"The trend of tight housing supply continued to have an impact on Florida's housing market in December," says 2017 Florida Realtors President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. "Last month, statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year for 61 months in row. While that's good news for sellers, it's continuing to put pressure on inventory for first-time homebuyers and those who may be looking for their next 'move-up' home.

"And that's where your local Realtor comes in – he or she will put their expertise to work for you to successfully navigate the complexities of finding the right property in your local real estate market and will make sure you get to the closing table."

Home sellers continued to get more of their original asking price at the closing table in December: Sellers of existing single-family homes received 96 percent (median percentage) of their original listing price, while those selling townhouse-condo properties received 94.7 percent (median percentage).

The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $226,000, up 9.2 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in December was $166,900, up 7.7 percent over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in November 2016 was $236,500, up 6.8 percent from the previous yearthe national median existing condo price was $222,600.In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in November was $501,710; in Massachusetts, it was $365,000; in Maryland, it was $266,164; and in New York, it was $240,000.

Looking at Florida's townhouse-condo market, statewide closed sales totaled 8,673 last month, down 5.2 percent compared to December 2015. Closed sales data reflected fewer short sales and cash-only sales last month: Short sales for townhouse-condo properties declined 45 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 39.2 percent. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.

"Florida's markets for existing homes closed out the year in December with a performance very much in line with what we saw over the previous 11 months of 2016," says Florida Realtor Chief Economist Brad O'Connor. "At the local level, single family home sales increased in 15 of Florida's 22 metro areas, while condo and townhouse sales rose in only five of these markets. And, as has been the case all year, the lack of significant sales growth in much of the state has had a lot more to do with a shortfall of supply in key price tiers than with demand."

Inventory dipped to a 3.9-months' supply in December for single-family homes and was at a 6-months' supply for townhouse-condo properties, according to Florida Realtors.

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.20 percent in December 2016, up significantly from the 3.96 percent average recorded during the same month a year earlier.

For the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors Research and Statistics on floridarealtors.org. Realtors also have access to local market stats (password protected) on Florida Realtors' website.

Breakout: NAR: Existing-home sales slide in Dec. but 2016 hits 10-year high

© 2017 Florida Realtors®

If approved, the county would enter into an agreement with a private developer to take over the property at Max Hooks Road and Cathedral Lane and build the park in one year as opposed to four. The company would then lease back the park to the county.

Commissioner Leslie Campione said she is open to the idea if the lease option is cost efficient and saves time.

But she added there are several time impediments to completing the park:  addressing drainage and utilities and fixing Max Hooks Road – the entry into the park.

If those improvements take a long time, moving the timeline up for the park may not make a difference, she said.

Construction of Phase I of the park is scheduled to begin in early 2018 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, according to Jeff Cole, the county’s public resources director.

Williams said people come from all over to sample his cooking.

Williams said he believes that notoriety comes from social media marketing and rating websites he utilizes, word of mouth and write-ups in magazines and newspapers touting his barbecue as one of the best in Florida.

But within Mount Dora, Sugarboo’s is something of a hidden gem.

It's the same scenario for Ivory’s Take-Out, a popular soul food restaurant next door to Sugarboo’s.

The owners of some other businesses in what's considered the Grandview Business District, including a grocery store, laundromat, barbershop and pool hall, say with the city’s help, they could be more successful.

“I’ve always said that the city thinks of the east side (downtown Mount Dora) as a completely separate area from Grandview Street,” Williams said. “The northeast section is a part of Mount Dora, however, and it needs to be treated as such.”

Last week, representatives of Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA), a consulting firm hired by the city on behalf of the Grandview’s North East Community Redevelopment Agency board to look at the condition of the district, presented findings to the city officials of a market analysis started last April.

The board approved the analysis and agreed to revisit formulating a plan after the NECRA board had time to set priorities.

"I don't think anyone was aware of some of the issues," City Manager Robin Hayes said Friday.

RMA's findings pinpointed the main problem as a disconnect between the two districts.

