The Scottish Property Podcast

Episodios

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  Why High-Leverage Property Investors Could Be Trapped at Refinancing 17.08.2026 32m

  How can you scale a buy-to-let portfolio without leaving yourself dangerously exposed if the property market changes?In this episode, Nick and Steven discuss the risks of using 80% and 85% loan-to-value mortgages to grow a property portfolio. They explain how arrangement fees, falling valuations and changes to lending criteria could leave highly leveraged investors needing to inject substantial amounts of cash when refinancing.They also share practical ways to reduce risk, including investing in high-demand areas, maintaining cash reserves, stress-testing mortgage payments and using conservative end values. From researching comparable properties to calculating every purchase, renovation and holding cost, this episode explains the due diligence investors should carry out before committing to a deal.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Scaling buy-to-let safely in a changing market01:20 - The 18-year property cycle and crash predictions03:53 - Why 80% and 85% LTV mortgages raise concerns05:40 - How mortgage fees push leverage even higher07:27 - The refinancing risk across a large portfolio09:22 - BRR valuations and recovering all your money11:23 - Negative equity and product-transfer risks13:37 - Could investors become trapped on a 9% variable rate?14:38 - Investing in high-demand rental areas15:44 - Stress-testing, cash reserves and avoiding overleverage17:53 - Why longer fixed-rate terms can reduce risk18:31 - Due diligence and conservative end values19:21 - Comparing properties accurately21:08 - Testing current demand with listings and estate agents22:22 - The landlord costs investors frequently overlook23:23 - Jobs, regeneration and school performance26:43 - Getting every deal number right28:02 - Purchase costs and property holding costs30:04 - Renovation budgets and choosing quality materials31:40 - Calculating the property’s true rental cash flowNETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 just for making an introduction. John and Luis handle everything from the first call to the sale. Over £350,000 in referral fees paid out so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like the video if you found it valuable💬 Would you use an 85% loan-to-value mortgage to scale faster, or keep more equity in each property? Let us know in the comments 👇
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  Rent Controls Backfired — And Landlords Changed Their Strategy 10.08.2026 1h 1m

  Is Scotland heading for a property crash—or does the country’s chronic shortage of homes make that unlikely?Dr. John Boyle, Director of Research & Strategy at Rettie, joins Nick and Steven to examine the data behind Scotland’s housing emergency, house prices, rental growth and the future of the private rented sector.From Aberdeen’s dramatic fall and the 18-year property cycle to landlord exits, rent controls, build-to-rent and student accommodation, Dr. John explains what the latest figures reveal—and why some commonly quoted property statistics can be misleading.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS• What Scotland’s housing emergency actually means and why homelessness and temporary accommodation are increasing• Why housing costs of approximately 25%–30% of gross income are generally considered affordable• How annual housebuilding has fallen from around 25,000 homes before the financial crash to fewer than 20,000• Why a new social home can now cost approximately £250,000–£300,000• Why Scotland’s 2026 house-price growth forecast was revised from 3.5% to around 0%• Why the Scottish market continues to average approximately 100,000 property transactions each year• Why Dr. John does not believe the 18-year property cycle will produce a house-price crash in 2026• Why a collapse in transactions can be more damaging to the property industry than falling prices• How Aberdeen went from having higher average prices than Edinburgh to lower prices than Dundee• Why Aberdeen prices remain down while property transactions are beginning to recover• The risks of using short-term house-price figures to judge smaller towns and local markets• Why landlord registration figures do not provide a reliable picture of landlords leaving the sector• Why Dr. John describes the landlord exodus as a “trickle rather than a flood”• How rent controls encouraged landlords to raise rents to market value between tenancies• Why experienced landlords are now more likely to review and increase rents every year• How the 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement affects new landlords while producing record tax revenue• Why rent controls caused institutional build-to-rent investment in Scotland to stall• How construction costs rising faster than rents have created a viability problem for build-to-rent• Why purpose-built student accommodation can be more financially viable than standard rental developments• Whether Glasgow could eventually face an oversupply of student accommodation• How co-living developments could provide another housing option for young professionalsCHAPTERS00:00 - Meet Dr. John Boyle01:08 - Scotland’s housing emergency explained04:04 - Why Scotland is not building enough homes07:08 - The rising cost of social housing10:55 - Scotland’s property-market outlook14:32 - Will the 18-year property cycle cause a crash?18:25 - What could trigger the next property crash?21:39 - What happened to Aberdeen’s property market?25:31 - Finding growth areas and interpreting property data30:28 - Are landlords really leaving Scotland?35:23 - How the 8% ADS is affecting investors37:47 - Why rent controls caused rents to rise40:11 - The future of rent-control zones44:57 - Build-to-rent and institutional investment53:03 - Why build-to-rent schemes are struggling56:47 - Is Glasgow building too much student accommodation?59:49 - Could co-living help address the housing shortage?01:00:52 - Where to connect with Dr. JohnCONNECT WITH DR. JOHNDr. John Boyle MRICS — Director of Research & Strategy at Rettie & CoWebsite: https://www.rettie.co.uk/NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 just for making an introduction. John and Luis handle everything from the first call to the sale. Over £350,000 in referral fees paid out so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/
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  Bridging, BRR and Property Sourcers — Your Questions Answered 03.08.2026 58m

