The Scottish Property Podcast
- Episodes
- 355
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 9, 2026
About the podcast
A weekly podcast focused on keeping property investors informed and educated on the Scottish property market. Co-hosts Nick Ponty and Steven Clark share their own experiences, answer questions and talk to experts in the industry.
Episodes 355
He Made £30K on His First Property Flip — Then Went All In
Ryan Cullen went from working as an electrician to making approximately £30,000 profit on his first property flip—a result that convinced him property could become more than a side project.Instead of simply …
Show notes
Ryan Cullen went from working as an electrician to making approximately £30,000 profit on his first property flip—a result that convinced him property could become more than a side project.
Instead of simply repeating the same strategy, Ryan invested in his education, started learning how to source deals and cut his salary in half to work part-time. After one heated phone call with his manager, he quit the job he had held for eight years and committed fully to building a property business.
Ryan explains how the business scaled to around 20 properties in six months, including buy-to-lets, serviced accommodation and an aparthotel. He also shares why the team has since focused on reducing leverage, improving due diligence and giving a smaller number of investors a more complete portfolio-building service.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• How Ryan went from a difficult time at school to completing an electrical apprenticeship
• The employee share-save scheme that gave him the capital to begin investing
• Buying a rundown Bathgate property without fully understanding the numbers
• Completing much of the refurbishment himself and making approximately £30,000 profit
• Why he spent money on property education instead of immediately buying another project
• Setting himself the goal of sourcing one deal within six months
• Cutting his salary in half so he could learn the property business part-time
• The phone call that led him to quit his electrical job and go all in
• Scaling from no properties to around 20 units in the business within six months
• A £35,000 serviced-accommodation purchase producing nearly £2,000 in strong months
• The aparthotel generating approximately £10,000–£12,000 net per month
• Refurbishing eight Helensburgh flats for longer serviced-accommodation bookings
• Why cash flow and loan-to-value matter more than chasing a large unit count
• Moving from WhatsApp deal groups towards a smaller, premium investor service
• The sourcing mistakes that taught Ryan the importance of contracts, communication and aftercare
• Why the team now verifies comparables, rents and serviced-accommodation figures before presenting a deal
• Raising private finance and learning how to structure vendor-finance opportunities
• The discipline required to balance business growth, fitness and personal life
CONNECT WITH RYAN
Instagram: @ryancullenproperty
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book:
👉 https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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/
🔔 Follow so you never miss an episode
💬 Would you have left a secure trade after one successful property flip? Let us know in the comments 👇
Scotland’s New Landlord Laws: What Changed and What’s Coming Next
Scotland’s rental rules have changed again—and landlords and letting agents need to understand both what is already in force and what is coming next.In this market update, Steven is joined by Lyndsay from Rent …
Show notes
Scotland’s rental rules have changed again—and landlords and letting agents need to understand both what is already in force and what is coming next.
In this market update, Steven is joined by Lyndsay from Rent Locally and Property Investors Network to break down Awaab’s Law, new succession rights, wrongful-termination compensation and protections against discrimination when choosing tenants.
They also look ahead to April 2027, including changes to joint tenancies, rent-officer decisions, pets and decorating. Lyndsay explains what the rules could mean in practice for HMO landlords, letting agents and tenants—and why responsible landlords may already be following many of the same principles.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• What Awaab’s Law means when a tenant reports damp or mould
• The response times discussed for inspecting a property and beginning remedial work
• How to distinguish surface condensation from water ingress and structural damp
• Lyndsay’s early experience across approximately 2,500 managed properties
• Why the tenancy-succession qualifying period has fallen from 12 months to six
• Compensation tenants may pursue following wrongful termination
• What landlords should document if a property does not sell and is returned to the rental market
• How councils are collecting data before deciding whether areas require rent controls
• New protections for applicants with children or receiving benefits
• Why letting agents should record affordability checks and tenant-selection decisions
• The April 2027 changes allowing one joint tenant to leave without the other’s consent
• Concerns about how the joint-tenancy rules could affect abuse survivors, HMOs and student lets
• Why rent officers will no longer be able to set rent above the increase requested by the landlord
• How requests to keep pets or decorate a rental property should be handled
• Why additional disputes could create further pressure on the First-tier Tribunal
• Whether increasing regulation is discouraging Lyndsay from investing
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Scotland’s latest landlord-law update
01:10 - Awaab’s Law and damp-response times
02:39 - Condensation versus water ingress
05:32 - Succession rights fall from 12 months to six
06:49 - Wrongful termination and compensation
08:17 - Proving a genuine attempt to sell
10:18 - Rent controls and local-authority data
13:22 - New anti-discrimination protections
16:18 - Records letting agents need to keep
18:32 - Penalties for unlawful discrimination
18:58 - Joint-tenancy changes from April 2027
21:19 - Concerns for abuse survivors and HMOs
27:29 - Why rent-control rules are still being defined
30:00 - How rent officers assess market rent
32:15 - Staying ahead of legislative changes
36:04 - New limits on rent-officer decisions
38:15 - Pets and decorating requests
40:50 - Pressure on the First-tier Tribunal
44:46 - Do the new rules deter investors?
45:27 - Networking and the Scottish Property Investors Ball
CONNECT WITH LYNDSAY
Lyndsay on Instagram: @lyndsayyuill
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book:
👉 https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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
💬 Which change do you think will have the biggest impact on Scottish landlords? Let us know in the comments 👇
From Holes in His Shoes to Owning 400 Properties
Alex Walker grew up in Govan with holes in his shoes and free-school-meal tickets. Determined to give his own children a different life, he worked in Glasgow’s fish market, built a business with three fish vans …
Show notes
Alex Walker grew up in Govan with holes in his shoes and free-school-meal tickets. Determined to give his own children a different life, he worked in Glasgow’s fish market, built a business with three fish vans and later earned commission at Sky before accidentally becoming a landlord.
What began with a Livingston flat he could not sell and a former council house bought for £9,000 has grown into a portfolio approaching 400 properties. After 26 years in the industry, Alex is still expanding—buying approximately 60–70 properties this year and growing his business by an average of 18.3% annually over the past five years.
