Frederick Ritter

Some careers are chosen, and others seem to find you. For me, real estate wasn't part of the planit became a divine-extension of my lifelong passion for serving others. When I say I have a servant's heart, I mean it. In everything I do, my focus goes to the people involved: How is my work helping them? Real estate is no exception. When a friend invited me to join his real estate team 10 years ago, I immediately thought of friends who had bought properties but hadn't received good advice from their REALTORS®. I knew I could do better. I knew I could help. My desire to serve began long before real estateback in high school, actually. I was a gifted student, placed in advanced classes, and especially strong in math. For a while, I thought I'd become an engineer. But once I started taking engineering courses in college, something didn't click. I prayed about it, asking God for direction: What do You want me to do with my life? Teaching came to mind. The idea brought me peacea good signand I felt called to guide and influence young minds. I also understood the weight of that responsibility: shaping how someone thinks is no small task. I believed I was gifted enough to make a difference. Around that time, I met my wife, Julie. We met at church, where I was leading a Christian youth group she attended. It started as a friendship, and the connection only grew from there. We've now been married for 35 years and have two incredible sons, Tyler and Brandon who are married to two amazing women, Carmen and Megan.

I began my teaching career in 1994, working in elementary education. Teaching is a grind, no doubt, but seeing kids growacademically and emotionallyhas always been my favorite part. When you work with children, you quickly learn that no two are alike. Each has unique interests, strengths, and ways of learning. I customized my lessons and built individualized plans to meet their needs. Even today, I still teach advanced classes for gifted children, and it remains a joy. Real estate, though, was never on my radar. It wasn't something I was seeking or even consideringuntil one day on the golf course, my cousin, a REALTOR® in California, told me he wanted to expand his business into Arizona.