Letter to the President - 07/31/07 07:17 AM

Dear President George W. Bush,
I know that many Americans do not approve of your work in the White House, and especially our involvement in Iraq.  I'm certain that the criticism that you have taken while in office is often overwhelming and disheartening for you.
Today, while reading blogs on a website called Active Rain, I came across a picture of a Marine handing a folded flag to a young boy who had lost his father in the war in Iraq.  I realized that for this boy, it won't matter whether or not our involvement in Iraq was justified or not.  For this … (2 comments)

Top Producer Blues - 07/30/07 06:58 AM

After months and months of looking at data management programs, I finally took the plunge and signed on to Top Producer.  I've now been a user for, oh, about thirty days or so.  You think I would have this program down pat by now....NOT!
I can't seem to let go of my dependence on Outlook and it's quite cumbersome to have to log onto Top Producer every time I have to email or put an activity on my calendar.  Please, someone tell me that Top Producer is the greatest program in the world.  Tell me that I'm going to give up my … (2 comments)

Seven Wonders of West Alabama - 07/29/07 10:18 PM

You may not have to travel to the outer ends of the world to experience seven wonders, according to Mark Hughes Cobb, a staff writer for the Tuscaloosa News.
In todays Sunday edition, Cobb pointed out seven "wonders" of West Alabama that you must might be interested in seeing...right here at home in the Tuscaloosa area.  Here are the seven wonders of west Alabama:
1. Moundville, Alabama
Moundville was supposedly one of North America's largest cities, at least it was eight hundred years ago.  Now you can view some of the remains of the inhabitants of that era.  You can find 26 "Indian" mounds … (1 comments)

Republicans are all STUPID!!!! - 07/29/07 09:37 PM

...and so are Democrats if neither of these parties address the real concerns that we as tax paying Americans have.  I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of what's going on in Washington.
I'm paying over $3 bucks for a gallon of gasoline to drive buyers around town and show them houses.  Exxon's making millions of dollars an hour, their executives perched in ivory towers, smoking big cigars, and talking about us as if we were ants wandering to and from the mound.  Has anyone in Washington ever heard of Ethanol?  Geez!
I'm paying out over $700 every month for … (8 comments)

Tuscaloosa Home For Sale - 1923 Englewood Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405 - 07/27/07 03:23 PM



What a steal!!!!!  This 3 bedroom, 2 bath has new carpet, ceramic tile and refinished hardwood flooring throughout.  You even get a large storage building for all of your stuff.  The yard is full of old growth Oak trees, Pecan trees that produce, fig trees, blueberry trees, and a pear tree.
This home is right next door to Englewood Elementary and is convenient to all shopping.  The yard is approximately one acre.
Please call Todd Murphy (205) 759-3100 for a private showing.  This home is priced to sell at $149,900.
www.zerocommission.com
… (0 comments)

Tuscaloosa Housing Market Update - 07/27/07 06:57 AM

Did you happen to read the latest home sales figure that was recently reported?  The sale of new homes dropped in June by the largest amount in over five months - I think Wall Street heard the news as well, with yesterday's DOW dropping 400 points.  It appears that even Wall Street is worried about a continuing housing slump hurting our economy.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that sales of new single-family homes dropped by 6.6 percent last month.  The decline was more than triple what had been expected and was the largest percentage drop since sales fell by 12.7 percent in … (2 comments)

New Subdivision in Tuscaloosa - The Townes of North River - 07/22/07 09:34 PM
 
The Townes of North River is envisioned as a mixed-income, mixed-use walkable community. A place that encourages neighbors to bond and enhances their quality of life. A Place where families can go to church, eat lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy an ice cream cone in the park, all on a Sunday stroll.
Tree-lined streets are designed not only to enhance automobile access, but also to create a safe pedestrian and bicycle network that invites residents to enjoy the multiple open spaces and trails to Munny Sokol Park. Existing hardwood stands and old farm tree lines are preserved at key locations, … (0 comments)

