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Glasgow, Hints & Tips, Selling, West End
Top Tips for Selling with Glasgow West End Estate Agents
Top Tips for Selling with Glasgow West End Estate Agents Discover why selling with expert Glasgow West End Estate Agents can help you make a quick and profitable sale. Glasgow’s West End is a lively, bohemian area popular with uni students and young professionals. Boasting beautiful Victorian architecture, independent shops, museums and galleries, trendy cafes and bars, and leafy parks, it’s one of the most in-demand areas of the city. If you have a property here and want to sell it quickly and at the best possible price, read on. Here are our top tips for selling your Glasgow West End property. 4 tips for selling with Glasgow West End Estate Agents 1. Sell in the Spring While demand continues to outstrip supply in the West End, you’ll receive more interest if you sell during the Spring. Most home-movers start looking for properties in March, April, and May. You can expect increased competition between buyers at this time, giving you the best chance of sealing a profitable deal. Plus, the nicer weather makes spring a great time of year to put your West End property on the market. 2. Shortlist reputable Glasgow West End estate agents To boost your chances of getting the price you want for your property, it makes sense to work with established Glasgow West End estate agents. Find local estate agents with a proven track record of selling properties like yours in the West End. Invite your shortlisted estate agents to the property to conduct a valuation and discuss how they’d market it effectively. A good estate agent will market your property via a range of methods, from advertising it on websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla to email marketing and social media. 3. Identify potential buyers The key to preparing, marketing and selling your property is understanding your potential buyers. The best strategy is to keep the widest pool of buyers in mind, since the more potential buyers you have, the more likely you are to receive offers. Fortunately, as one of Glasgow’s favourite residential areas, property in the West End is constantly sought after by students, young professionals, and families alike. Since Glasgow University is here, some parts are popular with students and faculty, including Hillhead, Dowanhill, and Partick. This means students or parents of students are likely to be amongst those most interested in your property. 4. Prepare your home for sale Glasgow West End estate agents can help you prepare your home for sale, giving you the best possible chance of selling it quickly and at the best price. As well as arranging a home report for the property (a legal requirement in Scotland), we can also advise on carrying out maintenance and repairs and styling and staging. We can advise you on how to decorate rooms so the property is showcased in the best light and appeals to the aspirations of your ideal buyer. For expert assistance selling a property in Glasgow’s popular West End, get in touch with our team today. Let us do your viewings it takes the stress off you and we know the market. We can carry out viewings at weekends too allowing you time to relax.
Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, HMO Properties, Letting, Student Accommodation
Why We’re the Best Edinburgh Letting Agents for Students
Why We’re the Best Edinburgh Letting Agents for Students Searching for Edinburgh letting agents for students? Look no further! As a student embarking on the college or university experience, you have some big choices to make. One of these is where you’ll live while you’re there. The truth is, your choice of accommodation can have a major impact on your enjoyment of student life. Not only should it be safe, secure, and clean, but it should be within close proximity of the main college or uni buildings. For this reason, it makes sense to work with a reputable Edinburgh letting agent for students. At Cairn, we’ve been helping students find suitable accommodation in the city since 1999, building a fantastic reputation for our professional, caring services. Why we’re the best Edinburgh letting agents for students Expert assistance for student tenants Believe it or not, some letting agents in Edinburgh won’t help student tenants. At Cairn, it’s something we specialise in, with our team helping hundreds of students source accommodation every year. There’s nothing we enjoy more than helping students find the perfect place to live whilst studying in this fantastic city. We offer support and assistance every step of the way, from viewing student properties to reporting repairs once you’ve moved in. We provide the link between you and the landlord, with our team working in your best interests throughout the whole tenancy. Edinburgh’s top HMO experts Many students opt to live in an HMO property in Edinburgh. Often, this is a good move, especially as it allows you to split the bills several ways depending on how many people live there. This makes it much more affordable than many other accommodation options. Living in an HMO is also a fantastic way to meet new friends in the city. Of course, not all HMOs are of the same standard. That’s why it’s best to contact us to help you find an HMO that’s fully licensed and regularly inspected. We are HMO specialists in Edinburgh & Glasgow, working with many reputable HMO landlords in the city. Your local letting agent At Cairn, we’re proudly local, with our team committed to serving those living, working, and studying in the city of Edinburgh. You’ll find us on Haymarket Terrace, not far from the main university buildings. Our strong local presence means we’re always on hand to deal with any issues right away. Living away from home for the first time can be daunting, however, you can relax in the knowledge that you have an experienced Edinburgh letting agent on hand to assist you in any way we can. Simply pop into the office and let us know how we can help. We have a first-class knowledge of the city, which means we’re best-placed to help you find the perfect student accommodation. Cairn: Your Edinburgh letting agents Finding the right accommodation in Edinburgh can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time living away from home. Fortunately, Cairn is on hand to help you find the right student let in the city, helping you settle into your new flat in no time at all. Get in touch today to find out more.
