Appreciation, not to be confused with inflation, is an increase to your propertys value due to positive changes or to removal of negative influences.

Real Estate home values are determined my economic conditions and a wide variety of factors such as crime rate, school system and the value of the homes surrounding them. Often, a home's value will change with no action on your part. You can also add value to your home by making improvements to your property.

One way to see an sample of your apprecation rate is to pay attention to the homes that are being sold in your area.

Appreciation rates will vary from city to city, and state to state. While it's true that property generally has appreciated at an uncommon rate the past few years, there are still many areas throughout the country where the double digit appreciation rates are still the norm.

The FDIC website has appreciation rates published by state and region. You can find historical appreciation rates for your area and view current appreciation rates by quarter.

If appreciation is a concern then choosing the right neighborhood is of paramount importance. It is better to choose a modest, affordable home in a good neighborhood than a larger, more expensive home in a less desirable neighborhood. Be sure to consider the restrictions of the neighborhood before buying a new home. If a neighborhood has no restrictions then remember you have no control over your neighbor's influence on the value of your home.