The Scottish Property Podcast

Join seasoned property experts John Morris, Managing Director of Prime Property Auctions, and John Cox, Managing Director of Cox & Co, as they delve into the intricacies of scaling property businesses. They share engaging anecdotes about team building and the vital strategies for recruitment and retention. Both guests reflect on achieving work-life balance amidst growing pressures. They also discuss the evolving Scottish property market and emphasize the importance of setting boundaries to prioritize family, revealing real challenges and triumphs from their journeys.

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we welcome back Davy Hutton, an experienced property developer and entrepreneur, to discuss the latest trends in the property market, political developments, and their implications for landlords, investors, and tenants. From Scotland’s rental market shifts to national economic policies, Davy provides a sharp, unfiltered perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry. Episode Highlights: Labour’s First Budget and Its Impact on Property: Discussion on how the budget is affecting small and medium-sized businesses, particularly through increased National Insurance contributions and rising wages. Why businesses need to adapt to survive in this shifting economic climate. Property Market Trends in 2023: Surprising regional rent fluctuations: Glasgow shows rent corrections, while Aberdeen leads with a 4.4% increase in rental growth. How interest rate changes are affecting landlords and tenants differently depending on mortgage types. The Reality of Rent Controls: Insights into Scotland’s proposed rent caps, allowing local councils to limit rent increases to CPI + 1% (capped at 6%). The potential impact on private landlords and the housing supply crisis. Built-to-Rent Developments Stalling in Scotland: Analysis of why large-scale institutional investors are pulling out of Scotland due to rent control policies. What this means for the £2 billion in stalled housing projects and the wider economic impact. Challenges Facing Landlords and Tenants: The widening gap between property values and earnings, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many. The role of private landlords in providing housing for tenants who can’t access social housing. Lessons from Real-Life Property Scenarios: David shares personal stories of buying, refurbishing, and renting out properties, highlighting the importance of honesty, reputation, and transparency in deals. The growing appeal of assisted sales strategies and their ethical implications. Davy Hutton’s insights highlight the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s property market in the wake of political and economic shifts. From rent controls to stalled developments, it’s clear that adapting to these changes is crucial for landlords, investors, and developers. --------------------------------------------------------- Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we welcome Ian Lindsay, an experienced builder and property developer, to discuss his journey from starting out as a young apprentice to becoming a seasoned developer with a focus on extensions, renovations, and new builds. Ian shares his insights on building a successful career in construction, managing challenges in the industry, and transitioning to new opportunities in property development. This episode is packed with advice for tradespeople, property investors, and aspiring developers. Episode Highlights: Starting From Humble Beginnings: Ian shares his early experiences as a school leaver, entering an apprenticeship at 16 and working in a variety of construction roles across Scotland. The lessons learned from his early days in construction, including respect, work ethic, and craftsmanship. The Transition to Self-Employment: Ian recounts the journey of going self-employed at a young age, taking on small jobs and building a reputation in the Hamilton area. The evolution from small-scale projects to larger extensions and renovations over the years. Key Challenges in the Industry: Labour shortages and the changing attitudes of workers over the decades. Managing customer expectations and navigating difficult clients. The importance of maintaining a reliable and skilled team. Mental Health and Resilience in Construction: Ian opens up about his struggles with burnout and the toll of balancing a demanding career with personal life. How goal-setting, self-development, and mental resilience helped him turn things around. Entering Property Development: Ian’s move into new build projects, starting with acquiring land, navigating planning permission, and tackling construction challenges. High-level insights into cost management, planning for contingencies, and learning from setbacks on new build sites. Tips for Aspiring Developers and Tradespeople: The importance of building strong relationships with agents, tradespeople, and suppliers. Why attention to detail, clear communication, and professionalism are key to long-term success. The value of diversifying projects, including exploring opportunities in commercial property. Whether you’re a tradesperson looking to expand your skills, an investor exploring development opportunities, or someone navigating the challenges of the building industry, Ian’s story offers valuable lessons on perseverance, professionalism, and the power of building strong relationships. Tune in to learn how you can apply these insights to your own journey! --------------------------------------------------------- Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we sit down with Leigh Connelly, founder of Caraton Group, to discuss his inspiring journey in the property and construction industries. From humble beginnings as a teenager living on a farm to building luxury homes in St Andrews, Leigh shares the highs, lows, and lessons he’s learned along the way. With candid insights into property development, business resilience, and adapting to market changes, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in property investment or entrepreneurship. Episode Highlights: Humble Beginnings and Early Ventures: Leigh’s unconventional path to success started with a farming background and an early fascination with machinery and hard work. How he bought his first property at age 18 and used equity to fuel his initial investments. Overcoming Setbacks: Leigh opens up about facing financial challenges during the 2008 crash and how he navigated