On today's episode, Paul & Megan sit down to dissect the latest Scottish Budget announcement and how it could affect the local property market. They touch on a lack of action on LBTT and first-time buyer relief, the proposed "mansion tax" and the increase to the Cladding Remediation fund. Plus, find out what is on the ESPC manigesto ahead of the upcoming Scottish election.

Chapters:

0:00-0:54 Intro

0:54-5:58 "mansion tax" practicalities

5:58-7:56 Cladding remediation

7:56-8:57 More affordable housing budget

8:57-11:10 No property tax changes

11:10-12:50 The ESPC manifesto

Welcome to a brand new monthly format for the ESPC Property Show feed - the property market briefing.

Listen as Megan breaks down the highlights from the most recent ESPC House Price Report region by region so you can get a snapshot of your local market.

Skip to your region:

0:38-1:42 City of Edinburgh

1:42-2:48 East Lothian

2:48-3:59 Midlothian

3:59-4:57 West Fife & Kinross

4:57-6:01 East Fife

6:01-6:54 West Lothian

6:54-7:58 Scottish Borders

Enjoy the episode? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions and comments to us directly on marketing@espc.com 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 .
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 our most popular episode of the year, Paul and Megan return with their predictions for the Scottish property market in 2026.

They look back on how the market performed in 2025, including whether last year’s interest rate predictions stacked up, before exploring what lies ahead.

From potential base rate cuts and mortgage affordability to house price growth, listings, sales volumes and time to sell, this episode breaks down what buyers and sellers can realistically expect next year.

The episode also explores where Scotland’s next property hotspots could be, including areas tipped for growth due to transport links, new schools and major infrastructure investment.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, homeowner or thinking about selling in 2026, this episode offers clear, data-led insight into what could shape the year ahead.

CHAPTERS:
0:00-0:33 Introduction
0:33-3:40 Looking back at the 2025 property market
3:40-5:47 Did last year's predictions come true?
5:47-7:14 Interest rates: what happens next in 2026?
7:14-9:09 Mortgage rate vs base rate
9:09-11:02 Will house prices break £300,000 in 2026
11:02-11:50 Are buyers still paying over Home Report value?
11:50-12:54 Did private school VAT affect house prices?
12:54-15:27 Listings & sales: will more homes come to market?
15:27-16:35 Chains, fall throughs & time to sell
16:35-18:23 Scottish election policy changes to watch
18:23-24:34 2026 property hotspots to watch
24:34-25:40 Key takeaways for buyers and sellers in 2026
25:40-27:28 ESPC stats and insights
27:28-28:43 What's next for the ESPC Property Show?

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 marketing@espc.com 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.

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 marketing@espc.com 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 marketing@espc.com 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 marketing@espc.com 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 marketing@espc.com 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 marketing@espc.com 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.