  What would Nick and Steven do with £40,000 to invest—and would they choose a vanilla buy-to-let over stocks and shares?In this listener Q&A episode, Nick reveals that he currently owns 12 buy-to-lets and is still aiming for a portfolio of 20 producing around £5,000 in net monthly cash flow. Steven explains why he focuses less on the number of properties he owns and more on cash flow, loan-to-value and paying down debt.They also discuss how first-time buyers can use their position to get started, what makes a BRR deal stack up, how bridging finance works, whether 5.7% is a reasonable refinancing rate and how to find a trustworthy property sourcer.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS• Nick’s goal of owning 20 buy-to-lets producing approximately £5,000 in net monthly cash flow• Why Steven focuses on cash flow, loan-to-value and debt reduction instead of property numbers• Houses versus flats—and why tenant turnover, factor fees and capital growth matter• Why buying quality property can outperform chasing the maximum amount of money from every refinance• Vanilla buy-to-let versus stocks and shares: how leverage changes the potential return• What Nick and Steven would do with £40,000 to begin building a property portfolio• How first-time buyers can use low deposits, house hacking and live-in flips to their advantage• The investment criteria Nick and Steven would use when purchasing property today• Their five and ten-year plans for acquiring properties and reducing portfolio debt• The discounts, added value and refurbishment costs needed to make a BRR deal work• How bridging finance works, including arrangement fees, monthly interest and exit costs• Whether fixing a buy-to-let mortgage at 5.7% could make sense• Kitchen versus bathroom: which refurbishment is more likely to improve a property’s value?• How to check a property sourcer’s track record, compliance and investment figures• Why tenanted properties require due diligence on both the building and the tenantCHAPTERS00:00 - Nick and Steven answer listeners’ questions01:15 - Portfolio targets and monthly cash-flow goals04:03 - Houses versus flats06:12 - BRR versus buying quality property08:21 - Loan-to-value and paying down portfolio debt10:52 - Prime Property Auctions13:09 - Buy-to-let versus stocks and shares20:49 - What would they do with £40,000?23:03 - The advantages of being a first-time buyer25:56 - Nick and Steven’s property-buying criteria30:23 - Their five and ten-year property plans36:18 - How to borrow, buy and recover your investment38:32 - How bridging finance works42:47 - Is 5.7% a reasonable refinancing rate?46:10 - Kitchen versus bathroom refurbishment49:56 - How to find a trustworthy property sourcer55:28 - Nick and Steven’s perfect dayNETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — earn £1,500 just for sending a WhatsApp. If you know someone selling a property, John and Lewis will pay you £1,500 or 1% of the sale price (whichever is higher) just for passing on their details. They've paid out over £350,000 in referral fees so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like the video if you found it valuable💬 If you had £100,000 to invest, would you choose buy-to-let or stocks and shares? Let us know in the comments 👇
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  Diagnosed With Cancer at 27 — Then Property Changed Her Life 27.07.2026 57m

  At just 27, Ally Wilkes was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer—an experience that completely changed how she viewed time, security and the life she wanted to build.After years working in the NHS, Ally took the leap into property. She completed a flip that made just under £30,000, used the BRR strategy to build her own portfolio and eventually left her job to run ACG Property, managing renovation projects for investors.In this honest conversation with Nick and Steven, Ally shares the numbers behind her deals, the reality of becoming self-employed, the nightmare first tenant who trashed her property and what investors should realistically expect to spend on a refurbishment today.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS• How a cancer diagnosis at 27 changed Ally’s outlook on work, security and life• Why she had wanted to become a property developer from a young age• The numbers behind her first flip: bought for £81,000, spent around £17,000 and sold for £135,750• How that first project produced a profit of just under £30,000• Her first BRR: bought for £66,000, refurbished for around £30,000 and revalued at £130,000• What happened when her first buy-to-let tenant trashed the property after only eight weeks• Leaving the NHS and adjusting to the lack of routine that comes with self-employment• How networking and sharing her journey online helped Ally secure her first clients• Why Ally charges 15% of the refurbishment cost for project management• Why Ally budgets roughly £15,000–£20,000 for a good two-bedroom refurbishment with kitchen and bathroom upgrades, excluding electrics, windows and boiler or heating work• The hidden problems investors cannot always spot before work begins, including thermal bridging• Why Ally prioritises good-quality assets instead of growing a portfolio for appearancesTIMESTAMPS00:00 - Meet Ally Wilkes01:47 - Wanting to work in property from a young age06:38 - The cancer diagnosis that changed everything15:37 - Why property became Ally’s next chapter18:27 - The numbers behind her first flip21:49 - Moving from flipping to BRR and buy-to-let22:16 - A £66,000 purchase revalued at £130,00022:53 - The nightmare first tenant27:23 - Leaving the NHS for property full-time33:26 - How networking brought Ally her first clients35:42 - Building a personal brand by being authentic38:19 - Why investors use a project manager39:27 - Project-management fees and realistic budgets43:17 - What a two-bedroom refurbishment costs today45:09 - Thermal bridging and other hidden problems48:12 - Kitchens, bathrooms and timeless design51:53 - Managing a refurbishment for a remote investor53:23 - Ally’s plans for ACG Property and her portfolio- 55:29 Where to connect with AllyCONNECT WITH ALLYAlly Wilkes — ACG PropertyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/allywilkesproperty_inhaus/NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — earn £1,500 just for sending a WhatsApp. If you know someone selling a property, John and Lewis will pay you £1,500 or 1% of the sale price (whichever is higher) just for passing on their details. They've paid out over £350,000 in referral fees so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like the video if you found it valuable💬 Would you leave a secure career to pursue property full-time? Let us know in the comments 👇
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  How an Architect Spots Hidden Value in Property Deals 20.07.2026 1h 5m

  Most investors look at a floor plan and see a two-bed. Ross McIlvean looks at the same floor plan and sees £15,000–£20,000 of hidden value nobody else spotted. 🏗️In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Ross McIlvean of LTJ Architecture — property investor, architect, and one of the most practically useful guests to appear on the show. Ross covers everything from his nana's buy to let that got him started, to his first flip in Woodbank, building a six-property portfolio entirely in one street in Dunfermline, the illegal attic conversion he bought at £115k and got valued at £180k, and a brand new static caravan STL down at Pease Bay.This one is packed with genuinely actionable advice on 2-bed to 3-bed conversions, planning vs building warrants, how to price refurbs, and why Ross never buys anything that doesn't start with Weatherburn.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro: Ross McIlvean joins the podcast00:34 Ross’s background and route into architecture01:22 Why buildings and local architecture matter04:35 Architecture that adds commercial value05:11 Ross’s first step into property investing06:17 Property education and learning the basics07:49 Ross’s first flip in Cowdenbeath10:26 Why flipping is harder in today’s market11:45 Using architecture to unlock hidden value13:13 Pricing refurbs and understanding project costs17:48 How architects price their work19:57 Building a portfolio after the first flip21:12 Turning two-bed properties into three-beds23:52 Removing chimneys and changing layouts26:34 Minimum bedroom sizes and practical layouts28:51 Solving an unofficial attic conversion problem31:13 Undoing bad work to make a property compliant33:44 Rental growth in Dunfermline35:39 Ross’s static caravan investment38:37 Moving from employment to self-employment42:13 Working with Jay Alexander and the Flour Mill project45:36 Starting LTJ Architecture during Covid48:34 Planning delays and the council process49:50 Planning permission vs building warrant52:01 Retrospective building warrants and why they’re risky54:21 Building control inspections and completion certificates55:12 Ross’s role through the design and approval process56:20 AI, architecture and design visuals59:57 What’s next for Ross and his portfolio1:04:56 How to connect with Ross1:05:47 Final thoughtsCONNECT WITH ROSSInstagram: @ltj.architecture Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltjarchitecture/NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — earn £1,500 just for sending a WhatsApp. If you know someone selling a property, John and Lewis will pay you £1,500 or 1% of the sale price (whichever is higher) just for passing on their details. They've paid out over £350,000 in referral fees so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Would you buy everything in one street like Ross? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  The Property Accountant With 54 Buy-to-Lets 13.07.2026 1h 2m

