Meet Michael Ritrovato | Real Estate Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Ritrovato and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I come from a separated family. My parents separated when I was about 9 years old, and I watched my mother struggle to provide for us for many years. This inspired me as a young adult to never let my children go have to want for anything. I did not see myself doing much after high school, so I decided to join the military. I figured that if I was going to join the military, why not join the best, The United States Marine Corps. I joined the Marine Corps right out of high school. I graduated High School May 18th and I was in Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on May 31st. Directly after boot camp I went to my job schooling in Camp Pendleton CA where I learned how to operate an Amphibious Assault Vehicle. I was then stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC where I deployed to the Mediterranean area in 2003 and 2005. Shortly after that I deployed to Iraq in 2006. Upon returning from Iraq, I received orders to go on Recruiting Duty in Poughkeepsie, NY, where I educated individuals in High School about the Marine Corps. After that, I went back to Camp Lejeune, NC for a few years where I did a few more deployments to Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning from Okinawa, Japan, I moved to Camp Pendleton, CA. I tell you all of this because my 22 years in the Marine Corps has directly impacted my work ethics to this day. I have a strong work ethic and I am committed to assisting my clients whether it is selling their home or educating Veterans on the home buying process.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
To become a real estate agent, it is fairly easy. There is a certain amount of hours of classes to take and then you have to pass an exam. However, to be a successful real estate agent and have your clients appreciate you is challenging. In the real estate business you have to treat each client like it is their first time buying or selling a home and educate them in the process so throughout the journey we are both making informed, mutually beneficial decisions.While I was in the Marine Corps, I noticed a gap in education about the VA Home loan. Many service members did not know how to use their benefits or even what their VA Benefits were. I have made it a point to conduct VA Home buyer seminars regularly to educate service members on how to utilize their VA Home Loan benefits.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend coming into town and they have never been here before, I would take them to Terry Black’s BBQ. They have some amazing BBQ and they embrace Texas Culture. Some of my favorite places to go are downtown Fort Worth and downtown Burleson. I am partial to Burleson because that is where I live.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Throughout my time in the Marine Corps my wife has stood by my side and made sure I was successful. She did not have the ability to have a career because of all of the time we moved around with the Marine Corps. When we left North Carolina, she had to quit her job of 3 years because that same job was not offered where we were going in New York. No matter what I do, she is always there by my side supporting me and making sure we are successful as a team.

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