THEIR name is synonymous with cycling in Tamworth but now the Spokes family has a new challenge off the bike.
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Sam and wife, Katelyn, together with his parents, Alan and Leanne, have taken the reins of the LJ Hooker business in Tamworth.
Set to open the doors in early-January, the family are throwing themselves into the local real estate market, but are familiar faces in the property scene.
Alan was one of the leading agents in town and worked in sales for LJ Hooker for more than a decade in the early-2000s. Leanne also joined the same fold in 2003 at first in sales before moving to property management.
Now, the pair are stepping out of retirement to work alongside the next generation of the family entering the market.
Katelyn herself already boasts five years of experience in the local property management market while Sam – a former professional cyclist with Drapac based in Italy – is studying to become a licensed principal.
After retiring from professional racing in early-January, Sam briefly picked up the tools before launching into sales with Transport Network Australia – something that fuelled his passion to get into real estate, and follow the family footsteps.
To be able to work with family who have the same passion and to be able to transform that into a family business is something I can’t wait to start.
- Sam Spokes
“To be able to work with family who have the same passion and to be able to transform that into a family business is something I can’t wait to start,” he told The Leader.
“And especially watching Katelyn’s career in the local market, and Mum and Dad over the years, together with the backing of LJ Hooker, which is synonymous with real estate, makes the whole venture really exciting.”
Alan said it was an opportunity the family couldn’t pass up when the franchise became available.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start-up with LJ Hooker, one of the most iconic real estate names, in Tamworth and I think it will be exciting to work together with Sam and Katelyn in the Tamworth market.
- Alan Spokes
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start-up with LJ Hooker, one of the most iconic real estate names, in Tamworth and I think it will be exciting to work together with Sam and Katelyn in the Tamworth market,” he said.
Alan and Sam will take on the sales for the business in 2018 while Leanne and Katelyn will be charged with the property management-side of things.
“And that experience means we’re ready and willing to look after new and existing customers in the Tamworth market, and we can’t wait to open the doors,” Sam said.
The Spokes’ venture into the Tamworth real estate scene not only sees the LJ Hooker brand return, but is only set to fuel competition in the already hot property market.
According to Domain, the median price of a three-bedroom house in the city is $297,000, and on average, are on the market for 113 days before selling, while a four-bedroom house is likely to change hands after 132 days on the market.
