Two weeks ago the search began for this year’s finalists in The Herald Property Awards for Scotland and over the coming months the finest new homes across the country will come under close scrutiny as the competition heats up.

Amongst the many sought-after awards at stake are those for Best Luxury Home for developers building more than 50 units per year and Best Show Home.

Last year Cala Homes (West) won in the Best Luxury Home category with The Westbrook, a premium home with four public rooms, five bedrooms, a galleried landing and separate three-car garage with a further bedroom and a recreation room above it.

The Westbrook scored very highly with the judges, who were impressed with the generous space on offer and the high quality of the finishes

Once again this year, the Best Luxury Home category will be sponsored by Ross & Liddell, one of Scotland’s longest-established property management companies. Today Ross & Liddell are also letting agents; employing a team of chartered building surveyors and providing property management and
surveying services to the commercial as well as the residential sector.

Director Brian Fulton says: "The property market remains extremely buoyant, including the luxury homes sector, with many sites selling off plan as soon as advertising boards are erected. Builders and developers, large and small, are actively working on many projects some of which are luxury and bespoke, showing huge confidence in this segment of the market. This confidence is certainly borne out by the level of property management enquires we are receiving."

One way in which developers emphasise the quality and versatility of their products is with a beautifully designed show home and last year Miller Homes won the Best Show Home award with its Heriot property at Polofields.

Here the interior styling was completed with the help of Eileen Kesson from Envision and that show home, which had a price tag of £845,000, has now
been sold.

Neil Gaffney, Sales & Marketing Director, Miller Homes Scotland, said: "We were delighted to win the Best Show Home of the Year Award for our beautiful Heriot show home at Polofields. To win such a prestigious award is a testament to the outstanding finish of this home and the hard and dedication of our
entire team."

That award was sponsored by Daw, an industry-leading provider of marketing solutions. It is the firm’s signage that features across multiple development sites in Scotland and they have been involved with The Herald Property Awards since these were first launched 11 years ago.

Managing director, Gary Daw, says: "A well-designed show home is an essential marketing tool for
developers and we are delighted once again to sponsor this award."

This year's categories

BEST SHOW HOME

Sponsored by Daw Signs

Design and style that is appropriate for the property and its potential purchasers. Judges will be looking for a design scheme which enhances the home’s interior space. Style, colour, fabrics, fixtures and fittings and unusual features are some of the qualities being rewarded.

 

BEST LUXURY HOME – FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING MORE THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR

Sponsored by ROSS & LIDDELL

This category rewards spacious and stylish properties at the top end of the market. Design, quality of finish, landscaping, fixtures and fittings and location will be combined to create a spacious and well-designed home in the ideal location.

 

BEST FAMILY HOME – FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING MORE THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR

Sponsored by DAW KITCHENS

Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.

 

BEST FAMILY HOME – FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING LESS THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR

Sponsored by LOWTHER HOMES, PART OF WHEATLEY GROUP

Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.

 

BEST APARTMENT

This category will reward a single, one-off building or scheme comprising apartments. Judges will consider the layout, design, storage, built-in features and interior specification and target market. The apartment should offer flexible living and convenience and successfully meet the needs
of the target market.

 

BEST RENOVATION / CONVERSION

This recognises enterprising development or sympathetic conversation of a dated or derelict property which retains the best features of the original building while creating a modern home appropriate to 21st century living. Judges will consider the exterior and interior appearance as well as interesting adaptation of original features.

INDIVIDUAL NEW BUILD OR SMALL DEVELOPMENT

Sponsored by SCOTTISH BUILDING SOCIETY

An individual new build property or small development (maximum of 10 units) in any style and setting will be rewarded in this category. Entries will be judged on the quality of design, layout, location, features and specification and energy efficiency.

 

BEST REGENERATION PROJECT

Sponsored by SCOTLAND’S TOWNS PARTNERSHIP

Open to projects of all sizes and scales as well as both public and private sector companies and partnerships. Entries should show innovative use of brown field sites as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues. The project should demonstrate value for money and how the area has been revitalised for those who live and work
there.

PROPERTY TEAM OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by SPACE & TIME MEDIA

This category will reward an outstanding team supporting the delivery of homes through supply of materials or services, management of construction sales or marketing. This is open to those either providing services as employees or external consultants. Judges will be looking for evidence of the added value the team has brought to the organisation they support and the sector; what has clearly distinguished the team from others undertaking similar activities; how the team have measured their success, and how their performance is regarded by others.

 

RESIDENTIAL SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by RETTIE & CO

Buying or selling a property is recognised as one of the most stressful activities in life. A good sales team can do much to ease this stress as well as achieving a successful outcome for all parties. This category will reward an outstanding sales team in the residential market. Judges will be looking for evidence of the added value the team has brought to buyers, sellers and the sector; what has clearly distinguished the team from others undertaking similar activities; how the team have measured their success, and; how their performance is regarded by others.

 

RESIDENTIAL LETTING TEAM OF THE YEAR

An active private rented sector is now a firm feature of the Scottish property market. A good lettings team can do much to not only secure lettings but ensure it is sustained. The sector is becoming more highly regulated and businesses need to ensure that they and their clients comply. Judges will be looking for evidence of the added value the team has brought to landlords, tenants and the sector; what has clearly distinguished the team from others undertaking similar activities; how the team have measured their success; how the team have adapted to the impact of regulation in the sector, and; how their performance is regarded by others.

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OF
THE YEAR

This category is open to registered social housing providers, charity, trust or public body in partnership with a local authority and/or a developer for rent and/or shared ownership. The judges will be looking for evidence of how the development has impacted positively on the lives of local residents and contributed towards the regeneration of the area. Consideration will be given to the use of sustainable materials and building techniques, as well as the development’s impact on the local environment.

 

COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The aim of this category is to recognise a commercial property which meets the needs of its target market. Open to projects of all sizes and scales as well as both public and private sector companies and partnerships. This could be a new build, renovation or fit out project. Entries should show innovative use of materials and building techniques as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues. Entries will be judged on how well the property meets the needs of its target market along with the quality of design, layout, location, features, specification and energy efficiency.

 

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by SCOTLAND'S HOMES

Site layout, design, range of house types and local amenities are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for a development which has been carefully planned to make the most of its location, resulting in a pleasant and desirable place to live.

To enter The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2017, download a form from www.newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/heraldpropertyawards, contact Claire Hunter on 0141 302 7319 or email claire.hunter@heraldandtimes.co.uk – Closing date for entries is Thursday, June 1, 2017.