By Maegan Carter, Staff Writer
When Mike and Debbie Murdock first heard the name EXIT, they weren’t convinced.
After years working with an independent brokerage, they knew they needed the support and recognition of a larger brand. Mike, then an active-duty firefighter, spent his time between calls researching his options.
He looked at familiar names in real estate like RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Better Homes and Gardens, and then came across a company he had never heard of: EXIT.
What caught his attention wasn’t the name. It was the message. He received an email from EXIT Founder and Chairman Steve Morris that read: “Never look down on someone unless you’re offering a hand up.”
For Mike, that message felt personal. As a firefighter and longtime public servant, the idea of helping others had always been central to his life.
“I think I found our franchise,” he told Debbie. “EXIT? Like, get the heck out of here?” she replied. Twenty years later, the name means something very different.
For the Murdock’s, EXIT became much more than just another real estate brand. It became a community.
From the beginning, they found people willing to help them build their business and relationships that continued long after the initial challenges of opening an office. Mike describes EXIT as a place where he can pick up the phone anytime and call someone because they aren’t just colleagues, they’re people who really want to help you get where you need to be.
That sense of camaraderie was especially important during 2007 and 2008, when the real estate market brought unprecedented challenges. Mike and Debbie held on through those difficult years, taking on BPOs and doing whatever work they could to keep moving forward.
Those moments are a long way from where they are today.
The first building they opened was just 1,200 square feet. Mike had already planned for its growth, putting two back doors in the building so they could eventually expand. They did and then expanded again.
Today, their EXIT office has helped agents build successful careers, including several who have reached six-figure incomes. But Debbie says their greatest accomplishment isn’t the size of the office. It’s the people.
“Being able to help our people make a good living,” she explains, “We’ve got some great people and the culture we’ve built, it’s just so nice that we also get to help them build a great life.”
For Mike, success has also meant being able to give back. The Murdock’s have hosted health fairs, supported first responders, and created opportunities to bring resources and services to their community.
EXIT has even become a family affair. Their children have been impacted by the business, with several becoming successful real estate professionals themselves.
What began as a search for a brand became a foundation for a life well lived. After 20 years, Mike and Debbie aren’t looking back, they’re still growing. Their goal is to build their agent count while continuing to focus on productive, successful people who want to build something of their own.
