[Times photo: James Borchuck]

A Few Minutes with . . . DOUG SMITHWICK Story.

Home Front
Briefs and news of note

Developing a Development: Mirabay -- Checks and balances
Potential buyers in a new project on Tampa Bay look at dirt, water and location. Then they put down money without knowing any specifics about the homes, including the price.

Homebuyer U
TOPIC: "Road Map to Ownership," seminar. SPONSOR: Century 21 East Lake and Abraham Mortgage. WHERE: Century 21 East Lake Realty, Shoppes at Boot Ranch, 782 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. WHEN: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays. COST: Free. CALL: (727) 409-4583.

Community living
President must vote on all board matters
Question: The president of our homeowner association says she can vote on all matters that come before the board. It is my opinion -- and it was the policy in other associations where I've lived -- that the president votes only to break a tie. Who is right?

House Values
St. Petersburg

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.