unexpected obstacles, including a Scottish referendum and changes in property taxation. The creative strategies he used to keep projects afloat, such as leveraging limited resources and maintaining optimism under pressure. Building in St Andrews: Insights into high-end property developments, including million-pound homes in one of Scotland’s most prestigious areas. The challenges of dealing with rising labour and material costs, and the lessons learned from working with contractors and planners. The Changing Face of Property Development: Leigh discusses the increasing difficulties in property development, from planning restrictions to labour shortages. Why he’s now focusing on consulting, exploring international opportunities in Dubai, and diversifying his investments. Opportunities in Dubai: An overview of the booming Dubai property market, offering yields of 8-12% and opportunities to buy off-plan properties with significant profit potential. Why Leigh believes Dubai’s growth is an attractive alternative to the UK market. Lessons for New Investors: Advice on taking calculated risks, learning from setbacks, and finding creative ways to fund projects. The importance of persistence, adaptability, and leveraging local networks in the property industry. Visit Carriden Plumbing & Heating and Carriden Developments for renovations and extensions or new builds. Website: https://carridengroup.co.uk/ Follow Leigh Connolly on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leigh-connolly-587233280 --------------------------------------------------------- Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we sit down with Neil Dymock, founder of Dymock Properties and co-host of the Dundee monthly networking event. Neil shares his expertise on the Dundee property market, discussing its investment potential, unique challenges, and the opportunities for landlords and investors. Episode Highlights: Why Dundee is an Underrated Market: Neil explains why Dundee, with its two universities and expanding economy, is a strong investment choice with high rental demand and affordable entry-level property prices. He discusses the impact of recent developments like the V&A Museum and the anticipated Eden Project, which are set to boost Dundee’s reputation and market potential. Property Prices and Rental Yields in Dundee: Current property prices for two-bedroom flats range from £80,000 to £180,000, with rental yields often reaching 10% or higher. Neil emphasises the importance of targeting a 10% yield in Dundee to ensure profitable investments, particularly in unfactored properties where maintenance costs can be higher. Challenges in Dundee’s Property Market: Neil addresses the risks associated with unfactored tenement buildings in Dundee, where maintenance on older properties can be costly. The discussion touches on the need for responsible property management, especially in buildings without factoring arrangements, as they may face costly repairs over time. The Role of Networking and Local Knowledge: As co-host of the Dundee networking event, Neil underscores the importance of connecting with local experts and investors. Navigating Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Rates and Rent Affordability: Neil explains how Dundee’s LHA rates impact tenants' ability to afford average rents, particularly in light of rising rental costs. He outlines the gap between current LHA rates and actual market rents, which often leaves tenants on benefits struggling to secure adequate housing. Tips for New Investors: Neil offers advice for aspiring landlords and investors, such as using social media for market positioning, providing valuable content, and networking to build trust and visibility. He also encourages investors to be mindful of property compliance, ensuring long-term rental stability by maintaining property standards and up-to-date legal requirements. Tune in to this episode for a comprehensive guide on Dundee’s property market from an experienced local investor. Whether you're a new investor or a seasoned landlord, Neil’s insights offer practical guidance on navigating one of Scotland’s most promising property markets. Follow Dymock Properties: Website: https://dymockproperties.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/dymockproperties/ --------------------------------------------------------- Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this special post-budget episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we’re joined by returning guest Adam Lawrence to break down the recent UK budget announcements and their potential effects on the Scottish property market. With insights into tax changes, inflation, interest rates, and market trends, Adam shares his expert analysis on what investors and property owners should expect in the coming months. If you’re navigating the shifting property landscape, this episode is packed with actionable information and predictions for the year ahead. Episode Highlights: Budget Recap and Key Changes: Adam discusses the new National Insurance tax hike for employers and how it will impact small- and medium-sized businesses, especially those in real estate and property management. The conversation delves into capital gains tax adjustments and the additional dwelling supplement, analysing how these changes could affect property investors across Scotland. Impact on Inflation and Interest Rates: With rising inflation and interest rates now around 5%, Adam explains the budget’s role in potentially stabilising these figures. Predictions for upcoming interest rate cuts are explored, and Adam shares his outlook on how these could influence property prices and demand. Rental Market Insights: Adam provides an overview of the rental market in Scotland, where rent caps and tenant legislation are adding complexity for landlords. He discusses the ongoing demand for rental properties and the implications of these policies on rental rates, tenant security, and long-term property investment strategies. Property Tax Changes: The episode explores how the additional dwelling supplement increase to 5% for English properties aligns with Scotland’s 6% rate, potentially levelling the playing field for cross-border investors. The team discusses whether this will impact investor interest in Scottish properties compared to English markets. Predictions for 2024 and Beyond: Looking to the future, Adam shares predictions for property demand, inflation, and government policy changes impacting the Scottish housing market. He offers advice for property investors on managing portfolios in the current economic climate, including tips on dealing with regulatory changes and finding growth opportunities. Tune in to hear Adam Lawrence’s expert insights on navigating the property market post-budget, with valuable advice on managing investments in a changing landscape. Follow Adam Lawrence on Instagram and also listen to his podcast, Propenomix. ---------------------------------------------------------- Prime Property Auctions – Sell your property with no upfront costs and control the reserve price. Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this relaxed and candid episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven catch up on their latest adventures—both in life and business. From thrilling personal experiences, like road trips and skydiving in the US, to the challenges of managing property portfolios, the hosts share insights, stories, and hard-earned lessons. This episode offers an honest look at the highs and lows of property investing, including staffing issues, rising mortgage rates, and portfolio restructuring. Episode Highlights: Nick’s US Adventure: Nick talks about his two-week trip across the West Coast, riding Harleys, driving a Dodge Challenger, and even winning big at the casino—only to learn the IRS takes a hefty 30% tax cut. Taking a Break from Business: For the first time in a long while, Nick was able to step away from work and fully disconnect, highlighting the importance of trusting your team to keep things running smoothly. Portfolio Restructuring Challenges: Steven shares his struggles with managing his large Aberdeen-based property portfolio, including challenges with staffing, maintenance, and increasing interest rates. They discuss scaling operations, hiring full-time staff, and dealing with the frustrations of finding reliable contractors. The Impact of Rising Interest Rates: With mortgage rates soaring from 3% to 7%, Steven reflects on how these changes have affected his portfolio’s profitability and forced him to cut costs on maintenance and management. Staffing Struggles: Steven recounts his efforts to hire the right team, sharing stories of employees who didn’t meet expectations and how finding the right fit is essential for managing properties efficiently. Insights on the Rental Market: They discuss the changing dynamics in Scotland’s rental market, including the shift towards more international tenants and the continuing demand for rental properties despite a correction in rental prices. The Value of Systemisation: Nick and Steven stress the importance of having the right processes and systems in place, with tips on using tools like Loom videos to train staff remotely and improve efficiency. Networking and Community Engagement: They talk about the importance of networking events, including updates on their monthly meetups across Scotland, with special mention of speakers and topics from recent events. Tune in to this episode for a fun and insightful conversation covering personal experiences, property management tips, and reflections on running a business amidst changing market conditions. ---------------------------------------------------------- Prime Property Auctions – Sell your property with no upfront costs and control the reserve price. Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we chat with Lindsay Yuill, founder of Rent Locally, to explore her incredible journey from working in social care to becoming a successful letting agent and property investor. Episode Highlights: Lindsay's Career Journey: Lindsay shares how she "fell into property by accident" after a career in social care. She reflects on founding Rent Locally in 2008 during the financial crash and how this challenging period helped shape her business acumen. Building and Scaling Rent Locally: Lindsay discusses the early challenges of running a letting agency and how networking played a crucial role in growing the business. Rent Locally now manages over 2,200 properties, covering Central Scotland and areas like Fort William and Oban. The agency has expanded into estate agency services, focusing on off-market and landlord-to-landlord property sales. Insights on Property Investment: Lindsay talks about managing her own buy-to-let portfolio, highlighting the importance of strategic purchases and flexible exit strategies. She emphasises the benefits of holding larger family homes for long-term tenants and cautions against being overly leveraged in the current market climate. Challenges in the Rental Market: The episode explores the shift in the landlord landscape, with smaller landlords exiting the market and professional investors stepping in. Lindsay addresses the challenges posed by legislation, including lead pipe testing, increased compliance costs, and the impact of potential capital gains tax changes. The Importance of Systemisation: Lindsay explains how building automated systems has been crucial for scaling operations, saving time, and ensuring compliance. Her agency uses custom-built software to streamline processes like rent payments and maintenance management. Advice for Aspiring Letting Agents and Investors: Lindsay offers valuable tips for those looking to start a letting agency, emphasising the importance of understanding the market, building strong networks, and being adaptable to change. She discusses the human element of property management, sharing the importance of balancing business goals with ethical considerations when working with tenants. Tune in to this insightful episode for a deep dive into Lindsay Yuill’s career, expert advice on property management, and practical tips for navigating Scotland’s evolving rental market. Follow Lindsay Yuill and Rent Locally: Website: https://rentlocally.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/rentlocally_ltd ---------------------------------------------------------- Prime Property Auctions – Sell your property with no upfront costs and control the reserve price. Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we sit down with Michael Paton, founder of MAP Short Stays, to explore his incredible journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a successful property investor and short-term rental manager. Michael shares his personal story, from his troubled youth and early brushes with the law to turning his life around and building a thriving property management business. Now managing properties across Scotland, Michael specialises in short-term rentals, particularly in the contractor market, and reveals the systems, processes, and strategies that have allowed him to scale his business successfully. Episode Highlights: Michael’s Early Life: Michael shares his upbringing, where he moved around frequently with his mother, struggled in school, and was expelled twice before being sent to a residential school. He reflects on how his rebellious youth, shaped by peer pressure and a lack of positive influence, eventually gave way to a sense of responsibility and a desire to build a better future for himself. Turning Point and Career Shift: After working for nearly 20 years in social care, including roles with at-risk youth and people with mental health challenges, Michael realised he wanted more flexibility to spend time with his family. His first experience as an accidental landlord in 2014 sparked his interest in property, though the traditional buy-to-let model didn’t initially excite him. By 2021, he shifted focus to the short-term rental market, seeing an opportunity in holiday homes and caravans. Building a Short-Term Rental Business: Michael discusses how he scaled his short-term rental management business, starting with holiday caravans and lodges and growing into managing a portfolio of properties across Scotland. He explains the importance of having strong systems and processes in place, from automated guest communication to efficient cleaning protocols and contractor management. Challenges and Lessons Learned: Michael reflects on the challenges of finding the right business partners and emphasises the importance of thorough due diligence before entering into any business relationship. He also talks about the difficulties of scaling a business and the need for consistent hard work—working 16-18 hours a day, ensuring properties are managed to the highest standard. The Contractor Market: Michael has found a niche in managing short-term lets for contractors, offering long-term bookings and consistent income for landlords. He breaks down how to manage contractor bookings, the key amenities contractors look for (e.g., parking and laundry facilities), and how to achieve high occupancy rates. Managing Short-Term Let Licences: With Scotland’s evolving legislation on short-term lets, Michael outlines the licensing process and how long it can take depending on the council area. Revenue and Profitability: Michael gives a realistic overview of the potential earnings in short-term lets, sharing that a well-managed three-bedroom property can generate around £4,000 a month in gross revenue. He stresses the importance of occupancy rates and setting realistic expectations for returns. Tune in to hear Michael Paton’s inspiring story of transformation and learn practical strategies for scaling a successful short-term rental business in Scotland! Follow Michael Paton on Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaelpatonproperty/ Map Short Stays: www.mapshortstays.com/ Map Short Stays Instagram: www.instagram.com/mapshortstays/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Follow Prime Property Auction on Instagram: Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we sit down with Labour MSP Mark Griffin, Shadow Minister for Housing and Local Government, to discuss Scotland's ongoing housing crisis. Mark dives into the key issues plaguing the sector, including the shortage of affordable homes, the growing number of children in temporary accommodation, and the challenges facing the housing market after the 2008 financial crash. He shares his views on how to accelerate housebuilding, tackle land banking, and improve the planning system to meet Scotland's growing housing demands. Episode Highlights: Scotland's Housing Crisis: Over 10,000 children are currently living in temporary accommodation, a figure Mark calls "absolutely appalling." The root cause of the housing emergency is a 20-year shortfall in housing completions, with the market never fully recovering after the 2008 financial crisis. Need for More Homes: Mark stresses that the solution to the crisis is straightforward: build more homes across all tenures (private, social, and affordable). He highlights that Scotland needs approximately 700,000 new homes to meet current demand, according to research by Homes for Scotland. Affordable Housing and Government Investment: While the Scottish Government has built more social housing than the rest of the UK, Mark argues that it's not enough. He believes that more investment is needed across all housing sectors to address the broader crisis. He criticizes recent cuts to the affordable housing supply budget, which have prevented social landlords from fulfilling their affordable housing commitments. Planning System and Land Availability: Mark advocates for an overhaul of Scotland's planning system, which he says is under-resourced and bogged down in bureaucracy. He suggests increasing the scope of permitted development to speed up the process. He also discusses the issue of land banking by developers, calling for reforms to ensure more land is released for housing. Incentives for Renovating Empty Homes: Mark introduces the idea of a "£1 home" scheme, where first-time buyers can purchase an empty property for £1, provided they commit to renovating it. He also proposes loan financing to support renovations. Short-Term Lets Legislation: Mark discusses the controversial short-term lets legislation, which he feels is a "blanket approach" affecting areas that don’t need it. He believes the focus should be on localised issues, rather than imposing regulations across all of Scotland. Tune in to hear Mark Griffin's take on how Scotland can overcome its housing crisis, the future of government policy, and what changes we need to see in the planning and rental sectors. ---------------------------------- Follow Prime Property Auction on Instagram: Prime Property Auction: https://www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/ John: https://www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/ Luis: https://www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/ Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/ ------------------------------------ Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast **DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise. 🤝  Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups.  We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩  Email us: Steven@steven-clark.com Nick@arcproperty.uk