News
PRESS RELEASE
Press Release Lockdown leads Cairn to hit acquisition trail with aim of doubling turnover and portfolio within five years. The lifestyle impact of lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has led Glasgow-headquartered Cairn Estate and Letting Agency to embark on an ambitious expansion strategy with the aim of doubling both its turnover and […]
Buy To Let, Glasgow, Hints & Tips, Investment, Property Investment, Student Accommodation
Why Work With A Glasgow Estate Agent To Buy Property For Your University Bound Child
Why Work With A Glasgow Estate Agent To Buy Property For Your Uni-Bound Child An expert Glasgow estate agent can help you find the best deal for a second property — especially if it’s for your student-aged child. More and more parents are choosing to buy property for their children as they head off to university in Glasgow. And while this might seem like an extravagant move, it can be a wise long-term investment that benefits your family long into the future. Glasgow estate agents can help you find suitable properties at surprisingly affordable prices. Read on to find out why working with an estate agent to buy your child a property to live in may be a better option than renting student accommodation. Why Buy Property for a Student: Glasgow Estate Agent Advice 1. It’s a long-term investment Buying a property in Glasgow remains a fantastic investment. While it’s one of the least expensive cities in the UK to buy property, house prices here are increasing year on year. In fact, the average house price soared by a massive 14% in the last 12 months alone. There’s also a huge rental demand in the city, making it the ideal place to buy to let. With that in mind, you could opt to rent out spare rooms in the property to help pay the mortgage and other costs. A good Glasgow estate agent can help you select the right investment property in the city. 2. Help your child avoid sky-high rents According to Rightmove, the cost of renting in Glasgow has rocketed by 10% since the coronavirus pandemic started, with the average rent in the city now £992 per month. This is well worth considering when deciding whether to buy your child a property while studying at university. Buying a property is likely to be much more cost-effective once the initial costs have been paid, with average mortgage payments often significantly less than average rent payments. Read more: Why We’re the Best Glasgow Letting Agents for Students 3. Help your child onto the property ladder early Helping your child onto the property ladder at an early age will benefit them long into the future. Although property values may drop over the course of the mortgage, they’re still likely to rise overall. Therefore, if you buy your child a property while house prices are lower, the value in the house will increase as the market recovers. And if they get on the property ladder at 18, they stand to have considerable equity in their property by their late 20s and 30s. They are also more likely to be mortgage-free at an early age, giving them greater freedom to retire early if they choose to. Buying Property for the Student in the Family? Use a Reputable Glasgow Estate Agent Knowing where to start when buying a property for your child can be difficult, particularly if you don’t live in the city. That’s why many parents choose to work with Glasgow estate agents with expert knowledge of the different properties currently on the market. A local estate agent can help you find the right property for your child, helping to secure an investment that benefits your family long into the future. To buy your child a property to live in while studying, contact a leading Glasgow estate agent (like Cairn!). We can help you find a suitable home in the city at the right price. Get started here.
