I know that I am not a spring chicken anymore, but we are now at a place that we can pay off all of our debt and begin to accumulate assets.  

Chicken fried steak, meatloaf, burgers, and pies.

Well, just about 20 seconds of searching the web and found this regarding how birddogging is clearly illegal in the state of Washington as they consider a birddogger to be a broker and must be licensed.RCW 18.85.010:(1) "Real estate broker," or "broker," means a person, while acting for another for commissions or other compensation or the promise thereof, or a licensee under this chapter while acting in his or her own behalf, who:(e) Engages, directs, or assists in procuring prospects or in negotiating or closing any transaction which results or is calculated to result in any of these acts;then there are exceptions to this rule (although none apply to birddoggers):RCW 18.85.110So, according to the state of Washington, accepting ANY (commission or flat fee or chickens or cattle or sex, whatever) fee makes you a broker.......as I stated before, one should check the laws regarding it in their state first.

I'm afraid if we wait too long, we'll chicken out.Any advice/words of encouragement?

I also think the "chicken littles" of the real estate sector need to quantify that most of the news being reported is "new home sales" where builders went crazy and demand, interest rates, gas prices (buyers are feeling the pinch with less money to buy - so they are waiting and trying to watch every penny).

Honestly,I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up Christian.I'm thinking of getting out of my current job anyway,and that is the reason for thinking about getting the RE license.It's simply time for me to do something different.I'm becoming miserable and while i'm not opposed to changes I am opposed to being miserable :)The wife and I have discussed it and we aren't opposed to selling our current home.With the cash from the sale it would be possible to buy at least 3 decent rentals.We could rent out 2 and live in one for awhile while we look for more.I've lived the high life with over 150k household income a year and the lowest in which I slept behind a chicken factory for a couple nights on the ground.Even if we only end up with a couple houses it would add to the income stream.I don't have a clue if this is what I want to do with my life or not.I've weighed the pros and cons and even if I fail miserably it won't be an issue other than pride.And i'm too smart to fail,I'm just hoping this time I won't get bored.

I tiled the floor and bath tub surround, I put in new drywall and installed a new mirror (I chickened out with the new vanity and toilet and had a pro install those...

@Amber TippettWe have a house in the Valley, and have watched prices go up and up the last few years.ATM we are sitting here clucking like chickens at the numbers, LOL.

I also saw a desire for HOA protection from extremes like junky cars up on blocks in the front yard, but much looser restrictions overall so that people could do what they wanted without a lot of interference, such as chicken coops, 4H projects, vegetable gardens, barndominiums, etc.

Two and a half years ago I wasn't thinking about trying REI yet, but I saw this house my realtor and I still call "the chicken house."