SAME staff, same service, but a brand new name.
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LJ Hooker Bathurst has re-branded itself as Panorama Real Estate, bringing a sense of independence to the team, led by Zac Theobald and Peter Rogers.
Mr Rogers said leaving the LJ Hooker franchise has allowed the agency to reallocate its finances to provide a better service to clients and take back some control over the running of the business.
“When you’re in a franchise, you have to do what corporate guidelines say,” he said. “When you’re an independent you can do whatever you want, without Big Brother over your shoulder.”
As for the chosen name, Mr Rogers said it brought back a little history as there used to be an agency in Bathurst with that name, which was run by Athol and Dawn Rosengreen.
“Panorama was a real good name then and that was why we decided to run with that,” he said.
“I actually rang Dawn to ask her [to use the name] … she cried.”
Some may say it is a risk to make the move from a well-known franchise to an independent brand, but Mr Rogers doesn’t find this to be a case.
“I’m not worried about it at all,” he said.
Mr Rogers ran an independent real estate, Peter Rogers Real Estate, which was arguably the biggest agency in Bathurst for a number of years.
His experience showed him that most country people are comfortable with independent businesses as long as they provide a quality service, which he is confident Panorama Real Estate does.
“I think people will probably be a bit shocked by the future direction of the business,” Mr Rogers said.
“I’ve been pretty successful in running an independent real estate and Athol and Dawn had a lot of success, so I think you’ll find that most people will embrace it.”
Mr Rogers is currently helping Mr Theobald, who used to work for him at Peter Rogers Real Estate, with the running of the agency, but said he is unsure how long he will be on board for.
The initial plan was for him to help out while Mr Theobald took time off from work to recover while sick.
It has been around five months since that partnership started.
“I’ll see how I go, how long I’m needed for,” he said.
Panorama Real Estate will remain in the same location, at 169 Howick Street, and will keep the same phone number.
