The apartment complex pays double the tax homesteads do.I'm pretty sure apartment complexes use more "government" than a homesteader. Some apt.s probably use A LOT more.
Part of that is protecting your property and improvements from the dwellers of the apartment complexes that “use A LOT more”.Also, assessment is largely based on land and improvements to the land. Me, spending my money, improving my land costs the government nothing.
The assessment process does account for the quality of materials used.Further, assessment don't account for the actual value a home might/might not have such as the materials, effeciencies, etc.
As I have said repeatedly, the tax is not on any income or wealth gain from the property, that is dealt with when it is sold, the assessment is a measure to determine the owners part of government services.Finally, while land may hold intrinsic value, unless the land is sold or borrowed against, the value is in the land, not the pocket of the land owners.
Big Red is right, the feds provide very little for what they take, the locals at least provide services one can see…