The Scottish Property Podcast

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.

In this episode, Nick and Steven sit down with Stephen O’Neill, founder of Newton Property Management, which now manages around 40,000 properties across Scotland. Stephen shares his fascinating journey from growing up in his family’s estate agency business, to launching and selling his own lettings company, and then scaling Newton into one of Scotland’s leading factoring businesses.Known for his straight-talking approach, Stephen unpacks the challenges of reputation in the factoring industry, the realities of acquisitions, and the importance of culture in building a generational business. From surviving mistakes in early ventures to instilling a people-first ethos at Newton, this episode is packed with lessons in growth, resilience, and leadership.🎙️ Episode Highlights:🏁 Early Lessons in BusinessGrowing up around his father’s Glasgow estate agencyWatching the family firm lose control after rapid expansionKey lessons on ownership, shareholding, and capitalisation💼 From O’Neils to NewtonFounding O’Neils Lettings in 1995 and hustling for growthSelling the business in 2000 for ~£750kWhy factoring, with its long-term recurring revenue, became his focus📊 Scaling Newton Property ManagementHow Newton grew to 40,000 properties and ~85 staff across 4 officesThe “30/30/30” profit model that funded growth and acquisitionsBuying competitors at rising multiples – and why Newton is “not for sale”🏠 Factoring, Reputation & RegulationWhy factoring has a bad public image and how Newton tackles itRobust credit control and chasing arrears through debt collection/legal routesCalls for stricter regulation and annual audits of client accountsChallenges with under-resourced tribunals🌍 Culture, Leadership & VisionReturning from Bali to rebuild service quality after rapid growthCreating a people-first company culture: loans, therapy, office lunches, stocked fridgesHis ambition for Newton to be “the best employer in the country”📈 Market Views & Next StepsWhy Stephen is bullish on Aberdeen and sees “Park Circus prices” potentialReflections on being a manager, not a landlordBalancing growth ambitions with the goal of running a generational business----------------------------------------------------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 Declan, founder of Vitality Property, who at just 24 years old has gone from plumbing apprentice to running a thriving refurbishment business and completing multiple property deals – including highly profitable assisted sales.Declan shares his remarkable journey from leaving school at 16, experimenting with side hustles like Amazon FBA and crypto, to building a trusted refurbishment company that now generates off-market deal flow. From his first buy-to-let and early flips to teaming up with other investors and raising £275K in just two days, this is a masterclass in hustle, networking, and creative property strategies.🎙️ Episode Highlights🏗️ From Apprentice to Property EntrepreneurGrowing up in Croydon before moving to ScotlandLeaving school at 16 to become a plumbing & heating engineerHow his trade background became the foundation for his property journey💡 Early Side Hustles & First Property StepsAmazon FBA, crypto, and reselling – lessons learned from failed and modest successesInvesting in mentorship and paying £6k for property training at age 20Buying his first flat, learning about yields, cashflow, and tax pitfalls🔨 Flips, Refurbs, and Learning the Hard WayTurning a heating job lead into a profitable flip in just a few monthsThe Paisley project: overspending, travel challenges, and why he’d never do it againBuilding credibility and leads through his refurbishment business🏠 Mastering the Assisted Sale StrategyHow assisted sales work and why they benefit sellers and investorsLegal safeguards: charges on title, option-to-buy clauses, and ensuring all owners agreeCase studies of successful assisted sales – including inherited properties🤝 Collaboration & Raising FinancePartnering with Kyle White and the Scope Property team to scale projectsRaising £275K in two days through networking and past clientsLeveraging other people’s skills and networks for bigger deals📈 Scaling Up & DiversifyingBuilding a pipeline including flips, buy-to-lets, serviced accommodation, and commercial conversionsWhy collaboration beats competition in the Scottish property marketUsing social proof and track record to win trust with sellers and investorsIf you’ve ever wondered how to turn trade skills into a property portfolio – or want to understand the assisted sale model from someone doing it right now – this episode is packed with actionable insights.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Edinburgh-based property entrepreneur Graham Budge, who shares how his rent-to-rent journey has evolved into something far greater than just profit—it's now helping tackle Scotland’s housing crisis.Graham walks us through the early days of scaling serviced accommodation units with no capital, the £130k investment loss he endured trying to expand down south, and how he pivoted his entire business model to supply temporary accommodation for local councils in Scotland. Key Takeaways:How rent-to-rent offers a low-barrier entry into property with little capitalThe reality of scaling serviced accommodation pre-licensingHow partnering with local councils created a more stable, long-term income streamBreakdown of profit margins, costs, and risk mitigationLessons learned from losing £130,000 with a failed expansion into EnglandThe importance of investor trust and business resilienceWhy providing high-quality homes for those in need is both ethical and profitable.You’ll hear the real-life highs and lows of property entrepreneurship—everything from making £1,000 per unit per month on average, to nearly losing the business when contracts were pulled overnight. Most importantly, Graham offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at how private landlords can be part of the housing solution while still making a fair return.----------------------------------------------------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#scottishpropertypodcast #renttorent #propertyinvesting #temporaryaccommodation #edinburghproperty #servicedaccommodation #propertyentrepreneur #socialimpactinvesting #propertyjourney #financialfreedom

