£130k at 27 — Why He Still Walked Away From Purplebricks with Scott Miller

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven are joined by Scott Miller, founder of Miller Estate Agents, for an honest and eye-opening conversation about the realities of the estate agency industry.

Scott shares his journey from dropping out of university to working in a corporate estate agency environment, becoming a top performer at Purplebricks, and ultimately walking away from six-figure earnings to build his own independent agency. The discussion explores the “shadier” side of corporate estate agency, the role of upsells and awards, and how AI and changing buyer behaviour could reshape the future of property marketing.

Episode Highlights

  • How Scott Miller entered the property industry after leaving university
  • What he learned from working in a corporate, volume-driven estate agency model
  • How Scott became a top performer at Purplebricks during its peak
  • Why he walked away from six-figure earnings to build his own independent agency
  • How Miller Estate Agents was launched on just two weeks’ notice
  • Why Scott chose a personal agency model with fewer clients and better service
  • The importance of trust, transparency and client relationships in estate agency
  • Why Scott believes the industry needs stronger regulation and higher standards
  • How low fees and underqualified agents can affect consumer protection
  • Why AI could change how buyers search for property across agent websites
  • Why portals like Rightmove still matter, with social media supporting the sales process

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Do you think estate agency needs stronger regulation, or should the market decide who succeeds? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Is the Scottish Rental Market Flatlining in 2026? (with Mark Shanta)

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Shanta, property expert, letting agent, and returning guest, for a deep dive into the Scottish property market at the start of 2026.

Together, we unpack what’s really happening across sales, rentals, tax policy, and regulation — cutting through the noise to give landlords, investors, and property professionals a clear, on-the-ground view of where the market stands and what’s coming next.

From flatlining rents and budget uncertainty, to Aberdeen’s standout performance and the rise of alternative investments like paddle courts, this episode is packed with insight you can actually use.

Episode Highlights

  • Mark Shanta’s view on the Scottish rental market in 2026
  • Why Glasgow sales remain steady but not especially buoyant
  • How city-centre flats compare with stronger suburban homes
  • Why Scottish rents have largely levelled off after the post-COVID surge
  • How affordability, wage pressure and rising supply are capping rental growth
  • What landlords need to know about ADS staying at 8%
  • Why new Council Tax bands could affect higher-value properties from 2028
  • The uncertainty around a possible landlord income tax increase
  • How SASS pensions can support long-term tax and business planning
  • Why paddle courts are emerging as an alternative investment niche
  • Why Aberdeen is standing out for yields and early capital recovery
  • What Awaab’s Law could mean for damp, mould, documentation and repair timelines

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

What do you think will affect Scottish landlords most in 2026 — rents, tax, regulation or interest rates? Share your thoughts in the comments.

4 Proven Ways to Profit from Property Auctions in 2026 (with Prime Property Auctions)

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven are joined by John and Luis from Prime Property Auctions to break down how their business has scaled rapidly, why auctions are becoming the go-to exit strategy for many landlords, and what really drives seller decisions in today’s market.

They reflect on a standout year for the business, discuss the realities behind auction volumes and growth, and lift the lid on the marketing, sales psychology, and lead-tracking systems that underpin their success. This episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how a modern auction house operates — and how investors can plug into it.

Episode Highlights

  • How Prime Property Auctions doubled in size and revenue compared with 2024
  • Why monthly auction sales volumes can fluctuate despite strong demand
  • How the business achieved a record 38 completed sales in one month
  • Why John and Luis invested heavily in STV, Facebook and online advertising
  • How marketing helped build credibility and trust with motivated sellers
  • Why landlords may choose auctions as an exit strategy in today’s market
  • How QR codes, attribution tools and Hyros help track leads from first click to sale
  • Why understanding seller psychology is key to converting opportunities
  • How investors can buy auction properties, solve issues and resell for profit
  • Why some investors buy discounted deals and quickly resell to other investors
  • How people can refer motivated sellers to Prime Property Auctions and earn a share of the fee

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Would you use auctions to buy your next deal, sell a property, or source motivated sellers? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The Truth About Commercial-to-Residential Conversions with Fraser Walsh

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Scottish Property Podcast, Steven is joined by Fraser Walsh, architect and co-founder of W9 Architects, to discuss commercial property conversions in Scotland and what investors need to know before scaling beyond buy-to-let.

