I did not want to go back to the corporate world after we moved back to the USA from overseas and wanted to do something more entrepreneurial. Also had been the "victim" of so much bad brokerage in NYC over the years, I felt I could run rings around 90+% of the agents and I did.

Years ago, I was an agent for a short time but as a Mortgage Loan Originator; I have had a great career.   I got into this industry because I got taken with a double digit, negative amortization mortgage back in the early 80s.

I swore up and down that I would NEVER let that happen to someone else if I could prevent it.   I've now spent 30 plus years living up to the promise I made to myself and it has been a joyous and prosperous adventure !

Got tired of my office being seat 1A, hotels, meetings, corporate travel...

 Became...when the music stopped my chair had been removed from the table. The aspect of autonomy made real estate attractive. This question is like asking 'When did you decide to be a comptroller?" You don't. Often it is just what came your way and you make life of it.

Stayed....the challenge, the hunt. 

I've always thought if you only know one way to spell a word, you can't be all that smart. There are many ways to do real estate write (on purpose) and that suits me well.

I like deals and projects

It was the most efficient means to 'feed' my entrepreneurial spirit.

I thought it was something I would be good at doing.

I think most of us come in this profession thinking that it is easy money and you can be very flexible in your schedule. Very soon you understand that those both are very misleading rumors. 

I've always had an interest in real estate, and bought my first house at 21.  Ultimately, it came down to having control over my time and income.  The bonus has been all the great relationships I have developed over the years with clients.

because I was an underpaid teacher (biology, chemistry, geometry and physical education ).... in the early 1970's made $7,200/year..... went into real estate and my first year in 1978 I made $40,000!!!! that was a score....

because I was the only one who would hire me.

For flexibility.

I needed a career change.

License to thrill and make a living? Can't beat it! I'm here until flower food

It's the family business, I'm third generation Realtor. My grandparents made it seem like such a fun career when I was a kid. But, the day in 1998, I truly decided (and this is as honest as it gets) was when I was TCing for my mom at her real estate office and one her commission checks came in for $65,000 and I was in shock that one deal could bring in so much. I realized being a Realtor truly had no limits; except the ones you put upon yourself.

Oppertunity

I opened my first real estate office after finishing law school as a business and career opportunity.