TODAY the First Time Buyer Readers' Awards, which recognise the property industry's biggest successes were celebrated in London. Attended by some of the industry's most prominent figures, the awards ceremony was hosted at The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square in London. Designed to honour the very best in the property industry, winners were rewarded for their ongoing support to first time buyers as they aim to take their first step on the property ladder.

As well as celebrating this year's property industry successes, First Time Buyer Award's also commemorated it's 10th birthday; highlighting how far the industry has come to support first time buyers over the last decade. This special anniversary event was hosted by television presenter Jonnie Irwin, star of A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country. With awards from 18 categories, including recognition for highly commended in each category, the First Time Readers' Awards saw a record number of entries in 2019.

Lynda Clark, editor of First Time Buyer Magazine, comments: “The First Time Buyer Reader's Awards are all about celebrating the important work that the industry is undertaking to support the next generation of homeowners. Our goal has always been to raise awareness of the unique needs of first time buyers, and these awards are proof that there is a great range of options out there for those who need a helping hand without compromising on quality. Of course, there is a lot more to be done but the industry has come a long way since our awards began ten years ago, making it essential to recognise those who are leading the way.

 “Competition at the awards was fierce this year, as the industry proves it is really going the extra mile to build fantastic new homes in sought after locations and provide support for those who need it most. I hope that these awards will inspire first time buyers to take their first steps towards buying their first home and to understand the possibilities available there which make homeownership a reality.”

This year, the judging panel comprised of leading experts from across the industry, including Mark Bastin, Director at Mark Bastin Associates; Chris Browne, Director of Property at Address Intelligence; Jane Griffiths, Help to Buy Stakeholder Manager at bpha; Stephen Harker, Managing Partner at Dawson Cornwell; Tony Harker, Housing Consultant; Chris Jones, Managing Partner at Space and Time; Stephen Maunder, Senior Digital Money Writer at Which? Money; and Marcus Wilshire, London

Masterplanning Lead at IBI Group. The shortlisted awards were then opened to an online vote, where readers of First Time Buyer Magazine voted in support of their preferred company or project.

Award results 2019

Best Small Development

Winner: Orbit – Hollymoor Place

Highly Commended: FS Properties – Calum House

Best Urban Regeneration Project

Winner: Countryside and L&Q – Acton Gardens

Highly Commended: Modwen Homes – Cofton Grange ­

Most Innovative Redevelopment of an Existing Property

Winner: One Housing Group – Acton Town Hall

Highly Commended: Catalyst – Rutherford Fields

Best First Time Buyer Media Coverage

Winner: Metro

Highly Commended: WhatHouse?

Best Law Firm for Conveyancing

Winner: Lawcomm

Highly Commended: New Homes Law

Best First Time Buyer Apartment

Winner: Joseph Homes – Paxton House

Highly Commended: Peabody – The Levers

Best Large Development

Winner: Plumlife – Arkwright Place

Highly Commended: Southern Housing Group – Bow River Village

Best Architectural Design

Winner: Higgins Homes – The Reserve

Highly Commended: Orbit – Hollymoor Place

Best Supplier to the First Time Buyer Market

Winner: Censeo Financial

Highly Commended: SiteSales 

Best Innovative Marketing Campaign

Winner: Peabody

Highly commended: The Oracle Group – Shared Ownership Week

Best Show Home

Winner: Peabody – West View Battersea

Highly Commended: L&Q – L&Q @ The Denham Film Studio

Best First Time Buyer Family Home

Winner: L&Q and The Anderson Group – The Quarry

Highly Commended: Optivo – Ridgeview

Best New Development in the North

Winner: Southway – Park View

Highly Commended: Riverside – Chislehurst

Best New Development in the South

Winner: Inland Homes – Meridian Waterside

Highly Commended: Clarion – Union Gardens

Best Off Plan Development

Winner: Strawberry Star – Lu2on

Highly Commended: L&Q – Parklands @ Barking Riverside

Private Developer of the Year

Winner: Higgins Homes

Highly Commended: Regenta

Affordable Housing Provider of the Year

Winner: Metropolitan Thames Valley

Highly Commended: Southern Housing Group

The Editor's Special Award for Services to the Industry

Winner: Lisa Westerman

The Editor's Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the First Time Buyer Market

Winner: Tim Seward

Highly Commended: Rupi Hunjan

To find out more about the winners of the First Time Buyer Readers' Awards 2019 or for entry details for 2020, visit www.ftbawards.com.

ENDS

For further details about this press release or to source a quote for a particular property or award, please contact Rachel Colgan on 07886 873747 or email rachel@building–relations.co.uk