Scotland is in the midst of a housing emergency — but how did we get here, and what actually needs to change to fix it?

In this episode of The ESPC Property Show, Paul is joined by Fionna Kell, Director of Policy at Homes for Scotland, to unpack the realities behind Scotland’s housing shortage. From planning delays and government policy, to the role of private developers, affordable housing targets and the future of new build homes, this is a wide-ranging and timely conversation.

Fionna explains why this crisis has been decades in the making, why housing needs to be treated as a national priority, and what risks Scotland faces if it fails to create the right environment for home building. The discussion also explores the growing appeal of new build homes, the impact of net zero targets, and the pressure facing SME builders — particularly in rural communities.

Whether you’re a homeowner, first-time buyer, or simply interested in the future of housing in Scotland, this episode provides valuable insight into the challenges — and the reasons for cautious optimism.

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

We're back with part 2 of our First-time Buyer Special for 2025. Paul & Megan are again joined by Tzana Webster (Head of Estate Ageny, Ralph Sayer) and Aileen Venables (Partner, Harper Macleod) who chat through what happens after an offer is accepted as well as busting some property myths. 

If you haven't seen part one, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/myY5e-yWif0

Watch our First-timer Club to learn about the home buying process: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5a0g5ma7LrlGitnnJuaqHd7zml_rk-vB
Read our First-time buyer advice: https://espc.com/advice/first-time-buyers
Find an ESPC solicitor: https://espc.com/find-an-agent

Chapters:
0:00-0:37 Intro
0:37-1:39 What happens after an offer is accepted?
1:39-3:00 What is a title deed?
3:00-4:20 How chains affect the legal process
4:20-5:01 How the money side of things work
5:01-6:03 How can you know you're in a property chain
6:03-6:37 Using a LISA
6:37-7:30 What you can do while your legals are completed
7:30-9:54 Declaring a gifted deposit
9:54-13:48 What costs do you pay as a first-time buyer
13:48-15:55 What are your rights when moving in?
15:55-16:36 Do buyers understimate moving in costs?
16:36-20:24 Picking your move in date
20:24-21:08 What's the one thing first-time buyers should do before a viewing
21:08-21:52 Busting property myths
21:52-24:23 What's one thing makes the most difference to first-time buyers

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

This is one of our most popular episodes of previous seasons - the First-time buyer Special! Here's the first part of our recording with property experts Tzana Webster (Head of Estate Agency, Ralph Sayer) and Aileen Venables (Parter, Harper Macleod) where Paul & Megan find out everything first-time buyers need to know about buying property in the current local market. 

Watch our First-timer Club to learn about the home buying process: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5a0g5ma7LrlGitnnJuaqHd7zml_rk-vB
Read our First-time buyer advice: https://espc.com/advice/first-time-buyers
Find an ESPC solicitor: https://espc.com/find-an-agent

CHAPTERS:
0:00-1:15 Introduction
1:15-4:06 Biggest challenges facing first-time buyers
4:06-8:00 Shifts in buyer behavious
8:00-11:46 Fixer uppers are a lot less popular
11:46-13:25 How early should you contact a solicitor?
13:25-16:31 How can a solicitor help you in the buying process
16:31-17:20 Find out how much you can afford
17:20-18:36 You can't view again after your offer is accepted
18:36-21:40 How many times should you view a property?
21:40-28:38 What is a fair offer?
28:38-30:10 The top offers at closing dates don't always win
30:10-31:38 Why your offer isn't getting accepted

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

In this episode Paul & Megan speak to Nicky Lloyd (Head of Lettings, ESPC Lettings) all about the local rental market including advice for tenants and landlords alike.

Watch all of Nicky's episodes here
Search for an ESPC Lettings rental property here
Get in touch with ESPC Lettings here

0:00-0:55 Intro
0:55-2:06 What's been happening over the summer?
2:06-3:19 Where are the hotspots and what's in demand?
3:19-4:55 What is the current time to let?
4:55-6:25 Are landlords still leaving the market?
6:25-7:02 Should you become a landlord right now?
7:02-7:52 Where's the best place to buy-to-let in Edinburgh?
7:52-9:37 What are the steps to becoming a landlord in Scotland?
9:37-11:28 Should you furnish your rental property?
11:28-14:14 Predictions for the 2026 rental market
14:14-15:25 Advice for becoming a landlord
15:25-16:05 Advice for tenants in Edinburgh

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

In this episode of The ESPC Property Show, Paul & Megan are joined well renowned tax expert, Alan Barr (Partner at Brodies LLP) to discuss Scottish property taxation including Land & Buildings Transaction Tax and Additional Dwelling Supplement. 

