Ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Making your home more energy efficient doesn't always mean spending a lot of money. In our house we have changed a lot of our lamps to compact fluorescent bulbs, which have pretty good light quality these days. Next on the list, but more expensive, is to replace our water heater with an on-demand water heater. I've only heard good things about this type of system. After that it's a new front-load washer and dryer. Click here for a great website to give you some ideas on what you can do to make your home more energy efficient.

Home values drops don't always equal lower taxes.

Though home values have been dropping in Seattle there are some areas where property taxes continue to rise. That's because there are levies and bonds that are adjusting every year. Click here to read the entire Seattle Times article.

Update on the last post.

The Seattle Times should have said that in was about 1/3 of the homes that HAVE a mortgage on them, not 1/3 of all homeowners. That's a big difference.

One-third of homes owe more than the current value around the Seattle area.

Zillow claims that 1/3 of all homes in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties owe more than their house is worth. They state prices are back to summer 2004 prices. I think owners who have taken equity loans could be in serious trouble. Lesson learned; never use your home as a bank to borrow against it. Those who are "under water" pose a serious risk on the entire economy. Click here to see the entire article.