Sherri Wirtz Murphy
Born and raised in Texas, Sherri Wirtz Murphy is a renowned regional expert on Dallas-Fort Worth real estate and a specialist in the luxury market. Over the course of her 35-year career as a licensed real estate agent, Sherri has garnered experience from every aspect of the spectrum—from lending and property management to foreclosures, short sales, and new construction. She also holds multiple designations as an accredited luxury home specialist with the National Association of Realtors, an NAR Military Relocation Professional, and an author of an upcoming book series to educate homeowners and assist first-time buyers. However, Sherri is best known for her role as team leader for The Ultimate Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker Realty’s Southlake Regional office, where she is responsible for training and mentoring other agents and administrative staff. We spoke with Sherri to learn more about her extensive background in the industry, her passion for coaching, and the unique services of The Ultimate Real Estate Group.
How much growth have you seen since forming The Ultimate Real Estate Group?
I’m delighted at how quickly we’ve grown. After starting out with one additional agent and a part-time assistant, I’m now looking to add two buyer specialists, two listing specialists, and one leasing specialist. Just as the team’s name implies, I’ve always taken pride in giving clients “the ultimate real estate experience” and in maintaining those relationships for life. That’s why I’m teaching my team to provide the same kind of service to our clients as we become a leader in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
What sets The Ultimate Real Estate Group apart from its competitors?
I work as a real estate agent and as a real estate advisor to provide knowledge and information that will empower my clients to make the best, most informed decisions. I’m in constant contact with our customers, and they know that they can call me for advice anytime. We don’t stop serving our clients at closing, we’re available to them for life.
In addition to maintaining lifelong relationships with clients, you spend a lot of time mentoring other agents. Tell us about that.
I’m a member of the John Maxwell Team, and I completed their coaching program so that I could pass my knowledge on to other agents and help them to become successful. Coaching and mentoring have always been my passion because this business is really challenging, and it takes time to learn the nuances in an ever-changing market. To be able to teach my own agents how to properly advise their buyers and sellers is not only important, it’s also very rewarding.
What inspired you to pursue a real estate career?
My uncle and grandfather were both builders, so I grew up around new home construction. While growing up, I dreamed of being an architect and interior designer, which is why I got my real estate license at an early age. I’ve flipped homes, managed rentals, and represented both buyers and sellers. Even though I went into mortgage originations for a time, my passion was always on the real estate side.
When did you become a licensed real estate agent?
I initially obtained my license in 1986 while working for a private mortgage insurance company in the REO department in Houston. During this period, the foreclosure rate was extremely high due to the oil bust, and I was responsible for the loss mitigation on foreclosed homes we acquired through the mortgage companies. Neighborhoods were empty and abandoned, and families were walking away from their homes because the value had depreciated below the mortgage balance. I volunteered with Houston’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program and started speaking at homeowner’s association meetings to educate people on the consequences of walking away and how to get involved with their HOAs to help improve the stability and future of their neighborhoods.
From there, I was hired on with the Resolution Trust Corporation in New Jersey and was responsible for selling portfolios of property from failed savings and loans while mitigating the losses on the acquisitions. I then moved over to the FDIC and continued to do due diligence on foreclosed properties—hiring property managers and brokers to assist in restoring the properties so they could be sold on the open market to get the highest value. After getting my real estate license in New Jersey and New York, I went to work for Kislak Property Management in Woodbridge, NJ, where I managed a portfolio of commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and multifamily properties.
You’re also actively involved with charitable giving. What organization do you support?
I’m a partner with Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit that gives back to our police officers, firemen, paramedics, medical staff, and teachers. My son is a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, and seeing how these men and women sacrifice their lives every day for us has touched my heart, so I do everything I can do assist and serve them. All my volunteer work goes towards helping these amazing people.
You’re currently in the process of writing a book series. What else is in store for the future?
The next phase of The Ultimate Real Estate Group will be staging for sellers, then I plan to add a moving company to assist our buyers and sellers with their local moves.
What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
I have a passion for serving others and for helping my clients find the right home at the right price. I’m beyond blessed and love giving back and making others smile. I wake up in the morning and can’t wait to get to work because it doesn’t even feel like a job to me. It truly is one of my greatest pleasures, and I love every minute of it!
Contact:
Sherri Wirtz Murphy
Realtor
The Ultimate Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker Realty
Website: https://www.soldbysherri.cbintouch.com
Facebook: The Ultimate Real Estate Group—Sherri Murphy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherri-wirtz-murphy-6b2443142/
