The Scottish Property Podcast

In this episode, Nick and Steven sit down with Wullie Thomson — entrepreneur, former dairy business owner, and now full-time property investor. Willie shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Shotts to building one of Scotland’s largest independent milk delivery businesses before moving into the property world.🎙️ Episode HighlightsFrom Milk Rounds to Millionaire MindsetGrew up in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, and left school without qualificationsWorked multiple jobs from a young age — including food delivery, labouring on sites, and driving taxisBought a small local milk delivery round at age 23 with around 350 customersScaled the business into a Scotland-wide operation with five depots, 85 staff, and 60 delivery vehiclesFocused on reusable glass bottles and local service to stand out from supermarket competitionIntroduced innovations such as direct debit payments and door-to-door canvassing, dramatically boosting efficiency and revenueBuilding and Exiting the Dairy EmpireGrown organically over more than a decade through acquisitions and community-focused marketingExpanded across the Central Belt, Perth, and AberdeenOperated 24/7 with a full management structure including operations, HR, and sales teamsIntroduced a delivery charge model that significantly increased profitsSuccessfully exited the business through multiple sales to other dairiesTransitioned from daily operations to pursuing new ventures and a better work–life balanceStarting Over in PropertyEntered property investment after selling the dairy business, looking for a new challengeFaced early setbacks:Lost £40–£50k on a piece of land due to flood risk oversightLost £35k on a hotel deal with offshore ownership complicationsJoined Steven’s property training to build knowledge, structure, and network with other investorsDetermined to grow his property business using the same grit and determination that built his previous successFirst Major Project – Arbroath TownhousePurchased a six-bedroom townhouse for £71,000Initially budgeted £70,000 for the refurb, but final spend reached £150,000Fully renovated and upgraded with quality finishes and modern interiorsConfigured for use as both a Serviced Accommodation (SA) and HMOLocated near Arbroath Harbour — ideal for contractors, large families, and holidaymakersExpected nightly rate: £150–£200, with projected annual income of £40k–£50kFrom driving taxis and delivering Chinese food as a teenager to managing 85 staff and five depots across Scotland, Willie’s story is one of relentless work ethic, resilience, and reinvention. Now, after exiting the dairy industry, he’s applying the same principles of growth and efficiency to property development and investing.--------------------------------------------------- Know someone looking to sell? Send the guys at ⁠Prime⁠ a message now.----------------------------------------------------Follow us on all of our social media accounts and join our monthly networking events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee! ⁠CLICK HERE

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with David Stewart — property investor, developer, and founder of My Local Property Buyer. David shares his journey from a career in civil engineering and commission-only sales to becoming one of Scotland’s most experienced direct-to-vendor specialists, flipping properties with six-figure profits and running a successful off-market property business.From being made redundant multiple times to building a thriving property brand, David’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and integrity. He opens up about the realities of the quick-sale industry, the ethics behind vendor negotiations, and the lessons learned from fires, floods, and bankruptcies along the way.🎙️ Episode Highlights🌟 From Civil Engineering to SalesGrew up in the East End of Glasgow, born in ShettlestonChose a civil engineering apprenticeship over universityFaced several redundancies during the 2007–2008 financial crashTransitioned into commission-only sales, learning resilience and people skillsWorked in shopping centres selling gas and electricity contracts, then moved to Sky, excelling in telesales and leadership🏡 Breaking into PropertyFirst exposure came through a quick-sale estate agency roleLater joined a major auction and property buying company, learning the full process of valuations, negotiations, and acquisitionsDeveloped strong communication and listening skills — the key to converting off-market leadsSpent years understanding vendor motivations, negotiation strategies, and the ethics of buying directly💼 Building My Local Property BuyerFounded My Local Property Buyer, specialising in direct-to-vendor deals across ScotlandBalances multiple income streams — property flips, assisted sales, and sourcing feesWorks with trusted partners including auction houses and ethical investorsOperates with transparency, ensuring fair offers and honest communication with sellersSpends £1,500–£5,000 per month on online marketing to generate consistent off-market leads🔥 Deals, Risks & LessonsNorth Berwick Flip: Purchased at £138k, valued at nearly double — discovered bankruptcy days before completion and navigated the legal and financial risks successfullyAssisted Sale Fire Damage: A refurbishment project that caught fire due to a nearby caravan blaze — still turned a profit of over £20k and delivered a positive outcome for the sellerLanark Country House: Bought for £100k, invested £180k in refurbishment, expected to sell for £425k–£500kKilmacolm Commercial Conversion: Transformed a former beauty salon into two luxury flats — exploring refinancing or serviced accommodation due to slower sales⚖️ Ethics & Reputation in Quick SalesStrong focus on honesty and transparency with vulnerable sellersCondemns companies exploiting people in financial distressWorks alongside trusted solicitors and partners like Michelle Wales to maintain professional integrityBelieves small, fair profits build longer-term success and repeat businessEncourages offering sellers multiple routes — direct sale, auction, or assisted sale📈 Scaling & StrategyPortfolio of around 16 properties, including buy-to-lets, flips, and commercial-to-residential conversionsUses bridging finance, investor loans, and recycled profits to fund projectsWorks closely with business partner John, who manages refurbishments and tradesKeeps operations lean, leveraging unencumbered assets for cash flow flexibilityBalances short-term profits with sustainable business growth💬 Mindset & MotivationNot motivated by flash or status — focused on family and freedomValues work–life balance after becoming a fatherKeeps a grounded lifestyle despite success — recently upgraded from his Ford Focus only for practicalityBelieves real success in property is built on patience, ethics, and persistence

