Foreign-owned homes are a problem for asset acquirers. Vacant homes are a problem for anyone who needs housing. The former seems to get a lot of visibilty when concerns around the latter get raised.
But they pay taxes without demanding any services and the seller assessed they had better use of the capital, they could buy or build a more suitable home.
If I lived in a location with 50% vacant homes all paying property taxes then wouldn’t my schools and streets and all local government services be extremely well funded?
Austrian economics teaches us that restricting foreign investment misinterprets how markets work. Vacant homes signal opportunities for builders, not losses for workers. Investment flows where it’s valued, stimulating demand and construction, not stifling growth. Misallocating housing due to artificial constraints only distorts the market, harming those you aim to help. Let’s not forget, economic growth comes from creating value, not redistributing scarcity.
Sure, property taxes are paid on the house.
But unoccupied homes don't buy groceries and clothes, don't go to restaurants in the local economy.
So they do harm the economy, in the sense that they don't contribute as much to the economy as an occupied home.
Per capita!