You know what's even more sad? When someone buys a house within their means, plans for retirement, is retired and living on their savings, then get taxed out of their home because the area they bought in 50 years ago has built up around them and become the "In" place to be. I despise property taxes based on some artificial "assessed" value. The home does not make the owner any money until it is sold. Only at that time is a monetary value accurately reflected for the property, and only at that time does the owner receive any monetary value for their property. It is absolute bullshit to be taxed on some fictional "increase" in value of your property when it is actually puts $0 in your pocket until you agree to sell it. Then it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Fucking bullshit is what it is!