One of Australia’s biggest real estate group’s – LJ Hooker – has launched a Purplebricks-style home selling platform with the creation of its new business, Settl.
AFR reports that the business will run as a stand-alone entity and include the assistance of a Settl estate agent if the vendor wishes to have assistance with services such as open-for-inspections and auctions.
The chairman of LJ Hooker, Janusz Hooker, has likened the launch of Settl to Qantas’ creation of low-cost carrier Jetstar.
“These will be two brands – LJ Hooker and Settl – serving two distinct customers,” Mr Hooker told The Australian Financial Review.
But Hooker has downplayed any talk of industry disruption.
“It’s a hyped-up word. We’re meeting consumer demand by doing things in a different way. We’ve been in this business 88 years and we’re continuing its pioneering heritage.”
