Make yourself at home in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is officially one of the most beautiful cities in the world, announced Time Out, in January. 

So, it’s not surprising that lots of people want to live here – and the number is rising.

The National Records of Scotland’s most recent estimates reveal that between mid-2022 and mid-2023, the city ‘s population grew by 1.7 per cent, which translates to 8680 people. By the middle of 2023, the capital was home to more than half a million (523,350) residents.    

The city is not just a draw for its aesthetic qualities, however.  In March, the 18th annual Edinburgh by Numbers report from the city of Edinburgh council noted the sheer amount of green space, counting as many as 144 parks. The report also points out that Edinburgh is most economically productive city in the UK, outside London, and that the city is growing almost three times faster than the rest of Scotland.  It does of course also host the biggest arts festival in the world.

Summing up the report data, council leader, Jane Meagher, says of Edinburgh that it “continues to punch far above its weight as a place to live, work, invest in and visit.” 

Buying and selling property

Living here comes at a cost, though: the council’s report also notes that the city’s house prices are the highest in the country. Looking at the numbers in more detail, ESPC’s March house-price report notes that the current average selling price in Edinburgh is £304,064.  In city-centre locations such as Stockbridge, the Old Town and Tollcross, the average house price increased to £352,568, showing a rise of 11.7 per cent, compared to last year.

Edinburgh properties don’t hang around for long: the report reveals that they are selling within 32 days. They are moving particularly quickly in the west of the city: homes in Gorgie, Chesser and Dalry are being snapped up in the space of just three weeks.

One-and-two bedroom flats in Leith were much in demand between January and March: sales of one-bedroom apartments in the area have risen by nearly a third (32 per cent) year on year.

ESPC chief executive, Paul Hilton says: “Sales volumes in the capital continue to grow at a steady rate, with ever-popular Leith appealing to young professionals and first-time buyers, while Corstorphine remains highly desirable for families.”

Commenting on the Scottish property market as a whole, he concludes: “Looking ahead, strong competition is set to continue, with well-priced properties attracting swift interest. The market remains buoyant, offering positive conditions for both buyers and sellers as we move into the warmer months of the year.”

Estate-agency insights

Lewis Mallen, director at Northwood estate agency and property-management company also takes an upbeat view but notes the influence of interest rates on the market: “Sales in Edinburgh continue to be steady in terms of both demand and prices achieved.

“The largest impact on the market continues to come from interest rates being held at a base rate of 4.5 per cent, as this is having a significant influence on buyers’ affordability. People have had to adjust their expectations of what their budget can secure for them.

“Nevertheless, due to Edinburgh’s position as the most stable market in the UK outside London, it continues to see a large influx of overseas money. This comes from owners looking for a second home, as well as from investors, and is helping to keep prices at a stable level.

“In terms of popularity, family homes with good outside space continue to be the most in demand. This has been the case since Covid first appeared. Areas such as The Grange and Trinity will always see properties sold swiftly, even at the higher end of the price scale. However, areas such as Liberton and Gilmerton, where new homes are being built, often offer the best value for money for younger families looking for their first home.

“City-centre flats, particularly in EH6, in Leith and on The Shore, are still showing good growth and increases in capital value. If I were looking to purchase an investment property, this is where I’d start, and I would be looking at one and two-bed flats only.

“If city-centre living is absolutely key, pricing in the New Town, Stockbridge and the west end has remained largely level for around 18 months now and there are some fantastic options available at keen prices that simply wouldn’t have been possible in years gone by.

“Edinburgh remains a phenomenal city to work, live and play in. Our advice would always be to do your own market research and get guidance from a trusted agent with a track history in the area you are looking at, for their opinion, based on your specific circumstances.

“Additionally, for both first-time buyers and market movers, I’d stress the importance of getting a handle on your finances first and foremost. We see many buyers looking for their dream home or ideal investment before getting their finance in place. They find exactly what they’re looking for (often after spending large amounts of time on a search) and the purchase then falls through when they can’t obtain finance.

“Making this the first priority will not only save time, hassle and potential disappointment in the long run, but it ultimately puts buyers in a stronger position when making their eventual offer.”

Northwood has been based in Stockbridge since 2003. It also opened a second office, in Leith, in the summer of 2024. It has a team of 16 sales and lettings experts who are passionate about property.

