SINCE stepping into real estate in 2022, Luke Haggett from LJ Hooker Manly West has brought a fresh perspective and unwavering determination to the Bayside property market.
Coming from a background in sales, Luke said he was looking for a new challenge – and he found it in the fast-moving world of real estate.
What sets this industry apart for him is not just the dynamic market but the people.
“Definitely the people,” he said.
“As a lad from the country, I appreciate genuine people, and the Bayside is full of them.”
Luke’s commitment to outstanding service and results hasn’t gone unnoticed – he was recently named Agent of the Year for Manly West in 2025 by RateMyAgent, a testament to the trust and satisfaction of his clients.
Among his standout achievements is the sale of a home at 14 Yaringa St, Manly West.
The property had languished on the market with two different agents for six months before Luke took a different approach.
Using an off-market sales strategy, he made two phone calls and secured a sale above the asking price.
The buyer needed to sell two challenging properties to proceed – Luke got the job done, setting a street record in Carindale and a complex record in Carina, as well as a street record for the Yaringa St sale itself.
Luke describes the current property market in the Redlands and Bayside as “healthy”, noting consistent growth across suburbs over the past five years.
For sellers looking to get the best result, his advice is to invest in marketing.
“Buyers are national now, so get your marketing right for online visibility and get on to the small jobs prior to sale – whether it’s changing to LED downlights, painting the inside, landscaping etc – and of course the right agent from the beginning,” he said.
For buyers trying to get a foothold in the market, he offers this pragmatic advice.
“Take all emotion out of the decision when buying, and buy to budget,” he said.
“Unless you build, no property is perfect, but buy to what you can afford and in five years upgrade and continue to do so.”
Luke says his edge as an agent comes down to a strong focus on customer service, supported by excellent communication and deep market knowledge.
He sees potential in suburbs like Wynnum West and Wynnum North, which he says still hold great opportunities for buyers.
As for local lifestyle trends, buyers are increasingly drawn to the area for its schools and coastal lifestyle – a combination the Bayside delivers in spades.
Outside of work, Luke is a family man at heart.
“Family time is my priority – fishing in the bay with my son, and beach days with my little princess is where you will find me,” he said.
