The building has been dilapidated/abandoned since around 2001 or so.

I have seen the opposite affect also, you'll see an area that looks ok in a crime map but then you see the area in person and realize there's abandoned falling down properties and trash filled empty lots and maybe there's no crime reported because people are too afraid to go there, lol.

I paid one for the first property when I had the tenant abandon it.

I've abandoned some markets for the same reason.

Some of the cities James Wise mentioned above tear down more abandon vacant houses than the immediate area will build. 

Now as someone who specializes in vacant and abandoned properties I'll offer some suggestions as what NOT to ask:1) Don't come off like a bill collector by asking "yes can I speak with Mr.

With small businesses having 12-24 months of recovery ahead, that could cause them to be in the red each month...not raise wages...i.e. people have even less money than before. ...if commercial prices go into a recession, which could cause commercial properties to sit abandoned and not be enticing for new tenants. 

Maybe heating abandoned buildings, purchasing out dated buildings via Imminent domain, or hiring local property managers to lease out units on behalf of the government would be potential solutions.

As a Realtor working with investors, I frequently go into abandoned properties. 

One reason why I've abandoned that strategy.