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Tampa Bay Events of the Week
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Christian Nodal – Nodal 2025 Tour
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Saturday | November 29, 2025 | 8:00 PM πLocation: Benchmark International Arena
401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
β¨ A Night Built for Passion, Power & Pure Música Mexicana
Christian Nodal will take over Benchmark International Arena this November, bringing his chart-topping regional Mexican sound to the waterfront district in what promises to be one of the most unforgettable Latin music nights of the season. Fans across Tampa Bay will be gearing up for a performance filled with the signature emotional depth, soaring vocals, and modern mariachi flair that have made Nodal a global sensation. With the holiday season kicking off and the arena buzzing at full capacity, this concert is poised to deliver a high-energy, heart-pulling night of music that fans will feel long after the last note.
As the lights dim and the crowd rises, Nodal will lead audiences through the full arc of his musical evolution—from the breakthrough hit “Adiós Amor” to the cinematic arrangements and genre-blending sound that define his more recent albums. Tampa fans will be swept into a wave of brass, strings, and full-bodied vocals, all carried by Nodal’s unmistakable stage presence. Every song is expected to build toward massive sing-along moments, spotlighted solos, and those signature emotional drops that have earned him multiple Latin GRAMMYs and millions of devoted followers worldwide.
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Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
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Tuesday | November 25, 2025 | 8:00 PM πLocation: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hard Rock Event Center, 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610
β‘ A Night of Rock Royalty & Living Legacy
Get ready for a thunderous night at the Hard Rock Event Center as Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening brings the legendary sound of Zeppelin back to life in a way only the Bonham bloodline can. On November 25, Tampa will feel every pulse of the drums, every soaring guitar riff, and every soul-shaking vocal line in a performance that honors the legacy of one of rock’s greatest bands — delivered by the son of the man who started it all, the late John Bonham.
Jason Bonham’s tribute is far more than a concert — it’s an immersive, emotional journey through Led Zeppelin’s most iconic music. Fans can expect spot-on renditions of powerhouse anthems like “Kashmir,” “Black Dog,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Stairway to Heaven,” performed with the precision and passion that have made this show a must-see for Zeppelin lovers around the world.
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Nori Nori — Seminole Heights
π Location: 6705 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
π± A Fresh, Modern Take on Hand-Roll Dining
Say hello to Nori Nori, Seminole Heights’ newest addition to the neighborhood’s thriving culinary scene — a craft hand-roll bar designed for sushi lovers who crave a more intimate, elevated, and interactive dining experience. Recently highlighted in Tampa Magazine’s November 2025 issue, Nori Nori brings a sleek, modern concept that blends premium ingredients with the engaging, made-to-order style of traditional temaki.
Guests can expect a menu built around fresh fish, warm rice, crisp nori, and thoughtful flavor combinations, served one hand-roll at a time for optimal texture and taste. The vibe is upscale-casual — stylish enough for a date night, relaxed enough for a spontaneous sushi craving after work.
Seminole Heights has long been known for its eclectic, chef-driven eateries, and Nori Nori fits right in while offering something refreshingly new. With its elevated yet approachable concept, it’s quickly becoming a go-to for sushi enthusiasts and foodies looking to explore Tampa’s latest standout opening.
If you want a spot that feels trendy, delicious, and distinctly local — Nori Nori is already a must-try.
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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Calgary Flames
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Wednesday | November 26, 2025 | 7:00 PM
π Location: Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
β‘ A High-Energy Clash on Home Ice
The Calgary Flames are skating into Tampa for a fiery Monday night matchup, and the Lightning will be ready to defend home ice under the bright lights of Benchmark International Arena. With both teams known for fast transitions, sharp shooting, and hard-checking intensity, this game is shaping up to be one of the more electric showdowns of the month.
Whether you're a die-hard Bolts fan or just love the adrenaline of live NHL action, this is the perfect way to kick off the week with some edge-of-your-seat excitement.