Alex shares how he survived the 2008 financial crisis with approximately £6 million of debt against a portfolio worth around £4 million, why he once considered selling everything for £2 million and why his plan to relocate to Dubai did not last. He also explains his current buy-to-let model, what he would do with £50,000 today and how new investors can avoid overpaying for sourced deals.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Meet Alex Walker
03:50 - Growing towards a 400-property portfolio
05:44 - How property networking changed the industry
11:35 - The setbacks behind Alex’s growth
13:34 - Surviving the 2008 financial crisis
16:17 - Using refinancing to scale the portfolio
18:38 - From holes in his shoes to property success
21:16 - Working in the fish market and running three vans
26:18 - Earning commission at Sky
27:56 - How Alex became a landlord by accident
29:16 - Scaling without an inheritance
31:43 - Moving from self-management to building a team
35:20 - Why Alex nearly sold his entire portfolio
40:40 - The plan to move to Dubai
44:03 - Why Dubai was not the life Alex expected
49:01 - Why Alex still backs traditional buy-to-let
49:28 - His ideal £140,000 three-bedroom investment
50:35 - £4,000 refurbishments and £300 monthly cash flow
52:08 - Why the portfolio remains around 70% LTV
58:01 - What Alex would do with £50,000 today
01:00:41 - What could make him stop investing
01:03:56 - Why Alex does not invest in Aberdeen
01:06:28 - Why he is buying in Edinburgh
01:07:32 - What makes a property sourcer worth paying
01:09:45 - Checking the numbers behind sourced deals
01:13:00 - Why Alex submits hundreds of offers
01:14:48 - The value of property networking
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book your ticket:
👉 https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk...
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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/
💬 If you had £50,000 to begin investing today, would you follow Alex’s low-cost buy-to-let strategy? Let us know in the comments 👇
700 Property Deals — And the 10 That Didn’t Go to Plan
What really happens when a property deal goes wrong—and who should take responsibility?Matt Morrison returns to the podcast after completing more than 700 property deals. He also revisits a Borders investment …
Show notes
What really happens when a property deal goes wrong—and who should take responsibility?
Matt Morrison returns to the podcast after completing more than 700 property deals. He also revisits a Borders investment that did not go entirely to plan, sharing his perspective on how the strategy changed from buy-to-let to serviced accommodation, why the refurbishment costs increased and what everyone involved could have communicated more clearly.
Using the original deal pack, emails and costings, Matt explains the difference between the initial £15,000 refurbishment estimate and the final cost of £26,260. He also discusses why the property achieved the £90,000 valuation stated in the original deal pack and the lessons he has taken from the experience.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• How Matt progressed from around ten deals in his first year to more than 700
• Matt’s perspective on a Borders investment that did not go entirely to plan
• How changing from buy-to-let to serviced accommodation affected the refurbishment
• The emails showing a final refurbishment cost of £26,260
• Why clearer communication between the investor, sourcer and builder was needed
• How the final valuation compared with the original deal pack
• The ten deals Matt identified as having gone off plan
• Damp, delays and a break-in at a £25,000 flat
• Why a Home Report could have exposed non-traditional construction in Dundee
• The Edinburgh flat where RAAC was discovered after purchase
• How dry rot turned Matt’s £12,000 refurbishment into a £25,000–£30,000 project
• Why Matt refunded £1,500 after a buyer’s solicitor failed to submit an offer
• Whether property sourcers need stronger regulation
• The title problem that left Matt with approximately £12,000 at risk
• One flat being valued at £65,000, £45,000 and £70,000 within six weeks
• Growing a portfolio towards 40 properties while managing more than 200 rental units
• Why Matt wants to scale his marketing spend to approximately £20,000 per month
• How he decides which deals to keep and which to offer investors
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Meet Matt Morrison
00:38 - How Matt reached 700 property deals
01:50 - Revisiting a Borders property deal
06:20 - What the original deal pack showed
07:14 - Buy-to-let versus serviced-accommodation refurbishment
08:28 - The final £26,260 refurbishment cost
09:55 - Project management and the builder’s unexpected extras
12:00 - What went wrong with communication
16:18 - Why the £90,000 valuation matched the deal pack
20:03 - The ten deals that did not go to plan
21:06 - Damp, delays and a break-in at a £25,000 flat
22:11 - Why Home Reports matter on off-market deals
24:32 - A three-week refurbishment that took 16 weeks
25:41 - The Dundee flat only one lender would finance
29:14 - RAAC discovered after buying an Edinburgh flat
35:57 - Underestimated refurbishments and hidden dry rot
39:01 - Losing two Edinburgh deals and refunding the fee
42:22 - Should property sourcers be more regulated?
44:39 - The Westfield Court buyback
45:52 - Spending £12,000 before discovering a title problem
49:09 - One flat, three completely different valuations
51:37 - Matt’s business today55:01 - Building a 40-property portfolio
56:35 - Scaling marketing to £20,000 per month
59:30 - Why the same deal does not suit every investor
01:01:18 - Does Matt keep the best deals for himself?
01:02:55 - Matt’s advice for new property sourcers
NETWORKING EVENTS
View upcoming speakers and book your ticket:
👉https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/
SPONSORED BY
Prime Property Auctions — know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 just for making an introduction.
👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/
💬 What due diligence would you insist on before buying through a property sourcer? Let us know in the comments 👇
Buy-to-Let vs Serviced Accommodation — Which Is Really Riskier?
Is serviced accommodation really a safer investment than a traditional buy-to-let—or does the potential for higher income come with significantly more risk?In this listener Q&A, Nick and Steven compare the …
Show notes
Is serviced accommodation really a safer investment than a traditional buy-to-let—or does the potential for higher income come with significantly more risk?
In this listener Q&A, Nick and Steven compare the predictability of vanilla buy-to-let with the fluctuating nightly rates, seasonal demand and contractor-led markets associated with serviced accommodation. They explain why buy-to-let may be “boring” but remains one of the least risky property strategies, while a serviced-accommodation deal can quickly struggle when local demand changes.
They also answer questions about finding off-market deals, funding a first purchase, choosing quality assets over higher-yielding properties, living in a flip, starting a management business and raising private finance. The conversation then turns to property sourcing, who should take responsibility when a deal goes wrong and whether investors should scale or reduce portfolio debt.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• How to find off-market property deals using paid marketing, social media and networking
• Why Nick and Steven believe serviced accommodation carries more uncertainty than buy-to-let
• The risks of relying on temporary contractor demand and unconfirmed local projects
• Why ten quality assets may outperform 20 cheaper, higher-yielding properties
• Bridging finance versus borrowing from private investors
• Why a first Glasgow buy-to-let could require approximately £30,000–£40,000
• When refurbishment drawings, building warrants and professional designs are needed
• Whether live-in flips offering £50,000–£80,000 profit are still achievable
• Starting a serviced-accommodation management company versus a letting agency
• Why serviced accommodation can produce higher fees but requires a much faster response
• Who should take responsibility when a sourced property deal goes wrong
• The rent, refurbishment and end-value figures every investor should verify independently
• Nick and Steven’s best and worst property deals
• How to find private investors by consistently discussing what you are building
• Whether to keep scaling or reduce debt across an established portfolioCHAPTERS
00:00 - Nick and Steven answer listeners’ questions
01:06 - How to find off-market property deals
05:13 - Buy-to-let versus serviced accommodation risk
07:50 - Ten quality assets or 20 cheaper properties?
