Kelly
Murphy
A second generation professional
From an early age, Kelly Murphy was groomed for real estate.
Her childhood memories are peppered with stories of home. With
a hint of nostalgia, she recalls munching on sack lunches in vacant
rooms, and family weekends spent restoring floors and painting
walls.
Her parents, Marvin and Sandy Murphy, always had their hands in
the business, as investors in the early years, and later as REALTORS.
In 2000, the couple founded Murphy Realty. Just a couple years
later, in 2002, daughter Kelly joined the ranks.
"I feel like I've been in real estate my whole life,"
says Murphy, a second generation REALTOR.
Though she seemed marked for the industry, Murphy wasn't initially
convinced that real estate was her calling. Instead, she attended
college and obtained her teaching certificate. She taught high
school but quickly realized it wasn't a good fit.
"I wasn't much older than the students," she says, laughing.
She took another turn and found a career in wireless communications.
She spent a decade in the rising industry, working first at ONE
COMM (which later became Nextel), and later starting her own company.
She and two partners founded Answer Communications.
"It was a great experience," she says. "We did
well and we were able to sell the company. It was great."
Over the years, life expanded with marriage and children. She
and her husband have three children, ages 4, 6 and 8. Six years
ago she was finally ready to start the career she had been immersed
in all her life. She joined Murphy Realty, a company with seven
agents.
"I was really busy the first four years," says Murphy,
who is active in both the residential and commercial sectors.
"Last year was slow, and things are picking up this year."
Getting settled in her career has allowed her to devote more time
to JCAR. She was recently elected to a three-year term on the
JCAR Board.
"It's a great opportunity for me to get in there, get involved
and help other agents know what is available at JCAR," she
says. "From taking classes, to getting support, to getting
involved in political, social and industry issues."
In addition, Murphy is involved with Live to Give, a community
outreach project that is raising funds to purchase a home for
a family in need.
"It's something I can do to give back," says Murphy,
who is donating her real estate expertise and services.