  He's your accountant by day and a 54-unit landlord by night. And he charges less than you'd spend on a Friday night out. 🏠In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Matt Herbert — qualified property accountant and 54-unit investor across Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Matt covers everything from his dad being made redundant and discovering property by accident, to doing refurbs after work in his finance job, building a 54-unit portfolio, and why he'd rather help investors structure their businesses properly than charge a fortune for it.If you've ever wondered what a property accountant actually does for your portfolio — this is the episode to watch.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to Matt Herbert — accountant and 54-unit investor00:14 – Qualified property accountant at the Glasgow networking events00:28 – 54-unit buy to let portfolio across Aberdeen and Edinburgh00:52 – Why Aberdeen is controversial — and Matt's take on it01:30 – Growing up: dad moved from Wales to Aberdeen for oil and gas02:06 – Dad made redundant and retrained as a teacher — the lesson it taught Matt05:54 – Dad's first property: rented to his girlfriend06:54 – Oil and gas crash 2015 — everyone made redundant10:40 – First investment property — and the finance stories12:41 – The First Home Fund: government equity stake explained14:03 – Planning to buy a bigger home — and how it changed15:30 – First refurb: doing it himself after work in Edinburgh16:59 – What clients actually want: financial freedom and passive income21:45 – Ex-council and social housing stock — what to know24:27 – Aberdeen market deep dive — buying flats under £40k24:43 – Partnering with Aiden — sourcing and project management26:39 – Finding deals at offers over £45k and getting them down27:57 – Target ROI: 20–25% on all capital invested28:42 – Aberdeen pitfalls: what to watch out for28:52 – Structural issues in Aberdeen stock — the same problems everywhere37:43 – The condemned street nobody saw coming40:34 – Porous concrete explained — and why it's a serious problem42:38 – Net cash flow reality: why Aberdeen yields aren't always what they seem48:41 – Edinburgh: inflated rents and the Alex Walker connection55:33 – Shareholder structure: getting the limited company right from day one57:40 – Year end tax planning: what to do when the bill hits £50k1:00:15 – Mortgage strategy: 75% LTV, five-year fixes1:00:33 – Set and forget — why Matt loves boring, stable assetsCONNECT WITH MATThttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-herbert-fcca-76558a8a/https://www.facebook.com/matthew.herbert.980https://ljyaccountants.co.uk/NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — earn £1,500 just for sending a WhatsApp. If you know someone selling a property, John and Lewis will pay you £1,500 or 1% of the sale price (whichever is higher) just for passing on their details. They've paid out over £350,000 in referral fees so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Would you do your own refurb to save money? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  From Managing 70 Short Term Lets to Building a New Boutique Hotel Brand 06.07.2026 1h 4m

  He built a short term let business to 70 units and 20 staff — then walked away at 29 to start from scratch. The very next day he went to view a hotel. 🏨In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Laurence Malyon — founder of Moment aparthotel brand — for one of the most wide-ranging conversations they've had on the show. Laurence covers everything from running concerts for the neighbours at age 5 and rebranding his family's fire suppression business at 15, to building Donnini Apartments with his uni flatmate Jake, exiting after seven years, and launching a hospitality brand that just did a £2.325 million deal on Edinburgh's George IV Bridge.This one is packed with lessons on business partnerships, aparthotel strategy, STL licensing, commercial funding, and why Glasgow and Edinburgh are completely different beasts.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome back to Laurence & what he's been building since01:08 – Exiting Donnini & launching Moment hotel brand the very next day01:58 – Growing up in a rundown farmhouse near Beattock02:59 – The family fire suppression business03:36 – Rebranding the family business at 1505:15 – Why London and Dubai are the real competition07:41 – Running concerts for the neighbours at age 509:01 – Selling fruit and veg to teachers for profit10:39 – First flip at uni with Jake13:47 – Discovering Airbnb as it was becoming a thing14:10 – Touchstone / Progressive property training16:59 – The rent to rent model that started it all17:26 – STL legislation: why serviced accommodation is so much harder now19:40 – Planning consent: licences, planning, or both28:45 – The plan to go beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow33:25 – Becky, the business conversation that changed everything34:22 – The Moment trademark — what it means and why he owns it35:00 – 12 George IV Bridge Edinburgh — the flagship deal38:07 – £2.325 million on practical completion39:39 – RBS as main lender — the journey to get there40:22 – Oak North bank and how they got funding over the line47:28 – First hire CJ — building the team50:00 – Remote team in the Philippines52:41 – 18% management fee — how it's structured59:01 – Sonder went bust: lessons from the big operators1:01:18 – Stay Cool: what the brand offers and why it's different1:03:40 – Expansion plans: Lisbon, Paris and beyondCONNECT WITH LAURENCEMoment Aparthotels: momentstays.com@moment.stays on InstagramNETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — earn £1,500 just for sending a WhatsApp. If you know someone selling a property, John and Lewis will pay you £1,500 or 1% of the sale price (whichever is higher) just for passing on their details. They've paid out over £350,000 in referral fees so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Would you have walked away from 70 units to start again? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  Pension Funds Are Buying Rental Homes — So Is Buy-to-Let Really Dead? 29.06.2026 43m

