The ESPC Property Show

In this week's episode of ESPC's First-timers Club, we're sharing a real life first-time buyer story. Sam has recently purchased his first home with his fiancée in Rosyth, and he joins Megan to chat through his experience of buying in a busy Fife market, his advice to other first-time buyers and how to move on after a rejected offer.  You can watch the episode on YouTube here.   Got...

In this week's episode of ESPC's First-timers Club we are talking about LBTT (Land & Buildings Transaction Tax) with Gavin Pearson, a solicitor at Mov8 Real Estate. It's likely you may have heard of Stamp Duty - a tax payable on the purchase of a property, but do you know what LBTT is? LBTT is Scotland's version of Stamp Duty. During this episode Gavin debunks what LBTT is,...

In this week's episode of ESPC's First-timers Club we are talking about Home Reports. Megan is joined by Kirsten Nicolson, a Director at DM Hall.  In Scotland, it is a legal requirement for sellers to have a Home Report for their property. This allows prospective buyers the chance to find out more about the structural condition of the home and alerts them to any issues that they face if...

In this week's episode of ESPC's First-timers Club we are talking about appointing a solicitor. Megan is joined by Keri VanderburgSole, a Partner at Blair Cadell.  In Scotland, it is a legal requirement to use a solicitor when buying a property. A solicitor will make offers on your behalf and can provide advice and support throughout the process.  During this episode Keri explains why fi...

Welcome back to the ESPC first-timers club!  In this episode we discuss the process of applying for a mortgage including how to work out your budget, how to find out about your credit score and the best ways to save money for a deposit. The initial consultation with an ESPC Mortgages adviser is free and without obligation. Thereafter, ESPC Mortgages charges for mortgage advice are usually £395 (£3...

While Paul & Megan take a break for the summer months, we'll be dropping episodes from our "First-timers Club" mini series. It's the ultimate companion for first-time buyers in Scotland.  If you would like to watch the episode in video form, you can watch it on our YouTube channel here .  In this first episode Megan chats to ESPC Mortgages advisor, David Lauder, about the b...

On this week's episode, Paul & Megan are joined by Niall Hedderman of  @RealLifeArchitecture to discuss renovating and reimagining the unique properties of Edinburgh.  This is the final episode of the podcast for this season! Before we return in September with more episodes, we're going to share our mini-series the "First-timers Club" which is our guide to buying a property...

In this week's episode, Paul & Megan discuss the latest ESPC House Price Report which covers the property market activity from March to May 2025. You can read the full report here . Got a question for us? Send us a text message! Enjoy the episode? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions and comments to us directly on marketing@espc.com or via our social media channels. You ca...

With just under a year to go until the Scottish Election, Paul & Megan are joined by political analyst, Andy Maciver to discuss what the next 12 months may hold in store for the political landscape.  Got a question for us? Send us a text message! Enjoy the episode? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions and comments to us directly on marketing@espc.com or via our social media cha...

In today's episode, Paul & Megan are joined by solicitor Jill Andrews to discuss the challenges and trends for foreign nationals looking to buy property in Scotland in 2025.  Here's our jargon-busting guides to buying a property in Scotland: What is a Closing Date?  What is a Home Report? How to read a Home Report? Appointing a solicitor in Scotland What is LBTT?  How to make an offe...

This week's episode is a special one - Paul & Megan are joined by four ESPC solicitor estate agent member firms to discuss the current property market. From the properties that are in high demand to the best places for first-time buyer as well as the current climate for landlords and the issue with conveyancing - they leave no stone unturned.  If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us...

In this episode of the ESPC Property Show, Paul and Megan are joined by returning guest Nicky Lloyd, Head of Lettings at ESPC Lettings. They cover some new ground in this discussion including advice for new landlords, why more and more homeowners are opting to rent their properties instead of sell and how much rent should be priced at. Got a question for us? Send us a text message! Enjoy the episo...

On this week's episode of the podcast, Paul & Megan are chatting through the latest updated from the local property market including the rapid speed that Dunfermline homes are selling at, as well as the outlook for house prices across the rest of the year, and a deep dive into the proposed Seafield regeneration plan. Resources mentioned: ESPC House Price Report Seafield regeneration plan...

