Happy Thursday!

From karaoke nights and food truck rallies to a big move in real estate policy—this week’s update has a little something for everyone.

🎶 A local music festival, stand-up from Kevin Farley, and a full Renaissance experience? We’ve rounded up the best events in Pasco County you won’t want to miss.

🏥 Big news for families—Johns Hopkins is breaking ground on a pediatric hospital right here in Wesley Chapel.

🥐 Plus, a taste of Paris just landed in New Tampa (yes, there’s quiche).

⚖️ And for sellers: a brand-new NAR policy just changed the game when it comes to listing strategy.

Let’s dive in!

—Sean

🎉 Exciting Events You Can’t Miss This Weekend in Pasco County

Land O’ Lakes Music Festival

Come out for an afternoon of live music by Emmet Stevens Jr., Mixed Signal and 5 Shades of Grey. There will also be food trucks, kids activities, beer and wine sales, and family friendly fun.
📍 Location: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park
📅 Date & Time: March 29, 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate
🌐 Website: Land O' Lakes Music Festival

Side Splitters Comedy Club presents Kevin Farley

Kevin Farley brings his signature brand of upbeat entertainment to Wesley Chapel. Known for roles in “Black Sheep” and “The Waterboy,” he’s entertained audiences for over three decades with film, television, and live comedy performances.
📍 Location: Side Splitters Comedy Club at the Grove
📅 Date & Time: March 27-29, 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $23.50
🌐 Website: Comedy Club Tampa Bay

Easter Bunny Photos

Hop into the season with Easter Bunny photos at The Shops at Wiregrass. Reservations are now open for families to capture a springtime memory.
📍 Location: The Shops at Wiregrass
📅 Date & Time: March 28 - April 19 (check website for daily hours)
🎟️ Tickets: Not listed (reservation required)
🌐 Website: The Shops at Wiregrass

Fourth Friday Food Truck Rally

Sample bites from a variety of food trucks during this monthly community event. Free entry and family fun in a vibrant setting. Check Facebook for this month’s featured trucks.
📍 Location: Downtown Avalon Park
📅 Date & Time: March 28, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free entry
🌐 Website: facebook.com/AvalonParkWesleyChapel

Karaoke Nights

Sing your heart out in the Center Court at The Shops at Wiregrass. Grab light bites or drinks from nearby eateries and enjoy a fun night of music. Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended.
📍 Location: Shops at Wiregrass Center Court
📅 Date & Time: March 28, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🌐 Website: The Shops at Wiregrass

Bay Area Renaissance Festival

Experience a magical 16th-century European village featuring 15 stages of exciting entertainment. Over 100 artisans will showcase and sell their handcrafted goods. Enjoy full-contact live armored jousting and seven themed weekends.
📍 Location: 12838 Auton Road, Dade City, FL
📅 Date & Time: March 29 - March 30, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $18
🌐 Website: Bay Area Renaissance Festival

🏥 Wesley Chapel Welcomes New Johns Hopkins Pediatric Hospital

Driving the news: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is set to break ground Thursday on a new pediatric hospital in Wesley Chapel, signaling a big leap for health care access in Florida's booming Pasco County.

Details: The new 56-bed hospital will sit on a 112-acre site near I-75 and Overpass Road. The facility will include:

• A 16-room emergency center

• Four operating rooms

• Four imaging rooms

• Extra clinic space to support future growth

Robins & Morton will lead construction. The hospital is expected to open in 2027.

Why it matters: Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties currently lack nearby pediatric services. A staggering 93% of kids needing specialized care are forced to travel out of their communities.

With the pediatric population projected to grow 12% by 2032, this hospital will bring critical care closer to home.

This is a boost for local families—reducing travel time, increasing health outcomes, and easing stress for parents.

The big picture: This isn’t a one-off. The Wesley Chapel site is part of a broader expansion by Johns Hopkins All Children’s, which includes enhancing its St. Petersburg campus and increasing urgent and outpatient care access across Florida’s west coast.

What’s next: The community is invited to Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony at 29999 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel. Construction begins shortly after.

The bottom line: Wesley Chapel’s new pediatric hospital is a long-term investment in the well-being of children across the region—and a step toward making specialized care more accessible for every family.

🏡 $389,900 Fort Myers Home with
Lakefront Views!

3 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,534 sqft

Nestled in the desirable Cypress Cay community, this spacious two-story home offers stunning lakefront views and an oversized lot. Inside, you'll find a bright and open layout with a den, family room, and loft. The modern kitchen features a range, refrigerator, and dishwasher, while the walk-in closets and impact-resistant windows add both convenience and peace of mind.