The agency offers a full range of property-management, lettings and sales options to both landlords and owners. Its guaranteed-rent option offers landlords a fixed rental

income directly from Northwood every month, regardless of whether their property is tenanted, experiencing a turnaround of tenancy or the tenants have stopped paying rent.

Building on its residential-market track record, last year the agency launched a new division, Northwood Commercial. It provides clients requiring facilities for a single unit or a diverse portfolio of properties with a bespoke service tailored to fit their specific needs.

Commenting on the introduction of Northwood Commercial, Lewis says: “We understand the significance of building strong, long-lasting tenant relationships – which is vital to the success of the commercial properties we manage – and we strive to ensure that our management offerings give clients complete peace of mind.”

Some properties for sale through Northwood at the moment include a stylish first-floor apartment in Palmerston Place, within a B-listed Victorian townhouse, at offers over £460,000; a two-bedroom flat in Liberton with a private garden (offers over £365,000); and a two-bedroom flat in a converted Victorian house, in Corstorphine, (offers over £225,000).  For prospective sellers looking to find out how much their home might be worth, an online valuation is available on Northwood’s website, where you can also find out more about its team.  Sponsored

Lewis Mallen, director at Northwood Edinburgh

Securing the finance

For most of us, buying a home is likely to be the most expensive item we ever purchase – and for those requiring a mortgage, it makes sense to ensure that the adviser is as good a fit as the new home. 

It is a personal choice: no one size fits all. Some prefer a referral from family, friends or colleagues. Others will find that the estate agency’s mortgage adviser suits their needs best. Some will turn to the internet and take a look at ratings and reviews. There’s a lot to consider – fees, timescales, paperwork – and for first-time buyers, there’s also a lot of terminology that they may not be familiar with, which can be overwhelming.

Edinburgh mortgage adviser, Lynsey McMenemy of Hansar Mortgages says that this is one of the main reasons why clients seek out her services: “Making the mortgage process simple is one of our key values,” she explains: “This means delivering clear, concise, jargon-free advice to our customers, with a personalised touch.”

Lynsey launched her business in 2021, following a career in the property sector. She had the idea for Hansar Mortgages during lockdown, when she was mulling over how best to create a fulfilling and flexible working life, with her three children in mind. 

Decision made, she then completed her CeMAP exams in the space of a few months and launched the business soon afterwards. It took off and has grown apace, which she attributes to working very hard for her clients, which has subsequently led to referrals. 

As well as mortgage advice, Lynsey helps clients with protection policies, to help guard against the impact of ill health or becoming unemployed. 

Being organised and on top of the admin is key to help things proceed smoothly and quickly, especially when it comes to buying property for the first time: “Be prepared and get a copy of your credit file in advance, as well as payslips, bank statements and a decision in principle,” Lynsey recommends. Sponsored

Lynsey McMenemy of Hansar Mortgages. Photography by Karolina Grabara

Property maintenance

Buying a property is just the start of the home-owning journey. Keeping it in its best condition is an ongoing task.

One of the most fundamental aspects of maintenance is of course the roof over your head. But it can easily be overlooked until there is a problem – for instance back in January, when storm Eowyn hit, roofs were ripped off and masonry crumbled and fell onto the street.  This is not what we picture when we find the home of our dreams.

Storm damage can of course be unavoidable, but it also reminds that the roof may need as much ongoing attention as the garden or the décor of your home. 

Specialist Access Technicians (SAT) is a firm that specialises in working at height, to undertake building inspection and maintenance. It helps homeowners to keep their property in good condition, which includes a range of services from clearing out gutters and repainting downpipes, through to stone repairs. SAT uses rope access instead of bringing in scaffolding or cherry pickers, which takes up less space and minimise disruption. 

Chris Fox, SAT director, says that prevention can be far preferable to cure: “We would recommend that people have their roof inspected twice yearly – before and after winter – to prevent and minimise issues arising. This can significantly reduce the financial impact of repairs. We would also recommend having the roof checked after a storm or high winds.” 

One of the areas in particular to be aware of, is damaged gutters: “These cause excess water to flow down against the building or into the roof,” says Chris: “If this excess water is left unattended, it can lead to even more damage, which can require complete replastering or even having to replace some of the structure of the roof.” He adds: “It can also lead to mould growth, which not only looks unpleasant, but is harmful to your health.”

Summing up what SAT can offer, Chris says: “We believe in building solid, long-term client relationships and offering cost-effective solutions.” Sponsored

Chris Fox, SAT director