Frederick Ritter

Some careers are chosen, and others seem to find you. For me, real estate wasn’t part of the plan—it 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 estate—back 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 peace—a good sign—and 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 grow—academically and emotionally—has 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 considering—until one day on the golf course, my cousin, a REALTOR® in California, told me he wanted to expand his business into Arizona. “Why don’t you help me?” he asked. Just like that, the seed was planted. The idea of helping families through one of the biggest decisions of their lives aligned perfectly with my heart for service.
I got my real estate license in 2015, balancing my new role while continuing to teach. It took about a year to fully adapt, but my focus never shifted away from people. From the start, I thought about the families I served—their stories, their hopes, their fears. Buying or selling a home is a big move, and I didn’t want anyone to be misled or taken advantage of. I’ve always viewed my role as both guide and protector.
Today, my boys are in their late 20s. Brandon lives in Northern California, and Tyler’s all the way in Australia. I miss them, but when they visit, we make the most of every moment together. Outside of work, I lift weights, surf at the local surf park, and spend time cooking—I’m a passionate foodie. I also volunteer at church as a group leader, continuing to serve where I'm needed most.

Education is a service industry, and I see real estate the same way. Both carry immense responsibility, and I’m grateful to have been given the skills and heart to serve meaningfully. As a confident REALTOR®, I combine strategy with heart, blending analysis, knowledge, and care to serve my clients at the highest level. Their well-being always comes first.