Relax in the community pool or enjoy the serene lake views right from your backyard. Conveniently located near shops and dining, this home is perfect for families or anyone looking to enjoy Florida living.

📍 13404 Hampton Park Ct, Fort Myers, FL 33913

🥐 Bonjour, New Tampa!
Paris Baguette Has Arrived

Paris Baguette just opened its doors in New Tampa, bringing fresh-baked French-inspired pastries, Lavazza coffee, and savory bites like four-cheese quiche and curry croquettes to 17515 Preserve Walk Lane.

📍 17515 Preserve Walk Lane, Tampa, FL 33647
🕔 Operates daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Swing by and get a taste of Paris right here in Florida!

🕒 New NAR Policy Lets Sellers Control
the Listing Clock

Driving the news: The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has reaffirmed its Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) while launching a new MLS rule—“Multiple Listing Options for Sellers”—to give sellers more control over how and when listings go public.

Details: The new policy, released March 25 and effective immediately, introduces a listing category called “delayed marketing exempt listings”.

• Sellers can opt to delay public marketing (like on IDX or syndication platforms) while still sharing the listing with MLS participants.
  

• Local MLSs decide the allowable delay period based on their market dynamics.
  

• Agents must secure a signed disclosure from sellers confirming this choice.
  

• The same disclosure is also required for office-exclusive listings.

Why it matters: This change gives sellers in markets nationwide—including smaller or slower-moving regions—greater flexibility to time their listing strategically, without losing access to the MLS network of agents and buyers.

It's a nod to localized needs and seller autonomy, especially in markets where timing can make or break a sale.

The big picture: NAR aims to balance consumer choice with the integrity of information sharing in real estate. It also seeks to manage legal risk amid growing scrutiny over agent practices and listing access.

Between the lines: This move is seen by many as a response to criticisms that CCP limited seller options. Now, NAR is creating more room for nuanced marketing strategies—without abandoning its core cooperative principles.

Industry voices:

• eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja applauded the policy’s focus on transparency and giving sellers a real choice—but warned against pressuring them into limited exposure strategies.

• Compass CEO Robert Reffkin, a vocal CCP critic, called the change a “step in the right direction” while pushing for even more freedom.

• Bright MLS CEO Brian Donnellan noted that many forward-thinking MLSs already offer this kind of flexibility and welcomed NAR’s validation of that approach.

What’s next: MLSs nationwide must adopt the new policy by September 30, 2025. NAR is updating guidance at facts.realtor to help agents navigate the transition.

The bottom line: This shift reflects growing demand for flexible, seller-first marketing choices while keeping MLS collaboration alive.

It’s a measured update that could empower more customized strategies—without fracturing the system that keeps listings accessible and fair.

📊 Our Current Local Market Data:

The Tampa Bay housing market is shifting toward a more balanced state after years of rapid price growth. As of early 2025, the median home price is around $430,000, reflecting a moderate 4.8% year-over-year increase. Inventory is up 19%, with single-family homes at 3.5 months of supply and condos at 6.0 months, giving buyers more choices and negotiating power. Over 57% of listings now sit unsold for 60+ days, a stark contrast to the pandemic boom.

Despite cooling trends, Tampa remains a desirable market, supported by strong job growth—over 26,000 new jobs added in the past year. Elevated interest rates (6.5–7%) have slowed demand but also discouraged sellers from listing, keeping inventory in check. New construction is up 12%, especially in suburban areas like Pasco and Polk counties, but affordability remains a challenge with rising home prices and mortgage costs.

Insurance costs are another growing concern, with Florida’s homeowners' premiums averaging nearly $8,770 per year. Climate risks and hurricane exposure continue to impact buyer sentiment and property insurance costs. For buyers, longer time on market presents opportunities for better deals, while sellers must focus on pricing and marketing strategies to compete. Looking ahead, Tampa’s market is set for steady growth, shaped by economic strength, migration trends, and ongoing affordability and insurance challenges.

If you’re curious how much your home could sell for now, then reply “What’s my home value” or you can get an estimated value here.

Or if you’re just curious about how the current market affects your situation & what’s going on in your specific neighborhood, just reply & ask.

📰 In Other News:

• Pasco County Parks announces Summer Day Camp registration

• Pasco County wants to hear from you as they work to prevent flooding

• Bauducco Foods expansion is a treat for Pasco County

That’s all for today, I hope you have an amazing week!

If there’s ever anything you need:

• a custom market or home value report

• a home services list for a reliable contractor or services professional

• feedback or a professional opinion on a home project

Just let me know! We’re here to help with all your home needs.

Talk soon,

- Sean, and the Bello Home Team

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