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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.
Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, Landlords, Letting
A Short Guide to Letting in Edinburgh
A Short Guide to Letting in Edinburgh Interested in letting in Edinburgh? Here’s what you need to know. With Edinburgh property as sought after as ever, buy-to-let opportunities haven’t lost their appeal. Average rents are up 39% in the past ten years according to ESPC, demonstrating the fantastic long-term investment potential the rental market offers. If you’re a first-time landlord, read our short guide to letting Edinburgh properties. 4 Things You Need to Do When Letting in Edinburgh 1. Register your rental property Before you can let out your property, you’ll need to register with the City of Edinburgh Council. Since this is a legal requirement, failing to do so could land you in hot water. You could even face a £50,000 fine in some cases. To register as a landlord, visit the Scottish Landlord Register website or contact your local housing department. 2. Understand your responsibilities Letting out your rental property isn’t a simple case of finding tenants and pocketing the rent each month. As a landlord, you have a wide array of responsibilities you’ll need to carry out to ensure you comply with the law. This includes creating tenancy agreements, securing deposits in a tenancy deposit scheme, and arranging Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). You must also take steps to ensure your tenants are safe while living in your property, such as annual fire safety, electrical safety, and gas safety checks. 3. Market your property Don’t underestimate the importance of marketing your rental property when letting in Edinburgh. There are many properties available for rent in the capital, and yours must stand out from the crowd to stand a chance. Although it can be tempting to skip the marketing process to save money, it’s essential when it comes to finding quality tenants who can be relied upon to pay rent on time each month. A local letting agent can market your property using various methods, making sure it’s visible and appealing to as many prospective tenants as possible. 4. Carry out repairs quickly When letting in Edinburgh, you may have to carry out repairs in your rental property. You need to ensure the property meets two sets of standards: the Repairing Standard and the Tolerable Standard. Always carry out repairs in a reasonable amount of time. What is considered “reasonable” depends on the type of repair. If the problem makes the property unsafe, you’ll need to get it fixed as quickly as possible. However, many landlords either don’t have time or live too far away to make or manage repairs to their properties. Fortunately, if you choose a fully managed letting service, your agent can arrange the repairs on your behalf. Letting in Edinburgh with Cairn Property Edinburgh remains one of the best cities in the UK for buy-to-lets. Not only does it have a growing population and a thriving economy with over 50,000 businesses, but it also has six universities, making it ideal if you want to let out your property to students. Work with a reputable Edinburgh letting agent (like Cairn) to maximise the potential of your buy-to-let investment in the Scottish capital. Contact us to learn more about our letting services. .flex_column.av-8egpo-b95516b53cac3006319c6f701afd6499{ -webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; -moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;
Edinburgh, Landlords
How to Choose Letting Agents in Edinburgh
How to Choose Letting Agents in Edinburgh Need help choosing letting agents in Edinburgh? Read on for our top tips. From marketing and finding the right tenants to collecting rent and carrying out maintenance, there’s a lot to consider when letting out a property. Even if you’re an experienced landlord, the process never seems to get any easier. For this reason, many people choose to use a letting agent to manage their rental property. But how do you pick the right one? Here we share some advice to help you choose the best letting agents in Edinburgh. 4 Tips for Choosing Letting Agents in Edinburgh 1. Seek out local property experts Many letting agents are now moving online, but you shouldn’t underestimate the value of finding local property experts who know the area inside out. Look for an agent who’s already let similar properties near your own. This will ensure that they have in-depth knowledge of the local lettings market and give you the best advice. Letting agents in Edinburgh can provide an accurate valuation for your rental property and also carry out in-person viewings if required. 2. Decide on the service you require There are hundreds of letting agents in Edinburgh. However, not all offer the same level of service. While some offer a fully managed service, others will provide a let-only service. The one you choose will largely depend on how much time and knowledge you have to dedicate to being a landlord. If you want your agent to handle everything for you, from marketing the property to dealing with tenants, you’ll need a fully managed service. If you’re happy to manage the tenancy yourself, but need an agent to find tenants and deal with the paperwork, a let-only service could be more suitable. Decide what level of service you require and look for letting agents in Edinburgh that can assist. 