Mortgage lenders are lining up to take their place online--but perhaps no lender has geared its Web site more directly to real estate practitioners than Countrywide Home Loans Inc. Countrywide, with more than 300 branches nationwide, estimates it does business with 80,000-90,000 real estate practitioners.

In November, Today's REALTOR® published a discussion with Mary Chatton Brown, Julie Davis, and Joan Deal--three national leaders in the industry--on their struggles to rise in what was once a male-dominated industry. Here our panelists examine how women have surpassed men in the number of salespeople and brokers and closed the gap in management and ownership.

Like many showing salespeople, you've probably left your card at listings to let sellers know you were in their home. Seems like the courteous thing to do, no? Not according to some.

We asked you to send us your unusual business-related vanity license plates. For many of you, a vanity plate is a marketing tool or a conversation starter. For one appraiser, however, it's a reputation saver. Here are a few standouts.