Disclaimer: I don't profess to be an expert on Cleveland or Ohio real estate markets but I do have several years of experience funding commercial multifamily loans throughout the region. 

Which means me with my PhD at the end of my career made 25% less than a journeyman in your profession. 

@Craig Parsons sorry decided not to read it all.Realtors suck, just like the average ____ (insert any profession) sucks.It sounds more like you are nervous than any realtors issue.

My daughter is a scientist, my dad was a fireman - they are very different professions and very different people. 

Luckily I'm in a highly paid profession so I didn't need to tap equity and didn't at first, I'm basically using cash out refinances to fund new deals rather than taking savings on hand to the market.

However after further consideration I conclude the following:1) you’re not a youngster just coming out of college, you’re a seasoned successful physician, you should be beyond worrying about their negative comments2) it’s understandable that people who presumably care about your welfare are concerned when you tell them you’re going to leave medical practice, that profession is considered among the most desirable to attain3) they’ll come around when they see it’s working4) change the topic if you don’t like where the conversation’s going, your convictions are your convictions and not everyone will understand

My main goal is to get away from my  9 to 5 job where my strings are being pulled to a profession that I really enjoy.

While this may be true, each of these professions is not for everyone. 

I look forward to the new efforts to control lead paint being evenly applied, logically implemented, and based on guidance of a not a council of zealots and self-professed lead experts, but a council of Toledo professionals across the spectrum of business and government. 

Some people are in other professions like realtors, bankers, CPA, etc.