When it comes to COVID-19 and real estate, what exactly has been affected, what will happen in the future, and what questions do you have about Lakeland’s market? 🏡 |
The local pros at S&D Real Estate want to help answer all your Lakeland real estate questions | Photo via S&D Real Estate on Facebook
|
Here’s what the market has seen thus far, according to local firm S&D Real Estate:
○ Home sales dropped ~30% the last week of March 2020 compared to March 2019.
○ Realtors have seen ~16% of homes taken off the market.
○ Mortgage purchase applications were down 24% the week ending March 27 compared to the same week in 2019.
○ Listings of new properties decreased by 34% and 31% respectively between the two weeks ending on March 29 + April 5 compared to those weeks in 2019, and were the biggest declines this year.
The good news?
Despite the downturn, the market looks like it's headed for recovery. ○ This could happen with a “V-shaped scenario” (sharp decline in home sales during the second quarter; quick recovery during summer) or “U-shaped scenario” (home sales drop steadily into fall but recover at end of the year). ○ A large decrease in subprime loans and certain credit requirements are protecting homeowners + lessening the severity of current issues. ○ Homeowners looking to sell are now more likely to have considerable equity in their properties due to increasing home prices – a positive result of the crisis.
○ As restrictions lifted in April, the market is already seeing an uptick in sales. Market recovery will be gradual, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
What happens now?
These uncertain times have left potential buyers + sellers with many questions. So, we want to know: What Lakeland real estate questions do you have? ❓
○ From the safety of open houses to predictions about the local landscape, tell us what you want to know.
○ We’ll gather all of your questions to share with the experts at S&D Real Estate. ○ They’ll answer your questions to the best of their abilities. ○ We’ll publish a Q+A in early July to help all Lakelanders navigate the market.
What do you want to know, Lakeland? Ⓟ
|
|
#Asked: What do you want to know about Lakeland’s real estate market right now? |
|
|
|
Coronavirus
|
|
○ On Monday, the Florida Department of Health announced 1,758 new cases of coronavirus and 7 additional deaths in Florida. That brings the total number of cases in FL of COVID-19 to 77,326, and the total deaths to 2,938. (Click Orlando)
○ Polk County schools are set to reopen this fall with safety precautions. Possible plans for reopening would be offering both online and in-person learning, installing more handwashing stations around the school + having students switch off in-person learning for different days of the week. Still up for debate is if teachers and students should wear masks + how to safely social distance students who take the bus to school. (Bay News 9)
○ There’s a new Florida-based COVID-19 tracker map in town, created by data scientist Rebekah Jones – the same scientist who was let go by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) after allegedly being requested to report fake data on the state’s tracker map. Rebekah’s map shows more cases, less testing + more deaths have occurred in Florida than what FDOH’s map states. (Florida Today)
○ Yesterday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked emergency authorization of hydroxychloroquine — a drug used to treat malaria and lupus — as a treatment for patients with the COVID-19 virus. Officials cited evidence the drug is ineffective against coronavirus and can cause side effects including heart complications + nerve damage. (CNN)
|
Hey, there. Looking for today’s #MustDo events? In accordance with the
CDC’s recommendations regarding public gatherings, we have decided to postpone public event coverage for the time being. We look forward to bringing you Lakeland’s #MustDo events soon (until then, feel free to submit your virtual events
here).
|
#LALtoday
|
|
While Seniors at Lake Gibson Village (771 Carpenters Way) are not currently able to accept visitors or volunteers, many are in still search of pen pals. Living facility staff hope that the pen pal program leads to an increase in visitors for their seniors when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Pen pal letters can be addressed to:
Lake Gibson Village ATTN: Pen Pals 771 Carpenters Way Lakeland, FL 33809
#ProTip: Don’t forget to include a return address. ✉️ (WFLA News Channel 8)
|
#DYK that your photo could be featured in our newsletter? Just use #LALtoday on social media.
|
News Notes
|
|
Weather
○ 88º | Mostly Sunny | 10% chance of rain
Holiday
○ Mark your calendars. The African American Chamber of Commerce of Polk County is hosting its 28th Annual Juneteenth Observance on Sat., June 20 from 4-6 p.m. in Munn Park.