  Pension funds are quietly buying up rental homes across Scotland. If buy-to-let was dying, nobody told them. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Nick and Steven are back with the June market update — running on two hours sleep after Scotland vs Brazil — covering the Prime Minister change, house prices, the rental market, the LHA rate freeze that's about to hit 45,000 households, and a £10.8 million build to rent deal in Edinburgh backed by your pension fund. Yes, yours.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro: Scotland vs Brazil, two hours sleep, six episodes to record01:25 – What's coming up: PM change, house prices, rents, LHA & build to rent01:50 – House prices & rental market overview01:58 – Local housing allowance — why it matters to landlords02:36 – Build to rent & pension funds flooding into Scottish property03:27 – Keir Starmer resigns — what happened04:18 – Andy Burnham likely next PM — and his history with rent freezes04:28 – Rent controls in England: why Scotland is one step ahead05:21 – Capital gains tax: what a new Labour leader could mean for landlords14:20 – Fred Harrison's 18-year cycle — five months left for the 2026 crash prediction15:36 – SpaceX IPO: Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire20:01 – First Home Fund launched this week — will it empty in days again?21:56 – Land Registry data: Scotland up 2.2%23:57 – Bitcoin at $59k — down 50% from its peak31:15 – LHA rate freeze: 87 of 90 regions can't cover the bottom 30% of rents34:30 – Scotland's discretionary housing payment — sticking plaster or real solution?35:52 – 45,000 households and 31,000 children affected35:57 – Scotland puts in £8.7m in support36:43 – Avant Homes sells 41 Edinburgh homes to Thriving Investments for £10.8m37:52 – £263k per home — and who's actually funding it38:19 – Is mid-market rent exempt from rent controls? The question nobody can answerNETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — earn £1,500 just for sending a WhatsApp. If you know someone selling a property, John and Lewis will pay you £1,500 or 1% of the sale price (whichever is higher) just for passing on their details. They've paid out over £350,000 in referral fees so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a market update👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Do you think pension funds investing in rental property proves buy-to-let still works? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  From Steelworker to 46 Properties and 800 Under Management 22.06.2026 1h 7m

  He had $300 to his name, sleeping on a mate's floor in Perth, Australia. Then a stranger in an empty pub changed everything — and 23 years later he owns 46 properties and manages 800 more. 🏠In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with David Lamb — founder of Orange Sales and Lettings in the North East of England. David's journey takes in steelworks apprenticeships, delivering tea bags with a wicker basket, a commercial conversion that doubled in cost during Covid, backpacking through Southeast Asia on passive income, and a chance meeting with a stranger in a pub that got him his first offshore job.This one's got everything — the crashes, the lessons, the laughs, and a masterclass on building a letting agency from zero to nearly 1,000 properties under management.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome & David's story in numbers01:01 – Growing up in Billingham, Teesside01:36 – Private school, kicked out, and finding his feet03:01 – Walking out on his business teacher after 6 weeks04:19 – Delivering tea bags door to door with a wicker basket07:17 – First flip: bought for £52k, made £26k, slept on the floor10:13 – The 2008 crash — and two new builds he'd just completed on11:39 – Why new builds off plan was his biggest property mistake15:03 – Zero knowledge of leverage — the lightbulb moment16:46 – 46 personal properties: the buy to let foundation17:05 – Converting 17 offices into 11 apartments22:44 – Made redundant from the steelworks23:30 – Backpacking Australia & Southeast Asia23:51 – $300 left, Perth, and an empty pub24:29 – The stranger who bought him a pint and changed his life25:21 – Email Paul Gordon — one message, one offshore career29:53 – Earning offshore and feeling passive income for the first time32:33 – Rich Dad Poor Dad, all the books, and going property shopping34:58 – The 17-office business centre: bought for £450k35:24 – Covid hits — £450k becomes £750k37:10 – Starting Orange from a portacabin on site47:04 – First hire Charlotte — and building the team49:37 – First agency acquisition51:01 – Asset purchases vs share purchases explained51:48 – How David structures every agency deal51:54 – The deal that'll take Orange over 1,000 properties53:22 – Why relationships are the real currency in business54:09 – David's sole role at Orange now: buying agencies1:00:15 – Business rates, national insurance & the real costs of running a team1:00:25 – AI in property management — what David is integrating right now1:03:44 – Why AI will never replace emotions in property1:05:44 – The bank conversion: planning, apartments & serviced accommodation1:07:07 – Wrap up & Marbella plansCONNECT WITH DAVID@davidlambproperty on InstagramNETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — earn £1,500 just for sending a WhatsApp. If you know someone selling a property, John and Lewis will pay you £1,500 or 1% of the sale price (whichever is higher) just for passing on their details. They've paid out over £350,000 in referral fees so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Would you have sent that email to Paul Gordon? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  The Hidden Stress of Scaling a Property Portfolio 15.06.2026 1h 7m

  A complicated miscarriage. A goodbye in a hospital room. Two years of everything going wrong. Then they bought their first property — Claire eight months pregnant, the world in lockdown. 🏠In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Claire and Dan MacDonald of Cladan Property — a husband and wife team who started investing in 2020 with no strategy and a sold car, and have quietly built a portfolio of 24 properties in five years.This one isn't about overnight success. It's about a slow, steady, intentional approach — two young kids, a teaching job, a brand new mortgage advisory business, and a portfolio that's just gone through its biggest and most challenging growth phase yet.🕐 TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to Claire and Dan02:02 – Growing up in the Highlands & how they met06:39 – The honeymoon that sparked the business idea07:54 – One-day property events & the financial advisor who said don't bother14:05 – Claire's teaching career & the stress behind it17:59 – The difficult years: loss of Dan's mum24:26 – The complicated miscarriage & why it changed everything00:20 – Claire starts investing eight months pregnant in lockdown19:06 – First deal: analysis paralysis & what pushed them through19:14 – Analysis paralysis & the first purchase21:23 – Releasing equity to fund deals three and four22:07 – Selling the car to fund the second property32:13 – Working with Jillian and Darren Green — mindset & clarity33:36 – The vision: cash flow number, lifestyle goals & what they're building toward34:36 – Dan's civil engineering background & the move into property39:11 – The pivot to short-term lets & the Highland cottage41:04 – The cottage flat STL in Cardonald41:14 – 8 months to get the STL licence — what they learned43:26 – Winter cash flow struggles & the unpredictability of STL43:40 – The Joseph Todd liquidation post & what it meant for the market49:25 – Speaking at the April networking event — how it led to two portfolio deals49:31 – Direct to vendor: the portfolio acquisitions that changed everything53:31 – Tenanted portfolio — when the cracks started appearing55:59 – Butting heads as a couple & how they're working through it1:00:56 – Dan's mortgage advisory business & where to find them🔑 KEY TOPICS✅ Starting a property portfolio with savings, a sold car & family equity✅ The real challenges of buying a tenanted portfolio — what nobody talks about✅ ADS savings through portfolio deals of 6+ properties✅ Short-term lets: the cash flow highs, the winter lows & the licensing uncertainty✅ How speaking at a networking event led to two direct-to-vendor portfolio deals✅ Balancing a marriage, young kids, teaching and a growing property business✅ When to pay someone to project manage a refurb (and when their fee pays for itself)✅ Why Claire and Dan prefer quality and cash flow over chasing numbers📲 CONNECT WITH CLAIRE & DANInstagram: @cladanpropertyMortgage enquiries: reach out via Dan's Instagram📅 NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and details🤝 SPONSORED BYPrime Property Auctions — know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 just for making an introduction. John and Lewis handle everything from the first call to the sale. Over £350,000 in referral fees paid out so far.👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/🎙️ ABOUT SCOTTISH PROPERTY PODCASTReal conversations with real Scottish property investors. No fluff — just honest stories, market updates, and investor journeys.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Are you investing as a couple? Drop your experience in the comments 👇
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  The Homeless Landlord With 12 Properties 08.06.2026 1h 16m