The weather is here, wish you were beautiful. - 07/22/07 06:28 AM

The weather in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was absolutely gorgeous yesterday.  It was a perfect day for showing homes.  In an earlier post this week, an Active Rain member told of an experience with a prospective buyer where they were showing this buyer a home on a rainy, cloudy day.  The buyer did not like the property at all.
Interestingly enough, several weeks later these same buyers wanted to see this home again (they had forgotten about seeing it), and it was a sunny day.  The agent wrote a contract on the home with these buyers!
Well, I could absolutely tell a difference in my showings yesterday, … (5 comments)

Dangleberry? Shame on Active Rain! - 07/22/07 06:16 AM
Imagine my surprise this morning when I was posting a comment on an Active Rain blog and I had to type in the word "Dangleberry" to verify my post. Well, at first I thought this was pretty good gutter humor on Active Rain's part, but a closer look at the name enlightened my ignorance of flowers.
You see, I was thinking of the term "dingleberry."  Now if any of you know what this term refers to, you would certainly think that "dangleberry" would be a more appropriate use of a term to describe what "dingleberry" refers to, right?
Unwilling, I am, to remain … (9 comments)

Why Agents Should Rebate Commissions. - 07/21/07 10:44 AM

Here are the top five reasons every real estate agent should give rebates:
1. You don't really value the service that you offer buyers.
2. You don't have three kids and a wife to feed at home.
3. You inherited money from your family and don't really need the money.  You're just happy you have something to do on weekends.
4. You feel bad about not returning your buyer's phone calls.
5. You were on vacation when the offer was made.
… (0 comments)

Brain surgeon no dummy! - 07/20/07 12:24 PM
I recently had an interesting conversation with a doctor who is a brain surgeon.  This doctor had been approached by the owner of a large real estate company who had a buyer that wanted to buy his home.
The doctor was not really interested in selling, but thought, "What the heck, I'll throw out a figure and if they bite, I'll sell."  His price was close to the $3M mark.
Well, the owner of the real estate company said his client would pay his price, but he wanted a 6% selling commission to be paid - $180K.  The doctor basically told the agent to go jump in a … (1 comments)

Housing Starts Slowing? Check with your local blueprinter. - 07/19/07 06:56 AM

There are several indicators to look for to see if housing starts are going to slow down.  Many people in the housing industry look at lumber prices and orders, as well as other housing material orders.
It recently occurred to me, while talking to a friend of mine in the blueprinting business, that if house plan orders and printing of blueprints slows down, then  a housing start slowdown is surely on the way.  This was kind of like a light bulb going off in my head.
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, there are more houses on the market than ever before.  I keep wondering when it's … (3 comments)

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Summer Events - 07/18/07 09:57 AM

Tuscaloosa Activities for the rest of Summer 2007:
July -
Tannehill Trade Days
http://www.tannehill.org/
Dates: 07/21/2007 - 07/22/2007
Location: Historic Tannehill State Park
For More Information: (205) 477-5711
Indian Summer Day Camps
Dates: 07/23/2007 - 07/27/2007
Location: Moundville Archaeological State Park
Admission: Call for Information
For More Information: (205) 371-2234 or email Monique Billeaud at mbeo@bama.ua.edu
Details: Children learn about archaeology, studies in nature and Native American arts, crafts and technologies.
Harry Potter's Birthday at CHOM
Dates: 07/27/2007
Location: Children's Hands-On Museum
Admission: Call for information (205) 349-4235
August -
American Art Film Series
Dates: 08/01/2007, 08/08/2007, and 08/15/2007
Location: Westervelt Warner Museum of  American Art
Admision: $5.00/free to museum members
For More Information: Contact Martee Reeg (205) 323-4297
Details: Based on Robert Hughes' … (0 comments)

Why are you fat and broke? - 07/18/07 06:40 AM
Why are you overweight?   Why are you broke?  Why are you....(fill in the blank)?
 I have an answer to the above questions, and it's an answer that came from looking back at myself in the mirror and facing the truth: I am because I'm choosing to be.  Making excuses for not doing, having, or being, is only an excuse for NO ACTION.
If you're broke, it's probably because you are not taking the simplest of actions.  Are you prospecting daily?  How many people are you asking for business and or referrals each day?  It's that simple, yet it sometimes appears that the simple things … (3 comments)

