Either, "How's the market doing? Or, "Are you doing well?"  Or, they begin telling me all about the market.

Everyone always knows more than me

It depends on how they perceive the market.  

They often act as though they feel sorry for you if they think the market is bad.  If they think the market is good, they act like you're making easy money.

Mostly though, people ask how the market is doing. 

"Oh, my motherfathersisterbrotherfriendneighborteachereveryoneonGodsgreenearth is too . . . do you know ___________ ?"

Usually they want to know how the market is, what my predictions are for the near future, and specific questions about their neighborhood. 

Usually, people give me there opoinions of the current market. I just listen!

"I've been thinking about getting into or trying out real estate, myself."

In my "haydays" they used to come up to me and say " you're that real estate guy on TV"! I miss that Now they just go "Oh" and ask questions about the market.

Good morning Larry. Everyone wants to talk about real estate, so it is an each conversation opener.

Oh. And that's usually followed by...How's the market?

I dont admit to being a real estate investor to very many people.

How is the market? 

I get asked, How is the market? I love to be able to open the conversation up about real estate.

I try not to tell people

They usally ask me how much is my home worth.

How long you have been in the business?

Must be nice to drive a fancy company car looking at homes.....

I get mixed reactions.

How is the market?  Is real estate licking up yet?  

how's the market.... I hate that question....

Everybody likes to talk about real estate. That is one of the best reasons to wear career apparel or a name tag.

Larry Johnston No, I don't want to sell my house. LOL Usually they ask, how is the real estate market?

How's the market?

What areas do you cover?

Can I buy you a drink?

How's the market doing? 

Larry, it is a positive response from the people who ask.

"Larry Johnston is in a situation exactly like that. Let me introduce you and see if you can help him."

Like others have said "hows the market, any good deals"

Most ask how,' How is the market doing?' 

Sometimes questions about the market.

 Good morning Larry. I don't know. I am looking to find out

Larry,
Usually people know a little about me first and then find out what I do. No big reaction one way or the other.

Larry,

They are interested especially in the branding and marketing aspects of it.  A

Larry - I would have to agree with Wayne Martin on this one. Once they find out I am in real estate, they usually start telling me what the market is like, or they tell me about their last deal, good or bad. I just smile.

generally I don't have to tell people if they are local. Out of my area people usually either know the business and ask about the market, or ask about the business.

Usually a question about the market.  Which is nice, because in Information Security (my last job) no one knew what that was and thought I was a mall cop.