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Michelle de Almeida — business coach, entrepreneur, and property investor. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from a 20-year career in hospitality and corporate management to building a thriving property portfolio and multiple successful businesses.Growing up in a working-class family near Liverpool and Manchester, Michelle learned the value of hard work early on. After managing 67 pubs across Scotland for Wetherspoons and running her own restaurant in Portugal, a major health challenge led her to reassess her life and priorities. Today, she’s the founder of Lux Escapes UK and MDA Business, helping others achieve financial freedom and personal growth through property and coaching.🎙️ Episode Highlights🌟 From Humble Beginnings to HospitalityGrowing up in Cheshire in a working-class familyBuilding a strong work ethic from her parents’ exampleSpending over 20 years in hospitality, including six years running a restaurant in PortugalManaging 67 pubs as a Regional Manager for Wetherspoons before leaving corporate life💼 Finding Purpose After Corporate BurnoutLeaving her corporate role after a health setback and lack of supportBecoming CEO of a Coca-Cola–funded non-profit in DundeeHelping thousands of women and micro-businesses out of povertyTransitioning naturally into business coaching and launching MDA Business🏡 Entering the Property WorldCompleting property training in January and buying her first property in AprilPartnering with her brother, Paul, who now manages over 40 viewings a monthFocusing on Serviced Accommodation (SA) and Aparthotels as her main strategyBuilding a business model that generates high cash flow and long-term financial freedom📈 Growth, Strategy & ChallengesSetting a goal of 200 keys (units/beds) to achieve true financial independenceRaising private capital with a minimum £100,000 investment thresholdAvoiding small Buy-to-Lets in favour of scalable, cash-flowing SA unitsOvercoming one of her toughest weeks in property — losing a deal, investor, and remortgage all in one dayNavigating short-term let licensing challenges in Scotland and rising council tax costs💬 Mindset & MotivationUsing multiple business and mindset coaches to stay focused and resilientManaging 12–14 hour workdays with energy and purposeMaintaining perspective through movement, conversation, and mindset workPlanning future growth in St Andrews, Crieff, Montrose, and Cheshire--------------------------------------------------- Know someone looking to sell? Send the guys at Prime a message now.----------------------------------------------------Follow us on all of our social media accounts and join our monthly networking events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee! CLICK HERE

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Ev Foster, Regional Partner for Keller Williams Scotland. Ev shares her journey from being a stay-at-home mother of four to leading the growth of Keller Williams into a nationwide estate agency brand.After facing financial struggles following a divorce, Ev explored franchising and traditional estate agency work before discovering the Keller Williams model. She explains how the self-employed agent model empowers individuals, provides flexibility, and delivers a more personal service to clients compared to the traditional estate agency model she believes is “broken.”🎙️ Episode Highlights:🌟 From Mum to EntrepreneurJuggling life as a stay-at-home mother of fourFacing financial pressure after divorce and needing to rebuildFirst steps into business with a ladies’ gym franchise and traditional estate agency work🏡 Discovering Keller WilliamsSpotting the KW model as a low-cost, low-risk entry into self-employmentStarting as a self-employed agent in 2017/2018Balancing financial independence with family flexibility📈 Scaling with the KW Business ModelReturning in 2020 to lead the Glasgow market centerHow KW provides training, support, and systems for agents to grow their own businessesWhy she believes the traditional estate agency model is brokenThe rapid growth from zero to over 80 agents across Scotland🚀 Keller Williams Scotland TodayAchieving the five-year goal of becoming a separate region in January 2025Building a business that thrives in towns and villages, not just big citiesRecruiting agents from non-traditional backgroundsPlacing a strong focus on values, culture, and leadership development----------------------------------------------------Know someone looking to sell? Send the guys at Prime a message now: ----------------------------------------------------Follow us on all of our social media accounts and join our monthly networking events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee!