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Listing - 1628 Hunters Run - 07/17/07 05:55 PM

This is a three bedroom, two bath home located in a wonderful single entry neighborhood located in Tuscaloosa.  The neighborhood has one entrance in and out, so you don't have to worry heavy traffic.
This home is priced to sell at $169,900, and is lower than most homes of this size in this area.
Please call Todd Murphy for a showing (205) 759-3100.   http://www.realtor.com/ MLS ID# 60776
… (0 comments)

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Population and Statistics - 07/15/07 08:59 AM

When people ask me about Tuscaloosa, I usually quote to them that Tuscaloosa has a population of around 160,000 people in the area, but what I forget to tell them is that this figure includes the county.  I thought I would look up some percentages so that someone searching the net could learn a bit more about our area. 
County population in 2005: 168,908 (71% urban, 29% rural)County owner-occupied houses and condos: 40,958Renter-occupied apartments: 23,559Average wage per job in 2003: $30,805County population in 2003: 166,178Jobs in 2003: 84,577
… (0 comments)

Overhwhelmed by the Internet. - 07/15/07 08:46 AM
With blogging, search engine optimization, pay-per-clicking, mutliple web sites, and everything else that's internet related, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all.
When we started our company, I thought that the internet would be the foundation for our business, and that's turned out to be the total opposite for me.  I have over thirty listings in less than six months, and not ONE of them has come from an internet lead. 
None of my buyer clients have come from the internet either, and yet, we've invested over thirty thousand dollars in the past two years on crap.
I know of so many … (12 comments)

Combining property 2 + 2 = 5 - 07/14/07 08:38 PM
Synergy.  That's what I've heard when you put two people together and the results equal much greater than anything that the individuals could have accomplished themselves.
Well, I think synergy works in a lot of areas, including real estate.  I am in the process of combining a house and a lot next to it that happens to have waterfront.  Both of the lots in this subdivision were meant to each have a house upon them; however, one of the lots (the waterfront one) doesn't have a home on it because it would be very difficult to build on.
The home, by itself is … (0 comments)

Consumers want the freedom to choose...will it affect our business? - 07/13/07 09:39 PM

In our state of Alabama, we have what is called a "limited service rule," which means that a real estate broker has to perform certain tasks in order to practice real estate.  Placing a listing on the multiple listing service (MLS) and forgetting about it is not acceptable to our real estate commission.  A listing agent must present offers and negotiate the transaction, period.
However, many consumers in the marketplace want to get on the MLS and pay a commission to a selling agent, but don't want to pay a commission to the listing agent.  Some consumers feel confident that they can … (5 comments)

Loaning out The Secret - 07/11/07 09:17 PM

Well, I finally got my The Secret DVD back from a friend today.  I had to literally steal my own copy back!  Several weeks ago I loaned my DVD to this friend of mine and he has been watching it everyday.
After the first day, he called to ask if I could take him to see a $900k listing.  He wanted to visualize himself in this home. He was so fired up about "The Secret." 
Today I spoke with him, after stealing my copy back, and he said that there was so much energy in his work environment that things were absolutely going … (1 comments)

I'm thankful for.... - 07/10/07 11:11 AM

I recently came to the conclusion that in order to be happy in life, one should be thankful.  As my grandmother used to say, "Count your blessings."  My grandmother was happy, in spite of not having much in the way of financial means.  What she did have were loving children and grandchildren who adored her.
I've decided to make an effort to encourage others to be thankful , including ME, MYSELF, & I.  Sometimes in the business of real estate I have the tendency to be happy when I'm depositing commission checks, and bitter when I'm worrying about money, or lack thereof.
So, … (1 comments)

Tuscaloosa County Market Report - June 2007 - 07/09/07 11:39 AM

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY MARKET REPORT - JUNE 2007
The results are in for home sales activity for the month of June, and it's not a pretty picture.  Last year at this time, total home sales for the month of June were 268 versus the 2007 total of 212. That's a 22% reduction from the previous year.
The total number of homes on the market has increased by 351 homes - a whopping increase to say the least.  Our market is definately showing signs of a buyer's market, much like the rest of the country.
The average DOM (days on market) is 110 days, which is … (0 comments)

