Hooking into new concept Virtual office on return
CLINT Wallis is the new face of LJ Hooker in Townsville and he has hit the ground running.
Last week he achieved a rare “hole in one” in real estate by selling four properties in one day, a feat he achieved almost five years ago to the day.
But in a twist to his new venture with LJ Hooker, the brand will work from a virtual office — the first by a major real estate brand in Australia.
“One thing COVID-19 has shown us has been that you don’t always need a large physical presence,” Mr Wallis said.
“So many people in so many industries are now working from home, they are doing everything digitally, including Zoom meetings.”
The second largest real estate brand in Australia has been missing from the Townsville market for several years but the company approached Mr Wallis to re-establish the brand in Townsville.
“I was approached by LJ Hooker to be the owner of LJ Hooker in Townsville and there was a quite a good deal put on the table for me to do that,” Mr Wallis said.
“That would also enable me to manage rental properties, which I have done numerous times before.”
Mr Wallis said he was confident about the future of the real estate market in the region in both sales and rentals.
“I believe it is starting to turn and in talking with other agents at the moment they are seeing the same sort of run.
“I am seeing really good signs for rentals, obviously for new builds with the vacancy rate being so low means people are moving to Townsville.
“And it is continuing to drop, which is a very good sign. If there are more people moving here than moving away then the market will correct.
He said this was the first time a major real estate brand had been introduced back into the Townsville market for several years.
“It is the second largest brand in Australia for real estate and I think it is one of the best known. I don’t think anyone can forget the Thankyou Mr Hooker ads and the Hooker Bear are still ingrained in everyone’s mind,” Mr Wallis said.
“I will be the only LJ Hooker office allowed in Townsville and Townsville greater region out to the boundaries of Ingham and Ayr.”
Mr Wallis has been a fixture in Townsville real estate since 1995 and was principal of Raine and Horne in the city in 2007 before moving to Ray White and establishing six offices across Townsville, Mackay and Moranbah.
Needing a change to focus on his young family, Mr Wallis sold his Ray White franchise in 2017 but continued to sell properties though North Ward Reality.
His contact details are 0403 180 181 or clint.wallis@ljhooker.com.au