Jim Ripple
HODDE REAL ESTATE CO.
Originally from the small town of El Campo, I moved 60 miles to attend the University of Houston. Working my way through school with summer jobs and some help from a baseball scholarship, I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration . Upon graduation, I went to work for Oshmans Athletic Goods and sold team sports equipment to leagues, high schools, and colleges . We made Brenham, Texas our home in 1991.
I eventually started selling athletic shoes to sporting good stores and department stores. After several years, my emphasis shifted to selling casual and fashion footwear for men, women, and children. Over the next twenty years the industry went through many changes including fewer customers and a larger sales territory to manage.
I had always been interested in real estate sales. I had bought and sold several properties over the years and the process, particularly the marketing aspect, always fascinated me. Eventually I decided it was time to plan for a future away from the constant travel and one in which I could establish roots in the Brenham business community. I took my first real estate course. I was hooked. It wasn’t long before I had my Realtor’s license and then later my Broker's license.
The decision to make real estate sales a career was definitely years in the making but in retrospect one that I wish I had made earlier. I believe that my previous selling experience outside of real estate helps me bring something unique to my job. I try to convey to my customers the mentality and work ethic of someone who’s had to manage time while traveling a large sales territory, a well developed business mindset, and the people skills of a kid that grew up in a small town. I really enjoy getting to know my clients and assisting them with their real estate needs whether it’s farm and ranch, residential, or commercial. My goal is to build friendships and to contribute to the community I work in. I strive to treat every client, and every person I meet, with a level of professionalism and personal service that they are not used to in a complicated world. Some might call this philosophy “small town values”. While I love being there for my clients to help them with their real estate needs and to get the best deal for them, it's the personal connection that is ultimately most important to me. Everything else takes care of itself.