In this episode, we sit down with leasing director Harris Hiscoe, a Scotsman making waves in Dubai’s competitive real estate scene. From his roots in a 5th-generation showman family in Scotland to managing one of the most dominant leasing teams in Dubai, Harris shares the raw truth behind life, business, and building success in the UAE.He opens up about the mental resilience needed to survive and thrive, the lessons learned from near-misses on multimillion-dirham deals, and why Dubai is attracting a growing number of UK-based property investors.Key Highlights:From Scotland to Dubai: Why Harris walked away from the family business to build a life in real estate abroad.How he broke into the industry without any existing contacts or database – and what he did differently to succeed.Getting burned by a £50K commission deal that fell through – and the lessons it taught him.The power of leasing in Dubai: Why he believes it’s the best entry point for UK agents looking to make the leap.UK investors in Dubai: The typical investor profile and why the Dubai property market is booming.Primary vs secondary markets: What investors need to understand about payment plans, off-plan developments, and capital growth.What returns to expect: Rental yields, ROI comparisons, and why Dubai’s market isn’t just hype.Becoming a high-performer: The systems and support behind one of Dubai’s top-performing real estate agencies.#scottishpropertypodcast #dubairealestate #ukinvestors #propertyinvestment #expatlife #dubaiinvestments #leasingdirector #propertysuccess #buildyourportfolio #financialfreedom

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Kris Dalziel, a Glasgow-based property investor and sourcer who has built serious momentum over the past 18 months.Kris shares how he’s managed to source over 200 properties, build a portfolio of 80+ units, and generate £900K+ in sourcing fees—all while navigating the realities of fast growth, investor pressures, and the chaos that comes with managing multiple refurbs and build teams across the UK.Episode Highlights:📈 Massive Growth in 18 Months200+ properties sourced since 202380+ units bought for himself and investors£900K+ in sourcing fees in 2024 alone💸 Behind the Sourcing BusinessWhat it really takes to build a high-volume sourcing companyHow Kris finds deals, works with investors, and structures JV agreementsWhy transparency and systems are everything in this space🔧 Builder & Refurb ManagementManaging multiple build teams across the UKDealing with delays, pricing issues, and communication breakdownsThe toll this takes when you’re running at full speed🧠 Mindset, Burnout & Shifting GearsWhy Kris is stepping back from the chaos to focus on sustainabilityThe mental pressure of scaling too fastHis new focus on paying down debt and holding long-term assets🏢 Letting Agency Launch: Stanley Property ShopWhy Kris started his own agencyThe benefits of bringing property management in-houseChallenges of operating differently from traditional agents⚠️ The Sourcing Industry – Red Flags & Real TalkWhat Kris thinks is wrong with many property sourcers todayKey advice for anyone buying from sourcing agents or auction dealsHow to spot value—and avoid the fluffNow, Kris is shifting focus. After a whirlwind 18 months, he’s prioritising sustainable investing, slowing the pace, and recently launched his own lettings agency to bring more control and long-term value to his business.----------------------------------------------------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 are joined by Taimur Malik, a former finance professional turned property investor, who shares his powerful journey from financial rock bottom to building a 7-figure portfolio.After losing his job and facing a serious health crisis, Taimur found himself over £100,000 in debt and unable to walk. But through discipline, long-term thinking, and smart investing, he’s now on the path to full financial freedom—using a combination of property, stocks, and pensions.This is a refreshingly honest and insightful conversation about building wealth slowly, understanding financial resilience, and why property is just one part of the bigger picture.Episode Highlights:📉 From Crisis to ClarityLosing his job at BlackRock and the moment his health collapsedHow being in debt and housebound pushed him to take control of his financesStarting from scratch after moving to the UK with just £500📈 Wealth Building Through PropertyBuilding a 9-property buy-to-let portfolio with a BRR strategyWhat he looks for in deals: cashflow, long-term demand, and sustainable lendingWhy he pivoted away from short-term lets in Edinburgh📊 The Bigger Wealth PictureWhy Taimur is just as passionate about stocks and pensions as propertyUnderstanding compound growth and why time in the market is more important than timing the marketHow small monthly investments add up to millions over time🧠 Mindset & Financial StrategyWhy more money doesn’t solve money problems—discipline doesHow to think like an investor, not a speculatorThe difference between income, wealth, and financial freedom🧰 Tips for New InvestorsDon’t chase cashflow alone—look for balanced returnsInvest in learning, not just propertyThink long-term and avoid get-rich-quick trapsThis is a refreshingly honest and insightful conversation about building wealth slowly, understanding financial resilience, and why property is just one part of the bigger picture.----------------------------------------------------Know someone looking to sell? Send the guys at Prime a message now: https://wa.me/447938603856----------------------------------------------------