04/03/2009
DAVID ALEXANDER
1. New Town/West End. Historically, the capital’s number choice in terms of both location and product: a variety of impressive, traditional Georgian properties, many offering a unique lifestyle experience, and all within easy walking distance of the main attractions of the city centre. Of course, for New Town car-owners parking is a perpetual pain but with so many shops, bars, restaurants, theatres and cinema screens within easy walking distance, who needs one?
2. Bruntsfield/Marchmont. With city centre offices just a short bus ride away (or walk away for the more energetic) and the University close by, this continues to be a favourite – even after the departure of the Royal Infirmary to the south-east periphery. A comprehensive mixture of solid, Victorian/Edwardian flats ranging from one to five bedrooms. Shopping and leisure facilities mark the “youthful” character of these districts.
3. Stockbridge/Comley Bank. Edinburgh’s answer to Notting Hill, where even the charity shops are “chic”. A good supply of flats and town houses to rent, meaning it appeals to families as well as singles and couples. There is always competition among people wanting to live here, so properties let out quickly, so long as rents are competitively pitched. Local shopping includes a variety of outlets selling fresh food, as opposed to the pre-packed supermarket variety.
4. Haymarket. Despite being in something of a physical mess at the moment as a result of the tram works, this area continues to grow in demand from people seeking to rent. There is a good choice of properties, ranging from contemporary flats with all mod cons to traditional ‘Colonies’ upper and lower villas. But location is perhaps its strongest point – within walking distance or a one-stop bus ride of the West End, while the presence of Haymarket Station is a great bonus for commuters who travel regularly to Glasgow.
5. Leith. The port became “hip” in the early 1980’s when (with a mixture of new-build and converted warehouse flats) it was swept along on the wave of the first great furnished rental boom but with so much competition from other areas in more recent years, demand has fallen back. This, however, is good news for those who specifically want to live in the area as local landlords are having to set rents at “affordable” levels to attract new tenants. Another bonus is that Leith still has a real community feel, with shops and other local services plentiful. And for those who wish to splash out occasionally, it also hosts some very good restaurants.
THE SCOTSMAN, 4 March 2009
A Glasgow townhouse at £1.5 million
Mortgage curbs have their upside
A tie does more than merely save your neck in a downturn
Top ten: Forget about property prices and home in on the rental income
Renting is as good a measure of economic confidence as buying
Residential lettings give clue to wider economic performance
Another of our properties is Sunday Times 'Rental of the week'
How first time buyers can lick stamp duty
Surge in residential lets despite fewer executive postings to cities
Rents drive housing investment more than capital gain
Renting a home can be cheaper than you think
Why there are still good reasons to invest in residential property
Yield is now the focus for buy-to-let investors
High-flying executives push up rental prices for city flats
One of our properties named Sunday Times ‘Rental of the week’
Scotsman property editor gives star treatment to one of our homes for sale
Rise in new-build home sales offers glimmer of hope to battered industry
Capital tips to help you reduce tax expenses
Sunday Herald thanks D J Alexander
Why renting second home is best way to save cash – and face
Sharp fall in corporate residential property rentals as firms suffer
Misery of the 'two-mortgage' trap
Buyers return but Scottish housing market still tight
Like two old-fashioned fairground favourites, the property market continues to be scary
Energy ratings get a green light
BPF calls for a radical shift to rentals
Gloom stalks the housing market but ‘hockey stick’ revival is on the cards
House prices 'won't recover until 2013'
Scotland's engine room may be on the brink of seizing up