100th episode & our top 10 pieces of property advice

Topics

Key Takeaways

  • The ESPC Property Show celebrates its 100th episode, reflecting on 82 guests, key advice, and ESPC’s 55-year history, showing how both the organisation and Scottish property market have evolved.
  • Before buying, know what you can afford. Speak to a mortgage broker to budget for the deposit, purchase price, fees, surveys, taxes, and ongoing bills. Document any gifted deposits to avoid delays.
  • Declutter and style your home before selling. Simple touches like cushions, plants, and fully made beds help buyers imagine themselves living there and improve marketing photos.
  • Understand cohabitation laws in Scotland. “Common law marriage” isn’t recognised, so couples have no automatic rights. A Will is essential to protect your intentions and reduce uncertainty.
  • Garden design can be costly but adds value. Labour for a typical three-week project may cost £13,000–£14,000, with full designs reaching £30,000–£40,000, making it a strong investment for resale.

 

In this special milestone episode of the ESPC Property Show podcast, Megan and Paul celebrate the show’s 100th episode, reflecting on an impressive run of consistency that has seen 82 individual guests featured. We look back on standout advice from past episodes while also marking ESPC’s upcoming 55th anniversary, charting how both the organisation and the Scottish property market have evolved over decades, from average house prices of just £3,617 in 1971 to today’s significantly higher values.

Watch the episode here↓

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Key Insights

The cost of garden design

Garden design can be a significant financial commitment, with labour alone for a typical three-week build costing around £13,000 - £14,000 and full projects often reaching £30,000 - £40,000. While this can be a barrier for younger homeowners, a thoughtfully designed garden is seen as a strong investment that can boost property value and help homes sell more quickly.

Cohabitation laws in Scotland

Scotland does not recognise “common law marriage,” meaning couples gain no automatic legal rights regardless of how long they live together. While longer relationships may support certain financial claims - particularly in the event of death - cohabitation does not change legal status, making it vital to have a Will in place to reduce uncertainty and protect intentions.

Making the first move as a first-time buyer

The first step for aspiring buyers is understanding what they can afford by speaking to a mortgage broker. Beyond the deposit and purchase price, buyers should budget for costs such as Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, legal and mortgage fees, surveys, furnishings, council tax, factoring charges, and ongoing household bills, while ensuring gifted deposits are properly documented to avoid compliance delays.

Getting your home ready to sell

Decluttering is essential to depersonalise a home and help buyers imagine themselves living there. Simple, affordable styling updates - such as adding cushions or throws, introducing plants or flowers, and ensuring beds are fully dressed - can significantly improve a property’s visual appeal and how it is presented in marketing photos.

Creating a homeowners association

Homeowner associations can be formal or informal, even starting as a simple group chat, but effective collaboration depends on understanding shared responsibilities. Owners should review their title deeds to clarify obligations for common areas like roofs and stairwells, while recognising that unclear or missing provisions around cost-sharing, voting, or garden maintenance can create challenges.

What is a Home Report?

A Home Report, introduced in Scotland in 2008, is designed to streamline the buying process and reduce repeated surveys. Paid for by the seller, it includes a condition report with graded findings, a mortgage valuation, an Energy Performance Certificate, and a seller-completed property questionnaire, all of which must be provided to prospective buyers.

When you pay inheritance tax

Inheritance tax can apply to gifts, but individuals can use a £3,000 annual gifting allowance, with the option to carry unused allowance forward for one year. Most gifts are treated as potentially exempt transfers, meaning they fall outside the donor’s estate if they survive for seven years after making the gift.

First-time buyer deposit requirements

Mortgage lenders often accept deposits as low as 5%, although 10 - 15% remains more typical. Gifted deposits from family members are increasingly common, but buyers relying on smaller deposits need strong credit profiles, as lenders apply greater scrutiny due to the higher risk and lower equity.

Where overseas buyers are coming from

Scottish property continues to attract international buyers, with owners recorded from 166 countries. The largest groups come from the United States, Hong Kong, and Australia, with the strong US dollar making Scotland particularly appealing and contributing to a surge in American buyers.

The role of architects in home buying

Although architects are not commonly involved in the UK home-buying process, they can add substantial value by helping buyers envision how a property can be adapted to suit modern lifestyles. By focusing on layout, flow, and the balance between private and social spaces, architects ensure homes are tailored to individual needs rather than relying on generic design solutions.