  He owns 12 properties. He lives in his mate's spare room. And he accidentally bought a Chinese restaurant from an airport while flying back from Japan. 🏠 In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Isaac Cross — a former offshore worker and CERN technician who saved £140k, came off the Scottish Property Podcast course in January, and went all in on property faster than almost anyone they've had on the show.This one is raw, honest and genuinely funny. Isaac doesn't just talk about the wins. He talks about the bridging nightmare on five properties at once, the deals he overpaid for, the sourcing fees that didn't add up, the solicitor with 98 problems to solve — and what he'd do differently if he was starting again.🕐 TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to Isaac Cross & the 52 properties in 52 weeks goal02:04 – Growing up between Aberdeen and Lanarkshire with a single mum04:35 – ADHD diagnosis as a kid — and how it shapes the way Isaac works05:21 – Wanting to go offshore like his dad06:28 – Electrical apprenticeship & how he was the only one who applied10:55 – Life offshore: earning £90k in his early 20s16:20 – Moving to Switzerland for the CERN job16:29 – The best job title, the most boring job18:59 – First property: Holytown two-bed at 2021:14 – Bad mortgage advice, blowing the profit, starting over26:16 – The power of a good power team33:24 – The Dennistoun flat — bought at home report in peak Covid35:04 – Social media, personal brand & why Isaac went all in on content36:38 – The January networking event that flipped the switch44:04 – First deal in Aberdeen on a plane to Australia52:07 – Five properties on one bridge — and 98 problems to solve60:19 – The Chinese restaurant accident62:53 – Bidding at auction from Heathrow flying back from Japan66:45 – The community hub plan for the Carluke commercial unit71:55 – First private investor on board & what comes next🔑 KEY TOPICS✅ How Isaac went from zero to 12 properties in 3 months✅ Bridging five properties at once — the fees, the problems, the lessons✅ Why cheap Aberdeen stock served a purpose but he'd do it differently now✅ Sourcing fees that don't add up — and how to spot them✅ Accidentally buying commercial property at auction✅ Building a private investor relationship from scratch✅ Why social media is already bringing the right people to Isaac✅ His honest advice to anyone thinking about starting📲 CONNECT WITH ISAACFollow Isaac's property journey on Instagram — @isaaccrossproperty📅 NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and details🎙️ ABOUT SCOTTISH PROPERTY PODCASTReal conversations with real Scottish property investors. No fluff — just honest stories, market updates, and investor journeys.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Would you have bought the Chinese restaurant? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  Scotland’s £10k First Home Fund Is Back — Will It Be Gone in Days? 01.06.2026 54m

  The last time Scotland launched this fund it had £60 million and it was gone in eight days. This time they've got £100 million. Nick and Steven give it two weeks. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿In this month's market update, they break down exactly how the £10k First Home Fund works, what the catches are, and why investors should be paying attention too — because when first-time buyers pile into the 80–100k market, it gets competitive fast.That's just one of the stories this month. Gilt rates just hit their highest level since 2008. Scottish rents have dropped annually for the first time in eight years. And a new law coming in April 2027 means one tenant in a joint tenancy can end the lease for everybody — a potential nightmare for HMO landlords.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🕐 TIMESTAMPS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━00:00 – Intro & what's coming up this episode01:48 – Rants episode feedback — scarcity selling & FOMO in the market05:30 – The dodgy deal story — unfactored building, hole in the wall, empty property12:21 – Listener email — "Fatty" tells Nick to stop interrupting Steven15:04 – Fuel prices & the macro economy17:26 – CPI inflation came in at 2.8% — lower than expected19:47 – Interest rates & why cuts are off the table21:54 – The 80–100k sweet spot for Scottish BTL right now24:24 – Post-election results — Reform, SNP minority, what it means28:31 – The £10k First Home Fund — how it works & the catches32:16 – Last time this fund launched it was gone in 8 days34:00 – House prices & the Zoopla index38:07 – Average time to sell in Scotland: 15 days, fastest in the UK39:04 – Down valuations — are surveyors getting more cautious?43:01 – Rental market update — Citylets data43:21 – First annual rent drop in 8 years44:49 – City breakdown: Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh46:46 – Rent controls — nothing until late 2027 at the earliest50:36 – Rent adjudication changes — tribunal loophole closing April 202752:12 – Joint tenancy bombshell — one person can end it for everyone━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔑 KEY TOPICS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✅ The £10k First Home Fund — how it works, the equity catch, and how long it'll last✅ Rants episode feedback — scarcity selling, FOMO and deals passed around 15 WhatsApp groups✅ Fuel prices, inflation & why CPI came in lower than expected at 2.8%✅ Interest rates: why three or four cuts this year is now off the table✅ Scottish house prices: Glasgow up 2.9%, Scotland up 2.6%, Aberdeen finally climbing✅ Average time to sell in Scotland — 15 days, fastest in the UK✅ Rental market: first annual rent drop in 8 years — and why Nick thinks it's already bouncing back✅ City rents breakdown: Aberdeen up 1.7%, Glasgow up 0.4%, Edinburgh flat✅ Rent controls update — nothing happening until late 2027 at the earliest✅ The joint tenancy bombshell — one tenant can end the tenancy for everyone from April 2027✅ Why this is a major problem for HMO landlords✅ Rent adjudication changes — the tribunal loophole is closing✅ Down valuations — are surveyors getting more cautious?✅ The 80–100k sweet spot for Scottish BTL investors right now━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📅 NETWORKING EVENTS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━First Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and details━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎙️ ABOUT SCOTTISH PROPERTY PODCAST━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Real conversations about Scottish property. No fluff — market updates, legislation changes, and honest investor chat every month.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a market update👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Do you think the fund will be gone in days again? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  Cold pitching in our Facebook group, dodgy sourcers, and LinkedIn spam — we've had enough 25.05.2026 40m

