By Billy Rodgers
As a Lakeland resident and local real estate broker, I’m often asked how our housing market is doing. In this column, I’ll share the local numbers along with my perspective on what they mean for buyers and sellers.
Looking at September’s sales, we had fewer closings than last year, but the overall average sale price barely changed. There’s a little more to the story, though, because four of this year’s sales were new-construction homes.
Fifteen residential properties closed in September 2026, compared with 18 in September 2025—a decrease of about 17%. The average sale price was $486,491, compared with $488,805 last year. The median sale price, or midpoint of the sales, was $495,000, down slightly from $502,250.
New construction accounted for four closings, with an average sale price of $644,895. The other 11 sales were existing homes, averaging $428,891. All 18 closings last September were resales.
That’s why I think it’s important to look beyond a single average. This year’s new homes helped keep the overall sale price close to last year’s, while the resale average was lower. But that doesn’t mean your home’s value dropped by the same amount. With only 15 sales, the size, location, and condition of the properties sold can make a big difference in the monthly numbers.
Marketing time also needs some context. September’s closed sales averaged 40 days on market, compared with 37 last year. The median was 13 days, compared with 28. One property recorded 282 days on market, while three new-construction sales recorded zero days. Those entries affect the results, so I wouldn’t use either number alone to predict how quickly a particular home will sell.
As of October 10, there were 67 residential properties available in Lakeland, including condos. Of those, 14 were new construction, and 53 were resales. The median asking price was $575,000, and the available properties had been on the market a median of 80 days. These are asking prices and marketing times for properties still available, separate from September’s completed sales.
For sellers, my advice is to pay attention to what buyers can purchase today. Recent comparable sales matter, but so do the homes you’re competing against. Price, condition, presentation, and making the home available for showings all deserve attention before and after you list.
For buyers, look closely at both new construction and resales. Compare any incentives with the price, features, and improvements an existing home might need. An asking price is the starting point; the details of the property and the terms of the purchase matter, too. Every home has its own competition. Whether you’re buying or selling, understanding that competition is more useful than relying on a headline about the market.
I look forward to sharing more local market updates and practical real estate advice with Lakeland Banner readers throughout the year.
Billy Rodgers is a Lakeland resident and real estate broker with Crye-Leike’s Arlington office. He has worked in residential real estate since 2004 and previously served as managing broker of Crye-Leike’s Germantown Poplar office.
Source: MAAR MLS reports for Lakeland residential closings in September 2025 and September 2026; active listings as of October 10, 2026. Figures reflect MLS-recorded activity.
