Professionals Real Estate 
Ipswich real estate identity Luke Buckel, has taken the reins at Professionals Ipswich in a move that caps a 17-year career in the industry.
Mr Buckel, formerly a long-time local Ray White franchisee, has opened under the Professionals banner at his office located at 1/21 Brisbane Road in Bundamba, from where he will service the central Ipswich market from Karalee to Yamanto.
“The Professionals brand has had a significant presence in Ipswich since the 1970s and we have a tremendous opportunity to grow the brand in a market that we believe has a lot of potential,” said Mr Buckel.
“Ipswich effectively is the Parramatta of Brisbane, but nobody has flicked that switch too hard at this stage, so it has a long way to go. There’s a lot that benefits Ipswich that benefits Brisbane and that’s reflected in the recent growth of the market here.”
Mr Buckel said his decision to join the expanding Professionals network was based on the Group’s independent structure that does not follow the traditional franchisee model.
“Sometimes it’s not about the numbers; it’s more about the quality of service and that’s what appeals to us,” he said.
Mr Buckel brings with him a sizeable rent roll of about 200 properties to Professionals Ipswich, a portfolio that Mr Buckel said had flourished through personalised service.
“That’s how we have always done things, whether in property sales or management; our property management team only needs to hear the voice of our clients to know who they are dealing with,” he said.
As for the Ipswich market, Mr Buckel said it was holding its own with owner-occupiers more dominant now than in the previous cycle.
“The advantage of the central Ipswich area is that we have such a diversity of product,” he said.
“Existing areas like Raceview, Booval and Bundamba can offer the same to buyers as newer areas do, if not more, especially with essential services already in place.
“It’s such a tight marketplace at the moment where stock is at a premium, so in this market you need to know what you are doing to service people well.”
Mr Buckel, who grew up in Ipswich and has steered his career through several property cycles, currently has a staff of four at Ipswich Professionals. He plans to add up to two additional staff by the end of the year to cater for expected growth.