09:02 - Bridging finance versus private investment
09:49 - Prime Property Auctions
10:34 - How much money is needed for a first buy-to-let?
13:38 - When refurbishment drawings are required
15:14 - Are profitable live-in flips still achievable?
17:01 - Buying serviced accommodation with a limited budget
18:14 - Starting an SA management business or letting agency
22:24 - Why serviced accommodation management is more demanding
24:31 - Who is responsible when a sourced deal goes wrong?
27:25 - Contracts, refunds and protecting a sourcer’s reputation
29:17 - Rent, refurbishment and end-value estimates
31:25 - The lack of regulation in property sourcing
37:19 - Nick and Steven’s best and worst property deals
40:23 - A property bought for £47,000 and sold for £95,000
42:11 - How to find private investors
43:16 - Should investors scale or reduce portfolio debt?NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book your ticket:
👉 https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/SPONSORED BY
Prime 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
💬 Which strategy would you choose: predictable buy-to-let income or the higher potential returns of serviced accommodation? Let us know in the comments 👇Could a Self-Employed Estate Agent Really Earn £100K a Year in Scotland?
Could a self-employed estate agent build a six-figure business without sacrificing the personal service sellers expect?Fraser Kelly, founder of Kelly Residential, joins Nick and Steven to explain how he moved …
Show notes
Could a self-employed estate agent build a six-figure business without sacrificing the personal service sellers expect?
Fraser Kelly, founder of Kelly Residential, joins Nick and Steven to explain how he moved from corporate sales and property sourcing into estate agency. In five years, the business has grown to an 11-person team with five self-employed agents and six operations staff, while becoming one of the West of Scotland’s busiest offices for new instructions.
Fraser breaks down the numbers behind the model, including monthly costs, commission splits and how agents can generate more than £100,000 in annual revenue. He also shares his view of the Scottish sales market, why some homes are being overvalued, the risks facing Glasgow city-centre flats and what it really takes to succeed in self-employed estate agency.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• Why Fraser left corporate sales and moved from property sourcing into estate agency
• How Kelly Residential grew to five self-employed agents and six operations staff
• The difference between a personal estate agent and the traditional corporate model
• Why overvaluing a home can leave it sitting on the market for months
• A Clarkston bungalow that sold for £140,000 above its Home Report
• Why new-build incentives make some nearly new homes harder to resell
• How factor fees and cladding issues are affecting Glasgow city-centre flats
• The skills Fraser believes matter more than previous estate-agency experience
• How some agents are generating more than £100,000 a year in revenue
• Why new agents should consider holding six months of savings
• The £350 monthly cost and 50/50-to-75/25 commission structure
• Why Kelly Residential’s average fee is around £2,200
• The discipline and long hours required to make self-employment work
• How Google reviews, social media and AI are changing property marketing
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Meet Fraser Kelly
00:46 - Viral AI property videos and online backlash
03:11 - Why US and Australian estate agents spend more on marketing
03:55 - From corporate sales to property sourcing
05:22 - Moving into self-employed estate agency
08:04 - Why the UK estate-agency model is different
10:33 - Prime Property Auctions
11:58 - Building Kelly Residential
15:05 - Personal service versus the corporate model
20:20 - Scaling without losing service
23:20 - What is happening in the Scottish sales market?
25:19 - Managing sellers’ Home Report expectations
31:07 - A bungalow sold £140,000 above its Home Report
34:10 - The properties struggling to sell
35:30 - Glasgow flats, factor fees and cladding
38:12 - What makes a successful self-employed estate agent?
42:06 - How the Kelly Residential model works
43:16 - How agents can generate £100,000 a year
45:20 - How much savings should a new agent have?
49:07 - Growing from a local office across Scotland
50:47 - Why Fraser is moving into lettings
55:12 - Monthly costs and commission splits
57:16 - Estate-agent fees and the race to the bottom
01:03:10 - The discipline needed to succeed
01:05:16 - Where to connect with Fraser
CONNECT WITH FRASER
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FraserKellyResidential
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fraserkellyresidential/
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book your ticket:
👉https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 leave a salaried role to build your own estate-agency business? Let us know in the comments 👇
Awaab's Law Hits Scottish Landlords on 6th October: What You Must Do
From 6 October 2026, private and social landlords across Scotland must follow strict new timescales when damp or mould is reported: investigate within 10 working days, provide written findings within three …
Show notes
From 6 October 2026, private and social landlords across Scotland must follow strict new timescales when damp or mould is reported: investigate within 10 working days, provide written findings within three working days and begin any required repairs within five working days of the investigation.
Paul Newing of PRN Water Services joins Nick and Steven to explain Scotland’s implementation of Awaab’s Law and what landlords and letting agents need to do to prepare. They discuss when the clock starts, who can carry out an investigation, what evidence should be retained and why landlords can no longer dismiss a complaint as “tenant lifestyle” without investigating it properly.
They also examine condensation, penetrating damp and rising damp; ventilation and extractor-fan problems; four-week humidity monitoring; treating mould correctly; repeat complaints; and the complications caused by communal repairs and property factors.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• The new duties affecting private and social landlords from 6 October 2026
• The tragedy behind Awaab’s Law and why Scotland introduced its own regulations
• The 10-working-day deadline for investigating reported damp and mould
• Providing a written summary within three working days
• Beginning required repairs within five working days of the investigation
• Why landlords cannot immediately blame a tenant’s lifestyle
• How normal living, cooking and drying clothes increase indoor moisture
• Condensation versus penetrating damp and rising damp
• What landlords should check with windows, vents and extractor fans
• Using four weeks of humidity and dew-point data to establish the cause
• Why photographs, emails, reports and a clear paper trail are essential
• What “commencing repairs” means when parts or contractors are unavailable
• How to clean, treat and redecorate mould-affected areas properly
• When recurring problems may not require a complete new investigation
• How communal roofs, gutters and factors complicate landlord complianceCONNECT WITH PAUL
Paul Newing — Managing Director, PRN Water Services
Website: https://www.prnwaterservices.com/OFFICIAL GUIDANCE
Scottish Government: https://www.gov.scot/policies/private-renting/housing-standards/NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book your ticket:
👉 https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/SPONSORED BY
Prime 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
💬 Are Scottish landlords ready to meet these new damp and mould deadlines? Let us know in the comments 👇This episode is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
From Sleeping on Building Sites to Owning 30+ Properties
Jordan Kynoch started investing in property at just 23, with no money, no experience and a long-term goal: to build enough freedom to be fully present when he eventually became a father.Thirteen years later …
Show notes
Jordan Kynoch started investing in property at just 23, with no money, no experience and a long-term goal: to build enough freedom to be fully present when he eventually became a father.
