In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven are joined by Taimur Malik, a former finance professional turned property investor, who shares his powerful journey from financial rock bottom to building a 7-figure portfolio.

After losing his job and facing a serious health crisis, Taimur found himself over £100,000 in debt and unable to walk. But through discipline, long-term thinking, and smart investing, he’s now on the path to full financial freedom—using a combination of property, stocks, and pensions.

This is a refreshingly honest and insightful conversation about building wealth slowly, understanding financial resilience, and why property is just one part of the bigger picture.

Episode Highlights:

📉 From Crisis to Clarity

• Losing his job at BlackRock and the moment his health collapsed

• How being in debt and housebound pushed him to take control of his finances

• Starting from scratch after moving to the UK with just £500

📈 Wealth Building Through Property

• Building a 9-property buy-to-let portfolio with a BRR strategy

• What he looks for in deals: cashflow, long-term demand, and sustainable lending

• Why he pivoted away from short-term lets in Edinburgh

📊 The Bigger Wealth Picture

• Why Taimur is just as passionate about stocks and pensions as property

• Understanding compound growth and why time in the market is more important than timing the market

• How small monthly investments add up to millions over time

🧠 Mindset & Financial Strategy

• Why more money doesn’t solve money problems—discipline does

• How to think like an investor, not a speculator

• The difference between income, wealth, and financial freedom

🧰 Tips for New Investors

• Don’t chase cashflow alone—look for balanced returns

• Invest in learning, not just property

• Think long-term and avoid get-rich-quick traps

This is a refreshingly honest and insightful conversation about building wealth slowly, understanding financial resilience, and why property is just one part of the bigger picture.

----------------------------------------------------Know someone looking to sell? Send the guys at Prime a message now: https://wa.me/447938603856----------------------------------------------------

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with John and Luis from Prime Property to explore what it really takes to build a successful career in the property industry. Fresh off a business development trip to Las Vegas, the duo shares what they learned from one of the top business minds in the world and how they’re applying it to grow their Glasgow-based business.

This episode pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to work at Prime Property, how they train and incentivize their team, and why they believe building a high-performance sales culture is the key to long-term success. Whether you're a young person trying to break into the industry or an agency owner trying to attract top talent, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.

🎯 Episode Highlights:

💼 Lessons from Las Vegas

• ​John and Luis reflect on the $20k business mastermind in Vegas
• ​Key insight: Identify the real bottleneck holding your business back
• ​How free value leads to long-term client trust and conversions

🚀 Careers in Property

• ​The real path for young people looking to get into property
• ​Why starting in a full-time job can fast-track your growth more than deal sourcing on the side
• ​Skills that matter most: coachability, confidence, communication

📞 Inside Prime Property

• ​What makes a top performer: 10+ property sales per month and a £10k payday
• ​Their transparent commission model and training systems
• ​Creating a culture of hustle, growth, and long-term opportunity

📊 Self-Employed Estate Agency Debate

• ​The pros and cons of the Keller Williams / EXP model
• ​Why low-value Scottish properties make self-employed models risky
• ​Building security and volume through a salaried + commission structure

👥 Recruiting and Building Teams

• ​The importance of video interviews, confidence, and likeability in hiring
• ​Why Prime looks for hungry individuals—not just qualifications
• ​How they support personal property investment within the team

This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering a career in property—or those trying to grow and lead a property business. John and Luis bring energy, honesty, and real-world insights into what it takes to succeed. If you’re thinking of joining the industry or trying to level up your team, this is the roadmap.

----------------------------------------------------

Know someone looking to sell?

Send the guys at Prime a message now!

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#scottishpropertypodcast #propertycareers #primeproperty #propertyjobs #salesculture #dealflow #lettingslife #propertyinvestmentuk #propertytraining #scotlandbusiness #estateagencycareer

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven are joined by Colin Macmillan, managing director of Glasgow Property Letting, for a deep dive into what’s really happening across the Scottish property market.

With interest rates expected to shift, rents showing signs of cooling, and new legislation looming, this episode breaks down the latest data and trends affecting both investors and landlords.

Colin brings hands-on insight from managing over 300 properties, giving a grounded perspective on how landlords and letting agents are navigating the current landscape.

