Leading Canberra agent and auctioneer Stephen Bunday from LJ Hooker Dickson is marking 30 years in the real estate industry and with the iconic brand, a milestone defined by strategic negotiations, in-depth market knowledge and outstanding results.
It is a career that almost didn’t happen but for a ‘happy accident’ that saw him switch jobs from a secondary school teacher to a real estate agent.
Since making the change, Mr Bunday has sold more than 1,400 properties worth more than $850 million. He has consistently ranked among LJ Hooker’s top performing sales agents nationally and has been a multiple finalist and two-time winner of the REI National Awards for Best Residential Sale Team.
“I have been reflecting on where those 30 years have gone – but I am a firm believer that you don’t get into real estate; it gets into you,” Mr Bunday said.
“I still love this job - there is quite a lot of adrenaline selling property and running auctions. It gives you a good feeling when you can get a great result and the owners are delighted.”
Head of Network Australia, Christopher Keating, congratulated Mr Bunday on his remarkable contribution to LJ Hooker over the past three decades and for setting a benchmark of excellence within the network.
“Thirty years is a fabulous milestone in any career, but in real estate it requires passion, resilience, and the ability to build lasting relationships,” Mr Keating said.
“Stephen’s dedication extends beyond his clients to the people around him. Over the past three decades, he has played a key role in mentoring younger agents and helping strengthen LJ Hooker’s presence in the Canberra market.
“He is an outstanding mentor, a terrific leader and someone everyone respects.”
Originally from Perth, Mr Bunday moved to Canberra over three decades ago with his young family. His wife Narelle, who he had met while they were both teaching in the Kimberley, wanted to go home to the ACT to be with family. He took unpaid leave for a year, and the family relocated with two toddlers and another baby on the way.
His plan was to do relief teaching for a year, but a shortage of roles meant he never stepped back into the classroom. After struggling to find regular work, he spotted a position for a real estate agent with LJ Hooker in Canberra.
Mr Bunday showed a natural flair for real estate sales and was building up momentum in his new career when he was offered a teaching role back in Perth. He was set to return, when franchise owner Mathew Herbert offer him job as a sales manager and the rest is history.
“If a fortune teller had told me that three decades into the future, I would have such a long career in real estate in Canberra, and be part owner of a couple of LJ Hooker offices, with three adult children and now grandchildren – I would have never believed it,” he said.
“I’ve had incredible mentors and made lifelong friends - LJ Hooker has always felt like a second home. The training is exceptional, the support is phenomenal, and the camaraderie amongst agents is something truly special.”
To celebrate the milestone, his team at LJ Hooker Dickson went to great lengths to keep a special 30th anniversary event under wraps. They carefully coordinated every detail - even mock appraisal appointments - to ensure he wouldn’t suspect a surprise gathering was in the works.
Mr Bunday was absolutely thrilled by the celebration, revealing it is the third time his office had outsmarted him. Even his son, Jake, now a sales agent at LJ Hooker Gungahlin, kept tight-lipped about the celebrations.
“For my 20th anniversary, I thought I was going to an appraisal, but I was told the owners ran a restaurant and needed to meet there – it turned out to be a luncheon for me,” Mr Bunday said.
“For my 25th anniversary, I was supposed to meet our accountant at his office but when I arrived, I was redirected to his favourite lunch spot around the corner – and once again, everyone was there - I had fallen for it again.
“This time, I was a little suspicious and looked for clues, but no one gave anything away. My PA scheduled a small team lunch. When we turned up at the restaurant, there were no cars I recognised, and it was just the regular lunch crowd. To be honest, I was a little disappointed.
“My back was to the door and a few minutes later, there was a huge ruckus and 40 people burst into the restaurant saying ‘congratulations’ - they got me!”
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