Stellar MLS expands into Hernando County, Florida through association merger

Stellar MLS Expands Into Hernando County Through Association Merger

Stellar MLS announced Wednesday it will expand into Hernando County, Florida, after two local Realtor associations completed a formal merger. The merger combined the West Pasco Board of Realtors and the Hernando County Association of Realtors into one new organization.

As part of the merger, the former Hernando County MLS will be discontinued and Stellar MLS will become the exclusive provider. West Pasco Hernando Realtors CEO Brenda Rabbitt said member feedback drove the decision to align with Stellar MLS and expand reach.

The expansion now extends the Stellar MLS service area to more than 19 counties across Central, Southwest, and North Florida. It now creates continuous MLS coverage along the Florida Gulf Coast from Charlotte County north through Citrus and Hernando counties.

Stellar MLS said it now supports more than 75,000 customers across the 20 Realtor associations in Florida and Puerto Rico. Chief Executive Officer Shayne Fairley and West Pasco Hernando Realtors President Catherine "Cookie" Miller praised the expansion for extending marketplace reach.

HomeSmart and NorthGroup Merger Expands Southeast Brokerage Scale

HomeSmart announced Tuesday that it is merging with NorthGroup Real Estate, bringing nearly 2,000 NorthGroup agents onto its existing platform and expanding its footprint across the Southeast.

With the addition, HomeSmart said it will grow to more than 27,000 agents nationwide across 250-plus offices in 48 states. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and the NorthGroup brokerage will continue to operate under its existing brand.

Both the companies operate a 100 percent commission model, which was a key factor in their recent merger, according to HomeSmart founder and CEO Matt Widdows.

Matt Widdows said NorthGroup has built an impressive business with a strong culture, talented agents and a model aligning with HomeSmart. NorthGroup founder, president and CEO Scott Wilkinson said the merger is business as usual for agents and gives them HomeSmart's resources.

The transaction underscores the continued consolidation trend among large, low-cost, high-volume brokerages in the real estate industry that rely on technology platforms and national networks to drive profitability.

Hernando County Airport and Schools Advance Major Projects

Hernando County received a $13.6 million federal grant to improve Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport, Congressman Gus Bilirakis's office announced Thursday. County economic development director Valerie Pianta said the investment will deliver lasting economic benefits to the community for years to come.

Commissioners John Allocco and Ryan Amsler said the airport hosts an industrial park with more than 100 businesses and the grant will prepare sites for new companies.

Airport Manager Steve Miller said a World War II Army runway, deactivated in the early 1960s, will return as a taxiway. He said 4,600 feet of the concrete runway will be milled down and covered with asphalt to support new development.

County Commissioner Ryan Amsler said the project opens potential for $100 million to $200 million in economic impact and targets new manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and aerospace industries.

Hernando County Schools opened a new joint facility between Weeki Wachee High School and Winding Waters K-8, serving local students with 30 classrooms and a cafeteria.