I thought this was an interesting article and something that we should all keep in mind especially if you are an investor that has a house that is vacant now.  Take appropriate action to secure your home because vandalism is on the rise and the thieves are going after the copper and the metal.  They will rip everything out and leave your home looking like a bomb blew up in it.  It's a shame that this market has turned into this.  Foreclosures are at an all time high, banks are closing down, short sales are all over the place.  However, there are a lot of opportunities out there for buyers so there is this bright side to this all.  Either way, if you would like to read more about what goes on in these vacant home, click on the link here:  http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/07/22/burglarized.foreclosures/index.html?