One way to off set this is to charge more for the rental if they don't want to do some sore of rent credit/rent to own sort of thing.  

I currently live in the Bay so RE is way too expensive to invest in at this time.

In this market, the inventory is sorely/desperately needed - and I wish those sellers well. 

#1 in particular is a sore spot for me at the moment.

cool, considering 1 IN 3 AMERICANS has or has had an alcohol abuse disorder!

I think the instances where they break into REO is higher if a crappy agent and/or preservation specialists makes the property stick out like a sore thumb for any criminal driving by to look at it and say, "Hmmm...looks like an REO.

I think what happens though is if you have a lull or leveling off and a small retreat then the sentiment goes I am going to wait for it to bottom.. so fence sitters get a sore butt either way.. waiting for it to bust or wont pull the trigger until they are darn sure it bottomed out. 

I have a suspicion we are sorely lacking in GCs around here,so an extra welcome to you.

If you feel like you're being mean, then lookup some resources for homeless or displaced women in your area and provide that resource to her and tell her you empathize with her.I don't know this persons story but it could be anything from true, to having personal life drama that you dont want in your rental, there could be illegal activities/drug use involved (pressured speech, confabulation of wild stories) or perhaps just unfortunate uncontrolled mental health disorder.

Houses that sit vacant can be an eye sore and attract crime to communities.