IT’S almost here – Friday, June 3 is the closing date for entries to this year’s Herald Property Awards for Scotland in association with Burness Paull.

That leaves just two days for tardy developers and builders to check the final details on their submissions and file them or miss out on the chance to take part in the industry’s most prestigious awards.

From the moment that this year’s campaign was announced, entries have been flooding in and from next week the judges will be hitting the road, travelling the length and breadth of the country to see for themselves the individual homes, regeneration schemes, large-scale developments and one-off grand designs that will be competing for this year’s honours.

But The Herald Property Awards aren’t all about bricks and mortar, they also recognise that professionalism and exceptional levels of service are just as vital and acknowledge that the people who deliver these to house buyers and renters also deserve recognition. That’s why there are three categories in this year’s awards dedicated to the teams who provide the professional services on which buyers, renters and the industry itself rely.

In the case of Property Team of the Year sponsored by Space and Time Media, the judges will be looking for the most outstanding sales, marketing, construction or management team, one with a proven track record of contributing to the overall success of their business.

Keith Benzie, Client Partner, Space & Time Media says: "We are delighted to be a sponsor of the Herald Property Awards in 2016. This annual event is a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work, dedication and professionalism that is such an important part of the new build property sector in Scotland. Market conditions continue to be challenging but there is a lot to be positive about and we look forward to celebrating with everyone present at this year’s event."

Buying and selling property is stressful, but a good sales team can do much to ease the tension as well as achieving a successful outcome for all parties and in the Residential Sales Team of the Year, sponsored by Rettie, the judges will be looking for evidence of how the team has distinguished itself from the competition and how their efforts have contributed to the delivery of a high quality, cost effective service to buyers and sellers alike. In this category innovation and commitment to the industry are also important.

Jonathan Riley, Managing Partner, Rettie, says: "We are absolutely delighted to support The Herald Property Awards for the third year running in our category of Residential Sales Team of the Year. We have watched the awards ceremony grow in attendance and last year was great fun, well supported and with brilliant winners. As one of the most progressive independent estate agents in Scotland, Rettie will be looking again this year for the best in field in what is a very demanding, competitive and customer focused business."

An active private sector letting market is now a recognised a feature of the Scottish property market and a good lettings team can do much not only to achieve lettings but to manage the tenancy. In the Residential Letting Team of the Year category, sponsored for the second year by SafeDeposits Scotland, judges will be searching for a team that has distinguished itself from the competition and looking for evidence of how their efforts have contributed to the delivery of a high quality, cost effective service to landlords and tenants alike.

Jen Paice, Chief Executive, says: "Safe Deposits Scotland is proud to be a part of the Scottish property sector and approximately 60 per cent of the country’s tenancy deposits are protected under our scheme. We are delighted to continue to support The Herald Property Awards for Scotland and play a part in celebrating the strength and success of our sector over the past year."

To enter The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2016 in association with Burness Paull, download a form from www.herald-events.com/propertyawards/
or contact Claire Hunter on 0141 302 7319 or email
claire.hunter@heraldandtimes.co.uk.
Closing date for entries is Friday, June 3, 2016.