ALISO VIEJO, CA, March 8, 2007 - (Part 4 of 5) Before you two rookie agents ready to start a career in real estate brokerage. Candidate #1 is a former Doctor of Chiropractics who later became a College Academic Dean. Candidate #2 is a former homeless person, with no college degree that grew up sitting on a stool at the Green Shingle Truck Stop in Erie, Pennsylvania. After hearing the stories of both and the dust finally settling, you discover that both have had their share of adversity. You also remember that adversity can be a great instructor.

Today you have the opportunity to read the short highlights of two women: Susan Falzone and Jennifer Martin. Both Falzone and Martin were selected to be Top 10 Finalists out of almost 2,000 Real Estate Apprentice Grant Competition Applicants for Season V. Both walked different paths and both have now come to the real estate career threshold of their dreams. How will each of their dreams come true as they both push forward towards the goals that were planted by the power of their determination in a vivid garden of their imaginations many years ago?

Susan Falzone
Susan Falzone received an AS in Chemistry, a BS in Human Biology, a Master of Science in Higher Education and a Doctor of Chiropractic. She also is a home stager and interior re-design specialist. It was odd that Susan found herself enthralled with the world of real estate given a lifetime (15 years) spent in health care followed by another lifetime (20 years) in higher education. Who knew she would have such a love for homes and the promise of real estate? But love it she has since her first dabbling in the early 1980s. She has finally come "home to homes" full-time now, working as a Realtor and Home Stager for Keller Williams Realty Downtown Denver and she states, "I'm buying my joy on the installment plan - one day at a time in the wonderful world of real estate!"

Like with nearly everyone, adversities have occurred in Falzone's life - loss of her Mother at an early age (10), failure in business, health crises, etc. "Suffice it to say I've had as many adversities as everyone else. You can wallow in your pain, or adapt and then get over it. I realized a long time ago that I'm in charge of my own destiny, so adversity has never deterred me, but instead it has made me more determined to succeed," she said. "Will Rogers once said 'Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there!' This sums up my belief in how to operate my real estate business: get on track and then RUN forward at all times," she added. Falzone received her real estate education and pre-license training through Armbrust Real Estate Institute, a RealtyU Affiliate in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Jennifer Martin
She grew up sitting on a stool at the Green Shingle Truck Stop. Due to financial hardships that most single moms go through, her mother was forced to move sometimes two to three times per year; no stability existed in her youth; 27 different schools can be counted. "I have been homeless literally, and I've had to overcome adversity in more ways that I can possibly write down. Going days without eating, getting a full time job at 13 so my little brother would have a Christmas and dealing with the endless teasing due to my dirty, hole ridden hand-me downs. I moved out on my own at the age of 16 and worked two jobs while attending high school. I got married at 18 and had a baby at 19; he was an abusive man and at the age of 21 I joined the Army. I graduated with honors in leadership and physical fitness. I remarried 13 years ago to the man who raised my son and we now have two other children. They will never experience what I did growing up and I feel a sense of pride knowing that the sacrifices I made and the strength within me are the reason they never will," said Martin.

Fast forward to today and Martin is 14 months into a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a major is Small Business Management. Her customer service skills are her biggest asset. People find Martin easy to talk to and a very good and empathetic listener. She possess above average web design, internet and software skills - talents that will stand her in good stead in the changing real estate industry. She received her real estate education training through the Real Estate Certification Program in Bloomington, Indiana, also a RealtyU Affiliate. "Because of my upbringing I know in my heart that the people I will help will be treated with dignity, respect, honesty and integrity and above all else, they will be helped by someone who knows how it feels to be homeless," Martin added. Appropriately enough, Jennifer Martin works for American Dream Realty in Dale Indiana. And if you wanted a perfect ending, you got it … Jennifer Martin now lives with her husband and children in Christmas Lake Village in Santa Claus Indiana.

Each day this week RISMedia will exclusively announce the names and release the stories of two new Finalists for the Real Estate Apprentice Grant Competition. The grand prize winner, semi-finalists and honorable mentions will be announced on March 14, 2007.

Proud Sponsors of Season V include: First American, Hobbs/Herder, RealtyU, eNeighborhoods, McLean International, Thomson Publishing, iSucceed, Calculated Industries, CreateAPlan, The Real Estate Cyberspace Society, ExpressCopy, VisualTours, Broker Agent News and RIS Media.