New era as real estate company returns to Mackay

ONE of Australia's most recognisable real estate groups has officially opened it's doors in Mackay once again after leaving two years ago.

NEW ERA: LJ Hooker state director Steve Mutton (left), Mackay business manager Tara Smyth, principal licensee Fum Walters and the company's executive chairman Janusz Hooker mark the opening of LJ Hooker's Mackay branch. Picture: Mitchell Bazley

ONE of Australia's most recognisable real estate groups has officially opened it's doors in Mackay once again after leaving two years ago.

LJ Hooker has returned to the region through the rebranding of Living Here Property Partners real estate group, after previously operating in the region for 15 years.

LJ Hooker will be keen to take advantage of a positive real estate market in a region that is quickly becoming a hotspot for buyers and investors.

LJ Hooker executive chairman Janusz Hooker said that the company was quick to put the badge back up in the region after finding the right principal franchisee.

"Mackay is an important part of the Australian economy. When it started gaining momentum we set up here in 1993, so it's only been two years (that) we haven't had an operation up here,” Mr Hooker said.

Mr Hooker said Mackay was one of the most promising areas in the real estate market and there was a real, positive energy to the city.

"When you look at this part of the country, the flight was full on the way up, the mall is full, it's busy, so you can see that energy as soon as you land in a place like this,” he said.

The real estate market in Mackay has been defined in recent times by low vacancy rates and positive price growth in residential areas.

"We're seeing very low vacancy rates, it's pretty much full occupancy in many areas, but you're also seeing prices firming up so it's at an exciting part of the cycle for investors coming into the market.”

LJ Hooker state director Steve Mutton said Mackay had seen exceptional growth in the region in a short amount of time.

"I was visiting Mackay about 10 months ago and the difference between then and now is extraordinary, there is a pace about the town,” he said.

LJ Hooker had been waiting for the right principal to partner with before re-committing to the Mackay region, Mr Mutton said.

"Unless we have a principal that can represent the brand and service our customers to a high standard, then we prefer to sit on the fence and wait for the right principal to come along, which was the choice we made back then,” he said.

LJ Hooker Mackay business manager Tara Smyth said the rebranded team was looking forward to operating under a successful name in the real estate industry.

"I guess the biggest change moving into the LJ Hooker group will be having more opportunities in the market place under a successful name in the industry. You can't ask for anything more than that,” she said.

LJ Hooker Mackay has branches operating in Mackay, Moranbah, and Dysart.

Originally published as New era as real estate company returns to Mackay