text: in real estate what does a special assessment and a easement in gross have in common?   they are both for the betterment of the area or neighborhood..nice roads, gutters, curbing, lighting..both are monthly expenses (that will be added into the payment usually lasting 10-15 years) a home owner can expect to pay when they buy (usually a new home but can also happen in older areas that are having improvements done to them) a house..