LAKELAND GETS INTO HOMESTEADING

Looking for a cheap lot to build a home? The Lakeland Ledger reports this morning that the City of Lakeland is selling 25 of it's vacant inner city lots to people who are interested in building and residing in a home there. The lots, appraised at $10,000 - 12,000 each, are available for a $500 deposit with $500 at closing and the remainder in a five year deferred lien which will be forgiven at 20% per full year of owner occupancy.

People who are interested must actually agree to construct and live in a home on the lot; it cannot be rented or leased.

It is an effort to lure families of varying incomes to build in central Lakeland, and to improve previously depressed neighbourhoods. The city has cleared the land and paying all back taxes/fees to get the land title. It is Lakeland's first foray into homesteading.