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Ray White has announced the appointment of Luke Banitsiotis as Chief Auctioneer for Victoria and Tasmania, securing one of Australia's most accomplished auctioneers in a move that underscores the group's ambitions to expand its foothold in Victoria's competitive auction market.

The 2024 Australasian Auctioneer of the Year has joined the powerhouse Ray White Victoria and Tasmania network in a strategic move to grow its market share.

The appointment comes as Ray White aims to build on its current 20 per cent auction market share position across the state.

Ray White Victoria and Tasmania CEO Domenic Belfiore described the Chief Auctioneer role as "one of the most sought after positions within our industry."

"Luke is one of the finest auctioneers in the country and the perfect person for this critical role," Mr Belfiore said.

"How fortunate are we to have someone of Luke's stature join us. He is so highly regarded across the industry and his appointment is a real compliment to Ray White."

Mr Banitsiotis brings nearly 15 years of comprehensive real estate experience to the role, having worked across property management, sales, auctioneering, and business ownership throughout Melbourne's eastern suburbs. He has overseen 1100 property transactions during his career.

His industry credentials are exceptional. In 2024, Mr Banitsiotis won the coveted Australasian Auctioneer of the Year title at the AUSTROS in Hobart. He is also a four-time REIV award-winning auctioneer and one of only 20 REIV Master Auctioneers in Victoria, a distinction that reflects the highest level of auctioneering expertise in the state.

Known for his approachable and engaging style, particularly when working with first-home buyers, Mr Banitsiotis has built a reputation for making the auction process accessible while delivering premium results.

"This is actually my dream role," Mr Banitsiotis said. "Ray White is the only chief auctioneer position worth moving for. The auction culture is so strong in Victoria and I'm looking forward to bringing my experience to the network as a whole."

Mr Banitsiotis said his focus would be on leadership in growth, recruitment, auctions, market share expansion, and lead generation across the Victorian and Tasmanian networks.

"I'm in a unique position – I started in property management, moved into sales, and even did a stint in business ownership. I bring a 360-degree view to real estate best practice," he said. "But my first love is auctioning."

Mr Banitsiotis emphasises clear communication and a streamlined approach to reduce the stress often associated with property transactions.

"In my experience, I've learned that the process is often made more complicated than it needs to be," he said. "My approach is simple: provide clarity, streamline the process, and empower clients to make confident, informed decisions."

The appointment reinforces Ray White's position as a market leader in auction services and signals the group's commitment to strengthening its presence across Victoria's dynamic property landscape.

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