Jarita Rayasam knows how to spot a high-performing real estate agent. As Head of Growth at iconic Australian real estate network LJ Hooker, Jarita has nurtured numerous successful operators into becoming franchise owners across Australia and New Zealand.
She has learnt to notice the key signs that an agent is ready for the next stage of their professional journey.
“You can usually tell an agent is ready to take the step into ownership when their mindset shifts from simply building their own career to wanting to build something bigger than themselves,” Jarita said. “It’s when they start thinking not just about their sales but about developing people, shaping culture and creating a legacy.
“I have seen it in agents who mentor others naturally, who get excited about business strategy and who have the resilience to weather the ups and downs of the market.”
It’s been a busy time for Jarita. The LJ Hooker network has been growing throughout 2025, welcoming new business owners in:
- Sussex Inlet (South Coast, New South Wales)
- Lifestyle Group (Southwest Sydney, New South Wales)
- United Group (Southwest Sydney, New South Wales)
- Lake Macquarie (Lower Hunter, New South Wales)
- Pinnacle Property (Hobart, Tasmania)
- Kingscliff (Northern Rivers, New South Wales)
- Victoria Park | Belmont (Perth, Western Australia)
- Toukley | Budgewoi (Central Coast, New South Wales)
- Southport (Gold Coast, Queensland)
- Southern Partners (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Timaru (Canterbury, New Zealand)
- Dunedin (Otago, New Zealand)
In each instance, Jarita worked with the owners to establish a business that suited their individual goals and the distinctive attributes of their local area.
“All these offices are unique; each office brings its own energy, ambition and vision for growth,” she said. “Some are seasoned operators looking to take their business to the next level while others are ambitious new leaders stepping into ownership for the first time.”
A quintessential example of this identification and nurture is seen in the new franchisees at LJ Hooker Pinnacle Property in Hobart. Taya and Simon Parsons recently purchased the business from the previous owners, having previously worked at the agency.
“Taking on the franchise was just a natural progression, allowing us to take the next step in our careers and lives,” Simon said. “The staff here are skilled and talented, so there aren’t many big changes to make to the business, just some small tweaks that we’d expect to go mostly unnoticed.”
Not all agents are ready for ownership, however, and Jarita is finely attuned to those who might need a bit more time to evolve their craft.
“The signs an agent isn’t ready to step into ownership often come down to mindset,” she explained. “If someone is still very focused on their own listings and commissions, rather than thinking about building and leading a team, that’s a red flag.
“Ownership is less about being the top performer and more about creating the environment where others can thrive. I’ve also seen hesitation when agents underestimate the realities of running a business with things like managing cashflow, handling compliance or making tough decisions in leaner months.”
“Overcoming these types of challenges is about trust, empathy and making sure every decision sets people up to succeed. That’s how we keep our network strong and help offices thrive long after the transition to ownership.”
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