“I don’t look at it from political boundaries. I don’t look at it that I’m in the Grandview Business District that has boundaries right now that are too small we believe," said Lynn Dehlinger, RMA's senior economic development manager.

Dehlinger said Mount Dora should expand on the strong brand it has by capitalizing on some of the stronger businesses and history within Grandview.

Other things she said it can focus on are the Martin Luther King Center, as far as events and programs, its parks and the lakes.

She also said vacant lots should be marketed to locals interested in opening  businesses in the area to maintain authenticity.

Dehlinger said improving the area is vital because of major projects on the horizon, like the Wolf Branch Innovation District and the Wekiva Parkway, both of which are expected to generate new visitors and residents.

Kevin Crowder, RMA’s director of economic development, also suggested involving Grandview in city's events, advertising their events and a path that connects the two areas since less than a mile separates them.

He also said it is important to improve people's perception of the area.

“I think for a while, at least from my view, and this is my personal view, the northeast community has been perceived to be kind of a stepchild of Mount Dora and that’s a shame,” said Councilman Cal Rolfson, a strong proponent of the Grandview community.

Councilman Mark Slaby said his concerns lie in creating a second downtown area in the Northeast Business District that may segregate it further from the downtown district. He said he is open to future planning based on the study.

Jasper Tate, a 30-year resident of Grandview, said working together would be good for residents of both areas.

"I think people think that once you cross 11th Street, you're riding on the bad side of town but you ain't," Tate said. "If they (city) are going to clean up one side of town, why not clean up the other side? If they are going to provide for the kids in one area, do the same for the kids in the other area."

Maria Thomas, who owns Ivory's, said she thinks the city is headed in that direction. She used this past Christmas as an example. She said that after appealing to city officials, Christmas lights were placed all the way down Grandview Street for the first time.

Williams said he thinks things will change.

"It's a slow process, but I think eventually, we'll get to where we need to. I think the study helped open people's eyes," Williams said.

Furthermore, the unemployment rate in the county dropped to 4.8 percent.

Robert Chandler, Lake’s Economic Growth director, said annual wages also grew 3.9 percent.

“We have had the lowest annual wage in the region,” he said. “In 2016, we made up ground. Our wages improved at a faster rate than the rest of the region.”

With the state and national economy also reporting solid job growth, Chandler said the county is poised for significant gains this year.

“Florida has been one of the best performing states in the country when it comes to job growth,” he said. “We are well positioned. When you look at the number of leads in the last year they are double.”

Chandler said Lake County has lower land costs and more availability of land compared to other counties.

“Our transportation networks are improving,” he said. “You have the Wekiva Parkway being built and the Minneola Interchange. It is more accessible to the Orlando metro area.”

County officials say that while the economy has played a role in wage and job growth locally, the County Commission has also taken steps to foster economic development by recruiting businesses and working with existing businesses.

But Chandler said fostering good economic development goes beyond those initial steps.

“It is not just about going out to get a company to come here,” he said. “It is making sure you have good parks, good infrastructure and good quality of life. All those things matter. You can’t recruit a company in a bad location. If you don’t have the things the company is looking for, it doesn’t matter what your taxes are.”

Commissioner Sean Parks said the county is promoting its quality of life offerings such as the trails, parks and lakes.

“People want to have their business in a location that is unique and attractive with low crime,” he said. “By promoting Real Florida, Real Close, (referring to the marketing brand for the county), people see a different side of Lake County and decide to stay here and move here.”

Parks added he believes it is important to continue to work with existing businesses and personally help recruit them.

He said he spent time with a local resident, encouraging him to relocate his business to Clermont.

John Acosta, a general contractor, said when he learned of the things Clermont was doing to revitalize its town center, it drew him to relocate there.

“This was a community that wanted to improve itself,” he said. “It seemed like a good move on our part.”

Commission Chairman Tim Sullivan said the county has marketed itself very effectively to businesses throughout the nation.

