The awards which are now in their 17th year, recognise organisations across the housing sector for the work they do to help aspiring buyers get on the property ladder.
The two awards that Peabody picked up celebrate homes that combine thoughtful design, practical living and realistic routes to homeownership.
The Aviary wins Best First Time Buyer Family Home
The Snowdrop at The Aviary impressed judges as an affordable family starter home in Oxford.
The two-bedroom house was designed around the realities of family life. It features a bright open-plan living and dining area, a separate modern kitchen, a downstairs WC and two well-proportioned bedrooms.
Its layout and specification helped it stand out from the competition. Double-glazed doors connect the main living space to a private rear garden, which creates a secure outdoor area for play, relaxation and family dining. Underfloor heating, integrated Electrolux appliances, Amtico flooring, durable finishes and a 12-year NHBC warranty add everyday comfort to the home.
Affordability is central to the home’s appeal. The Snowdrop is one of three homes of this type at The Aviary and was available through Shared Ownership, with a 25% share from £97,500 and deposits from £9,750. Monthly costs start from £1,398, compared with average local asking rents of £1,710 for a two-bedroom home.
The Aviary is part of the larger Blackbird Leys regeneration project, and will deliver more than 80 Shared Ownership homes. The homes are supported by nearby schools, parks, healthcare services, and green space such as Spindlebury Nature Reserve.
The Zone at Oval Village highly commended for Best Show Home
Focus Agency Group and Peabody were also highly commended in the Best Show Home category for the studio show apartment at The Zone at Oval Village.
The apartment is designed for younger first-time buyers who are buying through Shared Ownership. It demonstrates how studio living can be spacious and welcoming.
The apartment supports hybrid working and entertaining guests through the use of clever zoning, integrated storage, and a dedicated workspace. To create a premium and practical look, sculptural furniture, layered textures and separate living and sleeping areas all play a part. Finally the inset balcony also extends the usable space.
The show home was deliberately furnished with attainable products from retailers including Daals, Wayfair, Gallery Direct, Dunelm and Next.
Careful budget choices, such as a wall-mounted sideboard costing under £300 and bedside lighting priced at £45, showed buyers how an aspirational finish could be achieved without an unrealistic budget.
The apartment sold within its first week, and only 12 of the original 82 apartments were available at the time of the award entry.
Celebrating homes designed for first-time buyers
Together, these awards recognise two different approaches to helping first-time buyers feel at home: a practical family house designed for the future and an intelligently planned London apartment that makes every square metre count.
Both reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable homes that meet the needs of real buyers.
