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How is the real estate market in Lakeland and Polk County, Florida right now?

In this August 2026 market update, I’m breaking down the latest numbers and sharing what I’m seeing after 30 years as a local real estate agent. From average home prices and days on market to inventory, list-to-sale price ratios, and the most active price ranges, I’ll give you a clear look at what’s really happening in our market.

The good news? We’re not seeing the market crash or home values drop dramatically. Homes that are priced correctly and in good condition are still selling. However, buyers are taking more time, homes are sitting on the market a little longer, and sellers need to understand the importance of pricing their homes correctly.

In this video, I cover:

• Lakeland and Polk County market statistics for 2026
• Average list and sale prices
• Average days on market
• Current inventory levels
• The most active price ranges
• What sellers can expect when negotiating
• The luxury home market
• Why some homes sell while others sit on the market
• The three main reasons a home doesn’t sell: price, location, and condition

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Lakeland, Polk County, or Central Florida, I’d love to connect and talk about your specific situation. Every home and every buyer is different, so let’s have a one-on-one conversation about what makes the most sense for you.

If you’d like my checklist for getting your home ready to sell, send me a message. I’ve put it together based on my 30 years of experience, with practical and affordable things you can do to prepare your home for the market.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more Central Florida real estate updates, home-buying and selling tips, and local home tours.

God bless, and I look forward to connecting with you!

📌 If you are struggling in real estate and would like my direct help and support for free—click the link below and let’s chat about taking your business to the next level.

Book a Call : https://calendly.com/brianstephensrealestate/30min

👉 Partner with Me at eXp Realty:
https://brianstephens.exprealty.careers/

🌐 Learn More About Realtors of Faith:
https://realtorsoffaith.com/

📞 Have Questions? Call or Text Me Directly!
Brian Stephens | eXp Realty
Cell: (863) 647-8600

🔥 SUBSCRIBE for Weekly Real Estate Tips, Market Updates & Faith-Based Guidance! 🔥
On this channel, you'll find:
✅ Home Buying & Selling Tips
✅ Real Estate Market Updates
✅ How Faith Impacts Real Estate
✅ Agent Success Strategies
✅ Inspirational Content for Christian Realtors

📺 Subscribe Now & Turn on Notifications!
Stay updated and grow your real estate knowledge with a purpose-driven approach.

Let’s Stay Connected!
📘 Facebook: Follow Me!
📸 Instagram: @brianstephens13
💼 LinkedIn: Let’s Connect!

🚀 Join Our Team at eXp Realty:
https://brianstephens.exprealty.careers/

Support the show

God Bless!

Brian Stephens

Realtor, eXp Realty

www.realtorsoffaith.com

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Why did I leave my previous brokerage after 11 years and make the move to eXp Realty?

In this video, I share my journey through the real estate industry from growing up around my father’s home-building business, to working with Coldwell Banker and REMAX, opening my own brokerage, navigating the real estate crash, spending six years in full-time ministry, and eventually returning to real estate and joining eXp Realty.

I’ll walk you through what led me to make the move and the things that stood out to me about eXp, including:

• Cloud-based training and opportunities to continue growing
• The 80/20 commission split and $16,000 cap
• Opportunities to earn company stock
• Revenue share opportunities
• Strong broker support and leadership
• A cloud-based model built for today’s real estate agents
• Opportunities to collaborate, mentor, and grow with other agents

But for me, this wasn't just a business decision. I share how prayer, faith, and a series of circumstances led me and my business partner, Russ Rhodes, to believe that God was stirring us toward something different.

Today, I'm passionate about helping other agents grow their businesses while developing Realtors of Faith—a community of real estate professionals who want to serve clients with integrity, encourage one another, and glorify God through their work.

If you'd like to learn more or have a conversation, my contact information is below. Shoot me a text or give me a call. I'd love to connect!
📌 If you are struggling in real estate and would like my direct help and support for free—click the link below and let’s chat about taking your business to the next level.

