A year after launching Acton | Belle Property Albany as a sole operator, Chris Wallace has grown the business to a four-person team, been named a finalist in the 2026 Great Southern Business Awards Young Business of the Year and secured its highest sale to date at $2.17 million.

When Wallace opened Acton | Belle Property Albany in October 2025, he was the agent, marketer, administrator and receptionist all rolled into one. He backed himself, got stuck into every part of the business and set out to build an agency that took a different approach to operating in Albany’s regional market.

Less than 12 months later, Wallace has a team of four working collaboratively across the business and building a growing presence in the local market.

Rather than following the traditional model of individual agents operating independently within a larger agency, Wallace has built the business around a team structure, with everyone contributing across the client journey.

“We all work as one team, which is unique for Albany, where most reps are solo operators within a larger agency. We’re getting some really positive reviews, growing our market share and starting to cement ourselves within the Albany real estate landscape,” says Wallace.

The approach has helped the business build its local presence while maintaining the personal service expected in a regional market, with the team now marking its first year with its highest sale to date.

The $2.17 million Middleton Beach sale is a significant result for the young agency and one of the standout sales in the tightly held coastal suburb.

The beautifully maintained family home had been held by the same family since the 1980s and attracted more than 30 prospective buyers and three offers during its campaign.

Its position within a Special Use corner of Middleton Beach made it particularly unique, with neighbouring lots soon to be developed. Once development is complete, the property will be the sole original home remaining within its corner of the precinct.

For Wallace, the result is less about one sale and more about what the business has built in its first year. “I’m really proud of what we’ve built in the first year. The sale is a great result, but for me it’s really about what sits behind it: the team we’ve built, the clients who have trusted us and the reputation we’re starting to establish in Albany.”  

“We’re still a young business and we’re really only just getting started” Wallace adds.