Consider the root of the phrase “real estate” where “real” is derived from the same root that gives us the word “royal”, to mean all estates belong to the royal sovreign thus tribute was paid for the privilege of residing there. That’s why property taxes go back before the Founding, not that the concept gains any validity for its long history. Also, just saying...
The “royal” etymology of real estate is not beyond dispute.
Here’s the best comment I’ve found. Apparently the Oxford English Dictionary says the word real in this case derives from “res” (thing), not “rex” (king).
OED isn’t accessible online for free, so I couldn’t check the comment.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/euleta/message/154