The most use I would support in actual town structures would possibly be some sort of high cost player vendor placements in unused/marketplace areas. Not sure how that could pan out but I never want to see a player's home in any city.
In regards to player towns and add-ons, I think that a significant up front gold cost would suit with perhaps weekly upkeep fees. If the add-ons came with an immovable container that any player could deposit gold into, it would make it accommodating to guilds who require their members to provide such upkeep costs. The larger the additions, the larger the fees. Clicking the container/double clicking could give a gump report of fees currently owed and perhaps a balance. In order to avoid someone just lumping down a million gold in pre-payments, do not allow payments/contributions to the add-on container to exceed the current fees due for that week. I dunno, just a thought that would not only give players motivation to play more but keep stagnant player towns from blocking up real estate. I'd even go so far to say that add-ons cannot exceed parameters that would potentially impede further home placement in the area, within reason.
I've also always been a fan of the concept of a housing tax for large properties. Something not too excessive but enough to make it costly to have say, 15 castles. There's room for about 90 castles or so on any standard Britannian map. Perhaps no taxes on your primary home on each account, but each additional home would require taxes be paid regularly. If taxes are not available in the owner's bank account, decay time cuts down to one week. I know the land hoarders wouldn't appreciate it but honestly, there should be a cost for such an action, that is not recoverable by redeeding.
Another edit: I do not support the concept of perma-grey in Buc's. If I'm there to hunt murderers, I should not be subjected to criminal flagging just for being there. I do however think that removing the ability to give murder counts on the entire island would be interesting to see play out.
In regards to player towns and add-ons, I think that a significant up front gold cost would suit with perhaps weekly upkeep fees. If the add-ons came with an immovable container that any player could deposit gold into, it would make it accommodating to guilds who require their members to provide such upkeep costs. The larger the additions, the larger the fees. Clicking the container/double clicking could give a gump report of fees currently owed and perhaps a balance. In order to avoid someone just lumping down a million gold in pre-payments, do not allow payments/contributions to the add-on container to exceed the current fees due for that week. I dunno, just a thought that would not only give players motivation to play more but keep stagnant player towns from blocking up real estate. I'd even go so far to say that add-ons cannot exceed parameters that would potentially impede further home placement in the area, within reason.
I've also always been a fan of the concept of a housing tax for large properties. Something not too excessive but enough to make it costly to have say, 15 castles. There's room for about 90 castles or so on any standard Britannian map. Perhaps no taxes on your primary home on each account, but each additional home would require taxes be paid regularly. If taxes are not available in the owner's bank account, decay time cuts down to one week. I know the land hoarders wouldn't appreciate it but honestly, there should be a cost for such an action, that is not recoverable by redeeding.
Another edit: I do not support the concept of perma-grey in Buc's. If I'm there to hunt murderers, I should not be subjected to criminal flagging just for being there. I do however think that removing the ability to give murder counts on the entire island would be interesting to see play out.