Murney ranks high among U.S. realty companies

Springfield-based Murney Associates ranked No. 97 among the largest privately owned independent realty companies in the United States in the 2001 Real Trends 500. The publication is an annual report edition of Real Trends Inc. that ranks the top 500 real estate firms in the country.

According to a news release from Murney Associates, the company earned its spot among the top 100 companies of its type because it had a closed sales volume of approximately $252.1 million last year. Locally, the release said, Murney Associates is No. 1 among area brokers ranked on the list.

Murney Associates also ranked No. 278 nationally among all U.S. realty companies in closed transaction sides. Closed transaction sides represent either the listing or selling portion of a closed residential transaction.

Of the more than 80,000 real estate firms in the country, the top 500 firms represent less than three-fifths of 1 percent of the total, but they complete nearly one-fourth of all new and resale transactions.

According to the release, in the first four months of this year, Murney Associates shows a 20 percent increase for closed sales in comparison to the same four months a year ago. Pending contracts for the company are 24 percent greater than at the same time in 2000.

"We are proud to receive confirmation of our resettles from the industry. Our focus has always been on customer service, and this acknowledgment validates that focus. If we continue to do our job right with our clients, the sales will naturally follow," said Patrick Murney, owner of the company, in the release.

Murney said that the growth of Springfield and the surrounding area provides great opportunities for the company. "With Springfield's rank of ninth nationally as one of the best places to live, interest in homeownership is strong. Our goal is to help the area grow responsibly, creating the type of community in which we all want to live."

Murney Associates was founded in 1997. The company, which has four area locations, provides residential, commercial and auction real estate services.

Real Trends Inc. is a publishing and communications company that provides news, research and information-based services for the residential real estate industry. The Real Trends 500 report is the only report of its type, the release said, in that it requires verification of information from outside sources.