Home is where your story begins. For Tina Tyus, that story began at the young age of 21, when she bought her first investment property at an auction for $10,000 on her credit card.
“And it wasn’t just one credit card. It was my card, my husband’s card and if you would have given me your card, I’d have used it,” she said. “It ended up being a really, really good and very smart investment for me.”
She instantly fell in love with the process, the reward and the idea of helping her friends and family accomplish their real estate goals, so five years later she started Town Square Realty Inc. and it became the parent company of Real Estate School of Alabama, TSR Contracting and Town Square Investments. From that one seed, she has successfully owned and operated these multiple businesses for over 30 years.
Town Square Realty is a full-service real estate company with offices in both Alabama and Georgia. Tyus shares that the basis for success for each company are the same: “People before Profit,” prophetic advice she received when starting her first company.
“We focus on God’s people and trust God for our profit!” she said. The full-service real estate empire encompasses building, buying and selling commercial and residential properties, real estate education and reinvesting in communities by buying undesirable properties, renovating and reselling them.
She is also a published author of the book “So You Want to Flip Houses,” a step-by-step guide to flipping homes that include biblical life lessons.
The book started with a journal, where Tyus wrote down notes to help her two daughters, Angel and Star, if they ever wanted to enter the real estate industry. They not only loved the information but encouraged her to share it with the world. They now both play an intricate part in the success of the Town Square empire.
The book includes information on establishing credit, tax advantages, decorating on a budget and operating business using spiritual principles.
Her school, “Real Estate School of Alabama,” offers pre- and post-licensing for those wanting a career in real estate, as well as providing continuing education courses.
Each company under the Town Square umbrella operates using those spiritual principles. Tyus is most grateful for the ability to grant opportunities to other entrepreneurs.
“As a team member with Town Square, you sell just 12 properties and have an opportunity to receive 100% of your commission for life,” Tyus said. “It’s called ‘12 & Done.’ This is what agents generally have to work years for and open their own brokerage to accomplish.”
The big question that she is often asked is why would you make such an opportunity available?
“I love the ability to create millionaires through real estate,” she said. “Whether it’s aiding others to become real estate investors through flipping homes or building their dreams for being a Realtor, excellence is a minimum standard for us. This is my way of giving back and leaving a legacy.”
Not only has this real estate guru been a guiding light for other entrepreneurs, but she also humbly loves the day-to-day joy of assisting families in achieving the dream of homeownership.
She recently received The Influential Women in Real Estate Award for her longevity, influence and inspiration to women in the real estate industry. She’s now a member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, she’s on the Board of Directors for Birmingham Association of Realtors, and she will soon be serving as president for Greater Alabama MLS.
She’s also currently heavily involved with the expansion of Town Square Realty Georgia, which is thriving in the sale of luxury properties. This office has the same strong commitment to excellence and service that her clients can find in Alabama.
“I am excited to see what God has next,” Tyus continued. “My prediction is that families across multiple states will be blessed because of those prophetic words that God spoke to me over 30 years ago: ‘People before Profit.’”
