Well Rod, I think that especially in this market, we who are sticking it out are doing so because we ARE happy with our jobs.  It's a great business.  It offers the most potential and is the most rewarding one (emotionally, not $$$)  I think I've ever had.  

Rod, I loved the way you summed up the 2 conclusions. Cindy, I agree with you, too. Its a great career. I too have found it to be the most internally rewarding and still waiting for the black $$$ signs.

Great information, Rod. Thank you for sharing! I couldn't agree more with what's been said: this is an incredibly rewarding career, and whether people think highly of us or not is insignificant to me because I know what I do to help people and that is worth way more than the negative opinions.

Brian Wilson, Zolve.com

I don't think much about lawyers either. But I tell you what, they are worth their weight in gold when you find one that is good at what they do. I suspect people feel the same about finding a great real estate agent.

This is so true!  I absolutely love my choice of career and even my mother is horrified...after all this time she just can't get over it.  I am happy - I did go on a listing presentation last night and the seller said 'I suppose now you are going to talk about how great you are for an hour' and I said 'I already know how great I am, we are discussing how to market your home' We both laughed but there is a definate stigma to being an agent!

Wow Trista  - what a great response - wish I could learn to think on my feet that fast.  

Cindy