ridden borrowers and bolster an economy crippled by the housing crisis.... more»
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Thursday May 8, 2008
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Thursday May 8, 2008
Developer Wants Gag Order for Ex-ManagerBARTOW | Stanford Phelps, owner and developer of the 18,000-acre Clear Springs property in Bartow, is seeking a gag order against the project's former manager, who Phelps alleges is trying to sabotage the project.... more» -
New Single-Family Homes PlannedKISSIMMEE | Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on a development of nearly 300 single-family homes off U.S. 17-92 to be marketed primarily to permanent residents, snowbirds and retirees.... more»
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Wednesday May 7, 2008
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Wednesday May 7, 2008
Housing Picture Grows BleakerThe outlook for the housing market darkened further Tuesday as the nation's largest buyer of home mortgages said it racked up more than $2 billion in quarterly losses and forecast a steeper drop in home prices this year. If Fannie Mae's prediction proves true, the real estate woes could further...... more» -
Lake Wales Moves to Protect DowntownLAKE WALES | Property owners in downtown Lake Wales will have to seek approval from a new board before making any improvements to the facades of their buildings under a pair of city ordinances approved Tuesday night.... more»
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City-Sized Reservoir to Feed EvergladesIN THE EVERGLADES | Around South Florida's vast sugar cane fields, where turtles grow to the size of basketballs and alligators own the marsh, the silence of the swamp is broken by the sound of rumbling trucks and explosions.... more»
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Developer Asks for OK to Build 36 Homes; Commissioners Grant TwoEAGLE LAKE | City commissioners have shot down a Winter Haven developer's plans to build a controversial housing community on about 12 acres along the northern shores of Eagle Lake.... more»
Real Estate COLUMNISTS
LOCAL LINKS
- Find a homeSearch for homes and property throughout Polk County.
- Home FinanceRead financial news, info, updatesand other real estate news online.
- New Home TourResearch builders, locations and amenities.
- Commercial Real EstateSearch commercial real estate opportunities in Polk.
- Newcomers GuideWho to call to turn on utilities, etc., after you move to Polk.
- Guide To PolkThe Ledger's annual comprehensive guide to the area.
- Polk County Property AppraiserCheck property assessments online.
- Polk County School ZonesCheck for school zones.
HOME SALES FORMS
Real estate agents can send information about recent sales to us for our Real Estate magazine. Just download our home sales form and follow the directions.
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RSS WEBFEEDS
AP: BUSINESS NEWS
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More- XXXX/article/20080516/APF/805160804WWWW
- Stock futures up ahead of home construction data
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08:33, 5/16/08
Stock futures up ahead of home construction dataWall Street headed for a modestly higher open Friday as investors watched oil prices hit a new...... more»
- XXXX/article/20080516/APF/805160761WWWW
- Stock futures up ahead of home construction data
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08:24, 5/16/08
Stock futures up ahead of home construction dataWall Street headed for a modestly higher open Friday as investors watched oil prices hit a new...... more»
- XXXX/article/20080516/APF/805160792WWWW
- Tours of Hanford nuclear waste site draw interest
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08:22, 5/16/08
Tours of Hanford nuclear waste site draw interestIn a cramped control room, a bright yellow sticker cautions workers about critical radiation...... more»
- XXXX/article/20080516/APF/805160763WWWW
- Macy's signs deal to put FAO Schwarz in its stores
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08:04, 5/16/08
Macy's signs deal to put FAO Schwarz in its storesFAO Schwarz will open toy stores in close to 700 Macy's department stores over the next two years,...... more»
- XXXX/article/20080516/APF/805160787WWWW
- Abercrombie profit edges up on sales increase
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07:44, 5/16/08
Abercrombie profit edges up on sales increaseTeen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch said Friday that its first-quarter earnings rose 3 percent from a...... more»
Florida BUSINESS NEWS
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More- XXXX/article/20080515/APF/805150975WWWW
- McCollum: Verizon too slow to fix phone problems
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15:52, 5/15/08
McCollum: Verizon too slow to fix phone problemsVerizon doesn't repair phone lines quickly enough, Attorney General Bill McCollum said in a filing...... more»
- XXXX/article/20080515/APF/805150906WWWW
- Fla. tourism increases by 3.4 percent in 1st quarter
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11:59, 5/15/08
Fla. tourism increases by 3.4 percent in 1st quarterFlorida tourism increased by 3.4 percent during the first three months of 2008 compared to the same...... more»
- XXXX/article/20080513/APF/805131028WWWW
- Board won't exclude 2 investment firms from Fla. bidding
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18:32, 5/13/08
Board won't exclude 2 investment firms from Fla. biddingTwo major investment firms will advise Florida on financing its hurricane catastrophe insurance...... more»
- XXXX/article/20080512/APF/805120506WWWW
- New gadgets from Fort Lauderdale company make spying easier
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00:00, 5/12/08
New gadgets from Fort Lauderdale company make spying easierAs a private investigator, Jim Bender has tracked everything from straying spouses to strung-out...... more»