Expect the arena buzzing with energy as the Bolts hit the ice looking to add another win to their record. Grab your gear, wear your blue, and join thousands of fans lighting up Channelside with pure Tampa Bay spirit. From goal-horn roars to crowd-wide chants, it's a night where every cheer counts.
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Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
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Wednesday | November 26, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM π Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
π A Riverfront Wonderland Returns to Tampa
The holidays in Tampa don’t officially begin until Winter Village lights up downtown — and this year’s celebration promises to be the most magical yet. Presented by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park transforms into a glittering seasonal village where the Riverwalk sparkles, families gather, and holiday traditions come alive beneath the skyline.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the shift in the air — twinkling lights overhead, holiday music drifting on the breeze, and the unmistakable excitement that only comes once a year. Whether you’re skating beneath the stars, browsing local shops, or sipping something warm as boats drift along the river, Winter Village creates memories that last long after the season fades.
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Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
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Friday | November 28, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM π Location: 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
β¨ Step Into Tampa’s Brightest Holiday Tradition
Christmas in the Wild returns to ZooTampa with one of the region’s most dazzling transformations—millions of shimmering lights, glowing landscapes, and immersive holiday scenes that turn every corner into a photo-worthy moment. As you walk beneath archways of sparkling color and pass towering illuminated animals, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a living, breathing winter fairytale. Families, couples, and holiday lovers alike will be surrounded by the warmth, magic, and nostalgia of Tampa’s most iconic seasonal celebration.
Throughout the park, guests will discover a blend of beloved holiday favorites and brand-new festive surprises. Expect glowing animal sculptures the size of houses, lantern-lit pathways, interactive displays, and themed light zones that bring ZooTampa’s wildlife-inspired storytelling to life in unforgettable ways. Pair this spectacle with seasonal treats—from warm cocoa to holiday desserts—and you’ll understand why this event draws both new visitors and returning families year after year.
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Dunedin Saturday Market
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Saturday | November 29, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM π Location: Dunedin History Museum, 349 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698
ποΈ Local Treasures in the Heart of Dunedin
Every Saturday morning, Downtown Dunedin comes alive as the Saturday Market transforms Main Street into a bustling hub of local farmers, artisans, and food vendors. Against the backdrop of the historic Dunedin History Museum, this market is the perfect way to start your weekend with community, culture, and fresh finds.
With more than 40 vendors, visitors can browse everything from seasonal produce, baked goods, and artisan foods to plants, bath & body products, and handcrafted items. Hungry? Grab a bite from one of the ready-to-eat lunch vendors and enjoy a relaxed meal while exploring.
Adding to the charm, the market features live local music to set the vibe and is proudly dog-friendly, making it the perfect outing for both families and pet owners. Convenient free parking nearby ensures your visit is as easy as it is enjoyable.
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LagoonSide Market — Makers, Music & Sunset Magic
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Sunday | November 30 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM π Location: Mirada Lagoon, 31461 Mirada Blvd, San Antonio, FL 33576
π
Where the Lagoon Meets Local Creativity
Get ready for a sunset shopping experience unlike anything else in Tampa Bay. On November 30, the stunning Mirada Lagoon will transform into a vibrant waterfront marketplace as the LagoonSide Market returns with its monthly celebration of local talent, handcrafted goods, and laid-back community vibes. Set against a turquoise lagoon and wide-open skies, this gathering will offer the perfect blend of creativity, leisure, and lakeside charm as you spend your Sunday discovering the artistry that makes Tampa Bay shine.
As the late-afternoon sun casts warm reflections across the water, the shoreline will come alive with 40+ curated vendors showcasing everything from handmade jewelry and artisanal candles to clothing, original artwork, pet treats, and gourmet packaged foods. The experience will feel more like wandering through a coastal creative village than a traditional market—each booth offering its own story, style, and spark of inspiration. Whether you're browsing for holiday gifts, supporting small businesses, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, you'll feel the energy shift as the market eases into golden hour and the lagoon becomes its own breathtaking backdrop.
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Craig’s Weekly Real Estate Digest
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π‘ 50-Year Mortgages: The Bold Idea That Could Backfire on America’s Housing Market
A Big Promise — or a Big Problem?