Use ESPC's LBTT calculator here: https://espc.com/advice/tools/lbtt-calculator

You can skip to your favourite part here: 
0:00-0:44 Introduction
0:44-2:39 What is LBTT? (and how is it different to stamp duty)
2:39-4:44 How important is LBTT to Scotland's economy?
4:44-6:01 How old is property taxation?
6:01-7:51 LBTT thresholds in Scotland & Stamp Duty in England & Wales
7:51-9:11 Tax reliefs for first-time buyers in Scotland
9:11-10:48 Are there any quirks in the system?
10:48-11:36 How much does LBTT cost a buyer?
11:36-12:49 Paying for ADS when you buy before you sell
12:49-16:44 The recent changes to ADS
16:44-18:51 Who qualifies for ADS?
18:51-19:50 How have ADS changes affected the market?
19:50-22:45 Are the LBTT thresholds still suitable?
22:45-26:24 What can we learn from property tax elsewhere in the world?
26:24-28:49 Ideas for potential reform in LBTT

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

This week's episode is another special episode - Paul & Megan are joined by four ESPC solicitor estate agent member firms to discuss the current property market. From a drop in property listings to the outlook for the Christmas market as well as some insight on where property is moving fast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to subscribe to our channel.  

Skip to the part that's relevant to you:

0:00-0:50 Intro
0:50-3:24 What is happening right now in the property market? 
3:24-4:35 How has the market changed since the start of the year?
4:35-6:53 Why is there less stock on the market?
6:53-9:26 Are sellers taking a wait-and-see approach?
9:26-13:27 What property types and areas are in demand?
13:27-17:16 10% of property sales fall through in Scotland
17:16-22:20 What are sellers' expectations when they come to the market?
22:20-27:14 Should sellers get on the market now or wait until Christmas?
27:14-30:31 What does the next 3 months hold for the market?
30:31-32:37 Hopes for the 2026 market
32:37-33:34 The Edinburgh property market is...

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

On this week's episode of the ESPC Property Show, Paul & Megan are joined by two of the ESPC Mortgages team: David Lauder & Lisa Bell. 

In this episode we chat about:
0:00-0:44 Intro
0:44-2:39 How is the market reacting to the interest rate reductions?
2:39-4:07 What's the average mortgage interest rate at the moment?
4:07-5:16 Do lenders have different criteria for different types of mortgages? 
5:16-7:53 Is it getting easier for first-time buyers to get a mortgage?*
7:53-11:17 Is it easier to move up the property ladder now?
11:17-14:10 Advice for remortgaging right now
14:10-17:00 Are applications for larger mortgages treated differently?
17:00-21:08 Biggest mortgage mistakes right now*
21:08-23:54 A mortgage may not be out of reach
23:54-26:00 Outlook for the rest of 2025
26:00-28:30 Advice for home movers right now

The information contained in this podcast is provided in good faith.
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of the information, no responsibility is accepted
for any errors which, despite our precautions, it may contain.

The initial consultation with an adviser is free and without obligation. 
Thereafter, ESPC Mortgages charges for mortgage advice are usually £395 (£345 for first-time buyers).
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A
MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOANS SECURED AGAINST IT.

ESPC (UK) Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Lyncombe Consultants Ltd which is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

Paul and Megan are back for the sixth season of the ESPC Property Show! In this first episode back, they discuss how the summer property market looked across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders including the properties in highest demand. 

Chapters:
0:00-0:54 Intro
0:54-3:51 What happened in the summer property market?
3:51-5:15 What type of properties were in demand?
5:15-7:05 Top performing areas
7:05-8:00 Has seller confidence improved?
8:00-9:18 How might interest rates affect the market?
9:18-10:15 Predictions for the Autumn market
10:15-11:50 Advice for buyers and sellers in the current market
11:50-12:49 Key takeaways from the summer market
12:49-14:53 What to expect from the rest of the season

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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

In this week's episode, Megan is joined by Paul Demarco from ESPC Mortgages to discuss the insurance that first-time buyers should consider.

They cover everything from how to best prepare to make an offer to what happens once an offer is accepted. 

You can watch this episode on YouTube 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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.

In this week's episode, Megan is joined by Hannah Gaddie, a solicitor at Gillespie Macandrew, and they discuss how to make an offer on a property in Scotland. 

They cover everything from how to best prepare to make an offer to what happens once an offer is accepted. 

Watch the episode on YouTube 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 [email protected] or via our social media channels. You can also help other people find us by sharing the episode or leaving us a review and rating from wherever you're listening!

To find out more about ESPC and our solicitor estate agent member firms, you can head to our website.

You can read our most recent house reports here: http://bit.ly/3CQlEQw

Read the latest news from the property market in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders here: http://bit.ly/3IPOR1T

ESPC is more than just a market leading property website. We are the home of property and are here to help you at every stage of your property journey.