I’m going to agree with CAR on this, which is pretty ironic. Ironic because I bought the house I’m living in from my dad (and have the low property taxes that BG and CAR hate so much.)

My neighborhood is very much a neighborhood of more than average “original” or “near original” owners. At least 5 homes on my block are original 1960’s owners who are now in their 80’s. Another 10 or so bought in the 70’s…. so the homes have been paid off for a while, and the owners are retired. Additionally I’m one of 3 owners that bought from parents. You’d think that would make me agree with the argument that BG put forth.

I don’t. My block is very atypical. I do NOT see it repeated elsewhere. The blocks around me are mostly owners of 10 years or less. I’ve seen several drawn out estate sales. The kids did not want or couldn’t agree which child would get their parents house when the parent died. Part of it might be that the children of the original owners are all in their 50’s and 60’s – and have homes of their own that they enjoy… they’re not starting out with young children… most enjoy low property taxes because they bought well before the bubble in their own homes (not parents homes).

Oh and the second generation of owners on my block are all nearing retirement or already retired… and their kids are too young to buy them out.