Dish
○ Ready for some delicious data? Bite Squad analyzed the most popular dishes ordered by Lakelanders since March. So, what’s Lakeland eating? Rankings go as follows: Tonkotsu ramen (Sabu Ramen), Wings (Winners Circle), One topping pizza (J. Burns Pizza), Crab Rangoon (Shanghai Express), Best burger in town (Champs Sports Grill), Cheeseburger (Five Guys). 🥡 (Business Insider)
Cause
○ An eggcellent way to kick off Easter in Polk County. For the past four years, NFL star Rodney Gunter has held an Easter giveaway for children in the community. However, since COVID-19 hit, plans had to change, and Gunter and his grandmother hatched a new idea. Instead of having giveaways for kids, this year Gunter will focus on senior citizens by paying off water bills for Northeast Lake Hamilton residents. (The Ledger)
Number
○ $30-35K. The amount it will cost the Lakeland City Commissioners to find a replacement for City Manager Tony Delgado. An executive recruitment firm is launching a national search that will begin looking for a candidate to take Mr. Delgado’s place, although it is unlikely that someone will be chosen by the time he retires at the end of September. A virtual meeting will take place at 8 a.m. on Wed., June 24, to select a firm to help with the search for the next city manager. (Lkld Now)
Civic
○ This is not a drill. Massachusetts Avenue has been reduced to two lanes between Main Street and Cedar Avenue due to the construction of the Summit Consulting office tower. The construction is said to last 18 months. 🚧
Edu
○ The application for Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School is open until June 30 for students who have earned at least 10 high school credits and are interested in attending for the 2020-2021 academic year. Through Polk State’s college collegiate high schools, students are able to complete requirements for their diplomas + earn college credits at no cost to them. 📚 (Polk State College)
ForKids
○ Wonder Here has put together a checklist, teaching children how to better understand diversity + culture, and teaching parents how to address these issues at home. The learn and play studio has also produced a free guide called Conversation & Celebration: a Guide for Embracing Diversity & Discussing Race, which includes family conversation cards, music + podcast recommendations, and hand-drawn diverse paper dolls.
Gallery
○ Check out Polk County’s best + brightest via this photo gallery of local 2020 graduates. 🎓 (The Ledger)
Inbox
○ “In reading [yesterday's] issue, a note about Cob & Pen fascinated me. We moved from Tampa to Mulberry a couple of years ago (along with Hurricane Irma). We used to eat out more than we do now. Among our favorite restaurant memories was that of Gene Holloway's Sea Wolf. He had one on Busch Blvd. which featured the large stuffed animals throughout. Later, he opened another Sea Wolf on Henderson Blvd. Although a much smaller venue, the food at this Sea Wolf was equally excellent. When we entered this one, we were surprised to see that the host taking us to our table and seating us was actually Gene, himself. He could have easily had one of his minions do this. He was very nice and quite cordial and very real – there was nothing pretentious or aloof about the man. The lobster bisque served was the best we've ever had (it had sherry in it). Cob & Pen is definitely on our bucket list, post-quarantine.” – Readers Michael and Joy W.
Community
○ Polk Pride is commemorating the 51st Stonewall anniversary on June 27 from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at The Parrot (1030 E. Main St.) and you’re invited. There will be a drag show at midnight + Phase Two restrictions limit a 50% capacity inside. 🏳️🌈
Stat
○ 56.8%. The percentage of Polk County residents who have taken the 2020 Census survey. The top three cities with the highest percentages are Polk City (62.5%), Highland Park + Auburndale (61.8%), and Davenport + Bartow (61.7%). So far, Lakeland’s response rate is 60.8%. In Florida, the rate of people who have taken the census is 58.5%. Read more here to learn about the importance of the Census, the effects, and how to respond to the questionnaire.
Health
○ Using Mobile Pay next time you go to Publix means you’ll have a touch-free checkout experience (read: no need to douse that debit card in hand sanitizer). Here’s how it works. Ⓟ
Asked
○ Calling all local history buffs. Can you answer this question Reader Renee B. sent us? “Who is/was Brittany Heyworth that the Lakeland street, Brittany Heyworth Way was named after?” If you know the answer (or Brittany), hit us up with the deets here. ❓ ○ “Where is the best place to get picture postcards of the sites in Lakeland? Preferably a local owner.” – @alientobreath. Let us know where to find those picture-perfect postcards by sending us a DM.
Nation
○ The US Supreme Court ruled yesterday morning that the 1964 Civil Rights Act — which prohibits employment and workplace discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, and sex — also protects gay and transgender workers. The majority (6-3) opinion was written by Justice Neil M. Gorsuch. (The Ledger)
|
The Wrap
|
|
Remodeling a new house or focusing on fixing home issues like a funky water heater or bouncy floors, instead of buying or selling? You can send us your homeownership questions here.
🔄 Catch up on any newsletters you may have missed here.
💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?
✏️️ Want to write an article for us? Find out how here.
👀 Want your business featured in our newsletter? Learn more about advertising opportunities here. |
Did a friend forward this to you?
|
It can be in your inbox tomorrow a.m. |
|
@LALtoday
|
Follow us.
|
#LALtoday
|
|
|
Let us know if we've missed anything and say hello@laltoday.com
|
Disclaimer: Content marked with a Ⓟ is representative of our advertising partners.
|
Want to receive LALtoday once a week instead? Update your preferences here.
Never want to hear from us again? Break our hearts by unsubscribing here.
Copyright © 6AM City, LLC, all rights reserved. Legal.
Greenville, SC 29602
|
|