Matt Curtis Real Estate focuses on home and heart

Hard work and determination have taken Matt Curtis Real Estate Inc. to the pinnacle of success. However, he stays grounded by helping Central American families live in decent housing.

“We’ve been blessed to grow over 700 percent in the last five years, including 71 percent in 2016 alone. With this growth, we anticipate being included on ‘Inc.’ magazine’s ‘5,000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies,’” Curtis said.

In 2005 Curtis transferred to the Madison area as sales engineer with National Instruments of Austin, Texas. He started investing in real estate but couldn’t find an agent with whom he was comfortable.

“Being a typical engineer, I got my own real estate license. I transitioned from just selling to starting my own company, Matt Curtis Real Estate,” he said. “I wanted to elevate client experience by ensuring everyone consistently received five-star service.”

Matt Curtis Real Estate “provides a higher level of service to our clients by providing specialized service during each phase of the buying/selling process. Through teamwork, everyone achieves more for our clients,” Curtis said. “For example, when most real estate agents meet with a client, work stops for all other clients. Not with the Matt Curtis Real Estate Team.” When his listing agent meets with a seller, other team members activate, including the assistant closing coordinator, licensed closing coordinators, the “runner,” listing manager and buying agents.

In a town full of engineers, Curtis said clients appreciate the agency’s technology and analytical approach in buying/selling real estate. Zillow and Google rank Curtis’ company as Alabama’s No. 1 Reviewed Real Estate Team.

With this business success, Curtis was motivated to help individuals who cannot attain adequate housing. He works directly with Habitat for Humanity in Nicaragua.

“A home can still be built for $5,000 in Nicaragua,” Curtis said. “Every time we sell 100 homes, we build a home in Nicaragua. To date, we have built and donated funds for 35 homes since we started the program.’

Habitat oversees the project, with volunteers completing most actual labor. “I’m definitely hands-on. I’ve always believed in working hard at whatever I do,” he said.

Curtis enjoys carrying and laying concrete blocks, mixing concrete – and taking breaks to jump rope with village children. The locals nicknamed Curtis as “Hardest Worker.”

According to research, inadequate housing causes one in four children to die before they reach age 5. “Statistically speaking, we’ll have saved approximately nine lives with the 35 homes we’ve built and are in the process of building,” Curtis said.

No words can describe the emotions that he experiences while there, Curtis said. “I do feel a clarity of purpose and closeness to God like none other. I’ve learned about contentment from the people of Nicaragua.” Curtis plans a return trip to Nicaragua in spring 2017.

Starting a business in Madison was an easy decision, because of Madison’s growth and award-winning schools. Homeowners enjoy a high average income level. An average homeowner holds a science/engineering degree. Madison has a high-quality workforce and relatively low operating costs for businesses, Curtis said.

With Madison Chamber of Commerce’s “2016 Best in Business Awards,” Matt Curtis Real Estate was distinguished as the first business to ever win three awards for one year. “It was very humbling,” Curtis said. He had set expectations to win one award. “When we were called to the stage to win another award – and then another – we were blown away to say the least.” The Curtis agency won “Home & Living Business of the Year,” “Excellence in Leadership & Service” and the overall “Best Business of the Year.” “This made for one unforgettable night,” Curtis said.

In a marketing strategy, Curtis’ “Moving to Canada” billboards generated great response. “Several people said they would use us when they move,” he said. Also, Curtis appreciates the relationship with Lamar Billboard.

Financially speaking, “we’ve built the company from the ground up with no debt, starting as a solo agent to a team of 25-plus in approximately five years, and generated over $2 million in annual revenue. We’re projecting over $3.5 million in revenue in 2017,” he said. “We’re just getting started and look forward to continued high growth over the next decade. We aim to make Madison proud.”

He and wife Courtney have three children who attend Madison Academy: seventh-grader Calli, fourth-grader Bryce and kindergartner Macy.

Office address is 8097 Madison Blvd., Suite 103. Call 256.333.MOVE, email Matt@MattCurtisRealEstate.com or visit MattCurtisRealEstate.com or Facebook