Unfortunately the people that seem to be leaving the abstracting occupation in this area are the experienced abstractors that refuse to drop their prices. The current climate of reliance on title plants, outsourcing and low ball competition have made other areas of endevour more attractive to them. It appears to be an area in which the VM's and low ball abstractors will thrive until the claims against them start to surface.  I think that eventually the industry is going to be reduced to production of a substandard product for incredibly low rates. This seems to be what the VM's, cut rate abstractors and outsourcing mega title companies want. It is becoming an environment in which the rational individual would not want to remain.