The results for the much anticipated First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards have been revealed, celebrating the frontrunners of the first time buyer market. Some of the industry’s biggest names were recognised at the awards ceremony on Friday 2nd September, which was hosted by television legends Jonnie Irwin and Nicki Chapman, and sponsored by land agency Walter Cooper.
The results for all 18 categories have been made available to the public for the first time, recognising the best new homes and developments by region, size and suitability for first time buyers, alongside impressive industry partnerships, and awards for individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to first time home buying. This year, The Hyde Group and Weston Homes respectively took home the crowns for the coveted Affordable Housing Provider of the Year and Private Developer of the Year titles.
Lynda Clark, CEO of First Time Buyer Group, comments: “This year we were proud to see a record number of industry professionals join us for the biggest First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards to date. This year has certainly seen the next generation of homebuyers face unique hurdles to homeownership, with more challenges to come including the end of Help to Buy in the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis. However, the record-breaking success of our awards is a testament to the industry’s commitment to doing everything possible to make homeownership achievable for first time buyers, and a fantastic benchmark for anyone looking to buy their first home this year.
“This year we’ve welcomed back old friends, but also rolled out the red carpet for newcomers, and celebrated our shared successes as one industry. Once again we have seen very fierce competition across all 18 categories, with the final decision on our winners coming down to the wire in many instances. It’s fantastic to be in the thick of the excitement of the celebrations, and we congratulate all of our winners this year.”
The shortlist for the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards was compiled by an expert panel of judges, with all shortlisted entries subject to a round of voting by readers of First Time Buyer Magazine before the winners were selected. This year, the awards were held at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, which saw over 500 industry representatives in attendance.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Winner: THE HYDE GROUP
Highly Commended: METROPOLITAN THAMES VALLEY HOUSING
PRIVATE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
Winner: WESTON HOMES
Highly Commended: GLEESON HOMES
BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH
Winner: VIADUCT HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | BATTERSBY HAT FACTORY
Highly Commended: GECKO HOMES | ALLINGHAM PLACE
BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH
Winner: CATALYST | NEWMAN PLACE
Highly Commended: BOKLOK | BOKLOK ON THE BROOK
BEST LAW FIRM FOR CONVEYANCING
Winner: DIRECTION LAW
Highly Commended: PRINCE EVANS
BEST OFF-PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Winner: NOTTING HILL GENESIS | KIDBROOKE SQUARE
Highly Commended: GECKO HOMES | BARLOW MOOR ROAD
BEST LARGE DEVELOPMENT
Winner: ANDERSON DESIGN AND BUILD AND L&Q | THE QUARRY
Highly Commended: PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND BALFOUR BEATTY INVESTMENTS | EW+S
BEST FIRST TIME BUYER FAMILY HOME
Winner: GUINNESS HOMES | AUGUST FIELDS
Highly Commended: CHANCERY HOMES | BURNHAM COURT
BEST SHOW HOME
Winner: INLAND HOMES | RANDALLS
Highly Commended: OPTIVO WITH FOCUS EXPERIENTIAL | HOME X
BEST PROVIDER TO THE FTB MARKET
Winner: SO RESI PARTNERSHIPS
Highly Commended: EMBRACE FINANCIAL SERVICES
Highly Commended: METRO FINANCE
BEST PARTNERSHIP
Winner: COUNTRYSIDE AND TAYLOR WIMPEY | GREENWICH MILLENNIUM VILLAGE
Highly Commended: L&Q AND MOUNT ANVIL | SILK DISTRICT
BEST MEDIUM DEVELOPMENT
Winner: INLAND HOMES | RANDALLS
Highly Commended: NOTTING HILL GENESIS | OAKLANDS RISE
BEST FIRST TIME BUYER APARTMENT
Winner: PEABODY | ARDEN
Highly Commended: ABRI | THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Highly Commended: GUINNESS HOMES | LEASIDE LOCK
BEST USE OF ONLINE TOOLS
Winner: SHARE TO BUY
Highly Commended: BE WEST
BEST SMALL DEVELOPMENT
Winner: ONWARD LIVING | EGERTON RISE
Highly Commended: HIGGINS HOMES | ALPHABET
JUDGES UNSUNG STAR (SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY)
Winner: Craig Osborne
Highly Commended: Scott Walker
JUDGES UNSUNG STAR (WORKING IN INDUSTRY)
Winner: Niall Cleghorn
Highly Commended: Jane Williams