Thirteen years later, Jordan owns more than 30 properties across Scotland and Liverpool. The journey involved countless hours on the road, sleeping on building-site floors and using private investment to fund every property purchase—but that hard work now allows him to spend almost every day with his new son.
In this episode, Jordan shares the numbers behind his portfolio purchases and property flips, including a six-title deal bought for £192,500 and a derelict house that generated approximately £80,000 in pre-tax profit. He also explains why he is selling some Liverpool HMOs, how he manages projects across different locations and why straightforward buy-to-lets still form the foundation of his portfolio.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• Starting in property at 23 with no money or experience
• Why becoming a present father was one of Jordan’s original goals
• The years spent travelling and sleeping on building-site floors
• Building a portfolio of more than 30 properties across Scotland and Liverpool
• Why Article 4 restrictions increased the value of his existing Liverpool HMOs
• The reasoning behind selling profitable HMOs and reinvesting the capital elsewhere
• Why Jordan still believes straightforward buy-to-lets work
• Finding off-market opportunities through owners, neighbours and existing contacts
• Buying six titles in Forfar for £192,500 after negotiating almost £50,000 off the asking price
• Spending approximately £70,000 on the refurbishment and producing around £1,800 in monthly cash flow
• How changing the layouts added bedrooms and increased the value of the flats
• Managing projects remotely using trusted building teams in each investment area
• The derelict Errol house bought for £153,000 and refurbished for approximately £70,000
• Why Jordan marketed the property immediately before Christmas despite agents advising him to wait
• Making approximately £80,000 in pre-tax profit from the six-month project
• How Jordan has funded every property purchase using private investors
• Why he repays investors at the end of each project instead of continually rolling their money forward
• Turning investors away when their requested return makes the deal unworkable
• Why smaller, repeatable projects can produce better results than stressful large developments
• Building The Style & Staging Co as an additional income stream
• Using property staging to help developers, estate agents and homeowners sell
• How becoming a father changed Jordan’s priorities and attitude towards business
• His plans to acquire more portfolios and complete one or two property flips each yearCONNECT WITH JORDAN
Instagram: @the_style_and_staging_coNETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book your ticket:
👉 https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/SPONSORED BY
Prime 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
💬 How much would you sacrifice today to create greater freedom for your family in the future? Let us know in the comments 👇Are Property Flips Still Worth It in 2026?
Are property flips still worth pursuing in 2026—or have rising costs and tighter margins made the strategy too difficult?In this listener Q&A episode, Nick and Steven examine the reality of flipping property in …
Show notes
Are property flips still worth pursuing in 2026—or have rising costs and tighter margins made the strategy too difficult?
In this listener Q&A episode, Nick and Steven examine the reality of flipping property in today’s market. With Scotland’s 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement, higher material prices, increased trade rates, bridging costs and tax on the eventual profit, investors now need to buy at a much deeper discount and control every expense carefully.
They explain why straightforward, lower-value flips have become harder to find, while assisted sales, profit-share partnerships with builders, larger renovation projects and properties with potential for layout changes can still produce opportunities. They also answer listeners’ questions about sourcing fees, legal costs, purchasing portfolios, transferring letting agents and business banking.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• How a previous SPP episode helped a listener reduce his maximum auction bid from £80,000 to £71,000
• Why construction insolvencies and rising trade costs matter to property investors
• How the 8% ADS, materials, labour and finance costs are squeezing flip margins
• Why managing individual trades may be necessary to make the figures work
• How assisted sales can reduce upfront costs and eliminate the ADS
• Partnering with builders through profit-sharing arrangements
• Why bridging delays and collapsed sales can consume the expected profit
• Finding opportunities through architectural design and layout changes
• Why larger family homes requiring major renovation may face less competition
• Why the “low-hanging fruit” £70,000–£80,000 flips are becoming harder to find
• The tax investors must include when calculating their final return
• When a £5,000 or £25,000 portfolio sourcing fee could be justified
• What investors should expect from a £4,000 property sourcing service
• Typical legal costs and the additional charges buyers often overlook
• Why Nick and Steven use multiple business banks
• Due diligence when purchasing a portfolio with an existing letting agent
• Whether Nick should buy or rent his next office
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Listener Q&A and a property deal saved by due diligence
01:37 - Are property flips still viable in 2026?
02:10 - Construction insolvencies and rising trade costs
03:45 - Why flips have become more labour-intensive
04:53 - Assisted sales and profit-sharing with builders
05:46 - ADS, bridging finance and holding costs
07:13 - Finding creative opportunities in the flip market
09:14 - Are the easy property flips disappearing?
10:41 - The time, risk and rewards involved in flipping
11:32 - Tax and first-time-buyer flipping strategies
13:26 - What is a reasonable property sourcing fee?
14:17 - Typical sourcing fees and VAT
15:00 - What should investors receive for a £4,000 fee?
16:46 - Typical legal fees when buying property
17:30 - Business banking and spreading financial risk
19:29 - Buying a portfolio with an existing letting agent
24:30 - Nick’s search for a new office
26:17 - Buying commercial property versus renting
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
View upcoming speakers and book your ticket:
👉 https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 still take on a property flip in 2026, or choose a different investment strategy? Let us know in the comments 👇
She Built a Seven-Figure Property Portfolio — But Says She’s Still Skint
Amy Russell has built a seven-figure property portfolio—but with her money continually being reinvested, she still describes herself as “skint”.Her biggest cash-flow scare came from a sourced property bought …
Show notes
Amy Russell has built a seven-figure property portfolio—but with her money continually being reinvested, she still describes herself as “skint”.
Her biggest cash-flow scare came from a sourced property bought for £62,500. The refurbishment was expected to cost approximately £20,000 but finished closer to £30,000, with little warning from the project manager. Amy then received an £85,000 valuation—despite the property having a Home Report value of £80,000 before the work began—leaving her needing to find additional money to exit the bridging loan.
