THE BYRON SHIRE
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echonetdaily.net.au Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 adcopy@echo.net.au
Comprehensively covering the NSW Far North Coast
Byron Shire realtor Q&A by Hans Lovejoy
LJ Hooker Brunswick Heads LJ Hooker Brunswick Heads has a team of eight, and is headed by principal Peter Browning. Peter says on brunswickheads. ljhooker.com.au that he has had 18 years in the industry and was previously Ray White’s number one salesperson person and auction lister in 1996 and 1997. ‘I left there and worked for the Professionals from 1997–99. During that time I achieved the pro-master awards. I left the Professionals to start LJ Hooker Brunswick Heads with a great friend and much admired mentor, the late Jim Anning. We opened the office on September 29, 1999
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Property In Focus p56
Business Directory 52
Auctions & Inspections p59
and within eight months I made the Captains Club top 10 per cent salespeople within LJ Hooker. Twelve months later I qualified to the multi million-dollar chapter which represents the top two per cent salespeople within the franchise. I have remained at this level for the past ten years and strive to stay there.’ Other staff include Bernadette Browning, David Mutkins, Fiona Crandell, Bernard Browning, Tony Parker, Rana Smithlee and Jason Connell. LJ Hooker Brunswick Heads covers all property, from residential and land to commercial. They also offer permanent and holiday rental services. The company also support many sporting and community groups. They include: The Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club, Brunswick Heads Bowling Club, Mullumbimby/ Brunswick Cricket Club, Mu l l u m b i m b y N e t b a l l C lu b, Br u ns w i ck / By ron Netball Assoc, Brunswick Valley Junior Rugby Club, Mullumbimby Giants Rugby League’s Club, Cystic Fibrosis, Kids In The Community, Back To Brunswick Hot Rod Run, Brunswick Heads Visitor Centre, Brunswick Heads, Kites & Bikes, Orphans In Uganda, Forget Me Not Children’s Home, Brunswick Valley Woodchop & Entertainment and Special Children’s Christmas Party. How long have you been in the area and how long have you been a realtor?
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rshaw@acceptancefinance.com.au
www.acceptancefinance.com.au 52 July 31, 2012 The Byron Shire Echo
I was born in the Mullumbimby hospital on 15 November 1972 so I guess I am what you call a born-and-bred local; both my parents are from two of the largest and best known families within the shire, my mother is a Walker and my father a Browning so if I am not related to most the people in the area I certainly know of them and or their history in the area/community. I have been a realtor for approximately 18 years. What drew you to real estate? I had finished my apprenticeship as a butcher. Then I thought I really like talking and I know most people in town & I always had a fascination with houses and garden and real estate agents back then didn’t work on weekends, plus my grandfather Jacky Walker used to be the number one auctioneer, real estate and horse race caller in Mullumbimby years before so I thought I could follow in his footsteps and found that this was definitely the job for me. I understand there is a planned housing estate for Brunswick Heads.
How will this affect the town? The housing estate planned for Brunswick Heads is going to be one of the greatest assets to the township of Brunswick. It will give young families looking to live in our seaside town the opportunity at an affordable price and bring extra people and families to the community which will support the local shops, restaurants, surf club, school and hopefully create more jobs for the people of the community. It could be said that this Shire is unlike everywhere else in that it is cautious of development rather than embraces it. How does a real estate operator in the shire balance community wishes against the pressures to operate a profit-making venture? This shire is with out a doubt the best shire for me as a real estate agent to work in with the limited development it continues to drive the prices higher than anywhere else that I am aware of so for me I have less turn-over but much better sale prices than other shires. The sad part for me and all the other locals that have grown up here and raised their children
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here is that with the price our children won’t be able to do the same and we are now loosing local children to the Tweed and Ballina shire to start their families there. What initially drew you to this area and does it still have those same qualities? What are the major changes in your time here?
Sunday morning has always and still does take my breath away. We are lucky. Some of the changes I have seen over my time are pubs are now a meeting place for women, children and families to catch up and have a coffee rather than blokes and beers, the Brunswick Heads bypass, the construction of the shops and buildings in Parks Street, Brunswick Heads, outdoor dining, street scaped footpath, the demolition of the old picture theatre in Mullum the Civic Hall face lift, the construction and relocation of the Byron Shire council chambers from Byron back to Mullumbimby, Towers industrial estate and the Mullumbimby Leagues Club, Spaghetti Circus, Steiner schools, the renovations of most of the old heritage style houses in the whole shire. There is so much more but I think a huge change within our area is the mind set for healthy living, good food and a healthy clean/green environment.
I was born here but the reason I stay here and have raised my own family here is because of the many diverse walks of life within our community and I think it has given my wife Bernadette our two children and myself a great outlook and understanding of what a really democratic society is and that each and every person is entitled to an opinion or interest in their lives. The other major reason I love and remain a resident and work in Brunswick Heads is the unspoilt beaches, the river, the fact that within ten minutes drive from the beach you can be looking or walking in a rainforest and the view from the lighthouse Q Next week The Echo will in Byron looking out over the profile another Byron Shire Brunswick valley at 6am on a realtor. www.echo.net.au