[Turbo_pro]

In an effort to deal with changing times, I looked around and found cost savings in my home.

First I sot a reduction in my property tax assessment. Since my home was purchased at a relatively high point in the market my assessment reflected that value.
I filed a request for a reevaluation and was promptly denied. The next step was an appeal. The county set a hearing date and I started preparing my case.
I amassed a collection of comps, articles on price decline in my area and a collection of similar houses for sale in my area.
One week before the hearing the appeals board contacted me to work out an agreement.
I presented my case to the representative and she presented hers.
Needless to say, I prevailed at reducing my property tax by nearly 50%.
My request was filed for two previous years and when all was said and done the county cut me two checks and credited my tax account for the first installment on this years tax.
The new tax figure will reduce my living expenses by over $ 280 per mouth.

Next was to deal with the reduced equity in the home.
I contacted my bank some 18 months ago with a proposal to modify my loan. Because the home was not in default they reject my request immediately.
So I filed a different request.
After nearly 13 months of screwing around (4 separate offers), I told them they could have the house.
All of a sudden they started talking.
When all was said and done I ended up with a 20% principle reduction (added as a no interest, balloon payment) and a 4.5% interest reduction to just over 3%.
I now have a loan fixed at 3+% for the life of the loan. No government program (programs don't fit jumbo loans) and a $1,290 payment reduction.
I'm thinking I should right a pamphlet.

Your bank will screw you if they can so stand your ground and roll the dice.