Recession fears along with nationwide housing foreclosures have pushed some homeowners to take drastic and illegal measures.
Looking to cash in on their insurance rather than face foreclosure, some people have committed arson to avoid losing their homes.
Michigan authorities believe 38-year-old Sheryl Christman was one of those people, when she set her home ablaze Sept. 1. Christman was just three days short of foreclosure.
"It didn't look like a typical fire. It didn't look like something that caught on fire. It almost looked ignited," one neighbor said.
Christman, who faces up to 20 years in prison, pleaded no contest in her case and has yet to be sentenced.
"I don't know if she thought she was going to get the insurance money or what," said Tonya Miller, of Nova Star Mortgage Co. "But she won't. … It will go to the mortgage company."