I couldn't tolerate the corporate world any longer

Multiple reasons:
1.  My wife got her license in 2002 and needed some help by the time 2004 rolled around
2.  I've worked for a Fortune 500 company for almost 27 years.  I've seen more restructuring/rightsizing/downsizing/layoffs (pick the approved term of the day) than I'd ever want to see, so having a "Plan B" for income was key.
3.  My engineering job means there's a steady growth in income, but it's a small steady growth.  Real estate is only limited by what I'm willing to put into it.  With what we've learned and implemented over the years, even with a "bad" year I'm still going to gross at least six figures commission income in an area where average homes cost about $225,000.

To sell my own flips - which I haven't flipped one since I got my license! I had a friend waiting for me to get my license to sell his family estate and I haven't slowed down enough to do a flip again!

I've always been a glutton for punishment and this seemed like a great source for punishment....

To be honest, I had a roommate (mant years ago) who made a lot of money in real estate ($250k his first year) and he said "if you I can do it, you can do it". I was looking for a career change and I did not make the money he made, but after many years and finding my niche, I did generate a six figure income.

My Wife was in the business so I got my license.

It lined up nicely with my skills bank and circumstance

I met my husband 25 years ago after he had just started a real estate brokerage.  I married into real estate ... it was not my chosen career ... however, I am so glad it became my profession.

Because I love helping people, sounds good doesn't it?

Be your own boss

Let me turn the question around, why do you want to be a real estate agent? My motivations have nothing to do with yours.

Was investing in rental houses; I wanted access to the MLS.

For career and business opportunities.

I had accumulated sales skills in various jobs, but found myself dissastified in all of them.  Real estate seemed the logical next step.

On a bet and never looked back!

My original reason was twofold: 1. To help my mother-in-law who was a broker, 2. Because as an investor, I found that too many Realtors did not know how to work with investors. So, I became licensed to help them find a kindred spirit who could make creative deals work.

Family business and we didn't have anything better to do. True story. 14 years later... -Kasey

Because the agents were having a lot more fun than me in the office.  And just a few months after I got my license (August of 1994) I bought the firm, because I didn't want a new job or a new boss and my broker was retiring.  I retained him as the broker until 1997 when I got my broker's license.

Because I believed I could run rings around 90% of the agents out there and for 25 years I've done exactly that.

To pass GO and collect $$$.

This question has been asked many time before, I will see the responses you get here.  Happy New Year to you.

I am with Barbara Todaro on this one. 

My Father made me do it

There are 100's of ways to make money in real estate.

A few of them require a license.

It appeared to be an opportunity with MANY options.

The paid vacation, unlimited time off, paid health insurance, company car, flexible work hours, social respect, high public perception of my professional skill and knowledge and low entrance costs were also attractive. 

You would do well to watch the short video in this blog.

This is what you are signing up for.

Dave Halpern nailed this one!

Mario Sellick - oh I love people (would be a wrong answer for sure!).

We all need to do something to feed our family, isn't it? 

To have a flexible schedule and make a lot of money. They lied...

I wanted to run my own business and it was the family business.

Another question asked several times a week

Seemed like a good retirement plan.

I needed to make a living.

It was court-mandated.  I didn't have any skills, and very little edjumacation, so this is the only thing I was un-qualified to do.

And, you know, the restraining order is still in effect.... so....

It was something I should have done years ago but life kept getting in the way. My mother always wanted me to get my real estate license and, after she died, I went to RE school and passed the State exam one year and one day after her death.

A lot of great answers here. 

Agree.

Yes, great answers and I won't be surprised, if it will be asked again.

The free time, the big bucks also.  That is if you work 12 hours a day at it.

My husband and I decided we were going to fix n flip homes.

So I could lie, cheat and steal from the public

I was broke but not disgusted...

Upside potential and somewhat flexible hours (or the illusion thereof).

I second Dave Halpern's response.

Many reasons