I believe it is a safe assumption that even if appraisal districts do not generally increase their 2008 residential home valuations, that the number of residential appeals will increase.  Some might argue that if a homeowner’s value stays the same they will not appeal.  I disagree.  Homeowners have seen homes in their neighborhood being foreclosed, sellers struggling to sell their homes,  and they are inundated with bad sub-prime news everyday from the media.   I believe homeowners are aware that the value of their homes have declined from 2007 and will pursue relief through an appeal.  In some cases the homeowners will argue that they are upside down.  That is to say, that their debt exceeds the market value of their home.  It will be very interesting to see how appraisal districts deal with this issue.