
Three Albany-based real estate agents have been named in the top 5 per cent of salespeople at the industry’s State awards.
Albany Property Team’s sales director Darren Leslie, Merrifield Real Estate managing director Jeremy Stewart and Elder Real Estate’s residential sales manager Blair Scott were recognised at the Real Estate Institute of WA awards ceremony at Crown Perth, on September 19.
The success of the trio — who racked up $134 million in sales between them — covered the 2025-26 period.
Mr Leslie said it was his fourth year on the list and said the fact there were three local successes this time reflected the Great Southern’s property boom.

“It’s great to win the award, and to have won it for the fourth time, but it was based on the 2025-26 period, which was a very strong year,” he said.
“It has slowed down a bit now,” he said.
The REIWA list is based on the total number of listings sold and/or the total value of listings sold in the 2025-26 financial year.
Mr Scott’s 60 listings earned sales of $50,291,000, Mr Stewart’s 64 listings were valued at $48,168,000 while Mr Leslie racked up $35,925,000 in sales from 62 listings.
A passionate advocate for regional real estate professionals, Mr Stewart said his award was the result of a team effort.
“I’m extremely proud to be recognised among the top 5 per cent of salespeople in WA, particularly coming from a regional area,” he said.

“It’s an achievement that means a great deal to me, but it certainly wouldn’t have been possible without the people around me.”
Mr Scott said last year in particular had been a big one in Albany.
“It has been a good six years, ever since COVID, and land releases have bumped the figures up for all of us,” he said.

“The market is still good in Albany but last year was certainly a bit of a whirlwind.
“It has slowed a bit now, with properties maybe taking three or four weeks to sell as opposed to one week.”
About 900 people attended the REIWA event which honoured the top performers over residential and commercial sales, and residential property management.
There were the 39 agents recognised among the top one per cent of residential salespeople and 131 in the top 5 per cent.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails
