Not that I expect an MS store to compete with WalMart, but these first two locations seem to target flush consumers.

From TFA:

It doesn't say how little it costs, but it may not be much more than this. I would think it means it's cheaper for them to buy the homes and raze them than it is to continue with upkeep on roads and utilities where nobody lives.

Besides, if you completely walk away and don't even pay your property tax, the city/county can seize the land and auction it off. Or in this case, maybe hold it to sell later on when and if the region recovers.

I grew up suffering from allergies in Phoenix and I remember reading the various pollen levels in the paper every morning during spring. I could see the different types of pollen levels and decide on whether or not to take my sleep-inducing antihistamines (this was waaay before Claritin and Zyrtec were readily available).

I later read that the local pollen reporting organization was prohibited from reporting the levels of marijuana pollen in the air, even though it often jumped into the top 5. I don't think I'm allergic to bud pollen, but I felt bad for those who were.