The ESPC Show is the podcast to listen to if you're interested in any part of the Scottish property market! Each week we'll dive into a topic and share all that you need to know about it. Our promise is to provide honest, jargon-free and data driven advice from informative expert guests. Covering everything from buying a home in Scotland for the first time to investing in a rental property, The ESPC Show is the perfect audio companion. ESPC is the home of property in Edinburgh, the Lothians, ...
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The ultimate companion to first-time buyers in Scotland. Whether you're just thinking about buying a home or are well on your way to making an offer - this podcast will help guide you through the process.
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One year until the Scottish Election - will they solve the housing emergency?
30:18
30:18
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30:18With just under a year to go until the Scottish Election, Paul & Megan are joined by political analyst, Andy Maciver to discuss what the next 12 months may hold in store for the political landscape. Got a question for us? Send us a text message! Enjoy the episode? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions and comments to us directly on market…
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Purchasing property in Scotland as an overseas buyer
35:47
35:47
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35:47In today's episode, Paul & Megan are joined by solicitor Jill Andrews to discuss the challenges and trends for foreign nationals looking to buy property in Scotland in 2025. Here's our jargon-busting guides to buying a property in Scotland: What is a Closing Date? What is a Home Report? How to read a Home Report? Appointing a solicitor in Scotland …
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Q1 Property Market Review for Edinburgh: Stable, invigorated and first-time buyer hotspots
37:14
37:14
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37:14This week's episode is a special one - Paul & Megan are joined by four ESPC solicitor estate agent member firms to discuss the current property market. From the properties that are in high demand to the best places for first-time buyer as well as the current climate for landlords and the issue with conveyancing - they leave no stone unturned. If yo…
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How much can you charge for rent? Advice for new Edinburgh landlords in 2025
31:23
31:23
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31:23In this episode of the ESPC Property Show, Paul and Megan are joined by returning guest Nicky Lloyd, Head of Lettings at ESPC Lettings. They cover some new ground in this discussion including advice for new landlords, why more and more homeowners are opting to rent their properties instead of sell and how much rent should be priced at. Got a questi…
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Will the regeneration of Edinburgh's waterfront solve the housing crisis?
22:49
22:49
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22:49On this week's episode of the podcast, Paul & Megan are chatting through the latest updated from the local property market including the rapid speed that Dunfermline homes are selling at, as well as the outlook for house prices across the rest of the year, and a deep dive into the proposed Seafield regeneration plan. Resources mentioned: ESPC House…
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Million-pound mortgages and what the base rate drop means for you
30:57
30:57
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30:57Is a 5% deposit still enough for first-time buyers to get on the ladder? How much do you need to earn to qualify for a million pound mortgage? Will the Bank of England base rate reduction affect your mortgage as a homeowner? All of these questions (and more!) are answered in this episode of the ESPC Property Show! In this episode, Paul & Megan are …
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We're back! An update on the local property market
24:25
24:25
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24:25The ESPC Property Show is back for 2025! Can you believe we're on to our fifth season of the show?! And this new season comes with some slight changes. Episodes will now run fortnightly, and every month you'll get a deep dive on the local market with Paul & Megan. This week we discuss what's been going on in the local property market across Edinbur…
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Our predictions for the 2025 property market
25:59
25:59
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25:59We're back for a bonus episode! Paul breaks down what he expects to see in the property market across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders in 2025. From what's going to happen to interest rates, house prices and selling times, plus much more! Skip to your favourite part: 0:00-0:43 Intro 0:43-3:42 The future of interest rates in 20…
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What is happening in the Scottish Borders property market?
19:04
19:04
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19:04In the season finale, Paul & Megan are joined by Jan from Hastings to discuss the local market in the Scottish Borders. They discuss how the market has changed since 2020, reasons to live south of Edinburgh and how English stamp duty changes may affect the market. Skip to the part that's relevant to you: Got a question for us? Send us a text messag…
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Who pays inheritance tax in the UK? An update on the current regulations
37:11
37:11
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37:11On this week's episode of the podcast, Paul & Megan chat to Andy Lewis (John Scott Davidson Ltd) explains what the current rules are around inheritance tax in the UK including when it is payable, who is liable to pay it and some tax efficient measures to take. Skip to the part most relevant to you: 0:00-1:44 Intro 1:44-4:27 What is inheritance tax?…
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What's happening in the West Fife property market?