Amy shares what she learned from the experience, how she built a portfolio of eight buy-to-lets and one serviced accommodation property, and why she may not purchase another standard buy-to-let. She also discusses property sourcing, guaranteed-rent contracts, her first planned flip and the reality of building assets without always having cash available.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• How Amy built a medical-device compliance consultancy before entering property
• Why she began investing as a long-term alternative to relying solely on a pension
• Buying her first Hamilton buy-to-let with cash in 2021
• Growing to eight buy-to-lets and one serviced accommodation property
• The sourced property bought for £62,500 against an £80,000 Home Report
• How a £20,000 refurbishment estimate increased to approximately £30,000
• Why poor communication from the project manager created a serious cash-flow problem
• Receiving two £85,000 valuations before successfully appealing to £90,000
• The additional bridging costs caused by the delayed refinance
• Why investors must independently check refurbishment estimates and comparable properties
• Amy’s Byres Road flat bought for £165,000 and later refinanced at approximately £220,000
• Her first planned flip: an £85,000 purchase with a £20,000 refurbishment and targeted value of £140,000–£150,000
• Transforming a heavily damaged South Queensferry property bought for £115,000
• Refinancing that property at £175,000 after spending approximately £30,000
• How a five-year guaranteed-rent contract provides around £1,700 per month
• The pressure tactics some property sourcers use to secure fees quickly
• Why the most expensive sourcing fees do not always come with the best deal packs
• Achieving strong direct bookings and approximately 70%–100% occupancy in serviced accommodation
• Buy-to-let versus serviced accommodation—and why Amy wants more cash flow
• Her ambition to attract private investment for larger commercial projects
CONNECT WITH AMY
Aims Property Group: https://aimspropertygroup.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-russellphd/
Instagram: @aims_property_group
TikTok: @aims.property.gro
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
https://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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
💬 Have you ever had a refurbishment or valuation go badly wrong? Let us know in the comments 👇
Why England Backed Away From Rent Controls After Scotland’s Failure
Scotland-wide rents have fallen slightly—but some local markets are still recording strong growth. So where is tenant demand holding up, and what should property investors take from the latest figures?In this …
Show notes
Scotland-wide rents have fallen slightly—but some local markets are still recording strong growth. So where is tenant demand holding up, and what should property investors take from the latest figures?
In this August market update, Nick and Steven examine the latest Citylets rental data and Zoopla house-price figures. They discuss why Glasgow’s one-bedroom flats are outperforming the wider market, how rents in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee compare, and why investors must research the specific area and property type rather than relying on national averages.
They also discuss England’s response to Scotland’s experience with rent controls, the importance of reinvesting in ageing rental properties and whether younger people should buy their own home first—or use that money to build an income-producing portfolio.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• Why England is reconsidering rent controls after Scotland’s experience
• Scotland-wide rents falling marginally by 0.2%
• Why demand for one-bedroom flats remains strong in Glasgow
• Average one-bedroom rents of approximately £912 in Glasgow and £1,095 in Edinburgh
• Why Aberdeen’s rental growth is now outperforming Glasgow and Edinburgh
• Dundee rents rising by approximately 2.7%
• South Lanarkshire recording 6.4% growth across all property types and 10.5% for one-bedroom homes
• Why national property data can hide significant differences between local markets
• The dated rental properties struggling to compete with refurbished homes
• Why landlords must budget for new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and ongoing improvements
• Scotland’s house prices rising by approximately 2.8% over the year
• Why Aberdeen remains one of the UK’s few areas recording falling house prices
• Higher mortgage rates reducing buyers’ purchasing power
• Nick’s frustration with property sourcers who ignore clearly defined investor criteria
• Is your own home really an asset—or should younger investors build a portfolio first?
• How one investor built approximately £10,000 in monthly portfolio cash flow before buying his own home
CHAPTERS
00:00 - August market update and summer catch-up
08:27 - Rant of the month: finding suitable property deals
13:01 - Steven’s rant about business and life in the UK
17:37 - Property news and the summer slowdown
19:04 - Why England backed away from rent controls
22:41 - Scottish rents fall by 0.2%
23:22 - Why Glasgow’s one-bedroom flats are bucking the trend
25:36 - Rental growth in Aberdeen, Dundee and surrounding areas
27:14 - Why landlords must reinvest in their properties30:19 - Scotland’s house prices rise by 2.8%
32:12 - Buyer demand, property sales and mortgage affordability
34:11 - Is your own home an asset or a liability?
37:28 - Should you build a portfolio before buying a home?
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 buy your own home first, or use the deposit to build a property portfolio? Let us know in the comments 👇
From Property Flips to a Scottish Aparthotel Development
Michael Mower built his property career by taking on the projects other people avoided—from tired Glasgow flats to fire-damaged auction purchases. After years of running a stressful renovation business, he and …
Show notes
Michael Mower built his property career by taking on the projects other people avoided—from tired Glasgow flats to fire-damaged auction purchases. After years of running a stressful renovation business, he and his wife Liana decided to start building assets for themselves.
That change led to successful property flips, buy-to-lets and serviced accommodation. Michael shares the numbers behind a Glasgow flat bought for £39,000 and sold for approximately £85,000, as well as a Newtown Mearns home bought for £350,000 and sold for £650,000.
Now, Michael is converting a long-empty B-listed building on Callander Main Street into serviced accommodation, commercial space and offices. He talks Nick and Steven through the £100,000 purchase, estimated £250,000 refurbishment and targeted £630,000 end value. He also speaks openly about alcohol addiction, rehab and recovery.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• From plumbing apprentice to running a renovation company
• Why Michael and Liana stopped renovating for clients and began investing for themselves
• His first Glasgow flip: bought for £39,000 and sold for approximately £85,000
• Why their one-bedroom flips typically produced profits of around £35,000–£40,000
• The Newtown Mearns home bought for £350,000 and sold for £650,000
• Moving from flips into buy-to-let, auctions and serviced accommodation
• Michael’s honest experience of alcohol addiction, rehab and recovery
• Why his serviced accommodation can also work as long-term rental property
• Callander units listed at approximately £270 and £210 per night
• Transforming a B-listed building that had been empty for approximately 25–30 years
• The planned serviced accommodation, commercial and office spaces
• The £100,000 purchase, £250,000 refurbishment and targeted £630,000 end value
• How extensive dry rot affected the work and bridging-finance plans
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Meet Michael Mower
00:56 - Michael’s background and early life
04:58 - From plumbing apprentice to building contractor
09:23 - Leaving client renovations behind
11:40 - Flipping property in Glasgow’s south side
17:08 - The figures behind Michael’s flips
18:28 - Moving from flipping to holding property
20:11 - Launching a salon and renovating in Newtown Mearns
23:16 - Buying property at auction
25:46 - Alcohol addiction and the road to recovery
34:35 - Michael’s property portfolio today
35:25 - Moving into serviced accommodation
37:28 - Nightly rates for the Callander units
39:45 - The Callander aparthotel development
42:50 - The planned layout of the building
44:35 - Purchase price and due diligence
46:23 - Refurbishment costs and unexpected dry rot
48:23 - Funding the development
49:46 - The targeted £630,000 end value
50:58 - Local reaction and the planned opening
53:24 - What comes after the development
54:20 - Where to follow Michael
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL
Michael Mower — Built by Mike
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @Built_By_Milke
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 take on a derelict B-listed building, or stick to smaller property projects? Let us know in the comments 👇
Why High-Leverage Property Investors Could Be Trapped at Refinancing
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 …
Show notes
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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Scaling buy-to-let safely in a changing market
01:20 - The 18-year property cycle and crash predictions
03:53 - Why 80% and 85% LTV mortgages raise concerns
05:40 - How mortgage fees push leverage even higher
07:27 - The refinancing risk across a large portfolio
09:22 - BRR valuations and recovering all your money
11:23 - Negative equity and product-transfer risks
13:37 - Could investors become trapped on a 9% variable rate?
