About Real Estate Agents L J Hooker

“Real Estate is not about houses, it’s about people.” Leslie Hooker opened the first L J Hooker office at Maroubra Road, Maroubra, an Eastern Sydney suburb, in 1928. Initially he spent his time, much like L.J. Hooker agents today, meeting people, talking to them, developing relationships and gaining trust. With money at a minimum he set about developing a state of the visual promotional system to maximise the impact of signboards thus giving birth to the now famous Red and Yellow colours. By the mid 1930’s Les had grown his business and established a name synonymous with honesty and integrity. It was time to take the next step, opening the first city L.J. Hooker office at 12 O’Connell Street, Sydney in 1935.In 1936, the business had expanded into Kensington, Kingsford & Randwick. By 1938, the company was in the position to purchase H.L. Cross & Co. and relocated to the heart of the city on the corner of Martin Place and Pitt Street. After the Depression came the war, leaving Les with just a skeleton staff, but the business went on. By the end of the war, L.J. Hooker Limited was ready to be floated on the Stock Exchange. The company was successfully floated on the 1st of July 1947, paying dividends of up to 25%. By 1956 the dividend had risen to 50%. With the establishment of L.J. Hooker Investment Corporation Limited in 1958 the company moved into a variety of diversified areas; however this didn’t distract Les from his roots in agency real estate. During this time the agency division grew across Australia, completing the national network with the opening of an office in Perth in 1960. Ever the innovator, Les was the first to introduce the concept of real estate franchising into Australia with the opening of the company’s first franchise offices in Bankstown, Miranda and Newport in 1968. Les Hooker became Sir Leslie Hooker in 1973 for his services to business and commerce. The following year he retired as Chairman of the parent company but remained on the Board as Founder Chairman until his death in 1976. L.J. Hooker, proudly serving the community since 1928…because when it comes to real estate, nobody does it better ®