23:58
23:58
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23:58In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Elaine Kyle (Morgans) and Michael Maloco (Maloco Mowat Parker) about the local market in West Fife. They discuss the affordability of the area, their Fife hidden gems and what the 2025 property outlook is for the area. Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-1:10 Intro 1:40-4:41 Where are the key area…
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How to buy your dream home before you sell your own! A guide to bridging loans
21:34
21:34
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21:34On this week's episode Paul & Megan chat to Alistair Ewing (Managing Director at The Lending Channel) about bridging finance. What is bridging finance? It's a form of borrowing that allows property buyers to fund their purchase while they put their current home on the market. Skip to the part that's relevant to you: 0:00-1:48 Intro 1:48-2:45 What i…
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What's happening in the Midlothian property market?
18:57
18:57
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18:57In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Amy Howard from Neilsons and Lisa Connolly from McDougall McQueen about the local market in Midlothian. They discuss the booming market in Bonnyrigg, why you should invest in Gorebridge and what the 2025 property outlook is for the area. Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-1:32 Intro 1:32-4:50 Whe…
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What insurance do first-time buyers need?
13:45
13:45
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13:45In this week's episode, Megan is joined by Paul Demarco from ESPC Mortgages to discuss the insurance that first-time buyers should consider. They cover everything from how to best prepare to make an offer to what happens once an offer is accepted. Skip to the part most relevant to you: 0:00-0:35 Intro 0:35-2:40 Building & Contents insurance 2:40-3:…
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In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Jamie Sole from Blair Cadell about the current property sales market in Edinburgh. Jamie gives advice to local sellers on how to prepare for a valuation, tips for conducting property viewings as well as an outlook on the best time to sell. Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-0:47 Intro 0:47-5:47 T…
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In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Graham White from Anderson Strathern about the local market in East Lothian. They discuss the lack of "for sale" property, what's in demand and how the market differs in East Lothian from Edinburgh. Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-0:38 Intro 0:38-1:45 Property market activity in East Lothian 1…
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Q3 Local property market review for Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Scottish Borders
24:43
24:43
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24:43In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat through the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders. They chat with David Marshall (Warners), Caitlin Keegan (Gillespie Macandrew) and Tracey French (ELP) about purchasing subject to sale, the increase of property chains and good news for first-time buy…
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"We are not building enough homes!" - Scottish Labour's Spokesperson for Housing, Mark Griffin MSP
26:37
26:37
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26:37In this week's episode, Paul and Megan are joined by Mark Griffin MSP to discuss Scotland's Housing Emergency as well as the recent Housing Bill, the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill and his thoughts on how government should help first-time buyers. Mark Griffin has been an MSP for Central Scotland (Region) since 2011. He is also currently Scottish L…
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How to make your home energy efficient? Learning about EPCs with Snugg
23:06
23:06
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23:06On today's episode, Paul & Megan are joined by Michelle Robinson from Snugg to talk all about how to make your home in Scotland more energy efficient. Throughout the episode we focus on things like the Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings Bill, what retrofitting is and learn how EPC ratings affect your carbon footprint. Snugg is an easy-to-use o…
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Who gets the house in a divorce? Property & marriage episode
33:04
33:04
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33:04In this week's episode of the ESPC Property Show, Paul & Megan are joined by Sally Nash & Aimee Orrock from Gilson Gray to discuss what happens during the divorce process in Scotland and how property can be divided when a couple separates. You can find out more about Gilson Gray here. CHAPTERS 0:00-1:47 Intro 1:47-4:03 What's the first thing to do …
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We need more one bedroom flats! An update on the Edinburgh rental market
19:01
19:01
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19:01On this week's episode Paul & Megan are joined by returning guest Nicky Lloyd from ESPC Lettings to discuss the current rental market in Edinburgh. In the episode, they discuss what landlords biggest concerns are right now, the new rules around increasing a tenant's rent and the best postcodes for investment in Edinburgh. You can find out more abou…
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We're back! Did Paul's 2024 predictions come true and what happened while we were away?
