I have no idea how long he has lived there, but 30 years ago it was a 2-300K house at most. He’s been in DC long enough that it is easily possible for him to own a “modest” million dollar home.
DC has a neat arrangement where if you do not pay your property tax, the note is sold at public auction. The city gets paid up front and the deadbeat gets to pay additional fees and interest. If the deadbeat fails to clear the tax lien the property can turn over to the lien holder. The process takes a few years, but works well.
I see...