(4 of 4)
All of this helps explain why people like Stephanie Riggs, 31, of Dallas are following the money. She just switched from working in ad sales to becoming a residential-loan officer. "This is the only section of the economy that's been doing well," she says. "It's gravy days right now in my industry." Yes, it is. And if you're looking for a pin and trouble, don't bother. There's no bubble.
--With reporting by Leslie Berestein/Los Angeles, Adam Pitluk/Dallas, Marcia Pledger/Cleveland and Eric Roston/New York