Hints & Tips, Tenants
Going Home for Christmas: Everything Tenants Need to Know
Going Home for Christmas: Everything Tenants Need to Know The Christmas holidays will soon be upon us, which means you’re probably already making plans to go home and eat your body weight in turkey and mince pies. However, before you head off to celebrate the festive season with your loved ones, you must ensure your property is safe and secure. Not only is Christmas a popular time for burglaries, but household problems are also more common during this season. Issues such as burst pipes and boiler breakdowns can often occur during the winter months as temperatures plummet. So, read on to find out the top things tenants need to know before going home for Christmas. 1. Check all windows and doors are locked Always check (and double-check) that all the windows and doors are shut and securely locked when you leave the house to go home for Christmas. If you have a spare key, make sure it’s not hidden in a place that’s easily accessible. Thieves are accustomed to checking in obvious places such as under doormats and flowerpots. Instead, leave it with a neighbour you trust. And if your property has a burglar alarm installed, make sure it’s set before you leave for Christmas. 2. Make the house look occupied Another way to deter burglars from breaking into your home is to make it look occupied. You can do this by leaving a light on or hanging coats up in the porch or hallway. In some houses, you can set the lights to switch on at a specific time with an electronic timer. This can be an easy and affordable way to create the illusion that someone is at home during the festive period. Also, avoid broadcasting your plans on social media since this can make criminals aware your property is empty. 3. Carry out essential property maintenance Drainage issues are common during the winter months. However, fortunately, you can often quickly fix them yourself. Try using a drain unblocker and plunger before calling an emergency plumber to your home at Christmas. You should also ensure your radiators are bled and that the boiler pressure is topped up. Keep in mind that any emergency callouts not classified as emergencies will be chargeable to you. Callouts over Christmas can be very costly. 4. Find out utility companies phone numbers We recommend having the phone numbers of your utility companies on hand in case of emergency. If there’s a power cut in your area, please contact SP Energy Networks If there’s no water in your area, please contact Scottish Water 5. Check smoke alarms are working It’s essential to think about fire safety when leaving your property to go home for Christmas. Check the smoke alarms on all levels to ensure these are working (replacing batteries, if necessary). You should also ensure there are no fire hazards while you’re away, such as Christmas tree lights left on or overloaded electrical sockets. Have a safe and happy Christmas from all of us at Cairn! Going home for the holidays lets you spend quality time with friends and family — and take a well-earned break from your work or studies. However, if you plan on vacating your property for longer than two weeks, please make sure you let us know. Contact us here. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hints & Tips, Property Investment
How to Find New Property Development Opportunities
How to Find New Property Development Opportunities Identifying property development opportunities can be challenging, whether you’re an experienced investor or you’re new to the game. To succeed, you’ll need to learn how to recognise those hidden gems in the property market. This could involve snapping up a rundown house ready for major refurbishment or finding a flat in an area that will soon be regenerated. The trick is to spot those qualities that will ensure a property sells for more than you paid for it. Read on for our top tips. Cairn’s Top Tips for Spotting Property Development Opportunities 1. Find public land for sale Finding public land for sale can be a good option for developing property. When land is put up for sale, it’s advertised in the public domain, with the government and local councils not legally allowed to sell sites off-market. Transparency is required throughout the sales process. To find out about land for sale, check out your local council’s website. 2. Visit property auctions Property auctions can be good places to find development opportunities. Since you’re likely to face less competition than when buying in the traditional way, you may be able to secure property at a discount. You can save a lot of money when buying at a property auction — however, there are a few things to be wary of. One of these is to always visit the site before committing to a sale. If you don’t, you could find that there are issues that could prevent you from maximising your investment potential. Most importantly, you’ll need to be sure of your decision before you bid. Once the gavel falls, the deal is finalised, with no requirement to exchange contracts. 3. Identify regeneration hotspots When looking for property development opportunities, it’s a good idea to keep tabs on those areas which are set to undergo regeneration works. Investors should always be on the lookout for regeneration hotspots since they signify future growth and demand. Urban regeneration usually leads to better amenities that attract new residents. Identifying homes in areas that are undergoing development often allows you to make a significant profit once local property prices have increased. Read more: Edinburgh Property Investment: Is It Worth It? 4. Work with an estate agent to find property development opportunities Of course, one of the best ways to find development opportunities is to work with an estate agent who is experienced in property development. This can save you a lot of time while also gaining expert insight into the local property market. Maintaining and developing a solid relationship with an estate agent puts you in a good place to hear all about great property development opportunities before they become public knowledge. Working with an estate agent is particularly advisable if you’re looking to make your first property investment. Read more: Buy-to-Let Glasgow Hotspots For expert advice in identifying property development opportunities, get in touch today. Our team are highly experienced in assisting property developers in Scotland, making us best placed to help you find the right opportunities to maximise your returns.
