[Times photo: Lara Cerri] Homeowners show off their creativity and imagination in solving problems in their own homes.Story

Now the crowds head to Wesley Chapel
Homes are just coming out of the ground at Seven Oaks, where interstate access and family recreation are the selling points.

Home Front
Briefs and news of note

A heist among homeowners
With mystery novels set in locations ranging from the race track to the Vatican, it was only a matter of time before someone placed a thriller in a setting that's familiar to many of us: a homeowner association.

Bay area housing market weathers jobs dip
And the fastest-selling subdivisions are . . .

Historic preservation course is today
ST. PETERSBURG -- From 9 a.m. to noon today, residents of historic homes are invited to attend a course, "Your Historic Home," at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. It is offered as part of the annual statewide conference of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, whose three-day conference ends tonight.

House Values
St. Petersburg

Pinellas showcase winners named
The Contractors & Builders Association of Pinellas named winners Tuesday night in its spring Parade of Homes, the annual spring showcase of new construction.

Briefly
Home and patio show scheduled

Community Living: Pool heater requires a vote
Question: A group of owners petitioned our condominium board to purchase a heat pump for our swimming pool. Because this would be a capital improvement, the board felt approval should be decided by a vote of the owners. Could funds be taken from our reserve funds, or should it be done by an assessment?

Homebuyer U
"Road Map to Ownership" free home-buyer seminar, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Century 21 East Lake Realty, Shoppes at Boot Ranch, 782 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. Get prequalified for a loan and receive a manual that describes the home-buying process step by step. Call George Steffens at (727) 409-4583 to reserve.

 

St. Petersburg Times real estate classified ads:

Regional real estate links:
Tampa Bay Homes - Search local MLS listings, a service of Tampabay.com.
Florida Home Builders - features Florida developers with Web sites.

Other real estate links:
Cost of Living calculator: compares the cost of living in any two cities. Also includes links to Salary Calculator and Moving Calculator among other tools.
Home Buyer and Renter Consumer Information: From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Home Buying Tips: from the U.S. Government General Services Administration.
Realtor.com: includes info on buying and selling real estate, allows you to browse property ads in the U.S. and locate realtors.