  No guests. No filter. Just Nick and Steven saying what everyone in property is thinking. From deal sourcers pressuring investors to buy in minutes, to buyers pulling out of flips at the last second, dodgy sourcers, LinkedIn inbox chaos, ego-driven cliques in the Scottish property community, and yes — American tipping culture at Starbucks drive-throughs.This is the Scottish Property Podcast rants episode. It always does well. You'll know why by the end.🕐 TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to the rants episode03:00 – Cold pitching in our Facebook community group08:00 – LinkedIn inbox: why Steven doesn't go on it anymore12:00 – Deal sourcers rushing investors into decisions18:00 – The 6-minute deal — how much due diligence is that?24:00 – Younger investors trying to keep up with social media portfolios29:00 – A sourcer called Natalie — the community calling it out34:00 – Steven's Florida rant: Starbucks drive-through tipping culture40:00 – Scotland's property system: buyers pulling out with no consequences47:00 – Three flips, two fall-throughs — the real cost of the Scottish system52:00 – Non-refundable deposits: should they be the norm?57:00 – Letting agents: the three-quotes rabbit hole1:03:00 – Egos and cliques in the Scottish property community1:10:00 – Going to other people's events — why Steven loves it1:15:00 – Copying in business: where's the line?1:20:00 – Every fucker's got a podcast now1:24:00 – Wrap up, sponsors & G4 Studios shoutout🔑 KEY TOPICS✅ Why rushed deal sourcing is putting new investors at risk✅ How to do due diligence on a sourcer before you spend a penny✅ The case for non-refundable deposits in Scottish property sales✅ Why cliques are killing the Scottish property community✅ Cold pitching in Facebook groups — add value first✅ Tipping culture in the US — a rant we all needed to hear📅 NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and details🎙️ ABOUT SCOTTISH PROPERTY PODCASTReal conversations about Scottish property. No fluff, no filter — just honest talk from people in the trenches.💬 What's YOUR biggest property rant? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  17 years in the RAF, walked away 3 years before his pension — Ross Orrock's property story 18.05.2026 1h 7m

  17 years in the Royal Air Force. Iraq. Afghanistan. The Falklands. Then he walked away — 3 years short of a guaranteed pension — to go all in on property. 🏠In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Ross Orrock — deal sourcer, property investor, and one of the most honest voices in the industry. Ross doesn't just talk about wins. He talks about the Samuel Leeds course that cost him £12k, the social housing Hmos that turned the community against him, the £44-unit rent-to-rent scheme that turned out to be a nationwide scam, and the Grade 2 listed cottage that cost him £90k in losses.250 deals later, Ross is still standing — and his story is one every property investor needs to hear.🕐 TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro: 17 years RAF, walking away from the pension04:00 – Deployments: Iraq, Afghanistan & 4 months on a Falklands mountaintop09:00 – The breaking point — missing 800 days of his daughter's life14:00 – Discovering Samuel Leeds on YouTube while deployed19:00 – Spending £12k inheritance on a property course24:00 – Starting from zero: divorced, sleeping on his grandad's couch29:00 – Why he chose deal sourcing over rent to rent34:00 – Building his personal brand on Instagram from scratch39:00 – Investor first vs deal first — Ross's strong take44:00 – The budget HMO years: cheap terraces, chaos, and high turnover50:00 – Social housing & asylum seeker contracts — bricks through windows57:00 – The City Gate scam: £44 units, a pyramid scheme, and a £96k investor loss1:06:00 – How it destroyed his reputation (and how he rebuilt it)1:12:00 – Why he ditched HMOs and went all in on buy to let1:18:00 – The Grade 2 listed cottage disaster — a £90k lesson1:26:00 – Building his own portfolio: 10 buy to lets and counting1:32:00 – How to onboard investors and weed out time wasters1:38:00 – Northeast property market: where to invest and what to spend1:44:00 – Oric Property: sourcing, lettings & estate agency🔑 KEY TOPICS✅ Leaving the military 3 years short of a full pension✅ The honest truth about property courses — are they worth it?✅ Why budget HMOs are a trap (and what works instead)✅ The City Gate rent-to-rent scam exposed✅ Social housing & asylum seeker contracts — the real story✅ Why Ross never puts his name against third-party builders✅ Investors first vs deals first — the debate settled✅ Long term capital growth vs cash flow — where the real wealth is✅ Northeast England property: areas, prices & what to expect🎙️ ABOUT SCOTTISH PROPERTY PODCASTReal conversations with real property investors. No fluff — the wins, the losses, and everything in between.👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Have you ever been caught out by a property scam? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  £5M retail brand, 10 cash properties, still lives at home — Taylor McNeillie's no-excuses story 11.05.2026 56m

  At 23 years old, Taylor McNeillie has built a £700k property portfolio — mortgage free — while running a retail business doing over £1 million a year. And he still lives at home. 🏠In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Taylor to hear the full story: from reselling Yeezys at 12 years old and skipping class to cop Supreme drops, to opening Empire Glasgow at 18, scaling to £1.8 million in revenue, and quietly buying 10 properties in cash before most people his age have a savings account.This one is packed with lessons on business, money, social media, and why building a cash-generating business first might be the smartest property strategy of all.🕐 TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro: Taylor's story in numbers02:30 – Growing up in East Dorsetshire & early entrepreneurial spark06:00 – Reselling Yeezys at 12 using his dad's credit card11:00 – Supreme drops from the school toilet at 11am16:00 – Building the Empire Glasgow Instagram page22:00 – Covid hits — and changes everything27:00 – Opening the pop-up in Princes Square at 1833:00 – Going full time: signing the long-term lease38:00 – Silverburn Christmas pop-up & £790k quarter43:00 – Running 9 staff at 19 — winging it and winning49:00 – Revenue peaks at £1.8M — then the Yeezy disaster55:00 – Business rates, retail challenges & Glasgow high street1:02:00 – The property lightbulb moment & 500k sitting in the bank1:08:00 – First deal: 2-bed in Cambuslang for £65k (never seen it)1:14:00 – Buying mortgage free — the no-debt philosophy1:20:00 – TikTok, the £28k flat and the "parasite landlord" comments1:28:00 – 10 properties, £700k portfolio, still at home with mum1:34:00 – Future plans: portfolio deals, refinancing & commercial property🔑 KEY TOPICS✅ How Taylor built £500k in business profit before touching property✅ Buying 10 properties mortgage free in under 2 years✅ Why he treats tenants like customers✅ Using social media to find off-market deals✅ The Yeezy stock crisis — and how he handled it✅ Business rates in Glasgow & the retail landscape✅ Why Taylor avoids serviced accommodation and shiny penny strategies✅ His plan to refinance a portfolio deal and scale further📲 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE🏪 Empire Glasgow — Princes Square & Buchanan Street, Glasgow🔑 Kyle Black — property sourcing🔑 Callum McWilliam — Rapid Removals & sourcing📊 Slater Hogg — letting agents🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 What do you think of the no-mortgage approach? Drop it in the comments 👇
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  SNP, Labour, Reform — who's best for property investors in Scotland? 04.05.2026 42m

