[Times photos — Thomas M. Goethe]

After a yearlong renovation at a cost of $6-million, the Florida Brewing Co., which now houses the Swopes Law Group, became the first remodeled building to win the Golden Aurora Award. The award usually goes to new construction. Story

Local builders win Aurora quality awards
Tampa Bay builders were among the winners of Aurora awards, presented July 27 at the Southeast Building Conference. The Auroras are regarded nationally as symbols of high-quality construction and design, according to the Florida Home Builders Association, which oversees the awards.

Now, a place just for the kids
We've all seen the adult retreat, a sitting area off the master bedroom where grown-ups can relax, read, sip a drink, watch TV. And the home office, with a place for the computer and family paperwork, is a given.

Home Front
Briefs and news of note

Consider the community when ruling on lawn art
Question: Our architectural and landscaping committee is in a quandary about lawn art. Our homeowners must submit an application seeking committee approval. This is very subjective topic, and we are afraid to approve ducks yet reject bunnies, or approve angels and refuse turtles. How do other deed-restricted communities handle lawn art?

Course covers finances, condos
ST. PETERSBURG -- A free course on financial management of Florida condominium associations will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N.

Homebuyer U
TOPIC: "Road Map to Ownership" free home-buyer 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.

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.