Belle Property Canberra founders on 10 years of growth, trust and local expertise

Agency: Belle Property Canberra

Who: Founders Richard Davies and Dan McAlpine

Where: ACT, Queanbeyan and the Snowy Monaro

Founded in Canberra in 2016, Belle Property Canberra began with a simple idea: that real estate could be more thoughtful, more personal and less transactional. Brothers-in-law Richard Davies and Dan McAlpine set out to build an agency grounded in integrity, long-term relationships and genuine care for clients. Since then, the business has grown steadily across the ACT, Queanbeyan and the Snowy Monaro region, spanning sales, property management and holiday accommodation. While the group has consistently ranked among the ACT’s leading agencies, Richard and Dan say the most meaningful measure of success remains the trust built with clients over time.

Reflecting on your 10-year milestone, how has your original vision evolved, and what was the defining moment that cemented your place in the market?

Davies: The vision has not changed. It has matured, and it is clearer than ever. Our only real metric is the impact we have made in people’s lives by making the selling or buying journey as stress-free as possible. The compounding referrals and reviews over the years are testimony to that.

Canberra is a unique property market. How have you mastered these local intricacies to become such a trusted, authoritative voice in the ACT?

McAlpine: Canberra rewards knowledge, but it also rewards integrity. Every suburb behaves differently, and every client has a different pressure point. We have built trust by listening closely, reading the room properly and giving honest advice, even when it is not the easiest answer to give. For us, it is always about doing the right thing.

With buyer interest spilling into NSW regions like Googong, how do you successfully navigate the differing property landscapes of the ACT and NSW?

McAlpine: The ACT and surrounding NSW markets are connected, but they are not the same. Queanbeyan has helped us understand that closely since 2019, and our market experts bring decades of experience across both regions. They stay close to the pulse of each market, from legislation and lifestyle drivers to buyer behaviour, so we can give clear, honest guidance without overcomplicating the process.

Having sold properties in this specific market for a decade, what do you currently consider to be the most underrated “hidden gem” suburb in the Canberra region?

Davies: Canberra has many hidden gems, and we operate in all of them. But Kingston is special. Being named Kingston’s Agency of the Year 2026 by RateMyAgent matters because it is the market speaking. Belle has grown, but we have always been in Kingston and will remain headquartered in Kingston. In our conversations with buyers and sellers, “we are the Foreshore”.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, do you have any insights or advice for buyers and sellers navigating the property market in the current economic climate?

McAlpine: The market has already shifted with the latest budget announcements, inflation, interest rate changes and broader global affairs, and it will continue to shift as buyers, sellers and investors respond. That makes clear advice more important than ever. As part of a national network of more than 200 offices, we sit on a depth of data and market insight that allows us to understand conditions at a granular level. Buyers should be ready, and sellers should focus on preparation, pricing and timing.

Beyond your anniversary, what is your strategic vision for the next decade, and how do you see the Canberra market evolving over this time?

Davies: Canberra will mature, our team will evolve, but our values will remain the same. We will always focus on creating great experiences in selling, buying and property management, one client at a time. Beyond business, giving back matters deeply to us. We currently support, and will continue to support, causes close to our founders and team. The next decade is about building a resilient business, a strong team and a meaningful legacy in the communities we serve.

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