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Thanks for the fantastic summary. I got a chuckle from one thing: besides the nearest RV park being 43 miles away (I believe I know exactly the one you're referring to), it's also about 12 miles of country road driving, and it's no picnic in rush hour.

I hadn't thought at all about back taxes. That's an interesting point and one that I think could be overcome, but I'm not a lawyer.

why have none of the people selling these properties gone to the trouble to get the rates fixed and adjusted for past taxes

I believe I can take a stab at this. The SEV is not able to be corrected until after the home is purchased and the state assessment is done. When I bought my first home, my father referred to it as the "surprise envelope" (as in, "You may already have won the Publisher's Clearing House!"). The back taxes situation is something you can research and can insure against (though, I'm willing to bet it's far more costly in the city limits). But I think you summed it up the best. Who would want to go through this trouble? You did the research and drew the conclusion that it wasn't worth it. Once you have to bring a lawyer in, unless they're doing so for charitable reasons (and I know a few that do just this), it's not worth the money. Even free, it's not worth the time fighting the assessment/treasury.

Detroit has its charms but nothing to make up for the brokenness of the city

Yes. And I'm sad to say that I completely agree with you.

EDIT: The RV park is 43 miles away was a quote from the original and I forgot to add emphasis to that point so it seemed like I was quoting much more than I was.