Vacant Property Tax or Listing Tax ?!

Does that idiot think we like having vacant properties? Perhaps they should instead focus on some incentives to help bring in some occupants.

James, I saw that this morning and thought yikes!  I'll have to go around the corner and knock on his door and give that young man a piece of my mind!

I could not agree more- clearly the original intent was to try to keep homes from sitting empty and becoming 1. an eyesore 2. a place for criminals/vagrants to hang out. 3. unsightly, un-cared for landscaping, trim, etc. A home that is being actively marketed for sale, with a sign out front should be considered occupied for purposes of the proposed tax. An active listing is "occupied" frequently by stagers, realtors and their clients. Such a home is not only not going to fall into further disrepair in most cases, on the contrary, it is likely to be "spruced up" for sale and then taken care of by new owners. Doesn't DC want to facilitate this, rather than make life harder for sellers?

James - I am always amazed at the various things government thinks up so that they can tax us!

There has always been something of that nature.  They used to change the tax status of the property where the owner was paying a higher tax rate for the unoccupied property.  Guess that isn't raising enough money.  I bet the banks with vacant foreclosures aren't going to like that!

James...came across for my "Beagle fix" and after reading this I had an apoplexy fit; on my way to the ER just as soon as I finish typing this, and washing my hair, changing my clothes [tore out too much carpet etc today] & getting my blood pressure under control.  All THAT & I don't even live in D.C.   Hopefully, our Gov. [2 penny Jennie] Granholm won't get wind of this & attempt a State-wide tax.  She has proposed taxing services including Real Estate professionals--all of them---to date, this has not been passed by our state legislature.  Good luck to all of you in D.C.
Anyway, I did still get my smile from your Beagle's face--love that dog.
Barb