Shane Broekman looks to awaken ‘sleeping giant’ under new banner

Calling the Frenchs Forest, Belrose and Davidson markets on Sydney’s Northern Beaches a “sleeping giant”, Broekman’s connection to the area is not only a professional one – he’s now raising his family in the same area he grew up in.

Stating it’s an area of the Northern Beaches he’s always lived and worked in, he acknowledges “it’s undergoing fundamental change”.

He outlined: “Like other councils, there’s a new housing target on the table. Rezonings have been gazetted. Major infrastructure investments are either newly completed or progressing, such as the new Northern Beaches Hospital, the new shopping precinct on the site of the soon-to be-relocated The Forest High School, and the new Glenrose Village.”

According to him, it’s all driving further interest in the local property market – and while this has historically been characterised by freestanding houses, “that is changing too”.

“More apartment development means more choice not only for people looking to move into this beautiful area, but also for long-term locals who want to downsize but have never really had the choice to do so.”

He expects the change in density will lead to a change in diversity, and demographic, especially given the average period of ownership for a home in the area is sitting at 14 years. But with more choice available, the agent expects ownership duration rates “could conceivably halve”.

It all leads Broekman to the belief that “an area that has been a sleeping giant for a long time is set for considerable growth”.

With growth squarely on the agenda of Laing+Simmons The Forest too, Broekman sees opportunity on both the sales and property management sides of the business.

He concluded: “In line with the Laing+Simmons people-first approach, we’re focused on broadening our reach while ensuring we always prioritise the customer experience.”