Warning: This is a Political Sarcasm Post

To Whom It May Concern:

Today I was lucky enough to discover "my" houses’ value has increased quite significantly in last year. In fact, the Elmore County Assessor has determined on January 1, 2009 my house was worth about $7,000 more than I bought it for in July 2008. I cannot wait until the housing downturn starts reversing itself and house values start really increasing. Heck, I figure by the year 2020 my humble little home should be worth at least three times the amount I paid for it.

The negative side of this great news is my property taxes will also go up? I guess every rose has its thorn but does it need to prick me during the worst worldwide economic crisis in modern and maybe even ancient times? I’m sadden to find out that the 2.13% pay raise I received from President Obama’s economic stimulus plan in the form of lower Federal Income Tax Withholdings this year will be eaten up by local property taxes. Oh well, the government giveth and the government taketh away.

What I find somewhat amazing is the value of my house in Mountain Home, Idaho has increased when the news tells me the value of homes throughout the US have been decreasing significantly for the past few years. Almost every politician will tell you this economic crisis was caused, in part (if not in most part) by declining house values. How did I get so lucky and unlucky in just one year.

Any Elmore County Assessor out there want to put their money where their assessors calculator is kept? I’ll make a deal with any assessor…in the year 2020, buy the "rapidly appreciating asset" I call my house for the bargain price $600,000. Remember, property values never go down…in the eyes of a county assessor? I’ll be waiting for a call from some Elmore County official looking to jump on my most generous offer.