We've heard how bad the market it is but did you know that in St. Charles county we are holding our own as reported by the St. Charles County Association of Realtors.  Although appreciation slowed, home values continued to rise.  The Association reported an average home sales price of $214,483 for the year which was an increase of $2,150 in 2007 over 2006.  This means the homeowner that held a home for the past 5 years has incurred approximately an average increase in value of $54,000 which results in a 7% per year tax free increase on your investment.  Want to know what's going on in "your neck of the woods"?  E-mail us at MikeandPat@trails2openspaces.com for a complimentary monthly "Market Snapshot" in the area you want to buy or sell, or if you want to know the value of your home go to www.StCharlesMarketValues.com