These award-winning realtors are going above and beyond

Megan Raposa -

This is a paid piece from the REALTOR® Association of the Sioux Empire.

Simplified: Four Sioux Falls real estate professionals were recognized recently with the annual RASE YPN "4 Under 40" award from the REALTOR® Association of the Sioux Empire (RASE).

Why it matters

  • RASE started the 4 Under 40 award in 2021, and the program is modeled after the National Association of REALTORS® 30 Under 30 award, which recognizes emerging young talents in the industry – especially those who have built strong relationships, and demonstrated creativity and leadership.
  • Winners are selected by a RASE committee, which looks for people who are not only successful in terms of selling but also who volunteer and who support the association's work.
  • The hope is that by recognizing people who are relatively new to the industry, the association can help mold its future leaders.
"These four winners are rising stars in Sioux Falls," CEO Jack Zika said. "These people are not only strong leaders in the local community, but also on a national scale in the industry."

Meet the 4 Under 40

Winners are listed in alphabetical order.

Ryan Breitling is a 38-year-0ld member of the GO Team with Hegg Realtors.

  • The son of a teacher, Breitling approaches real estate with the goal to educate people and make sure they feel comfortable with their decisions in the home-buying process.
  • He takes pride in his attention to detail and said he sees the award as a humbling recognition of the work he puts in for his clients.
"I'm not gonna kill you with my charisma," Breitling joked. "But what I hang my hat on is that I show up every day. It's not a job – it's a career."

Chelsea Link, 37, started her career in real estate right out of college amid the 2008-09 recession. Though, in hindsight, she's grateful she started in a tough market because from there, it was only going to get easier.

  • Link – of Chelsea Link Real Estate, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Midwest Realty – takes pride in the database of clients she's built up over 15 years in the profession, and what sets her apart is the number of repeat clients and referrals she gets – something she credits to her commitment to customer service.
  • This award is validation to Link that her peers enjoy working with her and respect her as a fellow agent. It's also particularly meaningful to receive an award like this during a time when the market's been more challenging to navigate.
"It certainly is validating to know that what we’re all doing is worthwhile and important," Link said. "We're helping people in our industry, and it's a nice pick-me-up in a trickier market."

Destinie Marshall, 29, won the recognition of 4 Under 40 mere months after receiving the National Association of REALTORS® 30 Under 30 award.

  • Marshall, with Discovery Real Estate Co. REAL Broker, LLC, first became interested in the profession when shadowing a real estate agent as a high school student. From there, she developed a strong interest in economics, statistics and a how it all plays a role in the housing market.
  • Marshall attributes her early-career successes to her passion for the industry and commitment to being involved at all levels – from her own brokerage to the local industry group to the national industry group. And while the national recognition was significant, she's feeling the love even more closer to home.
"Being recognized by the people who know me, who do direct business with me, it actually means a little bit more," she said.

Hadass Negi, 28, grew up in a family of people with strong ties to the real estate industry whether as realtors, appraisers, underwriters, and more.

  • Negi, a Twin Cities native, moved to Sioux Falls to manage the local EXIT Realty branch, and after seeing the administrative side, she decided to get her license in 2020.
  • Though she still spends much of her time with administrative work, she's spent the last four years earning six additional certifications and designations to improve her work in the industry. She's also become an active member of the RASE YPN committee.
"To be involved in the biggest purchase and the largest investment in most everyday person’s lives, it's a big deal," Negi said. "And I don't take that lightly. What this award means is I'm on the right path. I'm doing all the right things. I'm getting involved, and I'm making a difference."