Ryan James

For me, real estate is about people, connection, and helping others find their place in a community I’ve been fortunate to call home for most of my life. I'm a Northern Colorado Realtor with 8z Real Estate, helping buyers and sellers throughout Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, Wellington, and Red Feather navigate one of life’s biggest decisions with local expertise and a client-first approach.

Colorado has been home since I moved here from eastern Nebraska at the age of two. I grew up in Fort Collins before attending Colorado State University, where I studied Political Science, History, and Secondary Education.

After college, I followed my love of travel and adventure, teaching scuba diving throughout Asia and later aboard a luxury cruise ship as an assistant host and water sports coordinator. Along the way, I learned that exceptional service is about anticipating needs, paying attention to the details, and creating memorable experiences for people. Those lessons continue to shape how I serve my clients today.

Colorado tends to call people back. My wife and I traded in the ocean for the mountains and returned to Fort Collins to start a family. I spent 10 years as an educator in Poudre School District, teaching economics, government, and history before deciding to commit myself full-time to real estate. The ability to educate, communicate, and build trust continues to influence how I work with clients today.

I believe in clear communication, thoughtful strategy, honest guidance, and helping people fully understand their options so they can make confident decisions. Whether I'm working with first-time homebuyers, families relocating to Northern Colorado, sellers preparing their home for the market, or clients searching for acreage or luxury properties, my goal is always the same: to create a straightforward, low-pressure experience built around your goals.

I'm grateful that my commitment to service and community has been recognized by both clients and colleagues, including being honored with 8z's Above & Beyond Award, a leadership-selected recognition for agents who exemplify the company's values and commitment to others.

Having lived in Northern Colorado for more than four decades, I bring deep knowledge of our neighborhoods, schools, outdoor recreation, and the lifestyle that makes this such a great place to live.

Around town you'll usually find me spending time with my family, biking local trails, paddleboarding at Horsetooth Reservoir, hiking in the mountains, teaching scuba diving, or checking out a local brewery or restaurant with friends. I feel fortunate to live and work in Northern Colorado and to help others find their place here as well.