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Buying a house in Scotland - Part Three: Making an offer
December 23, 2015
So, you have found a house you really like, your funding is in place and you and your solicitor have taken steps to sound out the seller. You will find yourself in one of two situations, broadly speaking: either the seller is in the fortunate position of having more than one party wanting to buy, or you are the only interested party.
What does the Marischal Square development mean for Aberdeen?
December 16, 2015
The Marischal Square development has been in the news again recently, during a debate in the Scottish Parliament, with an MSP calling the plans “about as popular as a visit by King Herod to the Bethlehem nursery” – but what actually are the pros and cons of the redevelopment?
ASPC looks into the Aberdeen Art Gallery redevelopment
December 09, 2015
I had the opportunity, recently, of further updating on the redevelopment of the Aberdeen Art Gallery. Work has been ongoing for some time now, but not necessarily apparent to the passing public as most of what has been done has been carried out behind closed doors. During this year staff and contractors have been very busy packing and transporting the art collection to secure storage. Over 2,000 items had to be dealt with and now rest in safe temperature controlled storage.
Buying a house in Scotland Part Two: Getting ready to make an offer
November 18, 2015
Having carried out the process of searching for a suitable home, using the excellent ASPC website, you will have found one that you want to make an offer for. Often, the discovery leads to temporary mental dissociation, turning the most level headed individuals into excitable wrecks, desperate to buy. This is where advice from your solicitor can be of great help.
Changes to the Aberdeen Art Gallery: what will they mean?
November 04, 2015
Over the next few months, those who walk past the Aberdeen Art Gallery will notice the erection of scaffolding to the front of the building, the removal of the roof above the centre court and the installation of a crane. This isn’t the latest art display: it’s the next stage in the £30m redevelopment plan for the Gallery.
Could Aberdeen City Council plans help bring over 400 council homes back into use?
October 28, 2015
For some people, council housing is the only thing stopping them from being homeless – and yet in Aberdeen there are presently hundreds of vacant homes which are habitable except from minor repair work.
Five tools to improve your ASPC property search online
October 21, 2015
How many properties do you look at online before you set up a viewing? The number will be different for everyone, depending on how much of an idea you have in your head about your dream home – but it’s important to know everything you can about a property before you make a trip to see it
Could King’s Gate roundabout be replaced with traffic lights?
October 14, 2015
It’s been a big year for the roads in the North East of Scotland, and Aberdeen in particular. First, we have the £745m Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty bypass, then plans to improve the Haudagain Roundabout route…and now it has been suggested that the Anderson Drive roundabout at King’s Gate could be the next target. (“Target” seems an appropriate word in this case. I have to declare an interest, here, as I use both in my commute.)
A look at the Rowett South development masterplan – ASPC
September 30, 2015
There seems to be a lot of housing developments springing up in the North East over the past months: including Chapelton. In recent weeks, two further developments have been granted planning permission in principle: for the Rowett South site at Bucksburn, and for Loch of Loirston.
Scottish Government to spend £195m to help home buyers get on property market
September 16, 2015
The successor to the current Help to Buy scheme from the Scottish Government has been announced, with the government to spend £195m over the next three years in a new shared equity scheme to help around 6,500 home buyers buy a new-build home. There are terms and conditions attaching such that not all first time purchasers will qualify. Equally only registered builders will come within the scheme and affordable housing is the target for the funding.