MSN - "Jump ship or pink slip for some realtors" (9-17-06)

"They are jumping ship or receiving the pink slip. America's real estate agents and mortgage lenders, that is."

"Real estate industry job cut announcements totaled 3,033 year-to-date through August, a nearly 96 percent surge over the same period in 2005, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., an employment consulting firm based in Chicago."

"The mortgage lending industry has not fared much better, with layoff announcements totaling 8,513 during the same period, a rise of over 70 percent year-over-year, according to data provided by the company."