I just read an article on Inman saying that ranks of real estate staff will thin between 20%-40% by 2010. Real estate folks are dropping out of the busniess in numbers not seen since the 1970’s. Residential real estate has collapsed, and commercial will collapse in the next 6 months, we are seeing that already on some makest. The Case Shiller index showed an 18% yoy drop in residential home values. You may be able to use your skill with a loan modification company, or a company that sells foreclosures, or does collection on defaulted 2nd mortgages—Chase. This would be the worst time ever to try and get into real estate and lending—a time when top people with 20+ yrs of experience are being downsized and laid off. Try health care or education, or check our working for the Gov. Good luck.