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Homepages - Residential Property UK, UK property, Estate agents, UK property sales sell your home with homepages for 50 my email alerts mortgage quote market news help Home Club Investment Homes & Property Property Search Mortgage Quote My Email Alerts Moving Checklist Mega Search -- Market News Buyers Guide Sellers Guide Personal Finance Help & Reference Our Agents Agent Services Our Service Login Contact Us Help WAP Wap search Help Key Partners homepages.co.uk © 2003 moneyextra plc group. Advertise Our Awards Terms of Use Sales: 01494 865563 Property to Buy where: price: beds: Advanced rental properties on -- Moving Home? We have collected together the very best of on-line services for homebuyers including : sell your home for just 50+vat rent your home out with Homepages for 25 quick and easy household insurance online find a better mortgage find an on-line surveyor get a removals quote get the House Doctor in check the area you are moving to The Homepages database properties and -- was last updated on . Check our coverage map for the areas we currently cover - we have tens of thousands of properties from Lands End to John O'Groats, or browse our properties. We have a Help page for full details about all the services on this site. Selling your own home for 50+vat Have you decided that you want to sell your home yourself? We offer a straight-forward fixed-fee property advertising service for 50+vat. Fill in our online form to register your property . Full details on our service are available here . Mortgages Hunting for the best deal? Look no further - compare mortgages from 120 lenders on our mortgage pages. Rates are updated constantly and you can search according to your own specific criteria Interested in being on the telly? RDF Media, the producers of Wife Swap and Faking it are currently looking for people to take part in their newBBC property show Come Buy With Me. If you ever thought about buying a property with someone else but haventfound the perfect person yet, we will help you. The Come Buy With Me team will select and match you up with asuitable property partner as well as find you a great new home. Please e-mail Beatrice or Beth on ComeBuyWithMe@rdfmedia.com or call on 020 7013 4517.They look forward to hearing from you. Homebuyers calculator Calculate how much you can borrow with our Homebuyers calculator or check on your insurance costs with our Home Insurance calculator Guides to Moving Home Some guides to help you through the minefield that is buying your home The state of the property market Buying your own home Selling your home A moving home checklist About us: Homepages Our services for estate agents Help in using Homepages Saving Money Moving Home We have collected together all sorts of on-line help to save you time, effort and money when moving home On-line solicitors On-line surveyors On-line removals firms On-line household insurance A moving home checklist A service to house hunt for you Get your house in order Improve your new property Some books to help with moving These books have proved popular with visitors to our site and provide the background information you need when moving home. Click to buy online Homepages is now available on PDAs Homepages is available on your PDA, including Palm Pilots . Click here for more information , or just point your browser at http://www.homepages.co.uk/pda/ . Our WAP Portal Homepages is available on your mobile phone. Set up a bookmark to http://wap.homepages.co.uk/ or click for more information . Featured properties Click photo for details       !-- vote begins -- Have Your Say Which sort of mortgage do you think offers the best deal for homebuyers? Endowment Interest only Variable rate repayment Fixed rate repayment Depends on personal circumstances !-- vote ends -- WordSearch Enter your query below to search for properties containing the word: TextSearch Enter your text below to search the site for pages containing the words: Visitor Comments We welcome on our website This site is powered by Homepages in association with moneyextra.com. moneyextra is provided by Moneyextra Limited which is an appointed representative of Chase de Vere Investments PLC. Chase de Vere Investments PLC is an independent intermediary regulated by the Personal Investment Authority. The PIA does not regulate mortgages, current or deposit accounts, credit cards, loans and general and medical insurance.
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CBA Home Equity Lending Conference Home Equity Lending Conference September 18 - 21, 2005 NEW LOCATION: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Phoenix, AZ Hotel reservations already completed are being transferred from the Sheraton New Orleans to the JW Marriott. Reservations can be confirmed by calling 1-800-898-4527 . who should attend Product Managers Product Development Managers Marketing Professionals Product Delivery Specialists Retail Banking Officers Credit Risk Officers Consumer Credit Officers Compliance Officers Technology Professionals membership policy Attendance at this conference is open to CBA Corporate, Holding Company Affiliate, National Associate, or Home Equity Associate Members. Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities are open ONLY to Corporate, National Associate, or Home Equity Associate Members. *Non-members may attend this conference, but must be federally-insured banking institutions. If you would like to become a CBA member, please click here or call the Membership Department at 703-276-3878. Conference Exhibit & Sponsorship Opportunities Conference Brochure overview Home equity loans comprise one of the core consumer loan products for most financial institutions, but competition is continually changing the landscape and profit outlook. Our conference provides home equity professionals with both strategic insight and practical solutions to such pressing issues as the integration of market segments, partnerships and alliances, value-added uses of technology, and creating customer value. financial institutions in attendance in past years 3S/RealServ ABN AMRO Accudata Search AEACU AMCO AMS AmSouth Bank APPRO Systems, Inc. ARGO Data Resource Corporation Arvest Bank Associated Bank ATM Corporation of America Bank of America Bank of Hawaii Bank of New York, Delaware Bank of Stockton Bank of The West Bank One Bankers Systems, Inc. Banknorth, N.A. Banton Technologies Basis100 BB&T BenchMark Consulting International C & S Marketing CEFCU Centex Home Equity Charles Schwab Bank Charter One Bank Chase Home Finance Chevy Chase Bank CIBC Citibank Citigroup Citizens Bank Cohane Rafferty Comerica Bank Commerce Bank, N.A." Commercial Federal Bank Community Bank of Florida Compass Bank Comptroller of the Currency Consumer Marketing Services Counselor Library.com LLC/Hudson Cook LLP Countrywide, FSC Credit Lenders Service Agency, Inc. Data Search DataQuick Decisions Strategies International Discover Financial Services, Inc. Document Assistance Company Dorado Corporation E*Trade Bank Eastern Bank Exchange Bank Exchange National Bank Express Financial Services Farmers First Bank Federal Flood Certification Corporation Fifth Third Bank Financial Marketing Systems First American Bank First American CMSI First American Equity Loan Services, Inc. First Citizens Bank First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Bucks County First Horizon Equity Lending First Interstate Bank First Niagara Bank First Tennessee Bank, N.A." FleetBoston Financial Corporation FNC, Inc. FNIS Market Intelligence Fort Knox National Bank Frost National Bank GB Home Equity, LLC General American Corporation Geotrac Goodwin Procter LLP Group9, Inc. Guaranty Bank, FSB Harris Bank Hibernia National Bank Household HSBC Mortgage Corporation USA Hudson United Bancorp Hughes, Watters & Askanase, LLP Huntington National Bank IndyMac Bank Informa Research Services, Inc. Integra Bank Integrated Loan Services JPMorganChase KeyBank National Association LandAmerica OneStop Lehman Bank LendingTree LoanPerformance LoanPro, LLC London Bridge Group M & T Bank Mortgage Information Services, Inc. Mortgage Lenders Network, USA National City Bank National Equity Services North Shore Bank Old Republic Insured Credit Services, Inc. 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Volkswagen Bank USA Wachovia Corporation Washington Federal Savings Bank Washington Mutual Webster Bank Wells Fargo Bank Zions fees & registration deadlines CBA Member Non-Member Pre-registered $1,245 $1,545 On-site $1,345 $1,645 Spouse/Guest Fee $ 1 9 5 $ 1 9 5 *registration fee includes three continental breakfasts, two luncheons, three cocktail receptions, and refreshment breaks. hotel accommodations Hotel reservations already completed are in the process of being transferred from the Sheraton New Orleans to the JW Marriott. As soon as this is completed, an 800 number will be provided on this site to allow confirmation of reservations. Please wait until that number is available to confirm.
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Manage the moving and relocation process with Moving.com Find a Mover Truck Rental Moving Boxes and Supplies Moving Tools Advice & Articles Mortgage Rates & Quotes Mortgage Commentary Tools & Calculators Advice & Articles Find an Agent Apartment Rentals Roommate Search Home Purchasing Tools Articles & Advice Storage Facilities Truck Rental Packing Supplies Advice & Articles Site Map | Create an Account | Login I need help with: - Select Move Type - ----------------------- Full Service Self-Service Auto Transport International Office Piano Art & Antiques Labor Only Truck Rental I'm moving on Date : Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2005 2006 I'm moving FROM : - Select a Country - ----------------------- United States Canada Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaidjan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bolivia Bosnia-Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Congo Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Greenland Guadeloupe (French) Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Martinique (French) Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Moldavia Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar - 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Real estate brokers and sales agents Skip Navigation Links Latest Numbers U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov Search the Handbook BLS Home | OOH Home | Frequently Asked Questions | A-Z Index | Contact Us Printer-friendly version ( HTML ) -- PDF ) -- Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents Nature of the Work Working Conditions Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Employment Job Outlook Earnings Related Occupations Sources of Additional Information Significant Points Real estate brokers and sales agents often work evenings and weekends and usually are on call to suit the needs of clients. A license is required in every State and the District of Columbia. Although gaining a job may be relatively easy, beginning workers may face competition fromwell-established, more experienced agents and brokers in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Employment is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates; during periodsof declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resultingdemand for sales workers fall. Nature of the Work [ About this section ] Back to Top One of the most complex and significant financial events in peoples lives is the purchase or sale of a home or investment property. Because of this complexity and significance, people typically seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling real estate. Real estate brokers and sales agents have a thorough knowledge of the real estate market in their communities. They know which neighborhoods will best fit clients needs and budgets. They are familiar with local zoning and tax laws and know where to obtain financing. Agents and brokers also act as intermediaries in price negotiations between buyers and sellers. Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agents sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage properties for a fee. When selling real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers during which the details of the transactions are agreed upon and the new owners take possession of the property. A broker may help to arrange favorable financing from a lender for the prospective buyer; often, this makes the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. In some cases, brokers and agents assume primary responsibility for closing sales; in others, lawyers or lenders do. Brokers supervise agents who may have many of the same job duties. Brokers also supervise their own offices, advertise properties, and handle other business matters. Some combine other types of work, such as selling insurance or practicing law, with their real estate business. Besides making sales, agents and brokers must have properties to sell. Consequently, they spend a significant amount of time obtaining listingsagreements by owners to place properties for sale with the firm. When listing a property for sale, agents and brokers compare the listed property with similar properties that recently sold, in order to determine a competitive market price for the property. Once the property is sold, both the agent who sold it and the agent who obtained the listing receive a portion of the commission. Thus, agents who sell a property that they themselves have listed can increase their commission. Most real estate brokers and sales agents sell residential property. A small numberusually employed in large or specialized firmssell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. Selling or leasing business property requires an understanding of leasing practices, business trends, and the location of the property. Agents who sell or lease industrial properties must know about the regions transportation, utilities, and labor supply. Whatever the type of property, the agent or broker must know how to meet the clients particular requirements. Before showing residential properties to potential buyers, agents meet with them to get a feeling for the type of home the buyers would like. In this prequalifying phase, the agent determines how much the buyers can afford to spend. In addition, the agent and the buyer usually sign a loyalty contract which states that the agent will be the only one to show houses to buyers. An agent or broker then generates lists of properties for sale, their location and description, and available sources of financing. In some cases, agents and brokers use computers to give buyers a virtual tour of properties in which they are interested. With a computer, buyers can view interior and exterior images or floor plans without leaving the real estate office. Agents may meet several times with prospective buyers to discuss and visit available properties. Agents identify and emphasize the most pertinent selling points. To a young family looking for a house, they may emphasize the convenient floor plan, the areas low crime rate, and the proximity to schools and shopping centers. To a potential investor, they may point out the tax advantages of owning a rental property and the ease of finding a renter. If bargaining over price becomes necessary, agents must follow their clients instructions carefully and may have to present counteroffers in order to get the best possible price. Once both parties have signed the contract, the real estate broker or agent must make sure that all special terms of the contract are met before the closing date. For example, the agent must make sure that the mandated and agreed-upon inspections, including that of the home and termite and radon inspections, take place. Also, if the seller agrees to any repairs, the broker or agent must see that they are made. Increasingly, brokers and agents are handling environmental problems as well, by making sure that the properties they sell meet environmental regulations. For example, they may be responsible for dealing with lead paint on the walls. While loan officers, attorneys, or other persons handle many details, the agent must ensure that they are carried out. Working Conditions [ About this section ] Back to Top Advances in telecommunications and the ability to retrieve data about properties over the Internet allow many real estate brokers and sales agents to work out of their homes instead of real estate offices. Even with this convenience, much of the time of these workers is spent away from their desksshowing properties to customers, analyzing properties for sale, meeting with prospective clients, or researching the state of the market. Agents and brokers often work more than a standard 40-hour week. They usually work evenings and weekends and are always on call to suit the needs of clients. Although the hours are long and frequently irregular, most agents and brokers have the freedom to determine their own schedule. Consequently, they can arrange their work so that they can have time off when they want it. Business usually is slower during the winter season. