Realtors Gear Up for National Convention

Realtors may be the ultimate optimists. But can their indefatigable goodwill hold true in a housing market characterized by bad vibes and diminished opportunities? The answer may be found at the National Association of Realtors' annual convention to be held this week in Las Vegas. The venue seems particular apt this year since the gambling mecca suggests a metaphor for today's housing markets: Legions of homeowners try to undo their losing bets on adjustable-rate mortgages while swarms of Realtors pound the pavement in search of evermore elusive buyers and sellers.