Fraser shares a behind-the-scenes look at commercial-to-residential projects, planning risk, listed buildings, building warrants and the hidden costs that can catch investors out. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, he explains how complex projects can be assessed, phased and structured to reduce risk.

The conversation covers apart-hotels, guest houses, mixed-use projects, fire safety, sprinklers, sound insulation, compliance costs and the lessons property investors can take from large-scale development.

Episode Highlights

  • Why commercial conversions are a completely different challenge from buy-to-let
  • The biggest risks investors underestimate when scaling up
  • How to buy property subject to planning to reduce exposure
  • Planning vs building warrant: what really causes delays and cost overruns
  • Fire safety, sprinklers, sound insulation, and compliance costs explained
  • How to assess whether a commercial building is viable — or a deal-breaker
  • The importance of phasing developments to create early cash flow
  • Lessons from large housebuilders that property investors can apply
  • How networking accelerates learning and unlocks unexpected opportunities

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Would you take on a commercial conversion, or do the planning and compliance risks put you off? Share your thoughts in the comments.


Inside A Rapidly Scaling Property Business with Kyle Black

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Kyle Black returns one year after his last appearance to share what has been a transformational 12 months for his property business, BLK. Kyle breaks down how he scaled rapidly, built an integrated “one-stop shop” model for investors, and why accountability, transparency, and long-term relationships sit at the core of everything he does.

This episode is a deep dive into real portfolio growth, business structure, and what it actually takes to scale sustainably in today’s market.

Episode Highlights

  • How Kyle Black and his business partner acquired 21 properties in 12 months
  • Why their portfolio grew to 29 units after a transformational year
  • The challenges of buying a £2.2 million HMO portfolio in Glasgow’s West End
  • How a block of nine flats in Helensburgh became part of their growth strategy
  • Why systems become essential when scaling a property business quickly
  • How BLK evolved from sourcing into a one-stop shop for investors
  • Why sourcing, lettings and estate agency can work together under one brand
  • How long-term investor relationships create trust and repeat business
  • Why launching a letting agency increased accountability on sourced deals
  • How Kyle and Mark split roles across sales, relationships, finance and operations
  • Why transparency in maintenance and contractor invoices matters in property management
  • How reinvesting profits helped Kyle avoid lifestyle inflation and focus on sustainable growth

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Would you rather scale quickly like Kyle, or grow more slowly with less operational pressure? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The Reality of Building a Business You Can Actually Sell with Gavin Bell

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we’re joined by Gavin Bell, founder of digital marketing agency Yatter, who shares his journey from growing up in the Shetland Islands to building, scaling, and successfully exiting a multi-million-pound business.

Gavin opens up about his early entrepreneurial roots, the realities of building a sellable company, and what it really takes to scale a digital agency without external investment. The conversation also explores paid advertising, personal branding, the impact of AI on business, and why property wasn’t Gavin’s main wealth-building focus — despite multiple successful renovations.

Episode Highlights

  • How Gavin Bell went from the Shetland Islands to building a successful digital agency
  • Why early entrepreneurship shaped his mindset around independence and problem-solving
  • How working with personal trainers led Gavin into Facebook ads
  • Why value-based marketing became a key part of Yatter’s growth
  • How Gavin built Yatter to be sellable rather than dependent on his personal brand
  • Why systems, processes and exitability influenced every major business decision
  • How Yatter scaled to a 12-person team without external investment
  • Why Gavin hired for attitude over experience and trained people internally
  • What the “halo effect” teaches business owners about long-term marketing
  • Why attribution does not always show the full impact of advertising
  • How AI is changing content, marketing and decision-making
  • Why personal branding may become more important as AI content increases
  • What the one-year process of selling Yatter really involved
  • Why Gavin saw property as a wealth preserver rather than his main growth vehicle

Useful Links

Join our monthly property networking events across Scotland and connect with investors, landlords and industry experts. View Upcoming Events

Know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 by introducing them to Prime Property Auctions. Visit Prime Property Auctions

Listen to more episodes of The Scottish Property Podcast and explore conversations with investors, landlords and industry experts across Scotland. Browse Episodes

Would you rather build a business to sell, or keep it long term for cash flow? Share your thoughts in the comments.