Big three in Geelong real estate join forces with the Independent

Three more of the region’s leading real estate agents have joined forces with the Independent.
Hocking Stuart Geelong, Buxton and Fruit will begin advertising in the region’s highest-circulating newspaper next week.
The latest additions to the Independent’s property lift-out will give house hunters and prospective renters a network of more than 20 real estate offices to find their dream home.
Hocking Stuart’s Leigh Melbourne said vendors would be the winners with the Independent’s 90,000-plus circulation, double its nearest competitor.
“The Independent is also much better value for clients, so they can spread their marketing across the board, which leads to higher prices,” Mr Melbourne said.
Fruit’s Peter Julian said vendors would enjoy expanded coverage of their homes.
“The Independent will allow us to run more information and pictures of our vendors’ properties,” Mr Julian said.
“Never before will they have had such an opportunity to showcase their homes.”
Buxton’s Ben Riddle said the Independent’s coverage of Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast would “widen the net” of the agents and their vendors.
“The Independent will allow us to reach more people and expand into new markets,” he said.
“The better service certainly increases the choice for our vendors.”
Long-time Independent advertiser Joe Grgic, of North Geelong Real Estate, welcomed the new agents aboard “a great community newspaper”.
“We’ve been advertising with the Independent for 18 years and now we’re the biggest agency in northern Geelong,” he said.
“I know that agents who recently came on board are really reaping the rewards and I’m sure the new advertisers will as well.”