Being the daughter of one of Chicago’s most charismatic and esteemed restaurant owners, and that captivating allure was not what most shaped my life. Rather, it was my early years living in Arizona where I was blessed to have been a part of the western horse world of Old Town Scottsdale. It was in that environment where I learned to take pride in what comes from practice and hard work, surmounting the challenges of competition, the responsibility it is to be a part of a team, and caring for my horse and equipment as rose to champion youth western equitation rider.
In my life since then, I have drawn on all of those skills with determination and passion, not just for myself, but with particular focus on those in my life and my business world. Whether it was raising my son, Ryan, owning and creating a renowned French restaurant in Carlsbad, CA, known to be one of the finest in southern CA, a successful print modeling career, as a non-profit Board member, or event planner. It was there where my customer service and marketing skills were refined in a most decisive way, one that would impact the rest of my life.
Among my other achievements that continue to contribute to my real estate career is graduating Cum Laude from Harvard University, having owned 9 personal residential properties — with one of them being the Captain Christopher Reed House, a Georgian Colonial built in 1818 in Lexington, MA which I entirely renovated — and successful investments in speculative properties.
I re-entered real estate three years ago — having first earned my real estate license in Arizona in the 80’s for investment purposes. I specialize now, quite understandably, in horse properties, in relocation (having lived in a number of states across the country), and in second homes, drawing on my personal experience in each area.
From the dusty hitching rail lined roads of early downtown Scottsdale, the orchards of Arcadia, the foothills of Mummy Mountain, the Biltmore metropolis, the vistas of Fountain Hills and the Rio Verde Foothills, or the old west and true southwestern character of Carefree and Cave Creek, I know it all. and can help you find the lifestyle in which to create your memories to add your unique and important life.
Contact Me
Direct: (480) 848-3777
denise.dunningricketts@russlyon.com