In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Eoin Baillie, a former gas engineer from West Lothian who’s now one of Dubai’s top-performing real estate brokers. After years in the Scottish property scene, Eoin made a bold move to the UAE — with no contacts, no leads, and 14 suitcases to his name.

Today, he’s earning up to £100K per month in commissions, brokering multi-million-dirham deals, and running a high-performing team in one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets.

Episode Highlights:

🏠 Life Before Dubai

• How Eoin got started in property in Scotland

• His experience in construction, lettings, flips, and service accommodation

• Why he decided to walk away from his UK portfolio to start fresh

✈️ Taking the Leap to Dubai

• What it really costs to relocate — and why £25K is the minimum buffer

• Leaving with 14 suitcases and no guarantee of income

• Why his first 6 months nearly broke him

💼 Building a Business in Dubai Real Estate

• The difference between “glamorous” Dubai real estate and the actual grind

• Working 14-hour days, handling rejection, and building a name from scratch

• The deal that changed everything — and pulled him back from quitting

📈 Making £100K Months in Commission

• The mindset shift needed to go from chasing rent to chasing multi-million dirham deals

• The value of showing up every day — even when the pipeline is empty

• How social media helped him stand out in a crowded market

🧠 Mindset, Struggles & Growth

• Why Dubai is a pressure cooker — and not for everyone

• The emotional toll of starting from zero

• Eoin’s honest take on mental health, family sacrifice, and staying grounded

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In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Angus Johnston, founder of LetUs, a Glasgow-based letting agency specialising in HMOs. Angus shares his fascinating journey from aspiring investment banker and full-time wedding singer to building a business managing over 120 properties – with a strong focus on the student HMO market in Glasgow.

Episode Highlights:

🏡 From Accountant to Letting Agent

• Why Angus walked away from PwC and investment banking to sing full-time

• How COVID derailed his music career and pushed him into property management

📈 Building an HMO Business from the Ground Up

• How he started with 7 properties (including his own and his brother’s)

• Scaling during lockdown with creative hustle and a sharp student focus

🔥 The Realities of Running HMOs in Scotland

• Why group lets, not room-by-room, are the standard in Scottish HMO setups

• How legislation, like the PRT, impacts lease structure and management

• Common tenant challenges — from broken vacuums to surprise guests…

📊 Crunching the HMO Numbers

• What it actually costs to convert a flat into an HMO (licensing, refurbs, furnishing)

• Why capital growth in prime locations like Glasgow’s West End makes it worth it

• The sweet spot for profitability (hint: 4- and 5-bed flats)

🏛️ Licensing & Council Process

• The reality of 12-month lead times for new HMO licences

• Key differences between existing vs. new licence applications

• How to avoid pitfalls with HMO layout, kitchens, and fire safety

🛠️ Maintenance, Void Periods, and Managing Expectations

• Budgeting £1,000+/year in maintenance and planning for 11-month lets

• Managing expectations with tenants, neighbours, and property owners

In this episode, Nick and Steven sit down with brothers Calum and Connor Clark, two investors who’ve built a thriving, family-run property business across multiple strategies — from buy-to-let and HMOs to commercial conversions and hospitality.

Episode Highlights:

🏘️ Starting Out in Property

• How they got into property without quitting their day jobs.

• The first flip project — and how it led to long-term investing

• Early challenges and how they gained experience through hands-on learning

💼 Building a Scalable Portfolio

• Focused on delivering high-quality accommodation in Dundee, Arbroath, and surrounding areas

• Tips for systematising property management in a family-run business

🏨 Hospitality & Guesthouse Strategy

• Operating a 6-bed luxury guesthouse in Arbroath with strong year-round occupancy

• Their approach to customer service, direct bookings, and standing out from Airbnb competition

• How hospitality feeds into their overall brand and business

🤝 Family Business Dynamics

• Balancing different skill sets and personalities as siblings

• The importance of communication, defined roles, and mutual respect

• What makes their partnership work — and how they handle conflict

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Prime Property Auction: www.instagram.com/primepropertyauctions/

John: www.instagram.com/john_property_auctioneer/

Luis: www.instagram.com/luis_property_auctioneer/Visit Prime Property Auction website: https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/

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**DISCLAIMER**Please do your own due diligence on any of our guests you may decide to do business with. We interview in good faith. However, we cannot be held responsible for any credibility issues that may arise.

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