THE VOICE OF PROPERTY

PREDICTABLY perhaps given the current Brexit mess property market predictions for 2019 are thin on the ground. But I did enjoy a festive chuckle at Rettie’s Christmas Nuggets 2018, for which associate director Andrew Meehan penned The Ghost of Market Past, Present and Future.

Edited highlights include: “Although the economic outlook may be uncertain under Brexit, it should be noted most forecasts assume some form of deal being reached and expect GDP growth to stay positive in 2019.

“Every decade since the Second World War the UK has seen recession; from the credit squeeze of the 1950s through to the Great Recession of 2008. And each decade has typically faced political crisis. In an even longer view a study this year found 536AD to be the worst year to be alive in history.

“A volcanic explosion plunged Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia into to an 18 month long dark fog, causing crop failure, starvation and starting the coldest decade in recorded history. The lack of any sun was exacerbated by a crumbling Roman Empire, invasion by the Angles, and the first plague pandemic. Not to diminish the significance of current events, but at least we still have the sun, albeit only for a few hours a day at the moment.

“There were other reasons for positivity in 2018 – Edinburgh has been ranked the most liveable city in the world; Glasgow has seen exciting new investment announcements and planning granted for two major build to rent schemes; Dundee has opened the V&A raising its international profile; even Aberdeen, with its beleaguered oil sector, has seen its housing market stabilise.

“In the event of a positive Brexit scenario we would expect house prices to maintain modest growth in the short term. Contrary to current trends we will commit to a course of action and place our central forecast at 1.5 per cent growth in 2019.”

WORK is currently underway on the exclusive CALA Homes’ Riverside development in the affluent village of Bothwell in South Lanarkshire, a renowned property hotspot.

The 12, five bedroomed detached properties here will include a new CALA house type, the Waterston, which exceeds 3,800 square feet in size and features never seen before elevations, new luxury specification and a bespoke design inspired by its coveted waterside setting that includes outdoor space stretching down to the river.