It was a simple house-and-land newspaper ad that brought Robyn and Peter Lachmund to Caboolture from Penrith.
Now, 35 years later, the family is celebrating decades of success in helping others to do the same, as the Richardson & Wrench real estate agency they founded marks 30 years in business.
The massive milestone is a generational celebration for the Lachmunds.
Son Scott is now the agency’s principal and licensee, while daughter Karen is the property management director.
Both run the agency day-to-day, supported by Robyn and Peter as directors.
Since taking the keys, the family of four has made the agency – and the profile of Caboolture – flourish.
The business now has a team of 22, recently hit $45 million in annual sales, manages more than 1000 rental properties and has an ever-growing awards haul, including Richardson & Wrench Number One Selling Principal for Scott and National Property Manager of the Year for Karen.
But it’s the giving back to the community that hits home as their proudest achievement.
The Lachmunds are as well-known in Caboolture for their charitable efforts as they are for their real estate sales results and knowledge.
The family has personally contributed more than $1 million to local causes over the years, including Scripture Union supporting chaplaincy in local schools, various local sporting clubs, plus an extensive list of not-for-profit organisations.
“Most people would be happy with one real estate expert in the family, never mind four!” Robyn said.
“A real estate career was never our intention when we moved to Caboolture, but it was just meant to be, and we’ve loved every second of the past 30 years.”
It was Robyn who first ventured into real estate, after the agent who sold them their first Caboolture home encouraged her to consider the career given her background in sales.
Businessman Peter joined her not long after, with the pair officially going into business for themselves by launching a Richardson & Wrench franchise in 1994.
A couple of years later it became a real family business, with Scott and Karen joining in 1996.
Family highlights include closing major development deals in the town, creating new suburbs and shopping precincts, launching an online community TV channel, which has attracted millions of viewers worldwide, Scott leading the Moreton Bay region in the Real Estate Institute Queensland (REIQ) as zone chair and, more recently, selling a home to a repeat customer from 30 years ago.
“To have someone come back to you 30 years later for their forever home means we must be doing something right!” Scott said.
“We feel very privileged to have played a role in helping this region thrive and grow into what it is today.
“Caboolture is very special to us; it’s given us an incredible life, so we try to give back as much as we can.
“Through Richardson & Wrench Caboolture, we’ve built something truly special.
“We have a fantastic team and a real family business that will continue for years to come.
“With that, and our community and charity work, there’s no better legacy.”
Richardson & Wrench Group Managing Director, Andrew Cocks, congratulated the Lachmund family.
“Robyn, Peter, Scott, and Karen have made everyone in Caboolture feel welcome for over 30 years, and the entire team should be congratulated,” he said.
“Not just for their success in real estate sales but also in creating an agency that looks after everyone – staff, tenants, landlords, sellers, buyers, and the wider community.
“Caboolture has been well and truly put on the map.”
