Tina Barletta, a Realtor® with RE/MAX® Classic Realty in Clayton, North Carolina and a recent graduate of Howard Perry and Walston Real Estate School, a RealtyU® Affiliate in Raleigh NC, passed her state real estate exam in May 2005 and has already listed three homes and has two others in escrow. Prior to entering real estate, Tina was a marketing VP and before that was for nine years a US Army Military Intelligence Officer and Company Commander. Jacqueline Goldin-Milligan who attended Austin Institute of Real Estate in Texas, a RealtyU® Affiliate, passed her exam in February 2005 and is working full time for Lisa Goldin of RE/MAX® Action in Austin. Jacqueline has already sold an incredible twelve homes since February! Her goal is to “not only make sales, but to advise her clients on the most important purchase of their life.”

Virginia Halter, a full time agent with RE/MAX® Signature Properties in Charlotte, North Carolina, passed her exam March 28th, 2005 and has already listed two homes and sold five. She worked as a restaurant manager for an organic vegetarian restaurant before starting a family and then deciding that the executive travel industry would benefit her schedule needs. After being downsized, Virginia regrouped while working at UPS and saved for a new career in real estate. Aly Yohn, who studied real estate at Armbrust Real Estate Institute, also a RealtyU® Affiliate, in Colorado, passed her exam April 28, 2005, and then became a full time agent in May. Recently Aly sold her 1st home while working full time for RE/MAX® ACCORD in Parker Colorado. Aly said “I am thrilled to be joining the real estate world. Having moved to many different states in my lifetime, I understand the value of having a realtor who can truly understand the excitements and frustrations of moving. I am looking forward to a lifetime in real estate!”

The Real Estate Apprentice Foundation reported that the total grant applications received during Season II were 3,593. From that group the top 5% (171 applicants) were selected to move to the second round. Barletta, Goldin, Halter & Yohn now will advance and be reviewed by The Real Estate Grant Foundation Judges http://www.realestateapprentice.com/judges.cfm during the final stage of the grant application process. From that group 10 applicants will become Finalists. The evaluation of the applicants’ essays and background was based on communication and salesmanship skills, entrepreneurial spirit, uniqueness and integrity.

The Real Estate Apprentice™ Foundation awards 20 bi-annual grants totaling $250,000 per year. Two Grand Prize Grants are valued at approximately $75,000 each and eighteen Finalists grants are valued at $5,000 each. The Apprentice mission is to assist newly licensed real estate agents entering the industry in overcoming the fears and obstacles associated with beginning a new career and to facilitate the development of top producing sales people by providing quality guidance, products and services to expedite a successful fast track to profitability. Grants awarded do not require any form of repayment.