How exactly does one become a Real Estate Agent?

Becoming a real estate agent requires taking a course and sitting for the real estate license test. State requirements vary, so you might want to check out what your state requires.

As for most of them making good money, I would say that some of them make good money and others barely eke out a living. Being a real estate agent is hard work. You don't work business hours unless you're already successful, you have to spend a lot of time on research and drumming up business, and sales fall through all the time. Also, your income is directly related to the market forces. Right now all real estate agents are seeing a downturn in their income. However, when the market was booming, they saw a sweet upturn.

House listings are where real estate agents really make the money. They don't have to show people around, just pay for the advertising and wait for the buyer to come to them. But, it's not a walk in the park. They have to keep the homeowner happy, make sure the house is ready to sell, etc. Because they make a percentage of the selling price (it can vary, but 6% is about average, I think), they have a vested interest in making sure it sells for top dollar.

If you aren't a broker, a percentage of whatever commission you make goes to the brokerage you work for. Also there are yearly licensing fees you have to pay. So you have to make enough to cover those before you even start to see any income. Another thing to factor in, especially with gas prices what they are, is how much it will cost the agent to drive clients to see houses (another part of the job). If you're selling multi-million dollar homes or a large quantity, then you'll make good money. But if you aren't, then you won't. It's not as easy as it looks.