Is a 5% deposit still enough for first-time buyers to get on the ladder? How much do you need to earn to qualify for a million pound mortgage? Will the Bank of England base rate reduction affect your mortgage as a homeowner?  All of these questions (and more!) are answered in this episode of the ESPC Property Show!  In this episode, Paul & Megan are joined by returning guests - David Lauder &a...

The ESPC Property Show is back for 2025! Can you believe we're on to our fifth season of the show?! And this new season comes with some slight changes. Episodes will now run fortnightly, and every month you'll get a deep dive on the local market with Paul & Megan. This week we discuss what's been going on in the local property market across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & th...

We're back for a bonus episode! Paul breaks down what he expects to see in the property market across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders in 2025.  From what's going to happen to interest rates, house prices and selling times, plus much more! Skip to your favourite part: 0:00-0:43 Intro 0:43-3:42 The future of interest rates in 2025 3:42-5:30 An increase in property sa...

In the season finale, Paul & Megan are joined by Jan from Hastings to discuss the local market in the Scottish Borders. They discuss how the market has changed since 2020, reasons to live south of Edinburgh and how English stamp duty changes may affect the market.  Skip to the part that's relevant to you: Got a question for us? Send us a text message! Enjoy the episode? We'd love to...

On this week's episode of the podcast, Paul & Megan chat to Andy Lewis (John Scott Davidson Ltd) explains what the current rules are around inheritance tax in the UK including when it is payable, who is liable to pay it and some tax efficient measures to take.  Skip to the part most relevant to you:  0:00-1:44 Intro 1:44-4:27 What is inheritance tax?   4:27-8:48 Who pays inheritance tax?...

In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Elaine Kyle (Morgans) and Michael Maloco (Maloco Mowat Parker) about the local market in West Fife.  They discuss the affordability of the area, their Fife hidden gems and what the 2025 property outlook is for the area.  Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-1:10 Intro 1:40-4:41 Where are the key areas in Fife? 4:41-6:30 How is the West Fi...

On this week's episode Paul & Megan chat to Alistair Ewing (Managing Director at The Lending Channel) about bridging finance. What is bridging finance? It's a form of borrowing that allows property buyers to fund their purchase while they put their current home on the market.  Skip to the part that's relevant to you: 0:00-1:48 Intro 1:48-2:45 What is a bridging loan? 2:45-3:26 W...

In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Amy Howard from Neilsons and Lisa Connolly from McDougall McQueen about the local market in Midlothian.  They discuss the booming market in Bonnyrigg, why you should invest in Gorebridge and what the 2025 property outlook is for the area.  Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-1:32 Intro 1:32-4:50 Where is Midlothian? 4:50-6:57 Midlothian&...

In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Jamie Sole from Blair Cadell about the current property sales market in Edinburgh. Jamie gives advice to local sellers on how to prepare for a valuation, tips for conducting property viewings as well as an outlook on the best time to sell.  Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-0:47 Intro 0:47-5:47 The dos and don'ts of selling your p...

In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat to Graham White from Anderson Strathern about the local market in East Lothian.  They discuss the lack of "for sale" property, what's in demand and how the market differs in East Lothian from Edinburgh.  Skip to the bit most relevant to you: 0:00-0:38 Intro 0:38-1:45 Property market activity in East Lothian  1:45-2:31 Sub-markets ac...

In this week's episode, Megan & Paul chat through the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders. They chat with David Marshall (Warners), Caitlin Keegan (Gillespie Macandrew) and Tracey French (ELP) about purchasing subject to sale, the increase of property chains and good news for first-time buyers. Skip to the bit most relevant to you...

In this week's episode, Paul and Megan are joined by Mark Griffin MSP to discuss Scotland's Housing Emergency as well as the recent Housing Bill, the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill and his thoughts on how government should help first-time buyers. Mark Griffin has been an MSP for Central Scotland (Region) since 2011. He is also currently Scottish Labour's Spokesperson for Housing an...