Where are opportunities arising for real estate brokers?

The financial crisis and the downturn of the real estate industry have left entrepreneurs new opportunities to start again in a better way and I think that changing the way we see the market and how we operate could be interesting to overcome that, make it better and be prepared for future crisis that may come or not.

What I´d like to know the most is what have changed in the minds of most of the business people involved in this industry to make now better business? What mistakes you can´t make again? Would you say that there is a luck of research and development towards being more prepared and making smarter business?

Which are the States where real estate is arising the most?

I would appreciate every piece of advice or resources you could provide me! :)