Evan Pomerantz, 56, of Chandler, said his engineering career left him burned out and worn down. Pomerantz had a ``cardiac event'' in January and heart surgery in February.

``I don't need this stress anymore,'' he said. ``It's just too much stress.''

A neighbor who works for Keller Williams Realty in Tempe recruited him to become an agent, a job that would allow Pomerantz to set his own hours, determine his client load and make extra money. His wife works full time.

``I'm looking at it as a relaxation,'' he said. ``I don't need to work. I love dealing with people.''

However, some would-be agents quit because of the stress. The hot market has created a competitive environment for agents, even as some experts suggest the market may start to cool.

Sometimes real estate school's greatest lesson is ``it's not for me,'' said Sandra Daniels, who is in her late 50s.

Daniels works the night shift at a Bank of America call center in Phoenix. After raising nine kids, the single mom said she wanted to do something fun for her next stage of life and thought being a Realtor was the answer. She planned to advertise in the African-American community.

She put down $399 for classes. A week later, she was having doubts.

``I said, 'I'll go to class this morning and sit there and then I'll know' `` she said. ``And I knew.''

She walked out and withdrew on the spot, forfeiting half of her tuition. Now she plans to become an elementary school teacher in New Mexico.

``It's just the cutthroatness of it all. Money, money, money,'' she said. `` I can't operate like that. I thought it might be fun, but I think it will be very competitive.''

— Associated Press