Thanks for your response, Kym.  As for the industry “drying up”, I don’t see that happening in the foreseeable future.  In fact, eastern Ohio is now starting to see a lot of activity because of interest in the Utica Shale, a larger formation lying thousands of feet below Marcellus.  Besides, it is the residential clients who have “cut off” the independent abstractor by undercutting prices and stiffing their vendors, not the other way around.  Frankly, I have a lot of admiration for those who have stuck to their guns and been able to remain competitive in spite of all that.  But, yeah, you’re right, there are plenty of die-hards out there who refuse to adapt and are willing to settle for taking on $5 searches for which they may or may not get paid.

Regards,
Scott Perry