27:44
27:44
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27:44Welcome back to the ESPC Property Show! After their summer break, Paul & Megan are back to talk all things property for another season. In this first episode back, they look back at Paul's predictions for the year and how many came true including whether or not buyers are getting a better bargain now, and then they chat through what they missed dur…
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Join Paul and Megan for the season finale of the ESPC Property Show, recorded from the luxurious Old Course Hotel in St Andrews. They are joined by Lynsey Dammer and Douglas Kinnear from Thornton's estate agents to delve into the unique charm of the St Andrews property market. Discover why this historic town, known for its university and golf, rema…
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Property expert roundtable: Current market update (Part 1)
21:03
21:03
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21:03Welcome back to the ESPC Property Show! In this episode, hosts Megan and Paul are joined by industry experts Matthew Gray, Amy Howard, and Derek Brien to provide valuable insights for home buyers in Scotland. This comprehensive discussion covers the current property market trends, factors influencing property sales, and advice for navigating the pu…
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Property expert roundtable: Rent caps, housing emergency & politics (Part 2)
22:17
22:17
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22:17Welcome back to the ESPC Property Show! In this episode, Paul and Megan continue their insightful roundtable discussion with experts from three ESPC solicitor estate agent member firms. Delving into the political side of the housing market, they explore the impacts of rent caps, taxation, and offer potential solutions for first-time buyers in Scotl…
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Preventing Youth Homelessness: Insights from Rock Trust
24:18
24:18
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24:18In this episode of the ESPC Property Show, hosts Paul & Megan are joined by Kate Polson, the CEO at Rock Trust, a charity dedicated to preventing youth homelessness. They delve into the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness in Scotland, discussing the innovative programs Rock Trust offers to support young people in crisis. Kate shares insi…
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In this episode of the ESPC show, we dive into the world of new build homes in Scotland. Join us as we chat with Hazel Davies from Cruden Homes and Kim Newbigging from Cala Homes Scotland. They share valuable insights into the new build purchasing process, discuss the benefits of buying a new build, and answer key questions prospective buyers might…
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Join Paul and Megan from ESPC as they sit down with Maurice Allen, Residential Property Managing Director at Lindsay's, for a comprehensive guide to first-time home buying in Scotland. Maurice shares invaluable insights and advice on everything from financing and solicitors to government schemes and property investments. 0:00-0:38 Intro 0:38-3:36 F…
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Join us for part two of our episode with Mike Heffron from Under One Roof, where we delve into the world of retrofitting tenement flats in Edinburgh. Learn about the challenges, solutions, and future directions in making these traditional buildings more energy efficient and sustainable. From insulation dilemmas to district heating solutions, we cov…
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What is it like to live in North Berwick?
21:21
21:21
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21:21Join Paul and Megan as they explore the vibrant property market in North Berwick with local experts Sophie from Coulters and Daniel from Paris Steele. Discover why North Berwick is voted the best place to live in the UK, its family-friendly community, and the diverse range of properties available. From golden beaches to a charming high street, find…
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Why do we have a housing crisis in Scotland? Political analysis from Andy Maciver
33:35
33:35
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33:35In this episode of the ESPC property show, Andy Maciver, a seasoned political analyst, joins hosts Megan and Paul to dissect the intricacies of housing policy and its relationship with the evolving political landscape in Scotland. From the impact of ideological beliefs on property ownership to the imperative of addressing housing supply shortages, …
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What is it like to live in Leith, Edinburgh?
22:36
22:36
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22:36In this week's episode Paul & Megan are on the move! They catch the tram down to ESPC's most popular area for property sales - Leith in Edinburgh East. There they chat to local solicitor estate agents, Tzana from Watermans and Becky from Aberdein Considine all about life in Leith from what the local community is like to how it differs from the rest…
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Edinburgh rental market update - April 2024
24:40
24:40
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24:40On this week's episode Paul & Megan are chatting to Nicky & Martyn from our ESPC Lettings team to discuss the latest updates in the Edinburgh rental market including the end of the rent cap and advice to tenants looking to move. Got a question for us? Send us a text message! Enjoy the episode? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions and com…
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In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat through the latest stats on the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders. They chat with Ivan Ralph (CEO, Ralph Sayer) and Sofia Renshaw (Trainee Solicitor, Davidsons) about property hotspots for buyers, landlords leaving the market and whether or not now is a good time to b…
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Get your finances in order before tax year end: Pensions & Lifetime ISAs
30:58
30:58
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30:58This week on the podcast, Paul & Megan are joined by financial advisor, Andy Lewis from John Scott Davidson to discuss how to get your finances in order ahead of the tax year end in April including making the most of your ISA allowance and investing in your pension, as well as some advice for how to make the most of your savings in the lead up to m…
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Can communities make our homes more energy efficient? with Porty Community Energy
18:01
18:01
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18:01This week Paul & Megan are chatting to Hazel from Porty Community Energy about how we can harness the power of community to make environmental changes. In the episode, we discuss the quick fixes that individuals can make in their homes to reduce energy usage as well as the larger community projects that you can get involved with to make longer term…
