Real Estate Sales: Hot Career Lure

(CBS)  It seems as if everybody is talking about the booming housing market these days. And, if you've thought about trying to cash in with a career in the real estate business, you're far from alone,

reports

CBS News Correspondent Trish Regan on The Early Show.

Home values have doubled in the last five years, which means that the agents selling the homes are making more money in commissions.

Last year, real estate agents collected more than $60 billion in commissions, and the promise of all that money is making the job very appealing.

Aspiring sales types envision themselves doing as well as Mike Neely, a top real estate agent in one of America's hottest housing markets.

Neely is living the good life in Westchester County, N.Y., just north of New York City.

"I drive a Mercedes and a Bentley," he tells Regan. "And a Ranger Rover."

And nine other luxury cars.

"It does make for a great income if you're successful," Neely says. He put his volume last year at $57 million, making his cut about $1 million.

But Neeley points out that being a real estate agent isn't all easy money. You're on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

But that's not slowing the flow of people into the real estate field.

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