This week we're discussing the current mortgage market and how first-time buyers are faring within it. Paul & Megan are joined by Martyn Johnson and Paul Demarco - two of ESPC's independent mortgage advisors. In this episode they cover the following topics:0:00-1:36 Intro1:36-2:55 Are first-time buyers in a better position now vs last year?2:55-3:48 What do lower interest rates mean for first-time buyers?3:48-4:52 Are there more first-time buyers looking for mortgages right now?4:52-6:16 Are first-time buyers facing a competitive market?6:16-7:30 Good news first-time buyer stories7:30-8:14 Mortgage lender competition8:14-8:48 Where will mortgage rates be at the end of 2026?8:48-10:08 What kind of rates are first-time buyers looking at right now?10:08-11:23 Remortgaging in 202611:23-14:36 The first steps first-time buyers should take14:36-15:26 How much savings do you need to speak to a mortgage advisor?15:26-16:09 Gifted deposit and "Bank of Mum & Dad"16:09-18:20 Guarantor & Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor Mortgages18:20-20:12 How to deal with adverse credit20:12-22:52 What are the most common mistakes first-time buyers make?22:52-25:24 Save more or get on the ladder faster?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 AMORTGAGE OR OTHER LOANS SECURED AGAINST IT.ESPC (UK) Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Lyncombe Consultants Ltd which is authorisedand regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Welcome to our 100th episode of the ESPC Property Show! Can you believe it?! To celebrate, Paul & Megan reminisce on the last three years of podcasting as well as 55 years of ESPC. They finish up by sharing their top 10 pieces of advice from across all of the ESPC Property Show.CHAPTERS:0:00-1:16 We're podcast centenarians!

1:16-3:10 How many guests have we had?!

3:10-5:10 How have property prices changed since 1971?

5:10-8:25 How has ESPC changed in the last 55 years?

8:25-9:52 Listener feedback

10:24-13:10 BEST BIT 1: The cost of garden design

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5I8ztfJsDSL2yjijyn9ii7?si=T9OQPYlcQLOFrWiUqyMEBw

13:10-14:41 BEST BIT 2: Does duration of co-habitation make you "common law" married

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2QVwcTW7ZfNJwAOFePqVVF?si=vivFOB4yQ_G9WTqjfOHkaA

14:41-16:46 BEST BIT 3: How does a first-time buyer know they're ready to buy

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6KCaTzFocFTPPl29IlWNry?si=MatrB9lmRBOVnnMUZH7BoA

16:46-18:44 BEST BIT 4: How to stage your home for selling

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VDsCL4lJZ52tLBmvkApdT?si=ejBZis9ZQnKtp_0wGMq2Sw

18:44-21:16 BEST BIT 5: Creating a homeowners association

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/39FaW6tLzQ7VwtyLcqZIUF?si=VX0S7KI1QVKyiSgpV2HF1A

21:16-24:01 BEST BIT 6: What is a Home Report?

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/04bnFzpXcYYLf8GTrQxgSo?si=xnB01JbhSe69Nr0snLLuPg

24:01-26:22 BEST BIT 7: Inheritance tax on gifted deposits

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Yf7gpYcHpYoZ12uX3FlBs?si=axKnhp3WQM2PCS9i68oLWQ

26:22-27:57 BEST BIT 8: How much money do first-time buyers need?

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vMqc7uAf8Jnqrmb7nuxTp?si=8ljSQI3oQgeigqjd7Ot5fg

27:57-30:50 BEST BIT 9: Where are overseas buyers coming from?

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bbAFBcqK9rLS0xg1dFxqp?si=51eMJKuJRD6IOzYbrnCiGg

30:50-33:15 BEST BIT 10: The role of architects in home buying

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/18NRF0W2G6Y5MHQc9p4LJL?si=tFiuwkIBRuyxsAqr4E_n6w

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.