Key Highlights:

📉 Scottish House Prices & Sales Volumes

• Where property values are holding up — and where they’re slipping

• Why sales volumes have dropped despite buyer demand still being there

• The widening affordability gap, especially for FTBs and low-income earners

🏠 Rental Market Trends

• Annual rent growth down to 5.6% — and why that’s not a bad thing

• Signs of softening demand and increased supply in certain regions

• Why 2025 will expose landlords who haven't adjusted to market realities

📊 Lettings Insight from the Ground

• Landlords pushing unrealistic rent increases — and what agents are saying

• How tenants are negotiating harder and shopping around more than ever

• The shift towards fixed rents and longer tenancies

🏢 Student Accommodation Boom

• Record number of PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) units under construction

• What this means for HMO landlords and the wider rental market

• Will Glasgow run out of student tenants?

🔧 Legislation, Licensing & Market Pressure

• Highland Council cracking down on short-term lets

• Colin’s view on EPC requirements, ADS, and compliance fatigue

• Why government policy continues to hurt affordability instead of helping it

#scottishpropertypodcast #propertymarketupdate #rentalmarket #glasgowproperty #landlordtips #scottishhousingcrisis #propertyinvestment #colinmacmillan #studentaccommodation #hmoinvesting #ukpropertymarket #lettingagentlife

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Eoin Baillie, a former gas engineer from West Lothian who’s now one of Dubai’s top-performing real estate brokers. After years in the Scottish property scene, Eoin made a bold move to the UAE — with no contacts, no leads, and 14 suitcases to his name.

Today, he’s earning up to £100K per month in commissions, brokering multi-million-dirham deals, and running a high-performing team in one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets.

Episode Highlights:

🏠 Life Before Dubai

• How Eoin got started in property in Scotland

• His experience in construction, lettings, flips, and service accommodation

• Why he decided to walk away from his UK portfolio to start fresh

✈️ Taking the Leap to Dubai

• What it really costs to relocate — and why £25K is the minimum buffer

• Leaving with 14 suitcases and no guarantee of income

• Why his first 6 months nearly broke him

💼 Building a Business in Dubai Real Estate

• The difference between “glamorous” Dubai real estate and the actual grind

• Working 14-hour days, handling rejection, and building a name from scratch

• The deal that changed everything — and pulled him back from quitting

📈 Making £100K Months in Commission

• The mindset shift needed to go from chasing rent to chasing multi-million dirham deals

• The value of showing up every day — even when the pipeline is empty

• How social media helped him stand out in a crowded market

🧠 Mindset, Struggles & Growth

• Why Dubai is a pressure cooker — and not for everyone

• The emotional toll of starting from zero

• Eoin’s honest take on mental health, family sacrifice, and staying grounded

----------------------------------------------------

Know someone looking to sell?

Send the guys at Prime a message now!

----------------------------------------------------

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Angus Johnston, founder of LetUs, a Glasgow-based letting agency specialising in HMOs. Angus shares his fascinating journey from aspiring investment banker and full-time wedding singer to building a business managing over 120 properties – with a strong focus on the student HMO market in Glasgow.

Episode Highlights:

🏡 From Accountant to Letting Agent

• Why Angus walked away from PwC and investment banking to sing full-time

• How COVID derailed his music career and pushed him into property management

📈 Building an HMO Business from the Ground Up

• How he started with 7 properties (including his own and his brother’s)

• Scaling during lockdown with creative hustle and a sharp student focus

🔥 The Realities of Running HMOs in Scotland

• Why group lets, not room-by-room, are the standard in Scottish HMO setups

• How legislation, like the PRT, impacts lease structure and management

• Common tenant challenges — from broken vacuums to surprise guests…

📊 Crunching the HMO Numbers

• What it actually costs to convert a flat into an HMO (licensing, refurbs, furnishing)

• Why capital growth in prime locations like Glasgow’s West End makes it worth it

• The sweet spot for profitability (hint: 4- and 5-bed flats)

🏛️ Licensing & Council Process

• The reality of 12-month lead times for new HMO licences

• Key differences between existing vs. new licence applications

• How to avoid pitfalls with HMO layout, kitchens, and fire safety

🛠️ Maintenance, Void Periods, and Managing Expectations

• Budgeting £1,000+/year in maintenance and planning for 11-month lets

• Managing expectations with tenants, neighbours, and property owners

In this episode, Nick and Steven sit down with brothers Calum and Connor Clark, two investors who’ve built a thriving, family-run property business across multiple strategies — from buy-to-let and HMOs to commercial conversions and hospitality.

Episode Highlights:

🏘️ Starting Out in Property

• How they got into property without quitting their day jobs.