  The Scottish election is days away — and if you're a property investor or landlord, what happens on May 7th actually matters. 🗳️In this market update, Nick and Steven cut through the political noise and break down exactly what each party's housing policies mean for landlords, investors, and anyone trying to build a portfolio in Scotland right now.From ADS cuts to rent controls, council tax hikes of up to 500%, first-time buyer grants, and a housing building crisis — this one is packed with real talk on the policies that will shape the Scottish property market for years to come.🕐 TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro: why this election matters to property investors02:00 – Election overview: latest polls & party predictions06:00 – Reform's rise in Scotland & what it means10:00 – ADS (Additional Dwelling Supplement): party by party breakdown18:00 – LBTT: who wants to cut it, scrap it, or raise it?24:00 – Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR): is it safe?28:00 – Rent controls: CPI+1% capped at 6% — is that fair?35:00 – Council tax: the 500% increase in Midlothian explained42:00 – Short-term lets, Airbnb & the small business bonus loophole closing48:00 – Edinburgh tourist levy from July 202652:00 – First-time buyers: right to buy & the £10k SNP grant1:00:00 – House building targets: will any party actually deliver?1:08:00 – The £307k social house in Clydebank worth £200k1:18:00 – Build to rent, private equity & what Scotland needs1:25:00 – Energy, North Sea drilling & the Norway comparison1:30:00 – Who are they voting for? Networking events & wrap-up🔑 KEY TOPICS✅ ADS breakdown by party — Tories want to cut from 8% to 4%✅ Rent controls: CPI+1% capped at 6% — what it means for you✅ Council tax on second homes — up to 500% in some areas✅ Short-term let licence & small business bonus scheme changes✅ SNP's right to buy proposal & £10k first-time buyer grant✅ Why Scotland's house building targets keep getting missed✅ The social housing cost crisis & impact on private developers✅ Edinburgh's 5% tourist levy coming July 2026💬 Drop your questions or opinions in the comments — who are YOU voting for?
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  From Humble Beginnings to Building a Property Portfolio: The No-Excuses Property Journey 27.04.2026 1h 6m

  No inheritance. No safety net. No excuses. 🏗️Jason Kelly grew up in Linwood with a single mum, survived a car crash that killed the driver at 15, and spent over a decade working offshore in oil and gas — earning decent money but going nowhere fast. Then he discovered property, went all-in, and hasn't looked back.In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Jason tells the full story — the real numbers, the mistakes, and the mindset that got him from selling his first flat to managing multiple refurbs, sourcing off-market deals, and building a portfolio using investor finance.If you're waiting for the "right time" to start — this episode is for you.🕐 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:00:00 – Introduction & Cadbury's Heroes02:00 – Growing up in Linwood: humble beginnings06:30 – The car accident that changed everything12:00 – Leaving school & landing an oil & gas apprenticeship18:00 – Life offshore: the money, the lifestyle, the downsides26:00 – Becoming disillusioned with the rat race31:00 – Discovering property through a two-day event36:00 – First deal sourced & selling the Shawlands flat43:00 – Living in a flip (don't do this)50:00 – Going full-time in property in April 202456:00 – Project managing refurbs & building a team1:05:00 – Sourcing off-market deals & working with investors1:12:00 – The assisted sale that made £30k (and the Celtic legend connection)1:20:00 – Social media, TikTok investors & getting slaughtered offshore1:27:00 – The Hamilton Starbucks networking event1:32:00 – Where to find Jason🔑 KEY TOPICS✅ Leaving a well-paid job to go full-time in property✅ Funding your first deals with no cash using investor finance✅ Buy-to-let, flips & assisted sales — what actually works✅ Why project management fees are worth every penny✅ Finding off-market deals through relationships (not Rightmove)✅ Building a property portfolio in Scotland from scratch✅ Growing a property business through social media
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  Turning £20K Amazon Side Hustle into a £250K Business... Then Purchasing 13 Properties 20.04.2026 1h 8m

  In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Adam Boyd — entrepreneur, Amazon FBA operator, and property investor. Adam shares his journey from experimenting with multiple failed business ideas to building and selling an Amazon business for a life-changing sum, before scaling into a portfolio of e-commerce brands and property investments. From selling hand sanitiser during lockdown to spotting an opportunity in simple spray bottles, Adam’s story highlights the power of taking action, learning through failure, and recognising opportunities at the right time. He also opens up about transitioning into property, completing multiple flips, and acquiring a 13-property portfolio with minimal money left in the deal.🎙️ Episode Highlights🌟 Early Entrepreneurial Mindset• Started young, constantly testing business ideas from his bedroom• Tried multiple ventures including eBay selling and early Amazon attempts• Learned through failure rather than formal education• Strong drive to avoid a “normal” career and pursue business full-time 📦 Amazon Journey & First Breakthrough• Initially failed with several Amazon product launches• Took advantage of lockdown demand by selling hand sanitiser• Pivoted quickly when restrictions hit and moved into cleaning products• Identified a key opportunity in high-demand spray bottles during COVID 🚀 Scaling a Simple Product into a Real Business• Invested £20k (bounce back loan) into bulk spray bottle stock• Solved supply issues by going direct to the manufacturer• Shifted to Amazon FBA to automate fulfilment and scale• Grew sales rapidly, reaching consistent monthly revenue 💰 Selling the Business & Building Wealth• Built the business in under a year before listing it for sale• Sold for approximately £250,000 — a life-changing moment• Retained equity and continued running the business post-sale• Became part of a larger group acquiring multiple Amazon businesses 🌍 Scaling Through Acquisitions• Transitioned from seller to buyer of online businesses• Helped acquire and operate multiple e-commerce brands globally• Portfolio now generating millions in annual revenue• Focus shifted to systems, scalability, and long-term growth 🏡 Entering Property & First Flip• Used business profits to enter property investing• Completed first flip in East Kilbride with ~£30k profit• Learned key lessons around costs, margins, and project timelines• Built confidence to scale further in property 📈 Scaling Property & Portfolio Deal• Completed multiple flips generating consistent profits• Took on a 13-property portfolio worth £1.3M• Negotiated purchase at £862k — significant discount• Used bridging finance and refinancing strategy• Left only ~£1,000 in the deal after refinancing ⚠️ Lessons, Mistakes & Realities• Made early mistakes (no insurance, unnecessary certificates, compliance gaps)• Learned importance of systems, due diligence, and planning• Highlighted true costs of portfolio deals (fees, finance, legal)• Emphasised that failures and mistakes are part of growth ✅ Key Takeaways✔️ Taking action and learning through failure is key to success✔️ Simple products can become highly profitable with the right timing✔️ Amazon FBA allows scalability through automation and systems✔️ Selling a business doesn’t always mean exiting — equity can multiply returns✔️ Property flips require significant margins to be worthwhile✔️ Portfolio deals can be powerful but come with high upfront costs✔️ Bridging finance can unlock bigger opportunities when used correctly✔️ Systems and outsourcing are essential for scaling both business and property✔️ Long-term wealth comes from leveraging opportunities, not just saving money
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  The Reality of Dubai Real Estate (No One Talks About This) 13.04.2026 1h 3m

