In most places in the US (california being a notable exception) taxes are reassessed regularly based on market conditions. In some areas this can result in the

In most places in the US (california being a notable exception) taxes are reassessed regularly based on market conditions. In some areas this can result in the property taxes rising to an appreciable fraction of the mortgage rate - or in the GPs case, what the mortgage would have been, if they hadnt paid it off already.