14:38 - Investing in high-demand rental areas
15:44 - Stress-testing, cash reserves and avoiding overleverage
17:53 - Why longer fixed-rate terms can reduce risk
18:31 - Due diligence and conservative end values
19:21 - Comparing properties accurately
21:08 - Testing current demand with listings and estate agents
22:22 - The landlord costs investors frequently overlook
23:23 - Jobs, regeneration and school performance
26:43 - Getting every deal number right
28:02 - Purchase costs and property holding costs
30:04 - Renovation budgets and choosing quality materials
31:40 - Calculating the property’s true rental cash flowNETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and detailsSPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇Rent Controls Backfired — And Landlords Changed Their Strategy
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 …
Show notes
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 professionals
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Meet Dr. John Boyle
01:08 - Scotland’s housing emergency explained
04:04 - Why Scotland is not building enough homes
07:08 - The rising cost of social housing
10:55 - Scotland’s property-market outlook
14:32 - 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 data
30:28 - Are landlords really leaving Scotland?
35:23 - How the 8% ADS is affecting investors
37:47 - Why rent controls caused rents to rise
40:11 - The future of rent-control zones
44:57 - Build-to-rent and institutional investment
53:03 - Why build-to-rent schemes are struggling
56:47 - 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. John
CONNECT WITH DR. JOHN
Dr. John Boyle MRICS — Director of Research & Strategy at Rettie & Co
Website: https://www.rettie.co.uk/
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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/
Bridging, BRR and Property Sourcers — Your Questions Answered
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 …
Show notes
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 tenant
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Nick and Steven answer listeners’ questions
01:15 - Portfolio targets and monthly cash-flow goals
04:03 - Houses versus flats
06:12 - BRR versus buying quality property
08:21 - Loan-to-value and paying down portfolio debt
10:52 - Prime Property Auctions
13:09 - Buy-to-let versus stocks and shares
20:49 - What would they do with £40,000?
23:03 - The advantages of being a first-time buyer
25:56 - Nick and Steven’s property-buying criteria
30:23 - Their five and ten-year property plans
36:18 - How to borrow, buy and recover your investment
38:32 - How bridging finance works
42:47 - Is 5.7% a reasonable refinancing rate?
46:10 - Kitchen versus bathroom refurbishment
49:56 - How to find a trustworthy property sourcer
55:28 - Nick and Steven’s perfect day
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇
Diagnosed With Cancer at 27 — Then Property Changed Her Life
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 …
Show notes
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 appearances
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Meet Ally Wilkes
01:47 - Wanting to work in property from a young age
06:38 - The cancer diagnosis that changed everything
15:37 - Why property became Ally’s next chapter
18:27 - The numbers behind her first flip
21:49 - Moving from flipping to BRR and buy-to-let
22:16 - A £66,000 purchase revalued at £130,000
22:53 - The nightmare first tenant
27:23 - Leaving the NHS for property full-time
33:26 - How networking brought Ally her first clients
35:42 - Building a personal brand by being authentic
38:19 - Why investors use a project manager
39:27 - Project-management fees and realistic budgets
43:17 - What a two-bedroom refurbishment costs today
45:09 - Thermal bridging and other hidden problems
48:12 - Kitchens, bathrooms and timeless design
51:53 - Managing a refurbishment for a remote investor
53:23 - Ally’s plans for ACG Property and her portfolio
- 55:29 Where to connect with Ally
CONNECT WITH ALLY
Ally Wilkes — ACG Property
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allywilkesproperty_inhaus/
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇
How an Architect Spots Hidden Value in Property Deals
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 …
Show notes
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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro: Ross McIlvean joins the podcast
00:34 Ross’s background and route into architecture
01:22 Why buildings and local architecture matter
04:35 Architecture that adds commercial value
05:11 Ross’s first step into property investing
06:17 Property education and learning the basics
07:49 Ross’s first flip in Cowdenbeath
10:26 Why flipping is harder in today’s market
11:45 Using architecture to unlock hidden value
13:13 Pricing refurbs and understanding project costs
17:48 How architects price their work
19:57 Building a portfolio after the first flip
21:12 Turning two-bed properties into three-beds
23:52 Removing chimneys and changing layouts
26:34 Minimum bedroom sizes and practical layouts
28:51 Solving an unofficial attic conversion problem
31:13 Undoing bad work to make a property compliant
33:44 Rental growth in Dunfermline
35:39 Ross’s static caravan investment
38:37 Moving from employment to self-employment
42:13 Working with Jay Alexander and the Flour Mill project
45:36 Starting LTJ Architecture during Covid
48:34 Planning delays and the council process
49:50 Planning permission vs building warrant
52:01 Retrospective building warrants and why they’re risky
54:21 Building control inspections and completion certificates
55:12 Ross’s role through the design and approval process
56:20 AI, architecture and design visuals
59:57 What’s next for Ross and his portfolio
1:04:56 How to connect with Ross
1:05:47 Final thoughtsCONNECT WITH ROSS
Instagram: @ltj.architecture
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltjarchitecture/
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇
The Property Accountant With 54 Buy-to-Lets
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 …
Show notes
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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Matt Herbert — accountant and 54-unit investor
00:14 – Qualified property accountant at the Glasgow networking events
00:28 – 54-unit buy to let portfolio across Aberdeen and Edinburgh
00:52 – Why Aberdeen is controversial — and Matt's take on it
01:30 – Growing up: dad moved from Wales to Aberdeen for oil and gas
02:06 – Dad made redundant and retrained as a teacher — the lesson it taught Matt
05:54 – Dad's first property: rented to his girlfriend
06:54 – Oil and gas crash 2015 — everyone made redundant
10:40 – First investment property — and the finance stories
12:41 – The First Home Fund: government equity stake explained
14:03 – Planning to buy a bigger home — and how it changed
15:30 – First refurb: doing it himself after work in Edinburgh
16:59 – What clients actually want: financial freedom and passive income
21:45 – Ex-council and social housing stock — what to know
24:27 – Aberdeen market deep dive — buying flats under £40k
24:43 – Partnering with Aiden — sourcing and project management
26:39 – Finding deals at offers over £45k and getting them down
27:57 – Target ROI: 20–25% on all capital invested
28:42 – Aberdeen pitfalls: what to watch out for
28:52 – Structural issues in Aberdeen stock — the same problems everywhere
37:43 – The condemned street nobody saw coming
40:34 – Porous concrete explained — and why it's a serious problem
42:38 – Net cash flow reality: why Aberdeen yields aren't always what they seem
48:41 – Edinburgh: inflated rents and the Alex Walker connection
55:33 – Shareholder structure: getting the limited company right from day one
57:40 – Year end tax planning: what to do when the bill hits £50k
1:00:15 – Mortgage strategy: 75% LTV, five-year fixes
1:00:33 – Set and forget — why Matt loves boring, stable assets
CONNECT WITH MATT
