MATTERS OF THE HOME
What's happening, what's useful, and what's worth a look this week in Central Florida
If you're willing to brave the heat this week, Central Florida has something for every age in the house. There's a new Baby Shark experience for the littles, a museum morning for the older kids, and stand-up comedy for date night once they're in bed.
Local Events
Baby Shark at SeaWorld Orlando - Now through September 7
A new live show, character meet-and-greets, and themed treats have arrived at SeaWorld Orlando. Who it's for: Kids and Families. Plan your visit
Godfrey Live - Friday and Saturday, July 10-11 at Funny Bone Comedy Club
The stand-up veteran headlines two nights at the International Drive club. Who it's for: Adults (21+). Get tickets
Family Studio - Saturday, July 11, 10 to 11:30am at Rollins Museum of Art
A free, hands-on gallery morning for kids 5 to 10 and their favorite grown-up. Pre-registration required. Who it's for: Kids and Families. Register here
Community Spotlight
Ready Together: Local Nonprofits Help Kids Start the School Year Strong
With August approaching, Ocala Magazine highlights Ready for Success -- a partnership between the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, Stuff the Bus, The Rock Program, and Marion County Public Schools -- making sure local students have supplies, clothing, and support to start the year off ready to learn.
Key Takeaway: Stuff the Bus and The Rock Program both take donations and volunteers year-round if you're looking for a way to help. Read more
Scam Watch
Florida's Most Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
AARP Florida rounds up the state's top fraud types using FTC data -- imposter scams, sweepstakes fraud, and fake online shopping sites top the list, with tips on spotting each before you lose money.
Key Takeaway: If a caller creates a sense of urgency or asks for gift cards or wire transfers, hang up and verify independently before doing anything. Read more
Around the Yard
The Right Plants Make Florida Yards Easier to Keep Up
UF/IFAS's Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program has a free tool that lets you filter native, low-water plants by zone and type -- built for the exact soil and heat homeowners in Marion County deal with.
Key Takeaway: Swapping thirsty plants for Florida-friendly ones can cut down on watering, mowing, and pest headaches all at once. Explore the plant guide
Market Pulse
Nancy Deichman's weekly Market Pulse video compares this week's Lake, Marion, and Sumter County activity to the same week last year -- and the numbers point to real momentum.
County | 6/28/26 - 7/4/26 Active l Pending l Sold | 6/29/25 - 7/5/25 Active l Pending l Sold |
|---|---|---|
Lake | 193 l 180 l 169 | 190 l 138 l 122 |
Marion | 253 l 197 l 248 | 239 l 210 l 156 |
Sumter | 48 l 43 l 56 | 52 l 34 l 47 |
Source: Stellar MLS. Statistics reflect Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties' activity from June 28 to July 4, 2026. VLS data not included.
Featured Listing of the Week
$299,997 l 4 bed 2 bath on 4.5+ secluded acres - 40404 Holly Branch Rd, Eustis, FL 32736
Country quiet with an easy commute toward Orlando, in one of Lake County's most peaceful corners. Listed by James Donovan. View the listing
Did You Know?
Eustis sits right on the Harris Chain of Lakes, a connected system of eight lakes covering about 75,000 acres. It's one of the reasons this stretch of Lake County keeps drawing boaters, anglers, and retirees looking to relocate.
Sponsor
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Welcome to Premier Office Center, where we provide modern, fully serviced office solutions designed for professionals who prioritize productivity and flexibility. We are thrilled to announce that our Ocala and Wildwood locations are now complete and officially open to new members, offering move-in-ready private offices and dynamic coworking spaces. While our Mount Dora location is still in development, we invite you to join our waitlist to secure priority access and exclusive founding member rates. Whether you need a professional business address or a high-end training room, our all-inclusive memberships are built to support your success from day one.
That's it for this week.
Providing the Central Florida community with clear, data-driven home insights.