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Elaine McLaren, chartered management accountant turned property investor. Elaine shares her journey from growing up in Scotstoun with early exposure to renovations, to leaving behind the corporate mould and building a portfolio designed to give her family more freedom and flexibility.From watching Homes Under the Hammer to investing £15,000 in property training, Elaine reveals the importance of vision boards, long-term planning, and staying focused on why you started. She also opens up about her successes, lessons learned, and her evolving strategy — from building buy-to-lets to flipping properties and taking on HMOs.🎙️ Episode Highlights🌟 Early Influences & Corporate LifeGrowing up around property thanks to her father’s renovation projectsPursuing a corporate career as a chartered management accountantRealising she didn’t fit the corporate mould and wanting more flexibility🏡 Getting Started in PropertyInspired by a colleague with 13 properties and Homes Under the HammerInvesting £15,000 in training and waiting a year before buying her first dealWhy she believes education was worth the investment🎯 Building a Vision & PortfolioSetting her first goal: 12 properties to leave her job and focus on family lifeThe power of vision boards to stay motivated and productiveGrowing her portfolio with her husband, including four properties in St Andrews🔑 Lessons & AdviceDo your due diligence before investing in training programmesWhen planning for retirement, set your financial target — then add two more propertiesWhy involving your partner can strengthen your property journey🚀 Current Focus & Future PlansWorking on flips and managing an HMOFeeling like she’s “drifting” without a strong new visionSetting her next big goal: helping her husband retire so they can enjoy more holidays and freedom together

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Graham Reeves, digital marketing entrepreneur, property investor, and founder of an SEO agency that ranks number one for “SEO Glasgow.” Graham shares his journey from struggling with dyslexia at school and working as a chef, to building a thriving online business and scaling a growing buy-to-let portfolio.🎙️ Episode Highlights🌟 From Kitchen Chaos to Business HustleGrowing up in Newton Mearns and overcoming challenges with dyslexiaWorking his way up from dishwasher to chef before leaving hospitalityLearning sales skills through commission-only work and early entrepreneurial ventures💻 Building an SEO BusinessWhy college proved valuable but university felt like “too much fluff”Starting in digital marketing and discovering SEOScaling his SEO agency during Covid through Facebook ads and ranking #1 on GoogleRecruiting and managing a global remote team across South Africa, the Philippines, and SerbiaTips for hiring and retaining top overseas talent🏡 Property Investing JourneyEntering property in 2023 after realising the need to invest profits wiselyFirst six properties: leaving £27,000 in each but gaining £300/month net cashflowLearning BRR strategies and sourcing portfolios through a solicitorLatest deal: six-property portfolio with £7,500 left in each unit, generating £2,000 net per monthWhy he believes portfolios are the way forward🤖 AI & The Future of BusinessHow AI is transforming SEO and content with Google’s AI overviewsUsing ChatGPT to build scrapers and source landlords with large portfoliosLeveraging AI to analyse CRM data, Zoom calls, and sales patternsWhy he believes trades and service jobs are safe, but knowledge work is rapidly changingFrom hustling cigarettes in the schoolyard to launching a marketing agency during Covid, Graham explains how his entrepreneurial mindset has shaped both his business and property journey. He also opens up about investing in property after a period of overspending, his strategy for buying portfolios, and how he’s using AI to source deals and streamline his workflow.

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Phillip Stewart, a property investor and professional property photographer. Phillip shares his journey from a passion for landscape photography to building a successful property media business – and how he’s now using that platform to grow his property portfolio.Phillip talks about working with estate agents, developers, and investors, and explains why professional photography can make or break a property listing. He also opens up about the challenges of starting his own business during COVID, the importance of branding, and how photography has given him a unique advantage when sourcing and investing in property.🎙️ Episode Highlights:🌟 From Passion to ProfessionDiscovering photography at school and turning a hobby into a careerWinning national and international awards in landscape photographyMoving into property photography with McEwan Fraser Legal🏡 Building a Property Media BusinessGaining experience with estate agents before launching his own companyStarting out during COVID while facing tough restrictionsGrowing a team of freelancers and scaling the business across Scotland📸 Why Property Photography MattersHow professional photos, videos, and floorplans boost sales and brandingCase studies showing the difference high-quality marketing can makeBreaking down packages, costs, and the value delivered to agents and investors💬 Property Investing & Personal GrowthUsing his media business profits to buy his first rental propertyTraining with Darren & Jillian Green and planning future HMOs and SA unitsBalancing business growth with family life as a husband and father of two----------------------------------------------------Know someone looking to sell? Send the guys at Prime a message now: https://wa.me/447938603856----------------------------------------------------Follow us on all of our social media accounts and join our monthly networking events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee!Vist: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Jemima Spence, founder of Kelvin Grove Property Sourcing and Jemima Renovates. Jemima shares her remarkable journey from a modelling and acting career to becoming a property entrepreneur – and the challenges she faced along the way.After leaving her ex-partner’s property business and walking away from a large amount of money, Jemima had to rebuild from scratch. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched her own sourcing business, found her first clients, and began growing a company that now helps investors source and refurbish properties across Scotland.Jemima opens up about resilience, starting over, and why bold design and branding have become her trademark in property.🎙️ Episode Highlights🌟 Career Transition & Starting OverFrom a successful career in modelling and acting to property investmentLeaving her ex-partner’s business and choosing to start again from scratchBuilding confidence and resilience through personal and professional setbacks🏡 Launching Kelvin Grove Property SourcingStarting her own business during the COVID-19 pandemicHow she found her first clients and attracted investorsStructuring her sourcing and refurb management fees🛠️ Design, Branding & RefurbsWhy she believes in bold interiors that make properties stand outLessons learned from challenging renovation projectsUsing social media and personal branding to grow trust and credibility💬 Personal Life & GrowthWalking away from financial security to protect her independenceBalancing business growth with her personal journey after separationHer focus on building a meaningful business – and a meaningful love life