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How are properties valued? A guide to pricing your property for market
23:28
23:28
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23:28This week Megan & Paul are joined by Head of Estate Agency at McDougall McQueen, Lisa Connolly to discuss property pricing strategies and how ESPC solicitor estate agents arrive at a valuation. Short on time? Skip to the most relevant part to you: 0:00-0:47 Intro 0:47-1:37 Meet Lisa 1:37-5:04 How does a solicitor estate agent decide on a valuation?…
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How to create a homeowners association in Edinburgh tenement buildings
30:54
30:54
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30:54In this week's episode of the podcast, we're talking about flats and the responsibility you have as the homeowner of a flat in a Scottish tenement building. Paul & Megan chat to Under One Roof's Chief Executive Mike Heffron about how to create a homeowner's association, how to manage communal space/roof repairs and how to enforce payment when some …
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Relocating to Dubai - learning about the UAE market
23:31
23:31
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23:31Paul and Megan from the ESPC Property Show podcast are joined by Marie O'Neill, a relocation expert based in Dubai. Marie talks about the process of relocating to countries in the UAE, and the advantages of doing so. She explains that the economy is stable and the low taxation makes Dubai a desirable place to call home. We learn that property is al…
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Moving home smoothly with Doree Bonner International
21:11
21:11
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21:11In this week's episode, Paul & Megan speak to Claire Duff from Doree Bonner International. The episode covers everything from the benefits of using a removal service to Doree Bonner's useful declutter service. You can find out more about Doree Bonner here. Got a question for us? Send us a text message! Enjoy the episode? We'd love to hear from you!…
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November House Price Report - What's happening in the property market
9:39
9:39
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9:39We're bringing you a slightly different style of episode this week with our November House Price Report. In this episode, Megan is joined by Ashley McInulty, Head of Member Services at ESPC to discuss the latest stats from the ESPC database. The episode includes discussion on: - The average selling price - The median time to sell - The average % of…
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In this week's episode, Megan is joined by returning guest, Nicky Lloyd from ESPC Lettings. They discuss the rental market in Edinburgh, including rental prices, supply and demand, and current legislation for landlords. Nicky also shares the best postcodes for investment in Edinburgh and the most popular property type in the current market. Watch t…
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In this episode, Megan and Paul are joined by Mhairi, a Home Design Stylist from John Lewis. Mhairi talks about her background in textile design and how she fell in love with interior design and architecture while growing up in Hong Kong. She explains that John Lewis offers a free interior design service for any room and any budget, from full house…
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Retrofitting & making your home energy efficient with EcoCosi from Changeworks
44:23
44:23
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44:23In this episode of the ESPC Property Show, Paul and Megan are joined by Ewan and Sam from Changeworks, a Scottish environmental charity that delivers solutions for low carbon living. Changeworks has over 35 years’ experience in delivering high impact solutions for low-carbon living. They work collaboratively with partners, organisations and househo…
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The housing shortage with Homes for Scotland
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23:20
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23:20In this week's episode, Paul & Megan speak to Jennifer Kennedy from Homes for Scotland about the lack of suitable homes in Scotland. Jennifer explains what barriers are prohibiting new homes being built, why we are so behind in the development of new build homes and just how bad the housing problem in the UK is. You can find out more about Homes fo…
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First-Time Buyer's Guide to Purchasing Property in Scotland
29:34
29:34
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29:34In this episode, Paul & Megan are joined by Amy Howard (Neilsons) and Caitlin Keegan (Gillespie Macandrew) to get the best advice for first-time buyers. Amy & Caitlin share invaluable insights and advice for first-time buyers in the Scottish property market. They discuss the crucial steps to take, including appointing a solicitor, finding a mortgag…
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Q&A with Paul & Megan on the property market, where to buy and what's in the ONS basket of goods?
26:09
26:09
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26:09Paul and Megan discuss various topics related to buying property, answering questions from their listeners. They emphasize the importance of seeking professional advice from a solicitor-estate agent, especially for first-time buyers. The conversation also delves into the "basket of goods" used to measure inflation, highlighting the addition of item…
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In this podcast episode, Paul and Megan are joined by Debbie Hair (Investment Manager, Evelyn Partners). They delve into various economic and financial topics, starting with inflation and its implications, touching on both short-term and long-term trends, emphasising the importance of considering environmental, social, and governance factors when e…
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Exploring the Scottish Borders & the local property market
26:24
26:24
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26:24In this week's episode, Megan & Paul head to the Scottish Borders to find out more about the local property market. Our podcast guests for this episode are Suzanne Grey from Hastings Legal and Struan Ferguson from Blackwood Smith. Suzanne discusses the Kelso property market, while Struan chats us through the current property landscape in Peebles. E…
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In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat through the latest stats on the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders. Initially, they chat through the ESPC data for the last three months before having a wider discussion with Maurice Allan (Managing Director of Estate Agency at Lindsays) and Lyndsey Beckwith (Head of E…
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