Alternative Careers for Real Estate Agents

The economic slowdown has hit some  real estate agents pretty hard, and lately, I've been contemplating some end-of-the-world jumping.  As luck would have it, I live in a one-story building.  Since the easy-out isn't an option, I've been looking real hard at non-real estate related career options. I've had to rule out a few since they are either (a) already filled to capacity, or (b) beyond my educational, physical or intellectual abilities.  For instance, unlike Jethro of Beverly Hillbillies fame, I know with all certainty that I am not qualified to be a brain surgeon.  Brain surgeons have to know specifics beyond the fact that the brain is divided into equal halves and merged into the spinal what-cha-ma-call-it. I imagine it takes years to fully understand how the brain coordinates all those limb-based activities while simultaneously allowing the eyes to rotate freely in their sockets.  Equally, and for pretty much the same reasons, I know I am not qualified to be either an Avon or a Mary Kay consultant.

So I've been giving this whole career change a good look-over and have come up with a few viable options for your review and consideration. If anyone has any additional suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Possible New Jobs for Defunct and Despairing Real Estate Agents:

•1.    High Rise Window Washer:  Real estate agents know the value of clean, since clean homes look better and sell faster. Sparkling, cob-free windows are an important part of that equation. Who then would be better qualified to clean windows than an out-of-work real estate agent? Of course, I would have to get past my fear of heights and remember to take my antidepressants before I start dangling on cable drawn two-by-fours above heavy pedestrian traffic.  And I wonder...do I have to tell the insurance company that Im currently seeing a Therapist?

•2.    Hair Restoration Technician: If anyone knows the value of a good plug, it's a real estate agent. Give me enough good plugs and I can (a) give you another good reason to choose me as your agent, or (b) give you a new crop of hair.  I don't think they actually "seed" your head with hair plugs as they claim they do on television, since that probably involves both a pickaxe and fertilizer. As I understand it, the process now utilizes repositionable Velcro, which allows hair technicians to move the plugs around easily for that more natural look. If "real" surgery is involved in the process, I'd have to rule this job out since I get woozy extracting splinters or even thinking about pounding liver.

•3.    Island of Toy Misfits On-site Agent:  Granted, this leads me back into a real estate career, but at least, I'll be surrounded with clients I actually understand.  I think working with toy misfits might be similar to working with investors, since both groups have lower housing expectations and little money they wish to spend. Of course, just like Santa's elves, I'd have to get used to taking my commissions in monopoly money. I think my grocery store might be happy to accept monopoly money since the currency exchange is now the same as US dollars. And to be honest, I think my Grocer would be relieved to get paid in something other than builder-provided gas cards.

•4.    Swat Team Test Dummy: Real estate agents are used to being shot at-at least, verbally.  I can twist, bend, and duck with the best of them, and have even perfected "The Matrix's" backward, slow-mo, bullet-dodging bend. If being flexible can get me the job, then Baby, just call me Gumby. Also on death defying jobs resume: ability to outrun snarling dogs, fully-clawed felines and Realtor-hating parrots.

Well, it's a short list made shorter, since I recently scratched off Vice Presidential hopeful. Hmm...I wonder if Britney Spears mother needs a body double...