In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Kyle Black returns one year after his last appearance to share what has been a transformational 12 months for his property business, BLK. Kyle breaks down how he scaled rapidly, built an integrated “one-stop shop” model for investors, and why accountability, transparency, and long-term relationships sit at the core of everything he does.

This episode is a deep dive into real portfolio growth, business structure, and what it actually takes to scale sustainably in today’s market.

🚀 Rapid Portfolio Growth in Just 12 Months

-Kyle reveals that he and his business partner, Mark, acquired 21 properties in a single year, taking their total portfolio to 29 units.

-Major acquisitions include a £2.2 million HMO portfolio in Glasgow’s West End and a block of nine flats in Helensburgh.

-Kyle explains the operational challenges that come with scaling at speed and why systems become non-negotiable.

🏢 Building BLK as a One-Stop Shop for Investors

-BLK has evolved from a sourcing business into a fully integrated group offering property sourcing, lettings, and a traditional estate agency.

-The aim is to support investors end-to-end — from acquisition to management to refinance.

-Kyle also shares plans to eventually add a mortgage brokerage to complete the full investor journey.

🔁 Focusing on Long-Term Investor Relationships

-Rather than selling one-off deals, BLK works with investors looking to scale large portfolios.

-Kyle explains how sourcing, letting, and refinancing under one brand creates alignment and long-term trust.

-This approach allows BLK to grow alongside its clients.

📋 Accountability Through Lettings

-Launching a letting agency was a deliberate move to increase accountability.

-By managing the properties he sources, Kyle ensures that rental figures and valuations quoted upfront are realistic and achievable.

-This removes the temptation to oversell deals just to win business.

🤝 Clear Roles Within the Business Partnership

-Kyle positions himself as the face of the brand and lead generator, focusing on relationships and growth.

-His partner, Mark — an accountant by trade — handles the financial modelling, numbers, and operational detail.

-The clarity of roles has been key to scaling efficiently.

🏠 Innovative Staging Partnership

-Kyle recently partnered with Ellie Black to offer a flexible staging solution for developers.

-Staging and estate agency fees can be deferred until the property sells, easing cash flow during refurbishments.

-The goal is to maximise sale prices without increasing upfront pressure.

🤖 AI, Technology & the Future of Property

-Kyle discusses the role of AI in modern property businesses, including AI receptionists to handle high volumes of tenant calls.

-He also touches on virtual staging tools like “nano banana”, while explaining why physical staging still wins during viewings.

🔍 Radical Transparency in Property Management

-BLK’s letting agency operates with full transparency, using an online maintenance portal.

-Landlords can view videos of reported issues and see actual contractor invoices, not estimates.

-Kyle believes transparency is essential for trust at scale.

🧠 Modest Living & Reinvesting for Growth

-Despite rapid success, Kyle avoids lifestyle inflation.

-He continues to live in a one-bedroom flat, reinvesting profits back into the business.

-Luxury cars and flashy offices are avoided in favour of sustainable, long-term growth.