The history of Lane Cove would not be complete without the inclusion of the story of the first business established in the area.

In 1919, real estate agent A.R. Ford began business on the site of the present-day Clancy's supermarket, and it is from those beginnings that blunts can trace a proud ancestry.

Mr Ford's office afforded rural views, complete with rabbits, and the rental was 5 shillings (50 cents) a week. His first client appeared on his first day of business. He was standing outside the doorway when an elderly lady approached from across the paddock, obviously interested in the sign A.R. Ford Real Estate Agent.

"Do you think you could sell a vacant allotment in Northwood?" she asked. In no time at all, Mr Ford and his prospective client were seated in his sulky and on their way to inspect the land.

A price of £165 was agreed on. The following day a retired dentist from Queensland bought the block, now known as Blaxlands Corner.

Mr Ford later joined forces with Mr Laverty to create Laverty & Ford Estate Agents. To manage an increasing amount of business they built chambers on the corner of Longueville Road and Library Place. This building still stands today bearing their name.

The popularity of moving out from the city to leafy, quiet suburbs was gaining momentum. In 1953, blunts commenced business in Lane Cove and later purchased Laverty & Ford. Mr Ford then teamed up with Mr Geoff Cochrane and opened as A.R. Ford & Cochrane Pty Ltd at 162 Longueville Road.

After Mr Ford's retirement that same year, Mr Cochrane continued operating on his own until retirement in 1977 when he sold out to Ian McDiarmid.

Two years later, Bill Wood purchased Ian McDiarmid Real Estate, and in 1984 acquired the business and premises of N.A.C. Blunt Ltd at 160 Longueville Road. Blunts at that time had a sales staff of two and was not involved in property management.

With the Woods at the helm, Blunts then embarked on a journey with the future firmly in sight. Six local estate agents were eventually absorbed - Newman & Spears, John Kucera Real Estate, Peter Salter Real Estate, Jones & Jones and Laing & Simmonds.

Taking the initiative, Blunts went even further in taking its next bold step - the introduction of on-site property auctions, a brilliant strategy resulting in industry and public recognition of Blunts as one of the most innovative privately-owned estate agencies in Sydney.

Blunts never lost sight of that focus from 1984 throughout the '90s to be a prominent player during Sydney's rise on the international scene. Real estate reflected this in boom prices and a huge interest in investment properties. Real estate no longer meant just a house to live in . . .

After Bill Wood's death in 2000, Lorraine Wood managed Blunts for the next two years until its purchase by Warren and Michelle Bartlett, the current principals. Only three owners in 50 years is surely testimony to Blunts' service and commitment to the community.

Warren and Michelle are very proud of their more than 38 years of combined service to the industry. Under their guidance, Blunts is still on that same course mapped out so long ago which has steered it ably into the twenty-first century.

Blunts is taking care to meet the challenges of rapidly changing times. Utter enthusiasm combined with a dedication to providing seamless service to clients is typical of each staff member at Blunts.

"Boutique Real Estate" is a fitting term to describe Blunts . . . individual attention, specialist service, quality, dedication and expertise are all kept at the forefront of Blunts' mission to serve the community.

"In recent years, Blunts have continued to nurture a unique position within the Lane Cove and North Shore communities. On the one hand, we embrace and remain proud of our long history in the area. On the other hand, we refuse to rest on our laurels and constantly strive to evolve and improve. Our goal has always been to make real estate an enjoyable, rather than stressful experience - to make transactions profitable rather than complicated." Warren Bartlett