THE VOICE OF PROPERTY

THIS weekend marks the launch of a new initiative from Taylor Wimpey West Scotland in conjunction with Own New, that will enable buyers to benefit from access to competitive, lower rate mortgages.

The Own New Rate Reducer introduces a straightforward solution: a regular mortgage with lower monthly payments to make home ownership more accessible and affordable, allowing people to buy a home without compromising their financial stability. Events are being held each day at hubs located in Dargavel Village, Bishopton; Amble Court, Jacktonhall;

Monument Way, Robroyston; and Torrance Park, Motherwell. Visitors to the Own New Rate Reducer event hubs will also be able to speak with an independent mortgage specialist to ensure they are financially ready to make their property move.

Visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/ westscotland

Note: Own New works behind the scenes with house builders and lenders to reduce the overall cost involved with mortgage loans on new build properties. The reduction is funded by house builders’ contributions towards the cost of the mortgage and enables the lender to offer borrowers more competitive interest rates during the initial period of their mortgage.

PROOF that property tax is the gift that keeps on giving comes from analysis of the latest statistics by property firm DJ Alexander, which reveals Scottish Government revenues from Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) totalled over £616m in the 12 months to February 2024.

While this is slightly lower than the previous year, it is 52 per cent higher than the pre-pandemic figure of £403m in 2019/20.

CEO David Alexander comments: “Although Scottish homebuyers pay substantially more tax for their homes than their English counterparts, this doesn’t appear to be dampening the market which appears to be as resilient as ever. Taxes charged on property sales are now substantially higher than even three and a half years ago and remain a major source of revenue for the Scottish Government. However, increasingly the bulk of this income is dependent on transactions for properties worth more than £325,000. Almost 90% of total revenues were generated from a few thousand buyers who contributed, on average, over £20,000 to buy a home in Scotland.”

CELEBRATING its 30th anniversary this year, the Scottish Housebuilding & Renovating Show returns to the SEC on 11/12 May – and sponsored by Fleming Homes, it promises the biggest ever line-up of property experts under one roof to offer advice on all aspects of building and renovation, from planning a new extension to embarking on period renovations.

This year there will also be the opportunity to look back at some of the best and worst home renovation and self-build trends of the last three decades (magnolia walls and ‘foosty’ blinds come to mind), while experts in the Masterclass and Seminar Theatres will present on topics ranging from a beginner’s guide to building your own home; estimating and controlling build costs; integrating smart technology seamlessly; planning permission rules; and sustainable home design. Opening hours are 10am – 5pm (4.30pm on Sunday). For more details visit https://glasgow. homebuildingshow.co.uk

Dream up your own grand design at the Scottish Housebuilding and Renovating Show at the SEC in May