Lakeland, Florida, is located between Tampa and Orlando in Polk County just off of Interstate 4. This provides residents with easy access to all areas of the region. Lakeland is the largest city in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area, which has a population of over 584,000 people. An important educational and business center, Lakeland is the ideal place to buy a home.
Lakeland, FL is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $50,136 and a median rent of $1,056, the Lakeland, FL rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in Lakeland, FL. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.
Lakeland, FL is seeing rapid growth and Lakeland, FL's' housing market remains optimal with an average home price that is -26% below the 2022 national average. Lakeland, FL is part of Polk county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2022 for county Polk is 0.9% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.
Housing Statistics A large area within an even larger metro region, there are numerous housing options available in Lakeland. The market took a hit during the real estate collapse, but it's improved significantly over the last few years. The median sales prices of homes in Lakeland in 2013 was $105,000, which is up more than eight percent from the previous year. The average listing price (as of August 2013) is $174,149. Over the last year, more than 1,950 homes were sold in this area. The residential turnover is around 19 percent, with the median years in residence being three years. Additionally, household income has risen by 24 percent in the last ten years.
Nightlife Lakeland is home to a number of clubs and bars, including Boots N Buckles Saloon, T-Bows 33 Lounge, Latino Nightclub, and Pulse. You might also want to consider a stop at Strawberry Patch Lounge, Jessie's, or Jumpstation. If you fancy live music, Molly McHughs Irish Pub offers live Irish music performances for free on Friday nights.
Local Shopping Lakeland Square Mall, off US Highway 98, is one of the largest shopping areas in Lakeland, encompassing dozens of stores and shops in virtually all categories. In the downtown area, you'll find an even wider range of shops, cafes, and small restaurants, including wine bars, jewelry shops, and artisan shops. Lakeside Village is also an ideal shopping spot, also providing a number of destinations for dining, entertainment, and socializing.
Neighborhoods in Lakeland, Florida Now that you know a bit about the city itself, it is time to consider which neighborhood is right for your rent to own investment. You'll find homes for sale in nearly all community regions, but the following are some of the more desirable neighborhoods in the city.
Lakeland, FL has a walk score of
Lakeland, FL has a bike score of
The state tax rate is 0% on top of the federal tax rate of 10 to 37%.