Property values go down because of many reasons,major one being racial makeup of area. When our family first moved here(TurtkeCV) there were only 2-3 families of color in Neighborhood,and homevalues rose at least 25-60% during first five years. Then, title 9 residents started moving into Apartments and for sale signs shot-up,and at least 50% of the white families moved. Well today is today w/.many mature trees and shruberry, the neiborhood also has many well kept homes and manicured lawns.Now we need to really work on the esthetics of our entrance and even consider a gated entrance w/security. There are grants specifically for this,and if we have a strong association with minimal but regular dues this can be accomplished. so when you invest in your home,enlarge it, and/or just plain good upkeep,your money will not be going down the drain.But this takes good comunication and regular meetings,so residents will know what is going on and want to REALLY put us back in the upper middle class range.