The recent Elders Real Estate Annual Awards have highlighted a network continuing to grow from strength to strength, with record attendance, record recognition, and an exceptional lift in high performing agents across the country.
The state based awards events brought together teams from across Australia to celebrate outstanding achievements, industry leadership, and the people delivering exceptional results for their clients and communities.
This year’s awards season was the largest in Elders Real Estate history, with more than 800 members of the network attending and approximately 500 awards presented nationwide.
But among the standout results across the country, Elders Residential Albury/Wodonga firmly cemented itself as one of the network’s leading offices, with three agents recognised among the nation’s top performers.
Nathan Baker, Donna Nusser and Manny Gonzalez all achieved remarkable national rankings for settled sales, reinforcing both the strength of the Albury/Wodonga market and the consistent performance of the local team.
Nathan Baker was recognised as number 1 for Settled Sales in Victoria, number 2 nationally and received Premier Status within the Elders Network after recording an outstanding 140 settled sales throughout the year.
Donna Nusser secured the Number 6 National ranking with 128 settled sales, while Manny Gonzalez achieved Number 7 nationally with 122 settled sales.
The results reflect not only individual performance, but also the strength of the broader Elders Residential Albury/Wodonga team and the office’s deeply established connection within the local community.
Local Knowledge Driving Local Success
For Nathan Baker, the success achieved throughout 2025 came down to a combination of strong buyer confidence and deep local market understanding.
“Buyer confidence in our local area, especially from investors, was very strong throughout the year,” Nathan said.
Born and raised in the Albury/Wodonga region and having lived on both sides of the border, Nathan’s local knowledge has become one of his biggest strengths.
Known for his communication skills, professionalism, and approachable nature, Nathan believes the region’s continued growth is helping drive strong housing demand.
“Our area is in a fantastic location on the Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney,” he said.
“We continue to see strong growth across many industries, and that should keep pushing the housing market forward.”
Nathan also acknowledged the role the wider Elders network has played in helping support local success.
“Being part of a nationally recognised and trusted brand helps immensely,” he said.
A Team Built on Relationships and Community
According to Elders Albury/Wodonga Director, Dean Star, the office’s success is built on much more than sales figures.
Dean said the consistent performance of the team comes from a relentless focus on professionalism, communication and client relationships.
“Nathan, Donna and Manny are all incredibly hardworking and driven agents who genuinely prioritise their clients above all else,” Dean said of his staff’s performance.
“Their consistency, professionalism and commitment to achieving outstanding results have been key contributors to his success.”
Dean also highlighted the importance of the broader team environment within the office.
“Our administration and support staff play a significant role in ensuring clients receive a seamless experience through strong communication, organisation and attention to detail,” he said.
“The collaborative environment within our office is also a major factor in our success.”
Dean noted the long standing working relationship between himself and business partner Jamie Maynard had helped create a strong and supportive culture across the office, one focused on achieving the best outcomes possible for clients.
Country Values Still Matter
While strong results and national recognition are important, Dean believes the office’s true point of difference comes back to genuine relationships and community connection.
“Coming from a country background, we believe it is the genuine care, friendliness and personal interest we take in people that truly sets us apart,” he said.
“Real estate is not just about property for us. It is about relationships, trust and being part of the community.”
That local approach continues resonating strongly throughout the Albury/Wodonga region, where personal reputation, trust and long term relationships remain incredibly important.
“Our team combines strong local knowledge with a proactive and professional approach, while still maintaining the personal service people appreciate from a locally connected office,” Dean said.
Success in a Challenging Market
The achievements become even more significant given the broader market conditions experienced throughout 2025.
Higher interest rates, affordability pressures and changing market sentiment created challenges across many parts of the country.
But according to Dean, consistent service and long term relationship building remain critical regardless of market cycles.
“While current market conditions have certainly presented challenges, we believe these achievements are a reflection of many years of hard work, consistency and building genuine relationships within our community,” he said.
“The market will always fluctuate, but strong communication, trust, experience and client relationships remain constant.”
With deep local knowledge, a strong community focus and nationally recognised results, the Elders Albury/Wodonga team continues to help clients navigate every stage of their property journey with confidence.
Whether you’re buying, selling, investing or looking for trusted advice, contact the Elders Albury/Wodonga team for all your real estate needs across the region.