Remodeling jobs wait as new-home construction siphons off builders - 2004-03-28
It took Lu Penn several months to locate a contractor who would remodel her bathroom.

Penn said she called about 20 contractors and couldn't even get a response from some of them before finally getting someone who would take the job.

Compounding the shortage are current low mortgage interest rates and rising local property values, which may have made demand for home improvements higher than ever.
Read the full story at Daily Press

Many jump into real estate jobs amid boom - 2004-03-28
Jon Brodie felt he was sliding into a career rut. The landscaping business he began in high school paid OK but didn't leave much family time, and his lack of a college degree limited career options.

Brodie is among thousands of capital region residents who've jumped into real estate-related jobs over the last few years amid one of history's biggest home-buying and mortgage-refinancing booms.
Read the full story at The Sacramento Bee