News & Legal Updates

I am very pleased to announce that our website has been nominated for a DADI in the category of Professional Services Website or Campaign (DADI stands for Drum Awards for Digital Industries). The DADI attract entries from some of the biggest brands in the UK including Adidas, Channel 4, BBC, Lucozade, Red Bull, Wonderbra, Tennents, … Continue reading "Embracing new technology in the property market"

It was interesting to hear that Paragon, which was one of the largest buy to let lenders during the housing boom, is returning to the market for the first time in 18 months. Paragon has arranged a £200m facility provided by Macquarie Bank which gives Paragon the money it needs to write new loans up … Continue reading "Major lender returns to buy to let market"

I was concerned to hear that the number of mortgages for home buyers fell in August for the third month in a row. Demand for mortgages continues to be weak despite more properties coming on the market. Currently in Dundee and Angus there are 20% more properties coming on the market than there are sales. … Continue reading "Bank mortgage approvals"

A recent survey by LSL Property Services reported that average rents in the UK have reached their highest level for 2 years, a statistic which matches my experience of the Dundee and Angus property market. Mortgage funding for first time buyers continues to be difficult to come by, meanwhile parents are becoming less able to … Continue reading "Dundee’s buy to let investment opportunities"

With house prices at very attractive levels compared to valuation and extremely low interest rates you would think that this would be an ideal time for first time buyers to enter into the market.  However, due to constrictions with lending and a degree of economic uncertainty there has been a dearth of first time buyers … Continue reading "Help needed urgently for first time buyers"

I have been reading with interest the various reports that have come out in the last few weeks detailing the state of the Scottish housing market. All with the exception of a report from the Daily Express have been full of doom and gloom, indicating house price falls and activity levels down. As I mentioned … Continue reading "The housing market – home or away?"

I don’t usually use this blog to promote my firm’s initiatives, however, I am particularly excited about the launch of our new web-based client interaction area.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, I’m confident that technology will play an increasingly important role in the marketing of a property, and the data that can be … Continue reading "Technology, technology, technology"

Is the property market as seasonal as it once was?  My answer to that question is ‘no’ – it has been much flatter and steadier during the past 12 months.  However, there are still some key points in the year which may be of interest to you. At the end of January/beginning of February there … Continue reading "A seasonal property market?"

I watched with interest the BBC Panorama investigation in respect of private Will writing companies which has also lead a Scottish Government Minister to call for protection throughout the whole of the UK.  The Scottish Government is legislating to offer greater protection to the consumer in respect of Wills which will come into effect next year.  … Continue reading "Where there’s a Will, there’s a way – Part 2"

Following a recent discussion with a client who was selling his property,  I was reminded of how much technical information and data is available to selling agents and how useful this can be when planning a marketing campaign for a property. The client’s property had been on the market for some time but had generated little interest.  I had a meeting with our Estate Agent who was … Continue reading "Using technology to sell your property"