Causic, who was born in former Yugoslavia to a Slavic-speaking (Croatian) father and a Hungarian-speaking (German) mother hated living under the Communist system. “Ever since the 6th grade I planned my great escape” said Josip. As he came of age in 1989 he escaped. Two years later, the civil war commenced in Yugoslavia, and he lost his family, his home, and his roots forever. Survival took Causic to West Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and eventually to America. He first worked as a teacher at Serra Catholic School in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA for three years. He then went back to University at California State Fullerton before moving to Florida to start his new life as a real estate agent with Century 21®, Capital Realty Group in Orlando. Causic attended IFREC Real Estate School, a RealtyU® Affiliate in Orlando and passed his state examination in May, 2005.

The Real Estate Apprentice Foundation also reported that the total grant applications during Season II were 3,593. From that group the top 5% (171 applicants) were selected to move to the second round. Causic, Gomez, Swaney, Daugherty, Shepherd, and Davis represent the Top 1% (6 of 30) of applicants who will advance to the Foundation Judges (http://www.realestateapprentice.com/judges.cfm) for final selection. From that group 10 will become Finalists. The evaluation of applicants’ essays and background was based on communication and salesmanship skills, entrepreneurial spirit, uniqueness and integrity.

Semi-finalist Justin Gomez who attended Randall School of Real Estate in Omaha, passed the real estate exam in January 2005 and has already listed one home and sold six. Gomez who is a full time agent at Century 21® Hansen Realty in his hometown Bellevue, Nebraska, hopes to one day be a national figure in real estate and help advise others in the industry. Rhonda Swaney attended Hogan School of Real Estate in Tucson, passed her real estate examination in February 2005 and has listed two homes and sold 7seven. Rhonda works full time for Century 2® 1st American in Green Valley, Arizona and was previously a manufacturing engineer at Bombardier Aerospace. Richard Daugherty attended Real Estate Certification Program in Indianapolis, passed his state exam March 29th, 2005 and has also listed two homes and sold seven. Daugherty, who works full time for Century21® Realty Group Reisert in Jeffersonville Indiana, has 20 years experience in retail management, sales techniques and motivational training. Troy Shepherd who passed his exams in February 2005 is now working full time with Century 21® Triad in Mocksville, North Carolina. After getting his license in February of 2005, Shepherd has become the Top New Agent for his brokerage, closing five deals and obtaining seven new listings in his first quarter. Will Davis who attended Tennessee Real Estate Education Systems (T.R.E.E.S.) passed his exam in February 2005 and is now working full time with Century 21® Robinson Realty, in Athens, Tennessee. Davis admits that at times he felt a lack of confidence in his real estate abilities. “However, I simply went full force into this career, making phone calls and knocking on doors just like I had been doing it for years. By doing the things that you fear or lack confidence in, you will alleviate those fears and eventually confidence will grow by leaps and bounds as each new opportunity is presented”. Davis has already listed one home and sold two.

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 Finalist’s grants are valued at $5,000 each. The Foundation’s 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.