  In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Emily Henaghen — estate agent, entrepreneur and social media personality — to unpack her journey from university and early property exposure, to building a personal brand, launching her own estate agency career, and taking a bold leap to Dubai. Emily shares the realities behind social media success, the challenges of working in Dubai’s high-pressure property market, and the lessons she’s learned about resilience, confidence, and carving your own path in business.This episode offers a raw and honest look at what it really takes to succeed as a young agent — from overcoming imposter syndrome to building a brand that attracts clients before you even walk through the door. 🎙️ Episode Highlights🏡 Getting Started in Property• Grew up around property through family investment projects• Started as a viewing agent while studying at university• Left university early during COVID to pursue business opportunities• Built early experience through lettings, admin and exposure to deals📱 Building a Personal Brand & Winning Business• Leveraged social media to stand out as a young agent• Clients often came pre-sold after following her online• Focus on authenticity and connection rather than hard selling• Personal brand helped generate leads and long-term referrals💬 Confidence, Imposter Syndrome & Dealing with Clients• Faced imposter syndrome at just 20–21 years old in valuations• Built trust by being honest, transparent and relatable• Focused on conversations and relationships over “selling”• Learned that people buy into the person, not just the service🌍 Moving to Dubai — Opportunity vs Reality• Moved to Dubai for experience, not just money• Faced intense pressure in a commission-only environment• Long hours, high competition and constant performance expectations• Reality far tougher than what’s shown on social media⚠️ Challenges, Setbacks & Personal Safety• Experienced a serious stalking incident that impacted confidence• Highlighted risks of personal branding and online visibility• Took a step back from real estate temporarily after the incident• Reinforced importance of awareness and boundaries online🔄 Career Pivot, Growth & Returning Home• Transitioned into recruitment within the Dubai property space• Helped others relocate and set expectations realistically• Eventually chose to return to Scotland after two years• Decision driven by lifestyle, family and long-term fulfillment✅ Key Takeaways• Personal brand can generate opportunities before you even pitch• Confidence comes from experience — not age• Saying yes to opportunities creates long-term growth• Dubai offers opportunity but demands relentless work ethic• Social media success comes with both upside and risk• Setbacks can lead to new directions and better clarity• Relationships and authenticity remain the biggest advantages in business• It’s okay to pivot — success doesn’t follow one straight path
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  Is the Iran War About to Crash the Property Market? 06.04.2026 52m

  In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven return for a market update, diving into one of the most uncertain global backdrops in recent years. From rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East to mortgage rate volatility, inflation risks, and shifting investor sentiment, this episode breaks down what’s actually happening — and what it could mean for the UK and Scottish property market. Alongside global events, the discussion also covers rental trends 📊, property price resilience 🏡, EPC regulation changes ⚠️, and the growing impact of AI on jobs and the wider economy. As always, the focus is on cutting through headlines and understanding what investors should actually pay attention to.🎙️ Episode Highlights🌍 Global Conflict & Its Impact on Property• Rising tensions involving Iran, the US and global oil supply chains• Potential disruption to 20% of global oil and gas supply via the Strait of Hormuz• Oil prices rising sharply, increasing inflationary pressure• Market uncertainty leading to hesitation from buyers and investors📉 Mortgage Rates, Inflation & Market Sentiment• Swap rates jumped from ~3.4% to 4.1% within weeks• Over 600 mortgage products were pulled from the market• Average mortgage rates now around 5.5%, a 19-month high• Higher energy costs likely to push inflation back up• Potential pause or reversal of interest rate cuts🏡 Property Market Resilience vs Risk• Scottish market remains strong with ongoing demand• Average time to secure a buyer around 39 days• Limited housing supply continues to support prices• Main risk remains reduced lending and affordability• Market may slow or stagnate rather than crash📊 Rental Market Trends• Rent growth slowing to ~1.8%–1.9% annually• Average rent in Scotland around £878 per month• Glasgow seeing stronger growth compared to other cities• Affordability ceilings starting to limit further increases• Strong demand remains due to housing shortage🤖 AI, Economy & Future Risks• AI rapidly replacing roles across multiple industries• Businesses cutting costs by reducing staff through automation• Rising unemployment seen as a bigger long-term risk than war• Potential for stock market correction due to overvalued AI companies• Economic shifts could impact property longer term⚠️ EPC Changes & Government Policy Uncertainty• EPC reform plans pushed back to at least 2027• Proposed requirement for EPC band C still targeted for 2028• Concerns over feasibility for older properties (tenements, sandstone buildings)• Ongoing uncertainty makes it difficult for landlords to plan• Investors advised not to make knee-jerk decisions✅ Key Takeaways• Global events can impact property indirectly through inflation and lending• Mortgage rates can shift quickly based on market sentiment• Scottish property market remains resilient due to lack of supply• Rental growth is slowing but demand remains strong• AI and unemployment may pose bigger long-term risks than geopolitics• Interest rates are the key driver to watch for market movement• EPC regulations remain uncertain — avoid reacting too early• Opportunities can arise during short-term market slowdowns• Strong fundamentals still support long-term property investing