3. Assess their marketing techniques Marketing is crucial when letting out a property. After all, successful marketing is the best route to finding and retaining reliable tenants. So, when looking for letting agents in Edinburgh, be sure to assess their marketing prowess. Where and how well are their properties listed online? Do their photographs/videos showcase a property effectively? How do they make it stand out from the crowd? Do they describe the property with engaging detail? Are they active on social media? The marketing of your property will shape people’s perceptions and ultimately determine if they arrange a viewing or not. It must be up to scratch. 4. Read online reviews When looking for letting agents in Edinburgh, don’t underestimate the importance of reading online reviews. According to GlobalWebIndex, almost half (47%) of all internet users worldwide say that they post reviews about a product, company, or service every month. Reading these reviews allows you to gain insight into a letting agency and helps you establish what level of service you’re likely to receive. Genuine feedback from real customers helps you separate the wheat from the chaff and ensures you choose an agent that will make letting out your property a breeze. Looking for Letting Agents in Edinburgh? Choose Cairn In 2015, HomeLet surveyed 2,000 landlords and discovered that the vast majority (87%) used letting agents to manage their properties. This goes to show how important they are for marketing and managing rental properties. And with so many letting agents in Edinburgh, it makes sense to take your time and choose a company you can rely on. A company that provides a first-class service tailored to your needs. A company like Cairn. Contact us to learn more about our letting services.
Edinburgh, HMO Properties
Choosing HMO Letting Agents in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords
Choosing HMO Letting Agents in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords Need help choosing the right HMO letting agents in Edinburgh? Look no further! There are plenty of reasons why you should invest in property in Edinburgh. In fact, we’ve taken a closer look at a few of them in this blog post. In short, the growing population, opportunities for young people, and the biggest arts festival in the world all rank high. But it’s the thriving student market that makes HMO development in Edinburgh such an attractive prospect. And if you’re interested in letting your property as a House in Multiple Occupation, it’s a good idea to put the day-to-day management of it in the hands of experts. So, here’s what you need to look out for if you’re choosing HMO letting agents in Edinburgh. How to choose HMO letting agents in Edinburgh 1. Choose a local agent HMOs have lots of benefits, from higher rental yields to lower risk (as you spread the risk of non-payment across several tenants). However, they can also be time-intensive to manage, and with the strict conditions set out by the HMO licence, it makes sense to use an agent local to the area. 2. Choose an HMO-savvy agent Speaking of the licence, certain rules and responsibilities go hand-in-hand with letting an HMO property. It’s vital that your chosen agent is up-to-speed with the legislation and that they keep you compliant throughout your agreement. 3. Choose an agent familiar with the student market If you want to target the burgeoning student market in Scotland’s capital, make sure your chosen agent has experience in dealing with student tenants. This can be quite different to renting to families or young professionals, and can often require a different skill set to ensure the property is maintained to a high standard and rents are paid on time. 4. Choose Cairn – HMO letting agents in Edinburgh Interested in letting an HMO property in Edinburgh? Choose Cairn. We offer a variety of HMO Development and HMO Property Management services, specialising in student lets. We can refurbish the property to comply with all legislation, working quickly, efficiently, and on budget. And our expertise in building warrants, planning permission, and HMO properties, in general, will deliver a property worthy of an HMO licence. Ready to get started? Contact us to learn more. .flex_column.av-2jhnc2-cc1f3e362b4a96ec9c81c881fa66be73{ -webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; -moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;
Edinburgh, HMO Properties, Landlords, Student Accommodation, Tenants
Renting an HMO in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords & Students