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement [ About this section ] Back to Top In every State and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. Prospective agents must be high school graduates, be at least 18 years old, and pass a written test. The examinationmore comprehensive for brokers than for agentsincludes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. Most States require candidates for the general sales license to complete between 30 and 90 hours of classroom instruction. Those seeking a brokers license need between 60 and 90 hours of formal training and a specific amount of experience selling real estate, usually 1 to 3 years. Some States waive the experience requirements for the brokers license for applicants who have a bachelors degree in real estate. State licenses typically must be renewed every 1 or 2 years; usually, no examination needs to be taken. However, many States require continuing education for license renewals. Prospective agents and brokers should contact the real estate licensing commission of the State in which they wish to work in order to verify the exact licensing requirements. As real estate transactions have become more legally complex, many firms have turned to college graduates to fill positions. A large number of agents and brokers have some college training. College courses in real estate, finance, business administration, statistics, economics, law, and English are helpful. For those who intend to start their own company, business courses such as marketing and accounting are as significant as courses in real estate or finance. Personality traits are equally as important as ones academic background. Brokers look for applicants who possess a pleasant personality, are honest, and present a neat appearance. Maturity, good judgment, trustworthiness, and enthusiasm for the job are required in order to encourage prospective customers in this highly competitive field. Agents should be well organized, be detail oriented, and have a good memory for names, faces, and business particulars. Those interested in jobs as real estate agents often begin in their own communities. Their knowledge of local neighborhoods is a clear advantage. Under the direction of an experienced agent, beginners learn the practical aspects of the job, including the use of computers to locate or list available properties and identify sources of financing. Many firms offer formal training programs for both beginners and experienced agents. Larger firms usually offer more extensive programs than smaller firms. More than a thousand universities, colleges, and junior colleges offer courses in real estate. At some, a student can earn an associates or bachelors degree with a major in real estate; several offer advanced degrees. Many local real estate associations that are members of the National Association of Realtors sponsor courses covering the fundamentals and legal aspects of the field. Advanced courses in mortgage financing, property development and management, and other subjects also are available. Advancement opportunities for agents may take the form of higher rates of commission. As agents gain knowledge and expertise, they become more efficient in closing a greater number of transactions and increase their earnings. In many large firms, experienced agents can advance to sales manager or general manager. Persons who have received their brokers license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and people familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. (See the Handbook statements on property, real estate, and community association managers ; and appraisers and assessors of real estate . ) Experienced agents and brokers with a thorough knowledge of business conditions and property values in their localities may enter mortgage financing or real estate investment counseling. Employment [ About this section ] Back to Top In 2004, real estate brokers and sales agents held about 460,000 jobs; real estate sales agents held approximately 24 percent of these jobs. Many worked part time, combining their real estate activities with other careers. About 6 out of 10 real estate agents and brokers were self-employed. Real estate is sold in all areas, but employment is concentrated in large urban areas and in rapidly growing communities. Most real estate firms are relatively small; indeed, some are one-person businesses. By contrast, some large real estate firms have several hundred agents operating out of numerous branch offices. Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate organizations. Under this type of arrangement, the broker pays a fee in exchange for the privilege of using the more widely known name of the parent organization. Although franchised brokers often receive help in training sales staff and running their offices, they bear the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of their firms. Real estate brokers and sales agents are older, on average, than most other workers. Historically, many homemakers and retired persons were attracted to real estate sales by the flexible and part-time work schedules characteristic of the field. These individuals could enter, leave, and later return to the occupation, depending on the strength of the real estate market, their family responsibilities, or other personal circumstances. Recently, however, the attractiveness of part-time real estate work has declined, as increasingly complex legal and technological requirements are raising startup costs associated with becoming an agent. Job Outlook [ About this section ] Back to Top Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014, because of the increasing housing needs of a growing population, as well as the perception that real estate is a good investment. Relatively low interest rates should continue to stimulate sales of real estate, resulting in the need for more agents and brokers. In addition, a large number of job openings will arise each year from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. However, job growth will be somewhat limited by the increasing use of technology, which is improving the productivity of agents and brokers. For example, prospective customers often can perform their own searches for properties that meet their criteria by accessing real estate information on the Internet. The increasing use of technology is likely to be more detrimental to part-time or temporary real estate agents than to full-time agents, because part-time agents generally are not able to compete with full-time agents who have invested in new technology. Changing legal requirements, such as disclosure laws, also may dissuade some who are not serious about practicing full time from continuing to work part time. This occupation is relatively easy to enter and is attractive because of its flexible working conditions; the high interest in, and familiarity with, local real estate markets that entrants often have; and the potential for high earnings. Therefore, although gaining a job as a real estate agent or broker may be relatively easy, beginning agents and brokers may face competition from their well-established, more experienced counterparts in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Well-trained, ambitious people who enjoy sellingparticularly those with extensive social and business connections in their communitiesshould have the best chance for success. Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents often is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates. During periods of declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resulting demand for sales workers falls. As a result, the earnings of agents and brokers decline, and many work fewer hours or leave the occupation altogether. Earnings [ About this section ] Back to Top The median annual earnings of salaried real estate sales agents, including commissions, were $35,670 in May 2004.The middle 50 percent earned between $23,500 and $58,110 a year.The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,770.Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of real estate sales agents in May 2004 were as follows: Residential building construction $54,770 Offices of real estate agents and brokers 37,970 Activities related to real estate 32,460 Lessors of real estate 25,840 Median annual earnings of salaried real estate brokers, including commission, were $58,720in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,480 and $99,820 a year.Median annual earning of real estate brokers were $61,550 in offices of real estateagents and brokers and $44,920 in activities related to real estate. Commissions on sales are the main source of earnings of real estate agents and brokers.The rate of commission varies according to whatever the agent and broker agree on, the typeof property, and its value. The percentage paid on the sale of farm and commercialproperties or unimproved land is typically higher than the percentage paid for selling a home. Commissions may be divided among several agents and brokers. When the property issold, the broker or agent who obtained the listing usually shares the commission with thebroker or agent who made the sale and with the firm that employs each of them. Although anagents share varies greatly from one firm to another, often it is about half of the totalamount received by the firm. Agents who both list and sell a property maximize their commission. Income usually increases as an agent gains experience, but individual motivation,economic conditions, and the type and location of the property also affect earnings.Sales workers who are active in community organizations and in local real estate associationscan broaden their contacts and increase their earnings. A beginners earnings often areirregular, because a few weeks or even months may go by without a sale. Although some brokersallow an agent to draw against future earnings from a special account, the practice is notcommon with new employees. The beginner, therefore, should have enough money to live forabout 6 months or until commissions increase. Related Occupations [ About this section ] Back to Top Selling expensive items such as homes requires maturity, tact, and a sense of responsibility.Other sales workers who find these character traits important in their workinclude insurance sales agents ; retail salespersons ; sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ; and securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents .Although not involving sales, the work of property, real estate, and community association managers ,as well as appraisers and assessors of real estate, requires an understanding of real estate. Sources of Additional Information [ About this section ] Back to Top Disclaimer: Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Information on licensing requirements for real estate brokers and sales agents is available from most local real estate organizations or from the State real estate commission or board. More information about opportunities in real estate is available on the Internet site of the following organization: National Association of Realtors. Internet: http://www.realtor.org OOH ONET Codes [ About this section ] Back to Top 41-9021.00, 41-9022.00 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2006-07 Edition , Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents , on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ ocos120.htm (visited December 29, 2005 ). Last Modified Date: December 20, 2005 Occupations: Management | Professional | Service | Sales | Administrative | Farming | Construction | Installation | Production | Transportation | Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs | OOH Reprints | Important Info | How to Order a Copy | Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries | Career articles from the OOQ | Employment Projections | Publications Home | BLS Home Back to Top www.dol.gov Frequently Asked Questions | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy & Security Statement | Linking to Our Site | Accessibility U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections Suite 2135 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20212-0001 URL: http://www.bls.gov/OCO/ Phone: (202) 691-5700 Fax: (202) 691-5745 Do you have a question about the Occupational Outlook Handbook ? Technical (web) questions: webmaster@bls.gov Other comments: feedback@bls.gov Occupations: Management Professional Service Sales Administrative Farming Construction Installation Production Transportation Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs OOH Reprints Important Info How to Order a Copy Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries Career articles from the OOQ Employment Projections Publications Home BLS Home