People can break in, weather can cause damage, things go wrong and no one will know for a period of time.

You just don't want to deal with the costs associated of those actions and take the path of least resistance. 

They resist, want a higher offer, they don't want to sell.

From your post: you used the word defiantly - meaning  in a defiant manner : in a way that is full of or shows a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight (From the dictionary.) 

The leaves are changing and the weather is perfect! 

In an old movie, Willard commanded the Rats to attack people and things like a little Army--I doubt you are commanding any rats.Car outdoors, rats outdoors, seems like part of nature, like the rain and snow.Unless you are secretly commanding your own Rat Army like Willard in the movie.Maybe next time she should buy a more Rat Resistant car because something must draw them to her car--the neighbors cars are not being consumed by Rats.See if the interior is stacked high with old fast food leftovers. 

They have the luxury of weathering a few down months.

They have the luxury of weathering a few down months.

Wealthier investors were better able to weather the storm and many ended up buying up assets at a discount and doing very well.

Now we are seeing institutions foreclosing on landlords who were unable to weather the covid moratorium.