Edinburgh, HMO Properties, Student Accommodation
HMO Letting Edinburgh: Everything Students Need to Know
HMO Letting Edinburgh: Everything Students Need to Know Everything you need to know about HMO letting Edinburgh. If you’re looking for a shared student property in Edinburgh, chances are you’ll end up renting a room in a house of multiple occupation (HMO). An HMO is generally a house or flat that is let to three or more people who form more than one household. You’ll share facilities, including a bathroom and a kitchen. Learn more about HMOs in Edinburgh here, or read on to find out everything you need to know about renting an HMO in Edinburgh as a student. A Student’s Guide to HMO Letting Edinburgh Where are the best HMOs in Edinburgh? While you’ll find HMOs peppered throughout the city, some areas are better suited to this type of accommodation than others. Ideally, you should opt for an HMO close to a university and situated near the city centre. We recommend HMOs in Bruntsfield, Marchmont, Morningside, and Newington. Many of these areas are just a short walk away from the main universities as well as popular pubs and clubs. How to find the right HMO in the capital When searching for a flatshare, you should use a reputable agency that specialises in HMO letting in Edinburgh (an agency like Cairn). We only deal with licenced HMOs, helping you find quality accommodation suitable for your needs and budget. Although it’s possible to deal directly with a landlord, many students prefer to use an agency since this provides an extra layer of security. We can act as a middleman between the tenants and the landlord, ensuring everything is done by the book. Flatshare advice for overseas students International students, in particular, may benefit from using an HMO letting agency in Edinburgh. Rental frauds are on the rise nationwide, with scammers tricking students into renting out fake or already let property on websites like Gumtree. Since many overseas students are unable to view a property before handing over a deposit, this is a real risk. Using an agency that’s experienced in HMO letting in Edinburgh can help you avoid falling prey to such scams. What to consider when viewing an HMO? It’s always a good idea to check that HMO is licenced before viewing it. You can do this by contacting the local housing department. At the viewing, you should ask to see up to date gas safety and electrical safety certificates. Check the property has working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as fire extinguishers, installed. You may also want to check that appliances are adequate and in working order. Have a list of questions ready to ask when viewing an HMO. These could be anything from “Are bills included in the rent?” to “Is there storage for bicycles?” Asking questions will help you to work out if this is the right student accommodation for you. We recommend talking to other tenants already living there if possible. This will provide you with an unbiased and realistic account of living in the property. Ultimately, renting a room in an HMO can be a great move. It allows you to live comfortably with other students close to your university and other facilities, and you can easily split bills and other living expenses, making it a very affordable accommodation option. Start your search for an HMO in Edinburgh with Cairn. Contact us here.
Buy To Let, Glasgow, Landlords, Property Finance, Property Investment
Glasgow Property Investment: 5 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Glasgow
Glasgow Property Investment: 5 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Glasgow Interested in Glasgow property investment? You’re in the right place. Glasgow has become an increasingly popular option for buy-to-let investors in recent years. As well as benefitting from surprisingly affordable house prices and high rental yields, landlords are also attracted by the city’s booming population and thriving economy. Read on to find out why Glasgow property investment is such a good idea. 5 Reasons for Glasgow Property Investment 1. Population size With Glasgow City Council recently approving its ‘City Centre Living Strategy’, the population of the city centre is set to grow significantly in the coming years. The aim is to double the number of people living in the area, with a target of 40,000 to be reached by 2035. To achieve this, vacant commercial space will be converted, brownfield land developed, and new public spaces created. This is great news for landlords since a higher city centre population means an increased need for quality rental properties. 2. A growing student city Approximately 67,000 people – more than 11% of Glasgow’s total population – are enrolled in higher education. In addition to prestigious universities like the University of Glasgow, Strathclyde, and Glasgow Caledonian, there are many other top colleges and specialist learning facilities. People come from all over the world to study here. And, of course, all these students need somewhere to live, leading to high demand for rental properties. Glasgow plays home to a lucrative HMO market which our team of specialists can help you navigate. To rent a property to 3 or more persons the Landlord must have an HMO licence in place to cover them as Duty holder and the property. We will take you through the HMO application process and procedures to ensure a full 3 years licence is achieved. Licences must be renewed every 3 years and properties can be inspected at any time by an HMO department or Fire Scotland. Maintaining a good property history is crucial both to passing inspections and ensuring your licence is renewed. We will carry out an initial inspection to advise you of any remedial works need to bring the property up to HMO standards our inhouse maintenance team will organise competitive quotes. Student property can be an extremely