Mark Campbell, Director and General Manager of LJ Hooker Lake Macquarie, has strengthened his position in New South Wales’ Lower Hunter region with the acquisition of LJ Hooker Belmont.
The strategic purchase includes the rent roll of the Belmont office, which is one of the oldest within the iconic real estate network, having operated for more than 50 years since opening in 1973.
This expansion brings Mr Campbell’s office count to four, with the Belmont location joining existing offices in Wangi Wangi, Toronto and Warners Bay, all operating under the name of LJ Hooker Lake Macquarie.
“From a presence and business standpoint, this purchase in Belmont allows us to have four major centres around Lake Macquarie, and the ability to offer our clientele comprehensive coverage,” Mr Campbell said.
“The region is getting busier; we have a steady stream of people coming from Sydney, as well as Canberra and Melbourne, looking for warmer weather. It is a real mix of young families, downsizers and retirees.”
Former principal of LJ Hooker Belmont, Steven Georgalas, has returned to his first passion of property sales and is now working for LJ Hooker Lake Macquarie. The property management side of the business has been consolidated to the Warners Bay office.
Mr Campbell is passionate about training, coaching and mentoring individuals and teams to unlock their full potential. An advocate of positive mental health in the workplace, he recognises that it plays a part in staff achieving their goals.
“Moving house is widely known as the second most stressful thing a person can go through in life, after the death of a loved one,” Mr Campbell said.
“As agents, we are dealing with the largest asset a client will own and transact, and, as a result, they can put a lot of pressure on whoever is looking after it. We need to have the skills to be present and operate at our best, and this allows better outcomes not only for staff but also for our clients.”
LJ Hooker Head of Network Australia, Chris Keating, congratulated Mr Campbell on acquiring the Belmont-based business and looking for new opportunities to expand in the area.
“Mark is a terrific mentor, coach and business leader who recognises the value of multiple offices working together in a high-growth and exciting region,” Mr Keating said.
“Steven has done a great job over the past few years and is looking forward to returning to sales. It is a perfect match for LJ Hooker Lakes Macquarie to be able to acquire a long-running and successful franchise that is so well-known in the community.
“The Toronto office has also been operating as part of the LJ Hooker network since 1976, so along with Warners Bay, Wangi Wangi, and now Belmont, the offices will share the benefits of established high visibility of a brand that locals and those moving to the region know and trust.”
