Canberra real-estate agencies on the move

The first half of 2016 has ushered a string of new office openings and agency mergers across Canberra, including the re-launch of LJ Hooker in Tuggeranong.

Next week LJ Hooker will open a new office in the southern valley, just seven months after Luton Properties Tuggeranong bought out the agency’s original office. 

Aside from the December merger, Luton Properties has officially launched its first office dedicated to project marketing, Luton Projects, this month.

The new LJ Hooker Tuggeranong office is at Anketell​ Street, opposite Bunnings.

LJ Hooker director Andrew Ligdopoulos says his agency has had a presence in the valley for close to two decades and is excited to re-open its doors.

“We’ve been a trusted name. A lot of people are familiar with the brand down in Tuggeranong,” he says.

“It’s an opportunity to service a large area including people who have used LJ Hooker before.”

On the other side of the lake, Ray White Belconnen has merged with Elders Belconnen, becoming one of the largest agencies in Canberra.

Ray White Belconnen selling principal Ben Faulks says the new-look agency now has 40 employees spread across two offices.

Mr Faulks says the merger will allow the business to meet growing customer expectations, from house styling to digital media.

“We’re finding customers are expecting more and more in terms of service,” he says. “Having a greater team gives us greater scale to deliver on that experience.

“Having that dominant position in northern Canberra allows us to provide additional off-market buying opportunities to our clients.”

It’s also been a big year to date in the commercial real estate world, with property firm Burgess Rawson expanding into the capital in May in response to surging eastern seaboard activity.

The 40-year-old firm has opened an office in Kingston, headed by managing director and former Laing+Simmons Commercial head of retail, Guy Randell.

Meanwhile, the extensive Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade property portfolio has been officially transitioned to JLL.

The commercial property firm, which has a presence in Canberra, has secured the global portfolio for the next five years.

– with Jack Needham