Murphy Boley: From Psychology Major to Real Estate Pro – How Building Relationships Translates to Real Estate Success

Written By Kyle Guldenpfennig

On this week's episode of The Lofty Lender, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Murphy Boley, a dedicated real estate agent with Remax Concepts in Des Moines, Iowa. Born and raised in the Des Moines metro area, Murphy combines her background in psychology and social networking to provide exceptional service to her clients, with a strong focus on empathy, patience, and genuine connection.

Psychology Meets Real Estate

Murphy’s journey to real estate wasn’t straightforward. Originally, she pursued psychology at the University of Iowa, aiming to become a school counselor. But after getting engaged to her now-husband during college, Murphy chose a different path—one that allowed her to leverage her natural skills and stay closer to home.

Murphy transitioned into real estate nearly four years ago after being inspired by a friend who highlighted how the profession aligned perfectly with her strengths in social networking, listening to others, and building authentic relationships. Her minor in human relations further enhanced her ability to effectively read and respond to her clients’ unique needs—whether they’re first-time homebuyers or seniors looking to downsize.

What Psychology Brings to the Table in Real Estate

During our conversation, Murphy explained how her education in psychology gives her a distinct advantage in real estate:

  • Enhanced empathy and communication: Murphy easily adapts to the personalities and energy levels of diverse clients, making them feel understood and comfortable.

  • Deeper insight into buyer and seller behavior: Her training helps her anticipate client concerns and proactively address them.

  • Relationship building: Murphy emphasizes long-term relationships over quick sales, ensuring clients come back and refer others because they trust her.

Although Murphy joked she’s not quite a "CIA operative" when it comes to reading minds, she certainly excels in connecting deeply with people.

Building a Family Business

Murphy has been a full-time business owner for over seven years, including her initial experience selling beauty and wellness products via social media. She shared her most valuable takeaway from entrepreneurship: creating and owning her time. Murphy stresses that while being your own boss demands discipline and dedication, the payoff—especially having flexibility and quality time with family—is priceless.

Family, Fun, and Iowa Hawkeyes

When not helping her clients, Murphy treasures spending time with her husband, daughter, and their two energetic Labradors. She shared an amusing story about her dogs escaping the yard by climbing snow piles—an adventure that delighted her daughter. Murphy’s family loves outdoor activities, trips to Adventureland, and vacationing by the water.

A proud Iowa Hawkeyes fan and country music lover, Murphy named Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs as her top country music artists—revealing her favorite concerts and game-day traditions of watching Hawkeyes games at home with family.

Goals and Aspirations

Murphy isn’t resting on past achievements. Her big goal for the coming year is to close 30 home sales, topping her impressive count of 25 last year. On a personal note, Murphy dreams of taking her family on an international trip—preferably a tropical destination like Jamaica or the Bahamas.

Real Estate Quick Picks

To round off the episode, we had some fun with our "Quick Picks" segment, where Murphy quickly shared her favorites:

  • Concerts over football games (though it was a tough call!)

  • Summer BBQs over winter bonfires

  • Labs over golden retrievers (of course!)

  • Instagram over Facebook

  • Lake days over hiking trails

  • True crime documentaries over reality TV (her favorite show being Forensic Files)

Trending Topic: Standing Out in Today's Balanced Market

Murphy also shared timely insights into the evolving real estate market. With inventory up nearly 30% from last year and homes sitting longer (an average of 48 days on the market compared to 26 days last year), Murphy emphasized the importance of effective staging:

  • Decluttering: Clear counters, minimal décor, and no fridge magnets.

  • Pet-friendly staging: Remove pet items for showings.

  • Natural lighting: Open blinds and curtains to brighten the space.

Even with more homes available, properties priced competitively and staged well continue to sell at 98.3% of the asking price. Murphy’s staging tips help sellers achieve top dollar and quicker sales.

Connect with Murphy Boley

To learn more about Murphy or work with her directly, you can reach her via:

Listen to the Full Episode

Catch my full conversation with Murphy Boley on The Lofty Lender Podcast by searching "The Lofty Lender" with hashtag #TallMoneyMan wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Stay curious, and see you next week!

Kyle Guldenpfennig
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