In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, we’re joined by Adam Newlands, a 26-year-old accountant who rebuilt his finances and went on to build a 13-property portfolio after losing £30,000 in his early 20s.Adam shares a brutally honest account of how chasing “rent-to-rent” opportunities in England — influenced by online algorithms and high-profile property education — led to financial losses, compliance issues and hard lessons. But instead of quitting, he regrouped, refocused on Aberdeen, and built a sustainable business through deal sourcing and disciplined investing.This is a powerful conversation about resilience, accountability and why local knowledge always beats hype.

🔑 Key Highlights

💼 From Apprenticeship to Investor

• Completed a modern apprenticeship with a large chartered accountancy firm in Elgin.

• Qualified as an accountant before seriously pursuing property.

• Took a different route from the common offshore career path in his hometown.

💸 The £30,000 Lesson

• Invested in rent-to-rent service accommodation in Margate and Bath.

• Projected £200 nightly rates turned into £90 realities.

• Faced significant monthly losses and compliance issues.

• Lost approximately £30,000 of personal savings by age 22.

• Learned the dangers of relying on online “guru” projections without local knowledge.

🔄 The Pivot

• Sought local, in-person education in Aberdeen.

• Prioritised community and accountability over remote training.

• Switched focus to deal sourcing to generate upfront capital.

🏘️ Aberdeen Opportunity

• Identified strong opportunities in the Aberdeen flat market.

• Secured their first profitable deal on Jasmine Terrace for a £1,500 fee.

• Built momentum by finding credible deals first — then matching them with clients.

🚀 Portfolio Growth

• Reinvested profits strategically.

• Built to 13 properties by age 26.

• Used early failure as fuel rather than an excuse to quit.

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Scott Miller, founder of Miller Estate Agents, for a no-holds-barred conversation about the reality of the estate agency industry, how it’s changing, and what sellers and buyers should actually be paying attention to.

Scott shares his journey from dropping out of university, to cutting his teeth in a corporate agency environment, becoming a top performer at Purplebricks, and eventually walking away from six-figure earnings to launch his own independent agency built around trust, service, and transparency.

This episode pulls back the curtain on the parts of estate agency most people never see — from upsells and awards, to commission pressure, portals, and the growing role of AI.

Scott explains how he entered the industry after leaving university, starting out at a family law firm–linked estate agency.
Over four years, he learned prospecting, valuations, and negotiation in a highly corporate environment — gaining volume experience but also seeing the limitations of the model.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

🚪 Breaking Into Estate Agency

Joining Purplebricks in 2017, Scott arrived during its peak as a major industry disruptor.

At just 27 years old, he was earning over £130,000 per year, handling extreme volume:

• 70–80 valuations per month

• 50–60 live sales

• Supported by a wider team

However, the business model shifted — moving from a self-employed, high-reward structure to a salaried employed model with reduced earning potential, prompting Scott to reassess his future.

🚀 The Purplebricks Years

Scott made the leap to start Miller Estate Agents on just two weeks’ notice.

His approach was intentionally different:

• A personal agency model

• Only 6–10 clients per month

• Direct contact with Scott from valuation to completion

🏗️ Launching Miller Estate Agents

The goal was simple: deliver a better service by avoiding volume overload.

Scott lifts the lid on industry practices many sellers aren’t aware of:

• Some corporate firms make more profit from mortgage referrals than from selling homes

• This can create conflicts of interest when advising buyers and sellers

• Commission pressure can lead to overpricing just to win instructions

⚠️ The Shadier Side of Corporate Estate Agency

Scott is openly critical of industry awards where agents must pay thousands for tables and sponsorship to “win”.

He describes them as:

• Misleading marketing

• A racket that doesn’t reflect real service quality

• Designed to impress consumers who don’t know how they work

Scott argues the industry needs stronger regulation:

• To stop underqualified people entering estate agency

• To prevent agents racing to the bottom on fees

• To protect consumers from poor advice and service

🤖 The Future of Property & AI

Looking ahead, Scott discusses how AI could reshape property search, potentially allowing buyers to search across all agent websites using detailed criteria — reducing reliance on portals like Rightmove.

That said, he’s clear: agents still need to be where the buyers are, and for now, that means the major portals — with social media acting as a powerful supporting tool, not a replacement.

Episode OverviewIn 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

🏘️ Market Sentiment Across Scotland

• Glasgow sales market remains steady but not buoyant
• Standard stock continues to sell, while standout properties still attract closing dates and multiple offers
• City-centre flats face more resistance compared to well-located suburban homes

💷 Rental Market Update

• Scottish rents have largely levelled off, signalling the end of the post-COVID surge
• Glasgow rents increased by just 0.6%, while Dundee saw a correction, with rents falling
• Rising supply, affordability ceilings, and wage pressure are now capping rental growth

🧾 Scottish Budget & Tax Updates

• Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) remains at 8%, despite rumours of a rise to 10%
• New Council Tax Bands I & J (for £1m+ and £2m+ properties) set to begin in April 2028
• Ongoing uncertainty around a potential 2% landlord income tax increase in 2027/28

📊 Smart Tax & Pension Planning

• Mark shares how SASS pensions can be used to offset corporation tax
• Directors can invest up to £60,000 per year, retaining profits within the business
• A powerful strategy for long-term planning when used correctly

📈 Investment Opportunities to Watch

• Paddle courts emerging as a fast-growing niche, especially in Glasgow — but roof height is critical
• Aberdeen highlighted as one of the strongest investment locations in the UK, offering high yields and early signs of capital recovery

⚖️ New Regulations: Awaab’s Law

• New landlord obligations around damp and mould, with stricter investigation and repair timelines
• Emphasis on documentation, response times, and proactive property management
• A major shift landlords need to prepare for ahead of expected implementation in late 2026