Birmingham - The South's Secret - 10/25/06 04:55 AM
For those of you who have never visited Birmingham and the beautiful state of Alabama, you may be missing out on one America's best kept secrets.  The city of Birmingham, some call it the "Magic City," is surrounded by the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, covered in plush greenery.  A friend of mine from Salt Lake City, on his first visit to Birmingham, said the area reminded him of a national forest.
The Greater Birmingham area is home to over one million residents and if you want to visit gorgeous waterfalls, hiking trails, grandeur mountains and valleys, and crystal clear lakes, you're only one and a … (1 comments)

The Death of Traditional Real Estate - 10/24/06 05:30 AM
It was 1996 and I was the sole owner of a fledgling mortgage company.  I had just left an investment brokerage company to start a mortgage company.  I was fascinated by the real estate business, primarily the financing of real estate and how it affected the lives of everyday people.
I knew squat about mortgage lending at the time.  In fact, when someone told me that I was going to need a loan processor, I had to ask what a loan processor was.  Fortunately for me, God does really help those who cannot help themselves.  I survived.
After six years in the mortgage … (6 comments)

Becoming REAL Fit - strength for mind and body - 10/11/06 10:08 AM
Several years ago I saw an advertisement for a national contest called "Body-For-Life."  In the advertisement there were these unbelievable pictures of people who had radically transformed their physiques in as little as 12 weeks.
I was at a low point in my life, with regard to my self-image and energy.  I was ready to take on the challenge that this contest presented.  The results for me were phenomenal - both physically and mentally.
Many of you are working very long hours and have multiple plates spinning in your life.  Let's say that you are successful and make a ton of money.  What … (4 comments)

How to Hold an Open House - 10/11/06 09:27 AM
Best Days: Saturday and Sundays from 1PM to 4PMUse a guest list to register all those who look at your home - you may want to invite your favorite mortgage lender and have them offer a FREE pre-qualification for potential buyers.  Most “lookers” won’t buy the home your hosting, but they’re going to buy a home at some point – why not capture them while you can?Turn on lights in all rooms and open blinds to let as much light into the home as possible.Have some soft background music playing wherever a radio is available.Light fireplace for warm and homey feeling … (2 comments)

If you ain't committed - don't come a knockin' - 10/10/06 07:45 AM
Word: committed
Defintion: adj 1: bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
Antonym: 1: part-time real estate agents.
*incorrect grammar in headline intended to reflect that I'm from Alabama
**this blog written by an Alabama Blogger
… (2 comments)

Leveling the Playing Field - a new business model for real estate - 10/09/06 11:07 AM
We recently sent out a friendly email to the real estate community about our services, explaining how we work, but emphasizing that on average most sellers usually pay a (?) commission to the selling agent.  We think that's fair.
Here's one email I received, the name is deleted for obvious reasons:
"I don't think that I will make showing any of your listings a priority.  Come to a level playing field, Mr. Broker, compete as the rest of the reputable companies do and you will likely find more showing interest in your listings." - anonymous agent
Maybe I shouldn't be surprised by this email, but this person's opinion certainly … (14 comments)

Is this legal? - 10/08/06 07:59 AM
My real estate company is located Birmingham, Alabama, which is 55 miles from the town where I live.  Many people commute to Birmingham everyday from distant surrounding towns and communities.  I recently looked into joining the multiple listing service of the city where I live so that I could actively sell real estate in the area which I live.  The local MLS informed me that if I joined, my entire office in Birmingham must also join and pay annual dues and fees.
I think this is ridiculous.  I can understand why I should pay, but not the others in my office who will never sell in my town.  … (4 comments)

Video Blogging? - 10/07/06 08:09 PM
We're having fun with a new video series starring the founders of our company. 
Videos are a great way to tell your story and become "real" to your prospects and clients.  We are experimenting with this series right now, so please take a look and share your feedback on YouTube.com and this blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5CNQo48epE
… (2 comments)

The Biology of Belief - 10/07/06 07:18 AM
Wow!  I just picked up a great book by Bruce Lipton, PhD.  It's entitled, "The Biology of Belief."
The premise of the book is that our cellular structure and makeup is a direct result of our environment and our belief system.  In other words, in most cases, you are who you are because of your own belief system, not your genes.
The good news is that you can change who you are by changing your belief system - our cellular structure actually changes based on what we choose to believe about ourselves.  Yeah, I know this is a little deep, but just think … (0 comments)

Are you a real estate pioneer or just a settler? - 10/06/06 11:19 AM
Some people are pioneers, some people are settlers.  As you might expect, pioneers tend to be risk takers.  They're the folks who pack up the wagons, load their reluctant families, and risk being shot with arrows in order to take advantage of unexplored opportunities on the "other side of the mountain."  It takes guts to be a pioneer.
The settlers, on the other hand, well, they wait until all danger is clear and then forge ahead only to discover that the opportunties are unwanted leftovers.  (Thanks a lot, pioneers.)
I was thinking about this idea of pioneers and settlers as it relates to the real … (3 comments)

 
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Todd Murphy

Tuscaloosa, AL

More about me…

Fitts Agency

Address: 1806 6th Street, Tuscalooosa, AL, 35401

Office Phone: (205) 342-3500

Cell Phone: (205) 344-3067

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