Silver service for property owners

A new boutique service for busy families, second home owners and property buyers has launched in Edinburgh to cater for the growing number of people investing in Scotland.

RJB aims to offer a variety of concierge services to owners and investors across the capital, and further afield, to make life easier and provide help with buying, selling, renovating and maintaining their property.

“Building on over 15 years’ experience in the sector, I’ve devised a spectrum of services that I know our clients actually need; ones that we are able to deliver to the highest standard. Our purpose is to bring our experience, knowledge and unrivalled network of suppliers to property projects across Edinburgh,” said Rhea Balfour, founder of RJB Property Consultants and Surveyors.

“There’s a huge gap in the market for private property management and concierge services in Edinburgh.”

In recent times Scotland in general and Edinburgh in particular has become a big attraction for cash-rich second home owners and property investors.

Last year the Scottish capital saw house prices rise by 5.4 per cent, the highest of any city in the UK.

Increasing interest in high-end properties especially saw the number of homes over £1million sold in Scotland rise by 21 per cent between 2018 and 2019 compared to 5 per cent in the rest of the UK.

“Scotland is definitely good investment. It’s such a big pull for people. Everybody who comes here falls in love with the place and wants to return again and again. There is so much to offer here it’s a good place for people to invest in,” said Rhea.

In addition to Edinburgh many buyers are seeking out bargains in Glasgow, St Andrews and various areas of the Highlands. Historic homes, traditional estates and modernised luxury conversions are all in growing demand.

“We’ve had quite a lot of queries from people in London, Singapore, Dubai and elsewhere looking to invest and buy property in Scotland,” said Rhea, who is a fully qualified surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer with expertise in all areas of residential valuation work, commercial/SIPP valuations, EPCs and land/crofting valuations.

“The other group of people we’ve had a lot of interest from is parents of children at school or university in Edinburgh. They want to buy a second property so they have somewhere to stay when they come to visit and it is a good investment. And because they are not here all the time they need somebody who can look after the property and make sure it is ready for them when they want to use it.

“We pride ourselves in delivering a personal, trustworthy and effortless service and we want to bring a refreshed perspective to the industry in Edinburgh,” said Rhea.