Book a Call : https://calendly.com/brianstephensrealestate/30min

👉 Partner with Me at eXp Realty:
https://brianstephens.exprealty.careers/

🌐 Learn More About Realtors of Faith:
https://realtorsoffaith.com/

📞 Have Questions? Call or Text Me Directly!
Brian Stephens | eXp Realty
Cell: (863) 647-8600

🔥 SUBSCRIBE for Weekly Real Estate Tips, Market Updates & Faith-Based Guidance! 🔥
On this channel, you'll find:
✅ Home Buying & Selling Tips
✅ Real Estate Market Updates
✅ How Faith Impacts Real Estate
✅ Agent Success Strategies
✅ Inspirational Content for Christian Realtors

📺 Subscribe Now & Turn on Notifications!
Stay updated and grow your real estate knowledge with a purpose-driven approach.

Let’s Stay Connected!
📘 Facebook: Follow Me!
📸 Instagram: @brianstephens13
💼 LinkedIn: Let’s Connect!

🚀 Join Our Team at eXp Realty:
https://brianstephens.exprealty.careers/

Support the show

God Bless!

Brian Stephens

Realtor, eXp Realty

www.realtorsoffaith.com

Send us Fan Mail

You Don’t Have to Take Every Listing: When Realtors Should Walk Away

In this video, I share a real-world experience that taught me an important lesson about being a real estate agent: I don’t have to take every listing, and neither do you.

I recently received an inquiry from sellers in North Lakeland who wanted to list their home. We had a great conversation, and I scheduled an appointment to walk through the property and see what we were working with.

During the walkthrough, I discovered several concerns that could significantly affect the home’s marketability, including a very strong pet odor, exterior paint that needed attention, landscaping that needed improvement, and pricing expectations that were higher than what I felt the market supported.

I explain why real estate agents need to be willing to have difficult conversations with sellers, set boundaries, and stand behind their professional opinions. Taking an overpriced or poorly prepared listing can lead to frustration, wasted time and money, and a difficult experience for everyone involved.

I also break down the three major factors that influence whether a home sells: price, condition, and location—with price often being the biggest factor.

The biggest takeaway is this: it’s okay to walk away from a listing when it isn’t the right fit. If the seller’s expectations are too far from market reality or they aren’t willing to address important issues with the property, sometimes the best decision is to say, “I’m not the right agent for you.”

I’m sharing this experience to encourage other realtors to protect their time, establish healthy business boundaries, trust their professional expertise, and focus on creating win-win situations for both themselves and their clients.

Have you ever decided not to take a listing because of the price, condition, or seller expectations? Share your experience in the comments so we can learn and grow together.

God bless, and thanks for watching!

📌 If you are struggling in real estate and would like my direct help and support for free—click the link below and let’s chat about taking your business to the next level.

Book a Call : https://calendly.com/brianstephensrealestate/30min

👉 Partner with Me at eXp Realty:
https://brianstephens.exprealty.careers/

🌐 Learn More About Realtors of Faith:
https://realtorsoffaith.com/

📞 Have Questions? Call or Text Me Directly!
Brian Stephens | eXp Realty
Cell: (863) 647-8600

🔥 SUBSCRIBE for Weekly Real Estate Tips, Market Updates & Faith-Based Guidance! 🔥
On this channel, you'll find:
✅ Home Buying & Selling Tips
✅ Real Estate Market Updates
✅ How Faith Impacts Real Estate
✅ Agent Success Strategies
✅ Inspirational Content for Christian Realtors

📺 Subscribe Now & Turn on Notifications!
Stay updated and grow your real estate knowledge with a purpose-driven approach.

Let’s Stay Connected!
📘 Facebook: Follow Me!
📸 Instagram: @brianstephens13
💼 LinkedIn: Let’s Connect!

🚀 Join Our Team at eXp Realty:
https://brianstephens.exprealty.careers/

Support the show

God Bless!

Brian Stephens

Realtor, eXp Realty

www.realtorsoffaith.com