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Neil Dymock to break down the latest developments in the Scottish and wider UK property markets. From falling rents in Dundee to the impact of government taxes, Neil provides valuable insights for landlords, investors, and anyone keeping an eye on where the market is heading.🎙️ Episode Highlights:🏘️ Dundee Rental MarketDundee rents are down 9.9% – the only Scottish city to see a dropWhy Neil sees this as a market correction after rents became unaffordableDespite falling rents, yields for investors remain strong🎓 Impact of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)Growth of PBSA is reshaping Dundee’s HMO marketSurplus of student accommodation, with more still being proposedWhy foreign students prefer PBSA for flexibility and bundled costs🏡 UK & Scottish Property SalesUK house prices: down 1.3% monthly, up 0.3% year-on-yearScotland outperforming the rest of the UK with 2.6% growth over 12 monthsSurge in Dundee first-time buyers boosting local demand💰 Government Taxes & PolicyLBTT (Land and Building Transaction Tax) as a major barrier to downsizingADS (Additional Dwelling Supplement) at 8% deterring many small investorsRecord £714m in Scottish property tax revenue, with ADS contributing 31%📊 Landlord Trends & Market ShiftsOne in three landlords considering exiting the marketPrivate rental sector still growing, driven by professional portfolio landlordsSelf-managed landlords struggling with legislation, benefiting letting agents⚖️ Potential New Tax – NI Contributions on Rental IncomeGovernment considering an 8% National Insurance levy on rental incomeWould apply to personally held properties, raising £2.18bnWhat this could mean for landlords and the wider marketThe discussion covers everything from the growth of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and its effect on HMOs, to landlord trends, tax policy changes, and the possibility of a new National Insurance levy on rental income. This is a must-listen for anyone wanting to stay ahead in a rapidly changing property landscape.

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven welcome back Caroline Claydon, who first appeared on the show in 2020. Since then, Caroline has transformed her property career, moving from HMOs and planning gain projects to building her own boutique aparthotel brand – the Archibald Hotel Collection.Caroline shares the highs and lows of her journey – from overcoming £80,000 of debt in the 2008 crash, to creating multimillion-pound developments in Edinburgh. She opens up about the challenges of planning refusals, rogue contractors, and refinancing setbacks that “nearly broke her,” as well as the systems, AI tools, and design-led approach that now make her business stand out.🎙️ Episode Highlights🏁 From Debt to Property SuccessLosing her first business in the 2008 crash and facing £80,000 personal debtInvesting £22,000 in mentorship despite fear – and making it back in her first dealsStarting with social housing buy-to-lets before scaling into HMOs in Birmingham and Liverpool🏨 Building the Archibald Hotel CollectionWhy she skipped serviced accommodation and went straight to aparthotelsFirst deal: converting a B&B outside Liverpool into an 11-bed aparthotel, opening just as COVID hitLaunching a boutique, staffless hotel brand named after her late dog, Archibald🏗️ Edinburgh Projects – Triumphs & ChallengesStafford Street: buying a derelict office, battling vigilante opposition, tram contribution confusion, and a £1.5m refurb that resulted in a valuation just under £4mJohn’s Place: a painful townhouse project plagued by refused planning, a rogue contractor stealing materials, and lenders pulling funding – leaving her with £27k/month bills and severe burnout🤖 Operations, Systems & AIRunning staffless hotels with smart locks and digital guest accessUsing AI receptionists and chatbots to handle enquiries and bookingsDividing roles with her husband Nick – she leads acquisitions and development, he runs systems and operations🛋️ Designing for Premium ValueWhy boutique, vintage interiors are core to her business modelWorking with designers to create unique looks that command higher ratesInvesting heavily in interiors (£170k on Stafford Street, £250k on John’s Place) to elevate guest experienceIf you’ve ever thought about scaling into commercial conversions or boutique hospitality, this is an unmissable conversation.