Recent events have everyone thinking about their house value. A couple of tourists asked me the other day about vacant lot prices in a handsome new subdivision as compared to 25 year old homes (like mine). I recited the highs I've seen close by ($625,000 — didn't sell) and how much prices have dropped ($550,000, still hasn't sold). I told them the real estate around town that's moving is closer to $400,000. 

None of my blather about the natural correction of the real estate market with falling home prices caused me to consider that my own home is probably not worth the $600,000 or so that zillow.com pegged it at last year. No, I would have to hand that splash of cold water in the face to Chuck Jaffe's article describing the world of hurt many home buyers are in who are not facing foreclosure or outrageously resetting adjustable rate mortgages. He talked about home prices falling below what people still owe on them, and quoted zillow.com's account that values are down 5.5% from this time last year.

Like all of us who know about Zillow, I had to go check. Stunned by what I saw, I dallied on the site willing my home value to go back up. While I uploaded a picture of my house, the value fell $2000.

We have to get over this idea that the home we live in is an investment. It isn't. Not unless your kids are paying enough rent to more than cover the mortgage payment. Investments bring in money. Expenses take out money. A house is an expense, as long as you live in it. Even after it's paid for!

I'd like you to join my friends receiving my mortgage savings tips. If I haven't offended you with this article, why not give it a try? You can always cancel at any time:

So put away your calculator and enjoy your family. Feed the birds. Groom your landscaping. Take pictures. Revel in your "real" estate. There is a reason for the saying "home is where the heart is."