Sarah Stetelman is one step closer to following the footsteps into the family business.

Stetelman, 20, is the daughter of commercial Realtor Andy Stetelman, president of London and Stetelman Commercial Realtors.

She passed the Mississippi State Real Estate Exam last month.

The junior is a double major in marketing and finance with an emphasis in real estate at the University of Southern Mississippi.

As she moves closer to graduation, she will make a final decision if the family business is really what she wants to do. If so, she will be the fourth generation in a company started in 1933 by her great-grandfather.

"I grew up around it, so I already knew the basics," she said.

London and Stetelman was founded by Marcus London and originally was located on Front Street. A full-service real estate agency that focused on residential and commercial real estate, London started the business because he was tired of the grocery business.

Stetelman's grandfather, Mike Stetelman, joined the agency in 1955. Andy Stetelman joined the company as a gofer in 1975 while he was still in high school. He succeeded his father as company president in 1988.

Andy Stetelman said that the company was the first in the area to specialize in commercial real estate. He currently has 10 full-time employees with eight licensed agents. The firm also provides multi-family and property management.

Andy Stetelman admits his work and home life often coexisted, but he never thought anyone in the family would be interested in the family business. He was shocked and surprised to learn of his daughter's plans.

"I was excited. I've never tried to steer any of the kids in the real estate direction. I wanted them to do it on their own," he said. "They've seen how hard I work but I wanted them to see how fun it could be, but not because it's a family tradition."

Stetelman is the middle of three children. She has a younger sister and older brother, who is now toying with the idea of residential real estate.