Professionals Real Estate 
The Professionals Group has opened a new Bundaberg office in September as local agent Toni Kuchtin joins the rapidly expanding network.
Mrs Kuchtin, principal of independent agency Bundaberg Property Gallery, is rebranding as Professionals Bundaberg with plans to position the business among the city’s top three real estate offices.
The move comes at a time of heightened activity in the local market, driven in part by the migration of sea changers to the city from south-east Queensland and interstate.
“The Professionals brand is the right fit for our team, and we believe it will drive better results for our clients in the current market,” said Mrs Kuchtin.
“As part of a larger network, we also will be leveraging off a respected brand that offers a level of support and training that was not available to us as an independent agency.”
Mrs Kuchtin has more than two decades experience in real estate and has been working in the Bundaberg market since 2012. Her plans to rebrand her office marks a return of a Professionals name to the Bundaberg real estate market after many years.
Bundaberg Property Gallery handles residential sales and property management across the Bundaberg region.
“We absolutely see potential to grow in the local market because, like many regional centres in prime coastal locations, Bundaberg is on the radar for people looking for value and lifestyle,” Mrs Kuchtin said.
“At the moment we have the buyers, but we don’t have enough sellers. The market is primed for growth in those conditions, especially with the level of inquiry we are also receiving for homes to rent.”
Mrs Kuchtin said rental demand had pushed Bundaberg’s residential vacancy rate down to 1 per cent.
“Hervey Bay and Maryborough are experiencing high demand as well due to a rise in the number of people moving to prime coastal areas of southern Queensland.
“Some of them are coming from Brisbane and we’ve also had lots of calls from people in Sydney and Melbourne looking to move up here.
“The jobs market locally is also quite solid which helps support the property market. At the moment, we have the tenants but what we need are more investors.
“Being part of the Professionals network will help us bring more investment to Bundaberg and highlight the emerging opportunities available across the region.”
Professionals Bundaberg, located at 33 Bourbong Street, officially opened on September 7.