• The first flip project — and how it led to long-term investing

• Early challenges and how they gained experience through hands-on learning

💼 Building a Scalable Portfolio

• Focused on delivering high-quality accommodation in Dundee, Arbroath, and surrounding areas

• Tips for systematising property management in a family-run business

🏨 Hospitality & Guesthouse Strategy

• Operating a 6-bed luxury guesthouse in Arbroath with strong year-round occupancy

• Their approach to customer service, direct bookings, and standing out from Airbnb competition

• How hospitality feeds into their overall brand and business

🤝 Family Business Dynamics

• Balancing different skill sets and personalities as siblings

• The importance of communication, defined roles, and mutual respect

• What makes their partnership work — and how they handle conflict

----------------------------------------------------------

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.

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📩 Email us:

Steven@steven-clark.com

Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this wide-ranging and entertaining episode, Nick and Steven are joined once again by property investor and entrepreneur Davy Hutton. Known for his straight-talking approach, Davy gives us a raw, honest update on the state of the property market, social inequality, and why the rules are no longer built for the everyday investor.

He opens up about mental health, the inspiration behind his new spoken word music album, and why he believes being vulnerable is more powerful than pretending to have it all figured out.

Episode Highlights:

🧠 Mental Health & Identity

• Why Davy created a spoken word album during lockdown

• Growing up with undiagnosed anxiety and how he "faked" his way through social life

• The dangers of today’s isolated digital world for young men

• Why sharing your struggles can open the door for others

🏠 Property Market Commentary

• What’s really happening with supply and demand in Scotland

• Why the West End of Glasgow is still flying, but everywhere else is flatlining

• A 3-bed property with just one viewer: is buyer sentiment collapsing?

• The silent shift: from accidental landlords to corporate investors

📊 UK Economic Realities

• Inflation, council tax, and the slow death of the middle class

• Why local authorities and governments are “burst” – and what that means for housing

• Davy’s take on wealth inequality, tax, and why the 95% are getting squeezed

• Should the rich pay more tax? Davy’s controversial but clear answer

💬 Culture, Politics & Society

• The illusion of free speech in the age of social media venom

• How our tribal need to "belong" drives dangerous thinking

• Why politicians are no longer leaders – just mouthpieces for corporate agendas

🐍 Snake Stories & Pet Policies

• From lost pythons to rescue chickens – Davy’s home is a full-blown zoo

• Why he supports tenants having pets – and why the Greens might have a point

• How professional landlords should treat tenants like real people

----------------------------------------------------------

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.

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📩 Email us:

Steven@steven-clark.com

Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven are joined by Andrew and Chris from Brightstone Property, returning two years after their first appearance to share how they went from flips and serviced accommodation to delivering a 30-unit commercial business centre in Falkirk.

They break down how they financed, developed, and filled the building — including the challenges of a six-figure refurb budget overrun, raising private investor finance through a SAS pension, and how the project has now grown into a profitable commercial asset and full-time business.

Whether you're curious about commercial conversions, raising finance, or building a scalable property business, this episode delivers real talk, numbers, and lessons from two investors who are making it happen.

Episode Highlights

🏢 From Resi Flips to Commercial Conversions

• Started with residential flips and serviced accommodation

• Decided to pivot to larger commercial deals for scale and shared income

• Acquired a 7,500 sq. ft. building in Falkirk for £310K

• Transformed it into a 30-unit business centre (Brightstone Spaces)

💰 Funding the Project

• Raised finance through a private SAS pension investor

• Structured the deal to buy with investor funds and fund the refurb from profits

• Managed a refurb budget of £260K (which went £100K over!)

• Maintained investor trust through regular updates and repaid on time

🔧 Overcoming Operational Challenges

• Refurb included full rewiring, new fire systems, secure entry, and high-spec internet

• Filled the ground floor in 12 weeks via a hands-on marketing approach

• Achieved 97% occupancy, generating £17K/month gross rent

• Refinanced the building at £840K with a 70% LTV

📈 Growth into Property Management

• Now managing three additional commercial sites for Liberty Space

• Offering management services for other commercial landlords

• Building a hybrid business model combining property ownership with operational income

• Planning to acquire their next building while scaling their management arm

From modest residential flips to managing over 30 commercial tenants and multiple buildings, Andrew and Chris have completely transformed their business over the past two years. This episode is full of valuable lessons on financing, scaling, and building long-term credibility — all while remaining hands-on, humble, and community-focused.

----------------------------------------------------------

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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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