I would like to focus on the value of Zoning and Online Home Value estimates, but am open to everything here.

If you researches housing statistics and home values in the current market, it's not too hard to find what has been selling: distressed properties - foreclosures, short sales and homes in poor condition.

What I've found is that foreclosures and most short sales - the hot items now – may be selling for more than they are currently worth. On the other hand, in comparing actual sales prices with online computer generated "Home Value Estimators" (on Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Google...), I've seen foreclosures bringing down the prices on "real homes" (well maintained single family homes).

This is mostly due to the properties that are used in the comparisons – often zoning and detailed condition of the property are not emphasized by traditional appraisals due to their scope. The appraisal price and the sales price may differ widely depending on location and zoning.

Many other important factors are not taken into account in preparing truer estimates of home values. I wish to delve into this topic more and request your insights and opinions through my 'How's Real Estate' Blog.

The Granada Hills-Knollwood New Community Plan is currently in the second of three-year process to update and revise the existing Community Plan. See the plan here:

http://GHillsNCP.googlepages.com/home

I have placed all the information from the workshops there. Any information not located in the Google web page can be found in the City Planning's New Community Plan Program Web page http://cityplanning.lacity.org/CPU/GranadaHills.html

Zoning Matters
The document that Old Granada Hills constituents employed to neutralize a commercial overbuilding project "Kohls" against billion dollar out-of-state corporations sponsored by our City Councilman, Greig Smith, supported by all our City Council Members and the L.A. Mayor!

GH Specific Plan - http://www.lacity.org/PLN/complan/specplan/sparea/granadahillspage.htm