In this episode, Nick and Steven are joined by property investor and construction professional Mark Downie, who shares his incredible journey from working on mega-projects in Saudi Arabia to building a property portfolio back home in Scotland.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this episode offers a raw and honest look at what it really takes to build a portfolio while working abroad.

Episode Highlights

🏗️ Mark’s Journey: Construction & Property Investing

• From civil engineering in Scotland to managing billion-dollar infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia

• How he transformed an 8-bed Victorian villa in Falkirk as his first big project

🏠 Portfolio Building: Buy-to-Let & Flips

• Scaling to 11 properties in under a year with deals in Aberdeen and Falkirk

• Using credit cards and investor finance to fund deposits and renovations

• His first successful flip and how off-market deals helped him get started

📉 Lessons from a Failed Serviced Accommodation

• The painful £18k loss on a Bathgate SA due to planning rejection

• Why it’s critical to have multiple exit strategies and check licensing rules early

• The differences between SA rules in Aberdeen vs West Lothian

💷 Financing & Lender Challenges

• Tips for expats navigating UK mortgages while living abroad

• How Mark structures deals for better tax efficiency and cash flow

• Refinancing wins and losses — and dealing with down valuations

🌍 Saudi Arabia Mega Projects & Life Abroad

• Inside the $500 billion NEOM “Line” project and what it’s like building in the desert

• Why working abroad offers tax advantages—but comes with family sacrifices

• Mark’s plan to return home, scale to 30-50 properties, and support other investors with project management services

Mark’s story is a powerful example of resilience, risk-taking, and real-world property investing. Whether you’re working offshore, considering SA, or looking for ways to scale, this episode is packed with practical lessons and cautionary tales. Get the full picture on building wealth through property while navigating the challenges of today’s market.

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Prime Property Auctions – Sell your property with no upfront costs and control the reserve price.

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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Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast

**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.

🤝 Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups. We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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📩 Email us:

Steven@steven-clark.com

Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this special episode, co-host Nick Ponty sits down with Colin Campbell to delve into a refreshingly candid conversation that strays from the usual property chat and instead dives deep into the world of personal growth, mindset shifts, and life transformation.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Colin's powerful journey of self-discovery and how personal development became the foundation for his success.

• Why men struggle to talk openly about emotions and personal challenges—and how breaking that silence can be transformative.

• The importance of showing up as your authentic self in business and life.

• Colin’s thoughts on masculinity, mental health, vulnerability, and purpose.

• Tips on how to build confidence, resilience, and inner peace, even when life gets hard.

• The role of daily practices like journaling, breathwork, and fitness in maintaining emotional well-being.

• How being part of a growth-focused community can elevate your mindset and your results.

🔥 Whether you're a property investor, entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to level up personally and professionally, this episode is packed with value.

----------------------------------------------------------

Prime Property Auctions – Sell your property with no upfront costs and control the reserve price.

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/

------------------------------------

Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast

**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.

🤝 Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups. We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📩 Email us:

Steven@steven-clark.com

Nick@arcproperty.uk

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven return with a jam-packed market update, covering everything from global economic trends to local property prices. They dive into the latest landlord legislation, interest rate forecasts, and the growing shift from amateur landlords to serious portfolio investors.

Key Highlights:

📉 Mortgage Market & Interest Rates

• Why the IMF is predicting three interest rate cuts this year

• How global trade tensions (yes, Trump again) could bring cheaper goods to the UK

• Latest 5-year swap rate and new limited company mortgage deals from The Mortgage Works

🏠 Scottish Property Price Trends

• House prices up 5.7% annually with East Renfrewshire leading at +10.6%

• Steven’s flip project in Dunfermline – who the buyers will be and how the numbers stack up

📈 Rental Market Update

• ONS rental data shows 5.7% annual increase in Scotland, but things are cooling

• Why agents are now reducing asking rents in Aberdeen and Glasgow

• The impact of fewer foreign students and increased supply

⚖️ Landlord Regulation & Housing Bill

• Labour’s proposal to jail landlords for illegal evictions

• Debate over rent controls, eviction rules, and the shifting narrative

• Why Nick took to the BBC to defend the landlord perspective

📊 Landlord Numbers & Social Housing

• 1,000 fewer landlords—but an increase in registered properties

• A shift from amateur landlords to serious portfolio players

• The shocking number of empty social homes despite a housing crisis

As the Scottish property market evolves, landlords are facing new pressures but also fresh opportunities. From political debates to mortgage updates, this episode gives you the full picture of what’s happening on the ground. Whether you're flipping houses, growing a rental portfolio, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is packed with valuable insights and commentary.

----------------------------------------------------------

Prime Property Auctions – Sell your property with no upfront costs and control the reserve price.

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/

------------------------------------

Follow us on all of our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/scottishpropertypodcast

**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.

🤝 Visit one of our monthly networking meet-ups. We run them on the 1st Wednesday of each month and have some fantastic guest speakers.🎟 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book your place at the networking events here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hope you find content useful and we would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Connect with us on social media:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our private Facebook group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📩 Email us:

Steven@steven-clark.com

Nick@arcproperty.uk