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-herbert-fcca-76558a8a/
https://www.facebook.com/matthew.herbert.980
https://ljyaccountants.co.uk/
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇
From Managing 70 Short Term Lets to Building a New Boutique Hotel Brand
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 …
Show notes
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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome back to Laurence & what he's been building since
01:08 – Exiting Donnini & launching Moment hotel brand the very next day
01:58 – Growing up in a rundown farmhouse near Beattock
02:59 – The family fire suppression business
03:36 – Rebranding the family business at 15
05:15 – Why London and Dubai are the real competition
07:41 – Running concerts for the neighbours at age 5
09:01 – Selling fruit and veg to teachers for profit
10:39 – First flip at uni with Jake
13:47 – Discovering Airbnb as it was becoming a thing
14:10 – Touchstone / Progressive property training
16:59 – The rent to rent model that started it all
17:26 – STL legislation: why serviced accommodation is so much harder now
19:40 – Planning consent: licences, planning, or both
28:45 – The plan to go beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow
33:25 – Becky, the business conversation that changed everything
34:22 – The Moment trademark — what it means and why he owns it
35:00 – 12 George IV Bridge Edinburgh — the flagship deal
38:07 – £2.325 million on practical completion
39:39 – RBS as main lender — the journey to get there
40:22 – Oak North bank and how they got funding over the line
47:28 – First hire CJ — building the team
50:00 – Remote team in the Philippines
52:41 – 18% management fee — how it's structured
59:01 – Sonder went bust: lessons from the big operators
1:01:18 – Stay Cool: what the brand offers and why it's different
1:03:40 – Expansion plans: Lisbon, Paris and beyond
CONNECT WITH LAURENCE
Moment Aparthotels: momentstays.com
@moment.stays on Instagram
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇
Pension Funds Are Buying Rental Homes — So Is Buy-to-Let Really Dead?
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 …
Show notes
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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro: Scotland vs Brazil, two hours sleep, six episodes to record
01:25 – What's coming up: PM change, house prices, rents, LHA & build to rent
01:50 – House prices & rental market overview
01:58 – Local housing allowance — why it matters to landlords
02:36 – Build to rent & pension funds flooding into Scottish property
03:27 – Keir Starmer resigns — what happened
04:18 – Andy Burnham likely next PM — and his history with rent freezes
04:28 – Rent controls in England: why Scotland is one step ahead
05:21 – Capital gains tax: what a new Labour leader could mean for landlords
14:20 – Fred Harrison's 18-year cycle — five months left for the 2026 crash prediction
15:36 – SpaceX IPO: Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire
20:01 – 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 peak
31:15 – LHA rate freeze: 87 of 90 regions can't cover the bottom 30% of rents
34:30 – Scotland's discretionary housing payment — sticking plaster or real solution?
35:52 – 45,000 households and 31,000 children affected
35:57 – Scotland puts in £8.7m in support
36:43 – Avant Homes sells 41 Edinburgh homes to Thriving Investments for £10.8m
37:52 – £263k per home — and who's actually funding it
38:19 – Is mid-market rent exempt from rent controls? The question nobody can answer
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇
From Steelworker to 46 Properties and 800 Under Management
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 …
Show notes
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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome & David's story in numbers
01:01 – Growing up in Billingham, Teesside
01:36 – Private school, kicked out, and finding his feet
03:01 – Walking out on his business teacher after 6 weeks
04:19 – Delivering tea bags door to door with a wicker basket
07:17 – First flip: bought for £52k, made £26k, slept on the floor
10:13 – The 2008 crash — and two new builds he'd just completed on
11:39 – Why new builds off plan was his biggest property mistake
15:03 – Zero knowledge of leverage — the lightbulb moment
16:46 – 46 personal properties: the buy to let foundation
17:05 – Converting 17 offices into 11 apartments
22:44 – Made redundant from the steelworks
23:30 – Backpacking Australia & Southeast Asia
23:51 – $300 left, Perth, and an empty pub
24:29 – The stranger who bought him a pint and changed his life
25:21 – Email Paul Gordon — one message, one offshore career
29:53 – Earning offshore and feeling passive income for the first time
32:33 – Rich Dad Poor Dad, all the books, and going property shopping
34:58 – The 17-office business centre: bought for £450k
35:24 – Covid hits — £450k becomes £750k
37:10 – Starting Orange from a portacabin on site
47:04 – First hire Charlotte — and building the team
49:37 – First agency acquisition
51:01 – Asset purchases vs share purchases explained
51:48 – How David structures every agency deal
51:54 – The deal that'll take Orange over 1,000 properties
53:22 – Why relationships are the real currency in business
54:09 – David's sole role at Orange now: buying agencies
1:00:15 – Business rates, national insurance & the real costs of running a team
1:00:25 – AI in property management — what David is integrating right now
1:03:44 – Why AI will never replace emotions in property
1:05:44 – The bank conversion: planning, apartments & serviced accommodation
1:07:07 – Wrap up & Marbella plans
CONNECT WITH DAVID
@davidlambproperty on Instagram
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
SPONSORED BY
Prime 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 👇
The Hidden Stress of Scaling a Property Portfolio
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 …
Show notes
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.
🕐 TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Claire and Dan
02:02 – Growing up in the Highlands & how they met
06:39 – The honeymoon that sparked the business idea
07:54 – One-day property events & the financial advisor who said don't bother
14:05 – Claire's teaching career & the stress behind it
17:59 – The difficult years: loss of Dan's mum
24:26 – The complicated miscarriage & why it changed everything
00:20 – Claire starts investing eight months pregnant in lockdown
19:06 – First deal: analysis paralysis & what pushed them through
19:14 – Analysis paralysis & the first purchase
21:23 – Releasing equity to fund deals three and four
22:07 – Selling the car to fund the second property
32:13 – Working with Jillian and Darren Green — mindset & clarity
33:36 – The vision: cash flow number, lifestyle goals & what they're building toward
34:36 – Dan's civil engineering background & the move into property
39:11 – The pivot to short-term lets & the Highland cottage
41:04 – The cottage flat STL in Cardonald
41:14 – 8 months to get the STL licence — what they learned
43:26 – Winter cash flow struggles & the unpredictability of STL
43:40 – The Joseph Todd liquidation post & what it meant for the market
49:25 – Speaking at the April networking event — how it led to two portfolio deals
49:31 – Direct to vendor: the portfolio acquisitions that changed everything
53:31 – Tenanted portfolio — when the cracks started appearing
55:59 – Butting heads as a couple & how they're working through it
1:00:56 – 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 & DAN
Instagram: @cladanproperty
Mortgage enquiries: reach out via Dan's Instagram
📅 NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow 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 PODCAST
Real 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 👇
The Homeless Landlord With 12 Properties
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 …
Show notes
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.