lucrative investment opportunity for landlords. In a recent report carried out by BVA BDRC on behalf of Paragon Bank, it was revealed that landlords who have student buy-to-lets in their portfolios are consistently achieving higher rental yields compared to those who don’t. 79% of the landlords surveyed said that high rental yields are what make letting to students so appealing. Read more: Buy-to-Let Glasgow Hotspots: Where to Look? 3. Thriving economy Glasgow’s is the fastest growing economy in the UK, significantly outperforming other core cities in recent years. Its industry has evolved greatly over time, moving on from its shipbuilding past to become a leading hub for sectors including technology, finance, sciences and tourism. More than 48,000 businesses (making up 28% of Scottish companies) call Glasgow home, providing more than 856,000 jobs (34% of the Scottish total). The city’s thriving economy is one of the biggest reasons many buy-to-let landlords choose to invest in Glasgow. 4. Future infrastructure developments Glasgow will soon be an even more desirable place to live, thanks to future infrastructure developments. The City Deal will fund several major infrastructure projects, with £400 million set aside to upgrade and regenerate the city centre, Sighthill and the canal area, Calton and the Barras, Collegelands, the Clyde waterfront and the West End. 5. Affordable house prices and rising rents According to statistics from Zoopla, in November 2021, the average price for property in Glasgow was £214,765. This is significantly less than the UK average of £264,000. When you couple this with the fact that rents are rising at the fastest rate ever recorded, this makes Glasgow a highly desirable option for landlords. The city has some of the best yields in the UK. As you can see, there are so many reasons for landlords to invest in Scotland’s biggest city. To learn more about the best Glasgow property investment opportunities, talk to one of our experienced team today.
Edinburgh, Guides, Selling
Edinburgh Estate Agents: Your Brief Guide to Selling Your Home in Scotland’s Capital
Edinburgh Estate Agents: Your Brief Guide to Selling Your Home in Scotland’s Capital Selling your home in the capital? Finding the right Edinburgh estate agents is step one, but there are other costs and considerations, too. This short post will share everything you need to know about putting your Edinburgh home on the market. First, Hire Your Edinburgh Estate Agents Choosing the right Edinburgh estate agent can make all the difference to how quickly (and for how much) you can sell your property. Ideally, you’ll want someone with local knowledge, experience, and a track record of success in your area. Someone like Cairn. Here’s how we can help you sell your property in Edinburgh: It all starts with the valuation: We give you an honest, realistic valuation based on assessing relevant market data and industry experience. Next comes the legal stuff: We’ll recommend you a choice of industry professionals (with favourable rates) to help with your home report and conveyancing. We can also advise you on how to tackle any of the works suggested by the home report. Putting eyeballs on your home: We take a proactive and in-depth approach to marketing your property. This includes: Placing a “FOR SALE” board on or as near to your property as possible Designing hard copy and PDF brochures with professional quality photography and descriptions to highlight the key and best features of your property Generating an accurate floor plan Creating digital marketing Posting property details on all key online residential property portals, including Rightmove & Zoopla Presenting your property on our own website with a downloadable PDF brochure Featuring your property on social media Circulating our property listing to Cairn’s active purchaser database weekly Displaying a window card in our office Preparing for and conducting viewings: Before showing your property to prospective buyers, we can provide home staging advice linked to target markets and budgets. We then host open or accompanied viewings, follow up on queries, and regularly report on progress. Negotiation and sale: Finally, we liaise with purchasers on your behalf in an open negotiation to get you the best possible price for your home. Interested in getting started? Arrange a valuation here. Other Important Considerations + Costs When Selling Beyond the services we provide above, there are a few more costs and considerations when selling your Edinburgh home. These include: The home report: This is a compulsory part of putting your home on the market in Scotland. The home report provides all the essential information a potential buyer will need to make an informed decision about making an offer. We can help you arrange this, or you can find a provider yourself. The price will vary depending on the size of your home but usually costs somewhere in the region of £250 to £750. Conveyancing fees: Once you’ve accepted an offer on your home, “conveyancing” can begin. This is the legal term for the transfer of ownership from you to the buyer. If you’re working with a separate conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor, you should expect fees to cost around £1,500. Removal costs: An often overlooked cost, removal (and storage) is vital, especially when you’re working to a tight deadline, or there’s a gap between moving out of your old home and into your new one. Costs will vary depending on your needs. You may wish to hire a van and do it yourself, or you might need a professional removals company to help you pack and transport everything. Expect to spend anywhere from £400 to £1,200, and sometimes more. Cairn: Your Edinburgh Estate Agents As one of Edinburgh’s leading local estate agents, we can help you sell your home without any fuss or drama. Get in touch to learn more.