Renting an HMO in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords & Students Interested in renting an HMO in Edinburgh? Read on for some important advice. An HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) is any residential property rented by at least 3 people who aren’t from the same household (for example, a family). In doing so, they also share key communal facilities such as a toilet, bathroom, and kitchen. Renting an HMO in Edinburgh comes with plenty of benefits for both landlords and students: Firstly, for landlords, HMOs can provide higher rental yields than one or two-bedroom properties. They also help to spread risk across multiple occupants. Meanwhile, for students, they offer a chance to comfortably live with 3, 4, 5 or more friends. This means you can easily split bills and other living expenses. However, if you’re interested in renting out (or living in) an HMO, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind. HMO in Edinburgh: What Do Landlords Need to Know? As a landlord of an HMO, it’s your responsibility to get an HMO licence and to manage and maintain the property to a high standard. This means you need to: Be a registered landlord Keep important certificates up-to-date Undertake quarterly inspections and fire training Fit smoke alarms on every level Keep fire escapes clear from obstruction Ensure upkeep of communal areas Make sure waste disposal facilities are in place Are you a landlord interested in letting an HMO property? Here at Cairn, we offer a variety of HMO Development and HMO Property Management services. Get in touch to find out more. What About Students Renting an HMO? As a student living in a house share, it’s helpful to understand the rules around HMO properties. Presuming your property has an HMO licence (you can check by emailing hmo.licensing@edinburgh.gov.uk), your landlord is legally-bound to meet certain safety and cleanliness standards. If you feel as though these standards have slipped, and your landlord isn’t responding, you can flag this to Edinburgh city council. They’re responsible for enforcing these standards and can compel your landlord to take the appropriate action. Are you a student interested in renting an HMO in Edinburgh? We manage several licenced HMO properties in the city. Get in touch to learn more.
Edinburgh, Buy To Let, Hints & Tips, Landlords
Tips for Letting Edinburgh Property During the Festival
Tips for Letting Edinburgh Property During the Festival Are you a landlord interested in letting Edinburgh properties during the festival? Read on. So, you’ve got yourself an Edinburgh property within walking distance of the most popular Fringe venues, and you’re wondering if you should rent it out for the summer? You’re not alone. Many Edinburgh residents get out of dodge when the Festival rolls into town, and they often make a pretty penny by putting their property on the short-term rental market. But before you let those flashing pound signs cloud your judgement, there are a few things you need to know. Here we share our top tips for letting Edinburgh properties during the world’s biggest arts festival. COVID Disclaimer: At the time of writing, the 2021 Edinburgh Fringe is “under construction”. However, these tips are evergreen and can be used whenever the festival returns to normal, whether that’s this summer or beyond. Letting Edinburgh Properties During Festival Season 1. Make Sure Your Mortgage Allows Short-Term Lets First thing’s first, you need to ensure you’re allowed to market your property as a festival let. You might think that your buy-to-let mortgage has you covered, but this generally requires that you let the property for a minimum of six months. Instead, you need a special holiday-let mortgage — and these are more expensive and difficult to acquire owing to increased risk and uncertainty. Even trying to fly under the radar by putting your property on sites like Airbnb could leave you in breach of your mortgage contract, so while tempting, it’s ultimately not worth it. 2. Don’t Rush Into Anything — Always Vet Your Tenants When you let your property long-term, both you and your tenant are guided by various legal obligations and responsibilities. However, when you let short-term, your tenants may not feel as responsible, given that they’re only staying for a few days or weeks. This means you could end up renting to someone who fails to take care of your property in the same way a long-term tenant would. And this could leave you out of pocket and chasing payment for repairs should the worst happen. Just remember, festival lets are always in high demand, so there’s no need to rush. Take your time and vet your tenants to find someone you can trust with the keys to your property. 3. Move Your Valuables Into Storage Most short-term renters understand that they’ve booked another person’s home for the duration of the festival, so at a minimum, they’ll expect furniture, cutlery, utensils, and other bits and pieces. But they’ll also want to feel at home during their stay. So it’s a good idea to pack away your personal belongings, assorted knick-knacks, photographs, and any other valuables. Also, don’t forget to lock away important documents, like bank statements or passports. Or better yet, take them with you. 4. Take Plenty of Photos (Before & After) Finally, similar to renting long-term, it’s best practice to take plenty of photos immediately before and immediately after a short-term tenancy. That way, you have a record of the condition of the property should you need to pursue the tenant for any damage that occurs during their stay. Interested in Letting Your Edinburgh Property? Talk to Cairn Whether you’re interested in renting Edinburgh properties short-term or long-term, Cairn can keep you right. Get in touch with our Edinburgh property experts today.
Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, Properties For Sale
Find Flats For Sale in Edinburgh (Before They Go Online)
Find Flats For Sale in Edinburgh (Before They Go Online) Looking for flats for sale in Edinburgh? Follow these tips from Cairn and find them before they go online. Here’s something you might not realise: Some of the nicest flats for sale in Edinburgh are snapped up long before they make it to the market, let alone the property listing websites. So, how do these seemingly psychic house-hunters keep beating you to the punch? In this post, we share some of our favourite proactive property-searching tips: How to Find Flats for Sale in Edinburgh Before They Hit the Market 1. Get to Know Your Local Estate Agents The best estate agents work hard to keep their fingers on the pulse of the local market. And many develop close working relationships with sellers to achieve quick, profitable sales. As a buyer, you can aim to do the same. By getting to know your local agents (being clear, friendly, and responsive in the process), you might just get a few hot tips in return. This is especially true if you know exactly what you’re looking for in an Edinburgh flat for sale (and you have your finances in order). If something matching your specifications becomes available, an agent will often be happy to let you know before it hits the market. 2. Build a Team of Flat-hunters Unless you have your reasons for keeping it a secret, tell your friends, family, colleagues, social media connections, and anyone else who’ll listen that you’re looking for flats for sale in Edinburgh. That way, if they hear through the grapevine that someone they know or a friend of a friend is looking to sell, they can let you know ASAP. Word-of-mouth is an underrated way of finding properties, but it’s certainly effective! 3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Letter Writing Do you know which part (or parts) of Edinburgh you’d like to move to? If so, crack those knuckles and get writing. Post letters through doors in the area(s) you’re interested in, explaining who you are, your situation, and asking if they’d be interested in selling their property. This approach is a numbers game. Most may discard your letter, but for some, it could plant a seed. Maybe they’ve been thinking about selling and simply discovering that there’s interest could be the push they need. Or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, you could knock on doors. Just be prepared for rejection. 4. Keep an Eye on the Rental Market Finally, it’s worth remembering that everything is for sale at the right price. If you see a property for rent that ticks all your boxes, there’s no harm in reaching out to the letting agent and inquiring about the possibility of buying it. Again, some landlords may have thought about selling up, especially if they’re finding it difficult to keep tenants, or if they live outside the city or country. By simply asking the question, you could prompt them to do a deal. Bonus Tip: Make Sure You Have Your Financial Ducks in a Row It’s easier to move quickly when you’re ready to move. So, if you get wind of a dream property edging towards the market, and you want to nip in there and nab it early, you need to have your finances in order. When you have the cash ready (or a mortgage in principle), you’ll seem less risky to the seller. And the attraction of a fast sale could encourage them to avoid the open market and deal with you exclusively. Interested in flats for sale in Edinburgh? Get to know Cairn a little better. Reach out and tell us what you’re looking for — we’re always happy to help. Contact us here. Did you know our Glasgow & Edinburgh branches specialise in Off-Market properties, Learn more about our approach to Tenanted Flats here.
Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, Selling
Choosing Edinburgh Estate Agents: How to Make a Shortlist When Selling in the Capital
Choosing Edinburgh Estate Agents: How to Make a Shortlist When Selling in the Capital Selling your property in or around the capital? You’ll need to make a shortlist of the best Edinburgh estate agents for starters. But what should you look for, and where should you look? Here we share our top tips: Building a Shortlist of Edinburgh Estate Agents 1. Check for Legitimacy First thing’s first, you need to make sure the Edinburgh estate agent in question is a legitimate, trustworthy organisation. And the quickest way to do this is to check their website for professional body memberships and testimonials. If you spot the Scottish Association of Landlords or The Property Ombudsman logos, for example, alongside strong customer reviews, you’ll know that you’re dealing with an agency committed to doing things right. 2. Look at Their Photos + Videos While you’re on their website, take a look at some of their listings. Are the photos high-quality? Have the rooms been dressed and presented professionally? Do they offer video tours? You’re looking for an Edinburgh estate agent that understands how to entice potential buyers with eye-catching imagery. “No Images Available” just won’t cut it. 3. Read Their Property Descriptions Sticking with the listings, read a few of the property descriptions. Are they detailed and engaging? Do they cover the basics before diving into the particulars? Do they paint a picture of the property, the area, and the amenities? Or are they short, vague, and riddled with typos? You’re not looking for Shakespearean prose, but the words are as important as the pictures. 4. Review Their Social Media Activity Nowadays, more and more people are searching for — and sharing — properties on social media. With that in mind, you’ll want an estate agent with their finger on the pulse, active on the most popular social platforms. 5. Search Where They List Properties When it comes to selling property in Edinburgh, it’s all about getting eyeballs on your listing. To that end, you need an estate agent that’s familiar with the leading property portals. If they’re only sharing your property on their website instead of Zoopla, OnTheMarket, Rightmove, and more, that could be a red flag. 6. Visit the Edinburgh Estate Agents in Person (When You’re Allowed) Finally, it’s important to remember that people buy people. You’ll want to put your sale in the hands of an Edinburgh estate agent who’s knowledgeable, likeable, and motivated. So, when you’re allowed, make an appointment to visit their office (or arrange a call or video chat in the meantime) and get to know them better. And once you’ve followed those six steps, you can whittle down your list to two or three candidates. Now you can talk in detail about services, listen to their pitch, and discuss fees. Good luck! Add Cairn to Your List of Edinburgh Estate Agents Thinking of selling your Edinburgh property? Get in touch today to have a chat or arrange a valuation.
Edinburgh, Buy To Let, HMO Properties, Investment, Student Accommodation
4 Huge Reasons Why You Should Buy-to-Let in Edinburgh
In truth, there are loads of reasons to invest in buy-to-let property. From passive income and tax planning to long-term capital growth, it remains a popular and lucrative investment opportunity. But why should you focus your attention on buy-to-let in Edinburgh specifically? In this short post, we take a look at 4 reasons why Scotland’s capital remains in-demand with property investors. Why Buy-to-Let in Edinburgh? 1. A growing population The population of Edinburgh has been trending upwards since the 1990s and shows no signs of slowing. As of 2020, it sits at a whopping 536,775, and this is projected to grow to over 603,000 by 2035. This means it could rival — and even overtake — Glasgow at some point in the near future. And a growing population means a greater demand for housing stock. Worth bearing in mind if you’re trying to choose between the two cities. 2. A thriving student market Edinburgh is home to 6 universities and 3 colleges. The city attracts students from across Scotland, the UK, and the rest of the world, not just for its outstanding educational facilities, but also for its rich history, architecture, and nightlife. According to a recent census, full-time students comprise around 12% of the city’s population — and these students need somewhere to live! Investing in high-quality HMO student accommodation can meet that demand and deliver greater yields for property investors. 3. Opportunities for young professionals As we mentioned, Edinburgh’s population is growing rapidly, and a significant factor in that growth is the younger generation calling the city home. Around 20% of the population are in their 20s (only Aberdeen has a higher percentage in Scotland) and 15% are in their 30s. And as of 2018, the Scottish capital was the most prosperous UK city outside London. Around 40% of the workforce are in high-skilled jobs, with an average full-time salary of £30,700. This certainly ticks a few boxes for would-be property investors; namely young, full-time working professionals with a high level of disposable income. 4. The biggest arts festival in the world In 2019, a record 3 MILLION people descended on Edinburgh for the largest arts festival going. And although new legislation will be introduced in 2021 to control Airbnb-style short-term lets, the sheer number of tourists and performers visiting the city each year represents a massive opportunity for property investors, both in the short and longer-term. Cairn: Buy-to-Let Edinburgh Experts Interested in exploring buy-to-let opportunities in Edinburgh? Get in touch with our property investment experts to learn more about our approach and services.
