About us
15 Hands Real Estate is inspired by many things near and dear to Chrissi and her family. Hands is the unit of measurement for horses, the passion of her daughter, Essence. Thistle, Essence's beloved barrel horse, was 15 hands tall and is the reason for the family's path to where they reside today. Chrissi's son, Tayvian, a sports fanatic, is #15 in many of the sports he participates in. Chrissi & her husband, Joe, were celebrating their 15th year of marriage when he supported Chrissi's goal of building a real estate team. These reasons and many others made 15 Hands Real Estate the perfect fit when naming the team.

In 2023, after nearly a decade in real estate, Chrissi founded 15 Hands Real Estate. Chrissi is passionate about continuing to provide the knowledgeable, high quality service that she is known for, while creating an environment where she can share her real estate expertise with other agents for them to learn, grow and thrive both professionally and personally. The 15 Hands Real Estate team is a collaboration of real estate professionals that combine their individual strengths to support clients in accomplishing their real estate goals.
Chrissi Ripperger
Realtor | Founder & Team Leader of 15 Hands Real Estate

Chrissi brings more than 20 years of experience in sales and customer service to the 15 Hands Real Estate team, with a professional background that includes new construction, design, and finance. This well-rounded experience has paved the way for her success in real estate and allows her to serve as a knowledgeable and trusted resource for both clients and team members. Known for her strong communication, organization, and commitment to continued education, Chrissi helps her clients navigate the real estate process with confidence and clarity. Her strengths and passions come together in real estate, where she is able to build lasting relationships with clients, team members, and industry partners alike.

Chrissi is a proud member of the National Association of Realtors, the Iowa Association of Realtors, and the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors. She has received multiple awards throughout her career in recognition of her dedication to her clients and has earned a place among the top agents in the Des Moines area. Chrissi is also actively involved in the community through Make-A-Wish Iowa, the Grimes Chamber, and as a proud contributor to the DCG Booster Club and DCG Education Foundation.

Chrissi resides outside of Grimes with her family, and their dogs and horses. When she isn’t helping clients reach their real estate goals, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her kids at their activities, traveling, working out and coaching at Krave Gym, and spending time outdoors when it’s warm.

515.343.4354
Chrissi@15HandsRealEstate.com
Essence Ripperger
Client Experience Assistant

Essence brings a lifelong connection to real estate to the 15 Hands Real Estate team. Growing up around the industry with her mom as a realtor, Essence developed an early understanding of what it takes to support clients and keep transactions moving smoothly behind the scenes.

Essence first joined the team as the Summer 2023 intern, where she quickly became a familiar and trusted presence. As the team’s Client Experience Assistant, Essence is a critical part of the team’s day-to-day operations. From supporting client communication and coordinating details to assisting with marketing and behind-the-scenes tasks, Essence helps ensure every client experience is thoughtful, organized, and seamless. Her eagerness to learn, strong work ethic, and attention to detail make her a valuable member of the 15 Hands Real Estate team as she continues to grow within the industry.

Essence resides in Woodward with her boyfriend and their two dogs. When she isn’t assisting the 15 Hands Real Estate team, you can find her spending time with her horses, barrel racing, traveling, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Joe Ripperger
Operations Assistant

Joe brings a unique perspective to the 15 Hands Real Estate team with over 21 years of experience in the mortgage industry. In his previous role, Joe helped mitigate risk and find creative solutions to complex problems, skills he continues to utilize in real estate. His passion for helping people and drive to make an impact led him to the industry.

As Operations Assistant, Joe plays a key role in helping things run smoothly behind the scenes, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. His deep understanding of the housing industry, combined with a genuine passion for helping people, makes him a trusted partner for both clients and the 15 Hands Real Estate team.

Joe is a lifelong Iowa resident and currently lives outside of Grimes with his family, their dogs, and horses. When he isn’t assisting the team, you’ll find him working out, caring for the family acreage, cheering on his kids, or traveling.

Tayvian Ripperger
Team Support

Tayvian brings energy and enthusiasm to the 15 Hands Real Estate team in his role of Team Support. As a student at Dallas Center-Grimes High School, he balances his academic commitments with supporting the team through a variety of behind-the-scenes tasks. His strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to help wherever needed make Tayvian a valued part of the 15 Hands Real Estate team.

Outside of school and work, Tayvian’s passion is basketball. When he’s not in season with DCG, he plays AAU basketball and is rarely far from a game. A true sports fanatic, he also enjoys spending time with his friends and staying active.