The Scottish Property Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Natalia Maria as she shares her extensive experience in property investment, bookkeeping, and the balancing act of managing a full-time career alongside being a mother of two. Introduction and Background: Natalia shares her unique background, growing up in Aberdeen with Polish and English parents. She studied accountancy and finance in Edinburgh and became a chartered accountant. Early Property Investment: Natalia's property journey began with purchasing a flat in Edinburgh before the financial crisis. Despite challenges with tenants and market fluctuations, she persevered and leveraged her properties for further investments. Property and Financial Strategy: Emphasis on the importance of refinancing and using equity to grow her property portfolio. Benefits and challenges of service accommodation (Airbnb) versus long-term rentals, particularly in the saturated Aberdeen market. Bookkeeping Business: Natalia runs a successful bookkeeping business, serving clients in construction, property management, and other small businesses. Importance of good bookkeeping practices and utilizing technology like Xero and Hubdoc to streamline processes. Balancing Multiple Roles: Insights on managing her career, businesses, and family life with a supportive partner and good time management. Future Plans and Vision: Plans to expand her service accommodation business to cities like Dubai, London, and Barcelona. Moving to Slovenia with her family while continuing to manage her businesses remotely. Advice for Entrepreneurs: Significance of financial education, planning, and flexibility. Encourages leveraging support networks and technology to manage multiple responsibilities effectively. Tune in to hear Natalia's inspiring journey and valuable advice for balancing business, family, and property investment. Don't miss her insights on financial strategy and the future of her expanding ventures! Follow Natalia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalia.maria.s/ Beyond Bookkeeping: https://www.instagram.com/beyondbookkeepinguk/ ---------------------------------- 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. **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

Join us in this engaging episode with Scott Dunsmore as he shares his invaluable experiences and lessons learned in the property investment world. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, there's something for everyone in this episode. First Property Investments: Initial Investments: Scott discusses his first buy-to-let properties, the challenges with troublesome tenants, and low-value properties. Learning Curve: He explains how he learned from these experiences and adjusted his investment strategies over time. Commercial Property and New Builds: Transition to Commercial: Scott details his shift into commercial property investment. New Build Project: He talks about the challenges and successes of a new build project, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Business Challenges and Shifts: Family Business: Scott shares the struggles with his dad's door company, including losing a major contract. Capital Reallocation: He discusses winding down the business and using the capital to fund his property investments. Current Portfolio and Strategies: Current Holdings: A mix of residential and commercial properties. Recent Acquisitions: Scott highlights recent property acquisitions and his focus on sourcing and scaling his business. Personal Growth and Future Plans: Personal Development: Scott reflects on his personal growth through his property journey. Importance of Education: He emphasizes the value of continuous learning and networking. Future Plans: Exploring commercial property courses and further scaling his property business. Challenges and Reality of Property Investment: Realities of Investment: The discussion covers the hard work and challenges inherent in property investment. Resilience: Scott stresses the importance of resilience and adaptability in overcoming setbacks. Follow Scott Dunsmore on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottdunsmoreproperty__ ------------------------------------------------------------ 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/ 🔗⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and watch episodes on our YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **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, we welcome David Liddell, a young and energetic property investor, to discuss his journey, strategies, and recent projects. David shares his transition from an engineering career to property investment, highlighting key lessons, successful projects, and his plans for the future. David's Background: Grew up in Dunfermline, now based in Glasgow Former hydraulic design engineer in the oil and gas industry Shifted to property investment during the COVID-19 pandemic First Property Investment: Location: Peterhead Type: Buy-to-let Outcome: Sold at a profit, igniting interest in property investment Transition to Full-Time Property Investment: Began focusing on property during the pandemic while working part-time in engineering Educated himself about property investment Left engineering job in April 2022 to pursue property full-time Property Strategies and Projects: Involved in flips, assisted sales, deal sourcing, and service accommodation (SA) Advocates for focusing on one strategy at a time Manages properties with his partner, Samantha, including setting up service accommodations Notable Projects: Service Accommodation in Coatbridge: Converted his home into a service accommodation Self-managed, resulting in cost savings and increased profitability Thurso Property (Marine Inn): Overlooks Thurso Beach Purchased for £385,000 (home report value: £425,000) Plan: Convert into a high-quality apart-hotel with six self-contained units Financing: Bridging finance and investor funds Project in County Durham: Large property bought at a discount (valued at £600,000, secured for £475,000) Plan: Refurbish and set up for group stays Financing and Investors: Raised approximately £700,000 in investor funds for various projects Stresses the importance of building a personal brand and maintaining a social media presence Most investors are connections from networking and business groups Conclusion: David is dedicated to growing his property business and emphasizes delayed gratification and discipline. Future plans include expanding his property portfolio and continually improving business strategies. Listen to the full episode to hear David's insights and advice for aspiring property investors! Follow David 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/ 🔗⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and watch episodes on our YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **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, Nick, together with Mark Shanta, dives into the Scottish property market, covering monthly updates, government policies, and their impacts on landlords and investors. Episode Highlights Impact of UK Election on Scottish Housing Discussion of the upcoming UK election on July 4. Explanation that housing policies are devolved to the Scottish government, with