Dynamic Dozen No. 4: Murney Associates

|tab|

Fast growth has been the watchword at Murney Associates from day one. |ret||ret||tab|

The real estate agency started out in 1997 with nine agents actually seven the first day and "by the end of a month we had something like 60 agents and it was frantic, we were working off of card tables in a little makeshift office," said Twila Hillme, chief operating officer and designated broker.|ret||ret||tab|

That kind of growth has been par for the course ever since. |ret||ret||tab|

The company that registered sales volume of $21.5 million in 1997 has, in less than a decade, increased sales volume 30-fold to $653.7 million in 2003. |ret||ret||tab|

"We've had over 100 percent growth in sales volume just in the last three years," Hillme said. "In 2001, we were at $325.5 million."|ret||ret||tab|

From nine agents in 1997, Murney Associates has grown to include more than 400 agents.|ret||ret||tab|

And the firm's success has not gone unnoticed on the national scene. "In 2002, we were named the second fastest growing real estate company in the United States" by Real Trends magazine, Hillme said, based on Murney Associate's 82.2 percent year-to-year growth in closed transaction sides.|ret||ret||tab|

In Real Trends' yearly ranking of the nation's top independent real estate agencies, Murney Associates' rise has likewise been rapid from ranking 97th in 2001, to 84th in 2002 and 46th in 2003. |ret||ret||tab|

"The numbers will be out in May for 2003," which is what the 2004 rankings are based on, Hillme said. "We should have moved up a little."|ret||ret||tab|

While the rapidity of the agency's growth was a surprise, growth was always on the agenda.|ret||ret||tab|

"We planned our growth," Hillme said. "We had that plan and we just kept working that plan. In fact we still work it. One of our major problems now is finding the time to sit down and really focus on that when there are so many things going on."|ret||ret||tab|

Another challenge resulting from growth has been space. "When we moved in (at 1625 E. Primrose in 1997) we really thought we had plenty of space and the growth would just be gradual," Hillme said. But by 2002, Murney Associates' office was maxed out, and it had to expand into the Monticello Building across the street at 1545 E. Primrose.|ret||ret||tab|

From a single office in 1997, the company now boasts five regional offices, plus a small office at Highland Springs. |ret||ret||tab|

As the agency has grown in size, it has also grown in range. "You'll see our signs all the way from Ozark and Nixa out as far as Branson, Lebanon and Mt. Vernon," Hillme said. While the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors covers Christian, Webster and Greene counties, "we actually go farther than that," she added.|ret||ret||tab|

Significant benchmarks of Murney's growth include the addition of the Nixa and Ozark offices in 1999 and 2000; being chosen to represent Highland Springs in 2000; and the merger with Billy Long Inc. in 2002. The Billy Long merger "was a big step for us," Hillme said. One of the advantages that accrued to Murney as a result was the addition of Sherre Lane as a broker/manager.|ret||ret||tab|

"We do experienced agent training and new agent training we needed someone who could fill that, and Sherre Lane is just a phenomenal trainer," Hillme said. "That has worked out wonderfully for all of us."|ret||ret||tab|

At the heart of Murney Associates' success, however, is one essential element: founder and owner Patrick Murney.|ret||ret||tab|

"I think a lot of our success is Patrick," Hillme said. "He's fair; he's honest; people know that and appreciate that. They just respect him.|ret||ret||tab|

"But I know if you asked him, he'd give credit to everybody else. He's that way."|ret||ret||tab|

Murney, who declined to be interviewed, has maximized his staff's strengths, as wel as his own. "He is a selling agent," Hillme said, leaving the day-to-day operations to others. |ret||ret||tab|

"I think it's probably helped us because he does sell real estate," she said. "He knows what the agents need and what makes it easier."|ret||ret||tab|

Looking toward Murney Associates' future, Hillme predicts more satellite offices in smaller towns around Springfield, and an enhanced presence in the commercial market. A new commercial-focused Web site will soon debut at www.murneycommercial.com.|ret||ret||tab|

Meanwhile, 2004 is shaping up to be another good year. "I know I've read nationally that 2004 is supposed to be a little under 2003," Hillme said, "but right now I'm not seeing that. So far for the year, we're beating 2003."|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]