🕐 TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Isaac Cross & the 52 properties in 52 weeks goal
02:04 – Growing up between Aberdeen and Lanarkshire with a single mum
04:35 – ADHD diagnosis as a kid — and how it shapes the way Isaac works
05:21 – Wanting to go offshore like his dad
06:28 – Electrical apprenticeship & how he was the only one who applied
10:55 – Life offshore: earning £90k in his early 20s
16:20 – Moving to Switzerland for the CERN job
16:29 – The best job title, the most boring job
18:59 – First property: Holytown two-bed at 20
21:14 – Bad mortgage advice, blowing the profit, starting over
26:16 – The power of a good power team
33:24 – The Dennistoun flat — bought at home report in peak Covid
35:04 – Social media, personal brand & why Isaac went all in on content
36:38 – The January networking event that flipped the switch
44:04 – First deal in Aberdeen on a plane to Australia
52:07 – Five properties on one bridge — and 98 problems to solve
60:19 – The Chinese restaurant accident
62:53 – Bidding at auction from Heathrow flying back from Japan
66:45 – The community hub plan for the Carluke commercial unit
71:55 – 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 ISAAC
Follow Isaac's property journey on Instagram — @isaaccrossproperty
📅 NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | GlasgowFollow our socials for speakers and details
🎙️ ABOUT SCOTTISH PROPERTY PODCAST
Real 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 👇
Scotland’s £10k First Home Fund Is Back — Will It Be Gone in Days?
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 …
Show notes
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 👇
Cold pitching in our Facebook group, dodgy sourcers, and LinkedIn spam — we've had enough
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 …
Show notes
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.
🕐 TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to the rants episode
03:00 – Cold pitching in our Facebook community group
08:00 – LinkedIn inbox: why Steven doesn't go on it anymore
12:00 – Deal sourcers rushing investors into decisions
18:00 – The 6-minute deal — how much due diligence is that?
24:00 – Younger investors trying to keep up with social media portfolios
29:00 – A sourcer called Natalie — the community calling it out
34:00 – Steven's Florida rant: Starbucks drive-through tipping culture
40:00 – Scotland's property system: buyers pulling out with no consequences
47:00 – Three flips, two fall-throughs — the real cost of the Scottish system
52:00 – Non-refundable deposits: should they be the norm?
57:00 – Letting agents: the three-quotes rabbit hole
1:03:00 – Egos and cliques in the Scottish property community
1:10:00 – Going to other people's events — why Steven loves it
1:15:00 – Copying in business: where's the line?
1:20:00 – Every fucker's got a podcast now
1:24:00 – 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 EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
Follow our socials for speakers and details
🎙️ ABOUT SCOTTISH PROPERTY PODCAST
Real 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 👇
17 years in the RAF, walked away 3 years before his pension — Ross Orrock's property story
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 …
Show notes
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 👇
£5M retail brand, 10 cash properties, still lives at home — Taylor McNeillie's no-excuses story
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 …
Show notes
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.
🕐 TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro: Taylor's story in numbers
02:30 – Growing up in East Dorsetshire & early entrepreneurial spark
06:00 – Reselling Yeezys at 12 using his dad's credit card
11:00 – Supreme drops from the school toilet at 11am
16:00 – Building the Empire Glasgow Instagram page
22:00 – Covid hits — and changes everything
27:00 – Opening the pop-up in Princes Square at 18
33:00 – Going full time: signing the long-term lease
38:00 – Silverburn Christmas pop-up & £790k quarter
43:00 – Running 9 staff at 19 — winging it and winning
49:00 – Revenue peaks at £1.8M — then the Yeezy disaster
55:00 – Business rates, retail challenges & Glasgow high street
1:02:00 – The property lightbulb moment & 500k sitting in the bank
1:08:00 – First deal: 2-bed in Cambuslang for £65k (never seen it)
1:14:00 – Buying mortgage free — the no-debt philosophy
1:20:00 – TikTok, the £28k flat and the "parasite landlord" comments
1:28:00 – 10 properties, £700k portfolio, still at home with mum
1:34:00 – 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 👇
SNP, Labour, Reform — who's best for property investors in Scotland?
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 …
Show notes
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?
From Offshore Work to Building a Property Portfolio
After more than a decade working offshore in the oil and gas industry, Jason Kelly made the move into property investing and eventually went full-time in April 2024.In this episode of the Scottish Property …
Show notes
After more than a decade working offshore in the oil and gas industry, Jason Kelly made the move into property investing and eventually went full-time in April 2024.
In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Jason shares how he transitioned from offshore work to building his property business, sourcing off-market deals, managing refurbishments and working with private investors.
We discuss the lessons he's learned, the challenges of making the transition and what it really takes to build a career in property.
🕐 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 – Introduction & Cadbury's Heroes
02:00 – Growing up in Linwood: humble beginnings
06:30 – The car accident that changed everything
12:00 – Leaving school & landing an oil & gas apprenticeship
18:00 – Life offshore: the money, the lifestyle, the downsides
26:00 – Becoming disillusioned with the rat race
31:00 – Discovering property through a two-day event
36:00 – First deal sourced & selling the Shawlands flat
43:00 – Living in a flip (don't do this)
50:00 – Going full-time in property in April 2024
56:00 – Project managing refurbs & building a team
1:05:00 – Sourcing off-market deals & working with investors
1:12:00 – The assisted sale that made £30k (and the Celtic legend connection)
1:20:00 – Social media, TikTok investors & getting slaughtered offshore
1:27:00 – The Hamilton Starbucks networking event
1:32:00 – 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
📲 CONNECT WITH JASONFacebook: GWK Property InvestmentInstagram: @jwk_property_investmentTikTok: GWK Property Investment📅 NETWORKING EVENTSFirst Wednesday of every month📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgowhttps://scottishpropertypodcast.co.uk/events/Follow 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 Luis 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 the honest journey — from first deal to full-time portfolio building.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode👍 Like if you found this valuable💬 Drop your questions in the comments
Turning £20K Amazon Side Hustle into a £250K Business... Then Purchasing 13 Properties
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 …
Show notes
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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