elections set for 2026. Predictions on a potential shift in Scottish politics if Labour wins the UK elections. Scottish Government Policies Critique of SNP's handling of rent controls and emergency legislation. Speculation on Labour's potential governance in Scotland post-2026 elections. Section 24 and Landlord Challenges Discussion on Section 24, preventing landlords from claiming mortgage interest as a tax deduction. Impact of Section 24 on small landlords and the rental market. Comparison of SNP's policies and UK-wide policies affecting landlords. Housing Market Dynamics Discussion on housing supply and demand issues leading to increased prices. Institutional investors like Blackstone buying properties due to high demand. Call for more housing stock and government incentives for building. Government Blunders and Temporary Housing Discussion on Glasgow's expenditure on temporary accommodation due to housing shortages. Inefficiencies and the need for better allocation of resources to build affordable housing. House Price Statistics and Market Trends Latest land registry stats show a 4.5% annual price increase in Scotland. Local market trends and predictions on house price stability. Impact of supply and demand on house prices. Rental Market Insights Report on the slowing pace of rent increases. Observations on current rental market trends and tenant demand. Discussion on rental market dynamics and pricing strategies. Challenges and Experiences in Property Sales Personal experiences of the hosts in property sales. Instances of price negotiations and challenges faced with solicitors and buyers. Future Outlook and Planning Policies Need for better planning policies to incentivize building and regeneration. Discussion on the potential impact of future elections on housing policies. Follow Mark Shanta on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mshanta5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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/ 🔗⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and watch episodes on our YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **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, we are sitting down with Gemma Russel, the new co-host from Aberdeen, and covers various topics, including personal backgrounds, career transitions, and property investments. Gemma shares her unique journey and insights, offering inspiration and practical advice for listeners interested in property and personal development. Key Points: Introduction of Gemma: Gemma joins the podcast as a new co-host. She discusses her background and previous reluctance to travel to Glasgow due to personal reasons. Gemma's Career Journey: Started with various jobs, including working in windows, at her dad's bookies, and offshore as a stewardess and radio operator. Transitioned to recruitment and later found success in network marketing with Forever Living, earning significant income. Emphasizes the importance of personal development, citing influences like "The Secret." Challenges and Learning: Gemma shares her experience of managing multiple jobs and the struggle of balancing work with being a single mother. Talks about the financial ups and downs and the importance of understanding business fundamentals, not just sales. Personal Impact: Discusses the impact of her mother's suicide on her life and the importance of mental health awareness. Highlights her passion for helping others through her work as a clinical hypnotherapist. Property Investments: Transitioned into property investment, starting with a mentorship program and purchasing properties in Carrick and a five-bed house in Fochabers. Shares experiences and lessons learned from property renovations and the challenges of managing multiple projects simultaneously. Successfully flipped properties, highlighting a significant profit from a three-bed house in Carrick. Service Accommodation: Discusses the profitability of her Airbnb in Fochabers, catering to groups, families, and events. Explains the licensing process and the challenges of managing service accommodations. Future Goals: Plans to scale up the service accommodation business and continue investing in properties. Emphasizes the desire to achieve financial freedom and give back to the community. Follow Gemma 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/⁠⁠  🔗⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and watch episodes on our YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠ **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, we sit down with Ajmal Mushtaq, the founder of Boss Pizza. Ajmal shares his remarkable journey from a law career to creating a successful pizza business. With insights on entrepreneurship, personal branding, and property investment, this episode is packed with valuable advice and inspiration for anyone in the property or business world. Journey to Success: Education and Career: Studied law and worked at Accenture in London for 10 years. Took over his father's restaurant, transforming it into the largest takeaway operation in Britain within five years. TikTok and Personal Branding: TikTok Influence: Gained significant following by delivering concise business content. Prefers TikTok’s quick content delivery over longer YouTube videos. Business Philosophy and Martial Arts Influence: Martial Arts Background: European Champion in Taekwondo. Attributes drive and discipline to his martial arts training. Emphasizes continuous self-improvement. Building Boss Pizza: Starting Boss Pizza: Launched during COVID-19 and quickly gained popularity. Competes with Domino's by offering quality pizzas at competitive prices. Franchising and Expansion: Currently operates four stores with plans for 20 within the next year and 300 in five years. Stresses the importance of stringent franchise agreements. Scaling and Systems: Systems and Processes: Highlights the necessity of robust systems before scaling. Spent three years building a strong foundation for Boss Pizza. Employee Management: Pays employees well and offers career progression. Outsources non-core functions like accounting and legal work. Property Investments: Portfolio: Mixed portfolio of residential and commercial properties. Prefers commercial properties due to fewer regulations. Focuses on strategic long-term investments. Final Thoughts and Advice: Advice to Young Entrepreneurs: Gain corporate experience before starting a business. Importance of patience, continuous learning, and strategic planning. Follow Ajmal on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/ajmal_mushtaq/?hl=en TikTok: tiktok.com/@ajmalmushtaq ------------------------------------------------------------- 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/⁠  🔗⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and watch episodes on our YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ **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

Co-founders of Prime Property Auctions, Luis and John, discuss key topics including business development, team culture, seller motivations, marketing strategies, and property sales challenges. They highlight the importance of understanding seller motivations, building trust with clients, and investing in social media for brand building and scaling.

