Through seasons of change, I’ve learned the most about faith, family, and what really matters. Every transition has taught me something new—how to listen, how to serve, and how to keep moving forward when life feels uncertain. Those experiences have shaped not only who I am, but how I show up for others.
Life has a way of showing you what really matters. For me, that’s always been God, family, and serving others. Those three things have guided every major decision in my life, from raising a big family and building a career to learning how to keep going through the hard times.
When I first got into real estate, we had a young, large family—five kids in six years. I needed a way to provide for my family but also be there for them. Real estate gave me that. It wasn’t easy, but it gave me a way to work hard, build something solid, and still be around for all the moments that count.
I started out in Arizona, where I got my real estate license and also earned my broker’s license. A few years later, we moved to Washington to be closer to family. That’s where I first got involved in land development, relocating and repurposing old military housing. It showed me a new side of real estate, reshaping and building communities.
From there, we moved to Utah so I could take on a leadership role with Better Homes and Gardens. I built and managed the downtown Salt Lake office and grew it from 60 agents to over 130 agents. I spent my days helping people build their businesses, solve problems, and keep going when things get hard. That job taught me that leadership isn’t about having control of people—it’s about helping them learn and grow.
Later, we moved to Colorado, where I led another brokerage and worked with Bill Neal, one of the top developers in the area. Together, we developed a 600-acre master-planned community. I handled land acquisition, water rights, design, city approvals, and worked closely with builders. It was one of the biggest and most rewarding projects of my career. Then 9/11 happened, and the world stopped. Projects stalled, priorities shifted, and life moved in a different direction.
Not long after, my wife passed away in a car accident. It was sudden, and everything changed overnight. I had six kids at home, including a baby, and they needed me. For years, I was focused on building my career, but that time forced me to step back and turn all my attention to my family. It was incredibly hard, but it’s also when I learned what it really means to walk by faith. I didn’t know what the future would look like, only that I had to keep moving forward and trust there was a plan for us. And there was.
I met my now-wife, Wendy, who was also navigating life as a single parent with five kids, and our families already knew each other through church. We shared the same priorities and the same kind of busy, beautiful chaos. We got married, moved to Tennessee, and spent time really prioritizing family and blending our families. We later had one more child, bringing us to 12, and moved back to Arizona, bringing my real estate career full circle.
We had teenagers and toddlers under the same roof. We upsized and downsized. We had children with special needs and customized our home to meet those needs. We moved across the country for family, for career opportunities, and for new chapters. I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of different things in real estate, but the most valuable lessons have come from living life itself. At our core, people just want to be understood. When people are navigating big transitions, what they need most is someone who listens, cares, and helps them move forward into the next chapter, and that is what I strive to deliver to every client.
With 12 kids, one still at home, and 25 grandkids and counting, we stay very busy with family time! We’ve also been fortunate to have a great church community here, and when I get the time, I enjoy scuba diving, traveling, and being outdoors.
I’ve lived through many of the same kinds of decisions my clients are making. I know what it feels like to carry a lot on your shoulders and how overwhelming those changes can be. My goal is to make sure no one feels like they’re navigating that alone. It’s an honor and a privilege to be trusted with something as important as a home, and I take that responsibility seriously.
With years of experience across multiple markets, I’ve developed a broad range of expertise in residential sales, investment properties, land development, and new construction. That experience has taught me how to analyze markets, negotiate effectively, and manage the details that keep a transaction moving smoothly. What matters most, though, is ensuring my clients feel supported throughout the process. I focus on making every step clear and manageable, guided by experience, transparency, integrity, and genuine care for the people I serve.
I’m proud of the work I do, but even prouder of the trust and satisfaction I’ve earned from my clients. Their reviews tell the story best, so I encourage you to take a look for yourself and see what numerous past clients have to say!
Sincerely,
James Martin
