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LJ Hooker has announced its expansion into the specialist rural real estate market as it moves to service growing regional demand, going back to the future after recently celebrating its 90-year milestone.
The division will be led by Ian Simpson, who has specialised in real estate and water sales for the past 15 years, and is the fourth generation of a farming family.
Previously at Ray White, Mr Simpson will now operate his own group of offices as LJ Hooker Forbes | Canowindra | Condobolin.
He will also be charged with attracting new rural offices.
“Australia was built on the sheep’s back; rural is at the heart of our country,” Mr Simpson said.
“Despite a general slowdown in residential market conditions, demand for agricultural property is underpinned by global economic and population fundamentals. The high standings of Australia’s agribusiness sector ensure that these assets are always in demand from domestic and international players.”
LJ Hooker chairman L Janusz Hooker said that LJ Hooker has had a long association with rural and agricultural property services.
“In the 1960s, LJ Hooker founder Sir Leslie Hooker established the Hooker Pastoral Co Pty Ltd via a series of mergers and acquisitions.
“It was then that Sir Leslie brokered one of the largest real estate transactions in Australian history, when he purchased the pastoral holdings of William Buckland, a prominent Melbourne businessman. Part of the purchase was the iconic Victoria River Downs Station in the Northern Territory, which was the world’s largest pastoral holding.”
Mr Hooker said that the time is right for LJ Hooker to once again offer a specific service for Australia’s emblematic rural regions.
“Given the sheer geographic size of our regional areas, it’s no surprise that the rural real estate sector has remained strong, and LJ Hooker is laying the foundation to meet this rising demand.
“Multinationals and institutions are increasingly moving into our agribusiness sector, and having a dedicated rural brand allows us to offer these clients specialised real estate expertise, along with a dedicated support team and resources for our rural offices.”
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