The idea of a 50-year mortgage didn’t just appear out of nowhere — it surged into national conversation after Donald Trump publicly floated the concept as a way to “solve housing affordability.” Overnight, the proposal dominated social media, cable news, real estate forums, and even conversations among homebuilders exploring whether longer-term mortgage structures could become a mainstream tool.
It sounded bold. It sounded disruptive. For many first-time buyers priced out of today’s market, it sounded like hope.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth behind the headline: A 50-year mortgage does almost nothing to improve affordability — and may actually make the situation worse.
When you break down the math, the economics, and the real-world implications, the 50-year mortgage becomes one of the least effective “solutions” ever proposed for housing affordability.
The question Tampa buyers, sellers, and investors should be asking is not: “Is this innovative?” But rather: “Does this actually benefit anyone long-term?”
Let’s break down why the answer is far more complicated — and far more concerning — than the headlines suggest.
π What’s Actually Happening?
A small number of policymakers and industry voices have floated the idea of allowing 50-year mortgage terms in the United States. The pitch is simple:
“Longer loan term = lower monthly payments = more affordability.”
On paper, it sounds logical. In practice? It collapses under the math.
Here’s why the concept gained traction:
But longer mortgage terms don’t make homes affordable. They simply stretch the debt further into the future.
π Market Implications: Why 50-Year Mortgages Hurt More Than They Help
Let’s compare a realistic, not hypothetical, 50-year mortgage scenario.
30-Year Mortgage (6%) vs. 50-Year Mortgage (~7%)
Why assume a higher rate? Because longer-term loans always carry higher interest — lenders must price in more risk.
Payment on $500,000 loan:
Yes — you read that correctly. In the real world, a 50-year mortgage does not reduce the payment. In fact, it can increase it.
Meanwhile:
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Total interest nearly doubles over the life of the loan
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Equity builds at a painfully slow pace
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Borrowers remain underwater far longer
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Affordability doesn’t improve over the long-term
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Home prices inflate (as history shows with longer loan terms)
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Risk multiplies across the entire housing system
This contradicts the entire reason the product is being discussed.
π Market Metrics: What a 50-Year Mortgage Actually Does
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The bottom line: A 50-year mortgage gives borrowers more time — but never more advantage.
π§ Why These Projections Matter
Understanding the flaw behind a 50-year mortgage is critical for buyers, sellers, and investors because:
1. Amortization is front-loaded
Most of your payment goes to interest in the early years. Stretch the loan longer → you’re stuck in this phase far longer.
2. Affordability improves only through inventory, not loan gimmicks
Real affordability requires:
A longer mortgage term does not address the true problem.
3. Longer mortgages historically increase home prices
When buyers can borrow more, prices rise.
This happened:
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Post-WWII (30-year mortgages)
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During the 2000–2008 ARM boom
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In countries with 40-year mortgages
50-year loans would repeat this pattern.
4. Homeowners rarely stay 50 years
The average tenure is 8–12 years.
Meaning the borrower:
So the real question isn’t “How low is the payment?” It’s “How much ownership do you actually gain before you move?”
Here’s what the numbers reveal after only 8 years:
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π Scenario 1: $450,000 Purchase (20% Down → $360,000 Loan)
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30-year mortgage @ 6%
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50-year mortgage @ 7%
β
Difference: A buyer on a 50-year loan loses $35,548 in equity in the same time frame.
Plain-language meaning:
After 8 years, the 50-year borrower has barely started owning the home — the bank still owns almost all of it.
π Scenario 2: $1,000,000 Purchase (20% Down → $800,000 Loan)
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30-year mortgage @ 6%
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50-year mortgage @ 7%
β
Difference: That’s $78,996 in lost equity — nearly the cost of a brand-new luxury SUV.
Plain-language meaning:
The buyer pays for 8 years but barely reduces the loan — almost all the payment goes to interest, not ownership.
