I like helping people and if I can't do real estate...I would probably just do charitable work and help out with fundraisers.

I would manage my personal rentals, consult on new home building and flip houses. I do all of that with a license so why change?

When I was young I designed and marketed a stategy game (FRP) with some friends.  It is still regarded as a minor and rare classic by some.  We made a lot of mistakes but did something cool too.   I would love to design games.  (not computer).  

I would try my hand at photography.... making beautiful moments in Alaska available to all...

I would retire permanently, hopefully above ground. LOL.

I own a 300 acre farm, would be growing something, marketing it. this real estate gig of 35 years I got into early does not feel like a job. More a sport, passion, hobby. The income is the secondary gain. The neat people, helping them is the carrot for this pony.

I would keep doing what I'm doing because even though I sell 100+ homes a year, real estate is really my job on the side. My real job is one of doing nothing. I can do nothing very well. Doing nothing is difficult and doing nothing well is an art. And, sometimes I write.

My license expired in 2012 and I still sell real estate, even though I take my renewal classes to stay current, our state doesn't process licenses quickly. No consequences either. It's a good feature for me because I follow what little rules we have. Buyers are better served with me, as oppsed to the "coyotes" (unlicensed agents that do not belong to our association)

If I gave up my licensing, I would continue doing training on our MLS system and Point 2 Agent websites, and general sales training I offer, as I do now, in between sales. 

Cool post/question

Prosecute all licensees who committed fraud or aided in abetted in it. That could keep me very busy.

I would attach a world map to a dartboard.  Throw the dart, and go wherever it landed.  That would take care of my children's inheritance. 

I would just be grandpa.

professional Fisherman.  But I would probably starve so I would be in some kind of a contruction trade.  I do some odd jobs now and I enjoy it.  That is also what allowed me to continue in this Profession when things got real slow.

Not sure.

I would find another sales job. I love putting together a deal!

Open up a Veterans service organization.

Teach at a College or University. I will do it in about 10 years. 

David,

I noticed you got 99 answers. Congratulations on most popular questions in  A&Q.

I have always thought it would be neat to work the nuts and bolts aisle at Home Depot.

Sit around all day with David Saks and talk music

Interesting question. I'd do GREEN fix and flips and not work with clients.  Of course that might be difficult since I'd still have a license!

 "Rubicund", David Saks? Quite a word I must say while looking in the mirror. I see you are an educator in the field. We need more of you for the curious and fewer of the marketers to the innocent ;-)

I would sell marketing services to real estate agent. They are a most gullible lot.

I thought it was impossible to retire from real estate? You're either 'IN' or dead.

I would like to ride a horse cross country but that's no longer possible.

I would probably settle down on some acreage with horses and maybe a couple of other animals such as goats and chickens, along with gardening.  I would also continue volunteering my time at various equestrian events as well as helping out the agricultural community.

Brigita

Since were talking, I would continue to Coach High School Varsity Golf and rent Jet Skies on a beach.  Since were just thing ----That will never happen. 

Traveling, gardening, and still helping people in other ways.

advocate for seniors in nursing homes that are getting shoved to the side daily..no voice, no family..way too much of it.

DAvid - boy this is inherently provocative! To be honest, I'd probably perfect my photography, take more personal time with my husband, do yoga, do more training for running races, and travel and take cooking classes all over the world!

Drive my husband crazy....Just kidding!

If I have to give up real estate....I would go volunteer in sales/marketing/public communication department for a charity. There are so many local charity under funded it would be a great energy to help them thrive and get some local funding.

Apart from that I have a long bucket list I would love to cross out few things off that list.

If I had to give it up now, I would go do something simple like digging ditches or stocking shelves at the local grocer. My future plans involve buying enough investment properties that I can just manage those and then occasionally sell.

I've given this a lot of thought, lately, since I'm thinking of retiring after 42 years in this business. 'Don't think I can get out of this business altogether (I'm addicted!), so a nice compromise might be to focus on staging - a natural extension of my experience.

I would likely be an activity director at a nursing home or a funeral director. :) I know... not popular choices, but you would have to know me to understand. 

I would consider doing more volunteer work in my community.

Love all the responses.  It shows we are an interesting group and bring different backgrounds to the table!  I would tutor more hours than I do now in the inner city.

I would be a Snowbird - AZ and WI -- where we could be near our children and grandchildren.  I would also travel, write, consult, speak and be involved in ministry ... encouraging young women to be the best they can be! (Older women train the young women)

I would do everything in my power not to casue a situation that would force me to give up my license. 

I have a strong desire to go and see elephants in their natural habitat so I'd probably take a trip to several countries in Africa. Then I'd come home and write the novel I've been creating in my head. 

Sadly, I have two girls to put through college before I can afford to do either of these things. 

I do not want to think of those possibilities.

My fantasy job? SOmething oudoors... forestry.

Reality, probably back in Information Technology.

I would become a professional poker player.  Lol.  But seriously...

some interesting answers, hmmmm. Otherwise, good topic to bring up.

I would build enough flight hours on my commercial pilot's license to get an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) license and fly with the airlines.

Erick

I would go back to doing paralegal work ... either in probate or real estate.

Focus on flipping houses full time.  The license sure helps though. 

I already enjoyed a career as a retail banker for 25 years. I have been a Realtor long enough to know that I would retire if I gave up my license.  

Write.

I have many other hats related or not to real estate: stagger, photographer,  furniture restoration and refurnishing.... I would still be in sales, but I would also get my yoga teacher training:)

I would go back to being a healthcare administrator!

Things to do are never is short supply around here.

It is not going to happen!

It is not going to happen!

If I could go back to school, I would go into Nursing. Having had a few nurse clients, I realize that is a very lucrative career.