Author: Robert Carroll

  • Predictions for the Scottish Property Market 2015

    What does 2015 have in store for the Scottish property market? For our predictions for the Scottish Property Market in 2015, read on… The most significant event (that we know of so far) will be the replacement of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on 1 April with Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT). For a…

  • Corstorphine Primary School – Project Play – Marketing and Sales Project and Fund Raiser

    As many of you will know, we have recently pledged to help Corstorphine Primary School raise £5,000 towards creating a brand new playground for the children. We pledged to raise this money in a fun, educational and beneficial way, empowering the children to have the confidence to try new things and explore new ideas. Last…

  • How Do Stamp Duty Changes Affect Properties on the Market?

    If your property is already on the market, you have probably heard in the Press in the past few days about significant changes that have happened, literally overnight, to the Stamp Duty regime. So, if you’re already on the market, what are the changes and how might they affect your sale? In Summary From 1…

  • Christmas Cancelled for Property Solicitors and Estate Agents

    It’s official…if you’re an estate agent in Scotland this year, Christmas is cancelled. And it’s George Osborne’s fault. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, at times not the most popular man in Scotland anyway, has effectively cancelled Christmas holidays for every estate agent and property solicitor in Scotland in 2014 by announcing a reform of Stamp Duty that…

  • Stamp Duty Changes Scotland – Why to Buy and Sell Now

    Stamp Duty changes, announced by the UK government on 3 December 2014, took effect on 4 December 2014, significantly reducing Stamp Duty for the majority of property buyers. However, Stamp Duty will be replaced by Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) in Scotland, for property purchases that complete on or after 1 April 2015, increasing…

  • Corstorphine Primary School Christmas Poster Competition

    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and what better way to kick off the festive season than with our very own hand-drawn Christmas greeting? On Friday, 28 November we had the pleasure of announcing the winner of our Christmas poster competition. Many of you will know that, as well as donating half of the…

  • A Guide to Stamp Duty (SDLT) Changes and LBTT

    The UK government, on 3 December 2014, announced a radical overhaul of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT or Stamp Duty) system in its Autumn Statement. It comes into force on 4 December 2014. In Scotland, it will then be replaced by LBTT (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax) for Scottish property transactions completing after 1 April…

  • Movember Wrap-Up

    Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last month you will have noticed an above average amount of gentlemen sporting moustaches. Certainly, that’s what we’ve noticed in our offices. November is the month of the moustache and raising money for men’s health. Our chaps and chapesses wholeheartedly embraced Movember this year. Whilst none…

  • What does the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 mean for property buyers and sellers in Scotland?

    On 8 December 2014 the legal process by which we buy and sell property in Scotland will be shaken-up by the coming-into force of the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (after this, ‘the Act’). Conveyancing is seen as a bit of a stuffy, old-fashioned process, so a shake-up is surely a good thing, isn’t…

  • MOV8 Property Market Update November 2014

    November is a month when the property market is traditionally seen to be putting its feet up, snuggling up under a warm blanket and hunkering-down for the winter. But in 2014, the market continues apace, with sales continuing to come through as buyers try to find their dream home before Christmas. So, what has been…