Falling Real Estate Values are devastating to a system dependant on stable or appreciating values.
Here we go again. Tahoe region will have "vacancy tax" on the ballot soon.
The proponents are arguing those who have vacation homes don't visit often enough, don't spend money on local businesses, and on and on. Yet if you have been to Tahoe in summertime, you know the vehicle traffic overwhelms the road system in many areas. Not to mention the infrastructure is sized for the current demand. The unquenchable quest for more tax collection continues.
The model for this new tax is Berkeley, CA-- which has a $3,000 first year penalty if a property is not 100% owner occupied. Then $6,000 the next year. Q- why not just have the housing authority declare an emergency, seize the private property, and put it under government control? Has owning a vacation cabin gone from the American dream to its nightmare equivalent of fending off local governments?
Here is my prediction: if all of the housing in Tahoe became occupied full time, there would be massive traffic problems all year around, and infrastructure problems with delivery of water, power, and processing of sewage. And all these newly created crises would require the same solution: further government taxation to handle and solve!
Tahoe is an absolutely beautiful part of the country, unlike no other. It already has crowing problems that detract from this. A long battle has been underway to reverse the impressive visibility in Lake Tahoe's water-- which has been declining for decades due to development.
I can't imaging ruining it with a significant boost in population.
According to the 2022 census, 44% of homes in South Lake Tahoe sit vacant the majority of the year
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