In this episode, hosts Stephen Clark and Nick Ponty are joined by Ricardo Giovanacci from Rosevale Lettings to discuss the latest news and events in the Scottish property market. They delve into the current challenges and opportunities, including rising rents, housing shortages, and government policies. Key Topics Discussed: UK Inflation and Mortgage Rates UK inflation rate has dropped to 2.3%, approaching the Bank of England's target of 2%. The Bank of England's base rate remains steady at 5.25%. Potential for mortgage rate cuts in the near future, contingent on economic and political developments. Scottish Government's Housing Emergency The Scottish Government has declared a housing emergency due to escalating rents and housing shortages. Measures to address the crisis include building more affordable homes and managing rental market pressures. Rental Market Trends Rising rents and housing shortages are major issues. Increased demand for rental properties, with many tenants struggling to find suitable accommodation. Landlords are facing challenges due to new regulations and rent controls. Investment Opportunities and Challenges Property investors need to adapt to evolving market conditions and regulations. Long-term investments in property remain viable despite current challenges. Portfolio landlords are adjusting strategies, such as reducing loan-to-value ratios to manage risk. Build-to-Rent Developments Large-scale build-to-rent projects are part of the solution to the housing crisis. Political and legislative changes are influencing investment decisions in this sector. Some developers are hesitant to invest in Scotland due to rent controls and regulatory uncertainty. General Election and Political Landscape The upcoming general election could significantly impact the property market. Political parties' policies on housing and taxation will be closely watched by investors and stakeholders. Short-Term Letting Regulations New regulations on short-term lets are causing disruptions, especially in Edinburgh. A black market for short-term lets is emerging due to stringent licensing requirements. The impact on tourism and local economies is a growing concern. Visit Rosevale Lettings and follow them in Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 🔗⁠ Subscribe and watch episodes on our YouTube channel⁠ **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, we are joined by Vikki Ridler, a renowned TikTok estate agent, to discuss her incredible success and insights into the Scottish property market. Vikki's innovative use of social media has significantly impacted her career, leading her to sell an impressive 35 houses a month. Key Topics Covered: Introduction Welcoming Vikki Ridler to the podcast. Vikki's popularity and her contributions to the Edinburgh networking event. Career Start Vikki's journey from starting at 16 in an office job to becoming an estate agent. Her initial reluctance and subsequent passion for the field. First Impressions Early experiences and the challenges Vikki faced. How she overcame obstacles with determination and support from her managers. Market Changes Evolution of the estate agency market. Rise of independent estate agents and the impact of social media. Social Media Strategy Using platforms like TikTok to attract buyers. Strategic video posting times to increase engagement and sales. Daily Routine Vicky’s daily schedule and work-life balance. Effective management of both professional and personal life. Marketing Techniques Importance of detailed property descriptions and quality photography. Various marketing methods explored by Vicky and the hosts. Client Interaction Building personal rapport with clients. How personal interactions can lead to better sales outcomes. Challenges and Opportunities Industry challenges such as competition and market fluctuations. Turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Advice for Aspiring Agents Tips for those looking to enter the real estate industry. Value of starting from the bottom and continuously learning. Follow Vikki's Instagram and TikTok account @vikki.ridler 🔗 Subscribe and watch episodes on our youtube channel **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, we sit down with Ross Allan of Allan Properties to explore various facets of the property market, from financial gains to transitioning into the property business. Ross shares his journey, the challenges he faced, and the strategies that led to his success in both residential and commercial properties.Main Topics:Property Market and Financial GainsChallenges and Impact of COVID-19Transitioning to Property BusinessChallenges in Mortgage and Finding ContactsLessons Learned from...