With the market in a slump, more and more properties are being left vacant. This is bringing down the neighborhood value in more ways then one. Vacant properties are now prime targets for vandalism, burglary, prostitution, etc. Take for example an 85 bungalow area in Atlanta Georgia, called Westview Village: of those 85 dwelling, 22 are vacant due to mortgage fraud and foreclosure. The area is now being rampaged right and left  with crime. House fires have even been reported.

One resident, Scott Smight, says that, "It's created a safety hazard. And if we have to sell our house tomorrow, we're out of luck," said resident Scott Smith. "Real estate agents say to me 'We're not redlining you, but I tell my clients to think twice about buying here."'

A study done by Dan Immergluck of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and Geoff Smith of the Woodstock Inst. in Chicago shows that for every 1% increase in foreclosure rates, neighborhood violent crime increases by 2.33%.