Homeownership is still sold as the safest rung on the American dream ladder, a place to park your money, build equity and finally exhale. But for Christa Hegedus and Steven Marsicano, that promise came with a price tag they didn’t see coming.
After buying a $465,000 duplex in Detroit’s Midtown in November 2024 with plans to live in one unit and rent out the other, the couple opened their first full property tax bill and found a nearly $20,000 surprise waiting inside.
Even after applying Michigan’s Primary Residence Exemption, which shaved $2,419.22 off the total, their 2025 tax bill landed at $17,267.79, more than they initially put down to buy the home…