This idea did not work out- it turns out brokers on the other side were so opposed to what I was doing that it undercut several deals and I abandoned this model.Hoping to salvage all that time I put in, I thought I'd act as a buyer's agent for other investors for deals that weren't quite right for me.

I would add that when we rent to a single person, we include this clause in the agreement:In the event of abandonment, arrest or death, the following person has the authority to decide when to terminate tenancy and how to store/distribute my belongings:Name: ____________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________Phone #: ____________________________________________________This helps us to move along faster after such an event, and know that are are following their wishes.

I wrote off almost $10k on my taxes last year in legitimate charitable donations from things abandoned in my properties. 

That would be very situation dependent.Vacant, no one there:  Owner uses it as a vacation or part time home (likely want to keep) vs. owner passed away property is in probate (likely will be sold eventually) vs. owner transferred to new job (likely to be sold) vs. abandoned (likely to be sold).Vacant, someone is there:  Owner is an invertor, rental property (may sell if the price is right) vs. owner has dependent relatives who live there (not likely to sell) vs. squatters took the place over (likely will sell)My guess that most of these 'occupied' properties will be investment properties with renters. 

I bought a house at Foreclosure and there is an abandoned boat on the property.

I bought an unlocated parcel, abandoned by the owner, after research and survey sold the property for more than 60 times what I paid or a 6,000% return. 

When you see actual vacancy rates in the high teens and presented to you as 5% which you will, take another look at that hood again as you might notice the boarded up and abandon stuff falls right in place now.

All that is often because as was already mentioned, some elected official (of which we have WIDELY varying ones here) got some idea themselves or from whoever in the community or found out what other cities had done (stupidly) and they copy it and guess what, now we have a whole swath of the city where we have a massive number of abandoned homes that make no financial sense but to bulldoze!

The burden of proof is on the party moving for a finding of abandonment, with a strong presumption against a finding that would cut off an owner defendant’s redemption right.

As a lifelong Chicago area resident, I often wonder when Cub fans will abandon them in protest.