“Our membership in the EDC and Central Florida Sports Commission has helped us in that regard,” he said. “Most important is our cooperation with municipalities in putting the best foot forward to show employees that Lake County is a great place to live and work and run a business. We have a niche market and I believe that has helped us immensely and the medical industry is constantly expanding. We have the highest percentage of manufacturing jobs in the region. Those type of jobs are above average paying jobs and that is what we are trying to bring to Lake County.”

There are, however, challenges ahead, according to county officials.

“Right now our biggest challenge is product,” Chandler said. “We simply do not have enough ready to go land. We don’t have enough empty buildings. We have one 50,000 square foot building in the county. “

It is also crucial that the county have the right workforce for the type of jobs they are bringing in, Chandler said.

Commissioner Josh Blake said the challenge is simply getting the message out that “Lake County is open for business and that the commission is going to work to reduce taxes and unnecessary regulations on those who live and work here.”

Apparently they’re still biting. The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open commenced on the Harris Chain on Thursday and goes until Saturday.

But national bass tournies are nothing new to Leesburg. In fact, Leesburg first began hosting national bass tournaments with a two-month event that ran Jan. to March 10, 1928 – likely the first national bass tournament in the country.

Texas claims the first national bass tournament, but Leesburg was holding its 28th annual national bass tournament when the Lone Star State hosted its first one in 1955.

According to bass websites, outdoor writer Earl Golding started what is now widely considered the first-ever organized bass tournament.

Golding held the Texas State Bass Tournament – or Central Texas Invitational, depending on the site you look at – on Lake Whitney, Texas in 1955 with 73 anglers participating in the event vying for “bragging rights” and no prizes.

Leesburg held its contest for more than bragging rights in 1928.

“National bass tourney awards announced, fine prizes given,” proclaimed the headline of the Leesburg Daily Commercial on March 15, 1928.

The story began, “Twenty-two trophies in the first national freshwater bass tournament which closed March 10 were awarded Wednesday by the Leesburg bass tournament committee to 14 fishermen, representing eight states, grand honors going to J.B. Schick, of LaPorte, Indiana, who also won a first prize.”

Schick won a cup, donated by the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce for the “largest bass caught in any legal way” during either the state or national tournaments.

Leesburg actually hosted a pair of tournaments. The first was a state tournament for Florida residents that ran from Nov. 1-30, 1927. Residents weren’t allowed to enter the national tournament. The committee didn’t want the residents to feel slighted so they got their own contest and their own “fine prizes.”

The finest prize was taken home by Fred C. Klemfeldt to Chicago in the “largest bass caught casting, with artificial bait and 16 pound or lighter line” category.

Klemfeldt landed an eight-pound, eight-ounce bass with a B.F. Meek reel on a Slocum handmade rod, with 12-pound test line, using a Jamison Barbless Shannon spinner.

First prize was a King folding boat donated by the King Boat Company of Oakland, California. The boat was described in a story that ran in the Daily Commercial on Nov. 16 1927.

“King Boat Company of California sends in ‘best’ prize yet named for the National Bass Tournament,” proclaimed the headline with a secondary headline that read: “Folding craft is seaworthy, carries its own life preservers and is considered a handsome, valuable addition.”

Tournament Chairman D.E. Bivins stated that the retail price of this boat is $80.00. For himself and the other members of the committee, as chairman, he expresses great pleasure at the liberality of the offer of the King Boat Company. Donation of this firm, it is felt, will be one of the most popular prizes in the contest.”

The boat was convenient to transport and easy to handle.

“The Arrow model boat is notable because of the ease with which it can be folded into a small package, rendering it convenient for carriage from one place to another,” the story continued. “On the other hand, the rigid and stable type of construction causes the boat to be entirely sea-worthy and it has two safety seats with a combined dead weight floating capacity of about 113 pounds. These seats are strapped to the keel of the boat so that they cannot leave it, and virtually act as life preservers.”

Rick Reed is a columnist for the Daily Commercial. Email him at ricoh007@aol.com.