π¨ The Bottom Line (The Part Buyers Miss)
A 50-year mortgage doesn’t make housing more affordable — it just delays wealth-building by almost an entire decade.
Even worse:
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Monthly payments are not dramatically cheaper
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You build almost no ownership during the years most people still live in the home
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And you walk away with little to no equity when you sell
Translation:
A 50-year mortgage creates risk without reward.
5. Florida adds extra risks
With high insurance premiums, condo special assessments, escalating HOAs, and inspection requirements, slow-amortizing loans are even more dangerous.
π Support for These Projections (National & Local Evidence)
International Failures
Countries that tested ultra-long mortgages saw:
Examples:
Both resulted in slower wealth-building and more risk exposure.
U.S. History
40-year mortgages were piloted in the 2000s. They quickly disappeared because:
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They inflated prices
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They increased borrower risk
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They offered minimal payment reduction
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They were flagged by regulators as unsafe
Tampa Bay Fundamentals
Tampa’s market is:
Pairing that with ultra-long loans is a recipe for volatility.
π‘ My Take: Where the Smart Money Moves
π BUYERS — “Don’t fall for the marketing. Follow the math.”
A 50-year mortgage is almost never the right move for a Florida buyer. Instead:
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Use seller-paid buydowns (3-2-1, 2-1, permanent)
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Look at 5/6 or 7/6 ARMs from reputable lenders
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Explore down payment assistance
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Focus on emerging Tampa submarkets where equity grows quickly
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Keep terms that build equity, not destroy it
Rule of thumb: If your mortgage lasts longer than your homeownership plan, it is not a financial tool — it is a trap.
π‘ SELLERS — “Leverage buyer confusion to your advantage.”
As buyers hear about 50-year mortgages, some will mistakenly think the market is more affordable. Use that to position your listing:
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Offer legit affordability tools, not 50-year terms
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Advertise rate buydowns instead of price cuts
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Work with lenders offering closing credit structures
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Highlight payment comparisons for buyers
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Present yourself as the “trusted guide” in a loud, confusing market
A confused buyer is not a weak buyer. A confused buyer is one who needs your guidance.
π’ INVESTORS — “Avoid products that destroy leverage and cash flow.”
A 50-year mortgage is virtually useless for investors:
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No payment benefit
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Worse amortization
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Higher lifetime interest
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Non-QM classification
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Difficult underwriting
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Bad cash flow
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Bad refinance potential
Smart Investor Play:
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Stick to DSCR loans, ARMs, or traditional 30-year fixed
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Buy where equity + rent growth outperform the cost of debt
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Look for value-add properties near Tampa’s highest-growth corridors
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Avoid long-term debt structures that kill leverage
Long-term wealth in real estate comes from:
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Equity growth
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Cash flow
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Timing
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Leverage
A 50-year mortgage weakens all four.
π Final Thoughts: The 50-Year Mortgage Is Not the Future — It’s a Warning
Extending mortgages to 50 years is not innovation. It’s a distraction.
It doesn’t make homes cheaper. It doesn’t fix affordability. It doesn’t help the average buyer.
It does:
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Extend debt
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Slow equity
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Increase lifetime costs
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Inflate prices
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Raise systemic risk
Real affordability solutions come from: More inventory, smarter financing, and stronger strategy — not stretching debt beyond a homeowner’s lifetime.
If the goal is to build wealth, strengthen communities, and help Floridians achieve sustainable homeownership, the 50-year mortgage is not the answer.
It’s the illusion of affordability — without the reality.
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A Message From Craig
Let’s make this week count — From arena-shaking country hits and Southern-style comfort plates to Devils vs. Bolts on the ice and a festive cookie-decorating night at Keel Farms, Tampa Bay is giving us a little bit of everything — energy, flavor, and the kind of moments that make this season feel special.
We put a lot of pride and care into curating these updates each week — making sure they feel useful, inspiring, and genuinely connected to the places we love. If there’s ever a topic or neighborhood you want to see more of, just hit reply and tell me. This newsletter is built with you in mind, and I’m grateful you’re here.
— Craig
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