Florida

The Internet is loaded with stories now about local and state governments grappling with how to handle row upon row of abandoned houses. They’re passing on property tax increases to those still in their houses and having to figure out how to police abandoned houses to stop the spread of crime to these neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, in Florida, thousands of prospective homeowners can’t buy their houses because of confusion about a Florida tax. The issue is that in Florida there is a transfer tax that is charged when a property is bought. The transfer tax is based on the home’s value.