11446 Sarasota Lane, Northport, Alabama 35475 -Forest Glen Subdivision - 07/08/07 12:39 PM


This home was custom built in 2003.  It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a large master bedroom with a separate sitting area.  The backyard is surrounded by a wooded privacy fence, and there's plent of room to play.  The back deck also includes a new hot tub that stays with the home.
Please call Todd Murphy to see this home at (205) 759-3100.  Visit us on the web at www.zerocommission.com
… (1 comments)

REALTORS(r) with Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) - 07/08/07 12:28 PM

I recently returned from a week of vacation to face a pile of "to do's" and a list of things to get my business in order.  I had all of these BIG plans to get into the office and knock each "to do" off the list, one by one.  However, I found that I couldn't function.  My mind was in a haze, so to speak.
A couple of weeks ago I hired a business systems coach to help me get focused and systemize my business so that I could work "on my business" and no so much "in my business."  After the … (1 comments)

New Home to be built on Lake Tuscaloosa - 07/06/07 09:54 PM

The ground has been broken and construction will be starting soon on this four bedroom, four and a half bath home overlooking Lake Tuscaloosa.
Located in the North of the River neighborhood, Lake Crest, this home will sit on a 100 foot bluff and has over 150 feet of water frontage on Lake Tuscaloosa.
Lake Crest subdivision is one of the nicer family oriented subdivisions in Tuscaloosa with homes priced anywhere from $450k to over $1 million.  Lake Crest is also near the new Town Center development and your only two minutes away from Rock Quarry elementary school and the new Publix supermarket.
This … (0 comments)

Using your home's equity to pay off credit cards. - 07/05/07 08:06 AM
 
I just read a post by a mortgage lender who was advocating using your home's equity to pay off credit card debt, i.e., refinancing.
It is my opinion that this is one of the most grave financial mistakes that anyone can make.  I've sat in front of hundreds of people (I used to be in the mortgage business) who refinanced their homes to pay off credit card debt, and one year later they were back in credit card debt, and all of their equity was gone.
As real estate agents, we are now seeing the financial repercussions from people who refinanced their homes to … (6 comments)

10431 Pine Meadow Drive Tuscaloosa, Alabama Listing - 07/03/07 07:12 PM
A bargain at $154,900!
This three bedroom, two bath home is all vinyl so you won't have to worry about upkeep.  The backyard is very large, and the home is in great condition, due to the owner's diligent efforts to keep his first home in great shape.  The owner bought this home new and is almost finished with his newly contstructed home, so he priced this home to sell.
The neighborhood is located in the south Tuscaloosa area and is close to great schools.
Call Todd Murphy at Zero Commission Real Estate today to set up a showing (205) 759-3100.
Visit us at www.zerocommission.com


… (0 comments)

Go see your Grandmother, even if it's inconvenient. - 07/03/07 06:49 PM
After driving over seven hours to see my family for the 4th of July, I was tired.  If you've never had the chance to drive seven and one-half hours with a car sick pre-teen and two active seven month olds, you should give it a try.  Selective listening (tuning out) is required.
Well, we made it to my parents, with patience still intact.  However, I knew that we would be making another quick trip the next day - to see Maw Maw (my grandmother).
My grandmother, who will be turning ninety-six next month, lives three hours away from my parents, where we are … (1 comments)

Northport, Alabama Listing - 4402 Revere Way Northport, Alabama 35473 - 07/01/07 10:49 AM

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath charmer has hardwood flooring in the living area and hallway, ceramic tile in the kitchen and dining area, and a master bedroom with an extra sitting area.
Located in Clear Creek Colony subdivision www.clearcreekcolony.org in Northport, Alabama, you will be a couple of blocks from the new county high school, shops and new restaurants.  This highly desirable area is growing in leaps and bounds and now you can live in a wonderful family neighborhood for only $169,900.  We've just reduced this home $10,000, so now is the time to snag this one.
Please call Todd Murphy with Zero Commission … (0 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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