Whether you're inspired by Grand Designs or not, building your own home can be a very satisfying and cost-effective way of getting what you want. Even the Scottish government wants to help. Find out more about getting a self-build loan in Scotland... Self-build loan in Scotland
Evidence of damp in a property is one of the biggest concerns for potential buyers, with a recent survey indicating that 75% of people reported they would be put off buying a home that displayed signs of damp. If you are buying or selling a home then it makes sense to arm yourself with the [...]
In plain English A closing date is the deadline for offers from anyone interested in buying your property. In a way, it’s a kind of blind auction, as every potential buyer won’t know about any of the other offers. And in a rising housing market, this can mean solicitors acting for buyers will try to [...]
In recent months the number of enquiries regarding what to do with property investment portfolios has increased markedly. There is no doubt one of the main reasons for this is the gradual phasing out of income tax relief for loan interest and other finance costs on residential/buy-to-let properties. Until April 2017, taxpayers obtained relief for [...]
At the start of December 2017, The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 introduced the Private Residential Tenancy (PRT), in a bid to regulate the private rented sector. It only affects new tenancies created on or after 1 December 2017 – any short assured or assured tenancy agreement granted on or before this date will [...]
An Equity Release Mortgage can offer all sorts of freedoms, like unlocking the money tied up in your home and the lifestyle benefits for you and your loved ones. But it’s not all good news. Equity Release can stack up a lot of interest and put unfair pressure on your children. What is a Lifetime [...]
Buy–to–let portfolio holders with more than 4 properties will be subject to cross portfolio checks to prove their overall borrowing still affordable. This continues the pressure on private landlords as the Government seeks to reduce the amateurs in the sector and pushes to release housing back for owner occupiers and move renters into dedicated PRS [...]
H M Government’s launch of the Help to Buy ISA on 1st December 2015, has given many potential First Time Buyers the opportunity to save up to £12,000 and to then benefit from a 25% boost from the Government. In order to benefit from the maximum bonus of £3,000, individuals will have to save for [...]
If saving to buy your first home, why not take advantage of the new Help to Buy ISA sponsored by HM Government, launched on 1st December 2015. Your savings will be boosted by 25% if you have accumulated over £1,600 in your ISA up to a maximum of £12,000, representing a bonus of between £400 [...]
Central 1 bed flats have formed part our own investment strategy for the last 20 years and we have constantly recommended these as an entry level for any would be investor. Tenant demand is constant due to Edinburgh having a large transient population and of course the increasing number of single person households. Gorgie/Dalry is [...]