Commuting and mornings. One of the worst combinations to have ever been created. Alas, travelling to work each day is unavoidable for most people, unless you’re lucky enough to work from home and need only commute across the hall from the bedroom to the study. What a joy that must be! Still, it takes a lot of motivation just to get out from under the cosy duvet each morning, especially when you look outside and see…. rain. We are rarely awoken in Scotland by the gloriously warm face of the elusive fiery star that is rumoured to exist pretty much everywhere else.

If you’re looking for a way to make your early rise a little more bearable and improve your morning commute to work, there are a number of simple things you can do. It mainly centres around routine. The more we do something, the less we have to think about it, thus our actions are not as stress-inducing. There’s no guarantee that you’ll arrive at the office as chipper as Julie Andrews, but you’re likely to feel less frazzled whilst getting ready and travelling to work. As a result, you hopefully won’t be as stressed throughout the day.

Get up earlier, at a set time

This may sound drastic and downright offensive to even suggest, but it works. One of the worst things we can do in the morning is leave ourselves with as little time as possible to wake up and get ready. By doing so, you’re guaranteed to end up rushing about and getting stressed on your way to work. Give yourself time to relax into the day by setting your alarm that little bit earlier and at the same time each morning.

After a while, you’ll start to wake up just before your alarm and it won’t be such an effort to get out of bed. You’ll have time to just ‘be’ and then enjoy a more leisurely commute. Try to get out of bed and into the shower as soon as your alarm goes off, rather than hitting the snooze button 15 times, falling back asleep, and then re-enacting the opening scene from Four Weddings and a Funeral when you realise the time.

Set out your clothes the evening before

One of the most infuriating things to experience in the morning is being unable to find anything to wear. There are so many ways in which this can transpire—your required outfit is in the laundry basket; your shirt needs ironed; you discover a ladder in your one remaining pair of tights; there’s a stain on the top you want to wear; or you simply have no idea where the heck any of your work clothes are. So many things can go wrong. To avoid a traumatic event such as outfit failure, check the weather for the next day, choose something appropriate, and lay everything out before you go to bed. That way, if you encounter any unexpected problems, you have time to rectify the situation, so you won’t have to rush about in a panic in the morning and experience a horribly stressful commute.

Take or buy a coffee

This only works if you like coffee. If you don’t, it really won’t improve your morning commute. But there is always tea or hot chocolate? Either way, preparing a cup of ‘something’ to take in the car or train, or buying a tasty takeaway drink on your way to the office, will likely perk you up and it’s a good way to get some fluids into your system.  Again, this type of habitual practice will put you at ease in the morning—familiarity is comforting and relaxing.

Switch up the journey

Whilst routine is good, sometimes it’s beneficial to mix certain things up. If you usually drive to work, consider taking the train or bus instead. This will allow you to zone out because you won’t have to concentrate on the roads or gesticulate wildly at all of the terrible drivers out there. It may seem more convenient to just take the car, but it’s often more stressful. Take your coffee, listen to some music or a podcast, prepare your to-do list for the day, start knitting, practice mindfulness, read a book, subtly look at other travellers and try to figure out what they do… It’s simply an opportunity for some ‘you time’ before a busy day at work.

If you have to take the car, perhaps go a different route to enjoy a change of scenery. This type of change can be refreshing and may to reduce the monotony of the morning commute. If you’re feeling particularly daring (and it’s feasible), you could cycle to work. The fresh air and exercise will wake up the brain, get the endorphins flowing, and put you in a good mood for a productive day. It’s also an excuse to scoff more biscuits when it’s time for your elevenses.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley. 

Dumbarton is a charming town in perfect commute distance to Glasgow, which makes it an attractive options for families and professionals alike. We’ve seen demand grow steadily recently, with more house hunters showing an interest in buying property – particularly two- and three-bedroom houses – in this picturesque coastal town. Significantly more affordable than Glasgow, the overall average price of property in Dumbarton is currently £125,346, making it an ideal place for first-time buyers, families, and commuters. (find out more on Dumbarton property market here)

Recently SOLD Property in Dumbarton

Here are a few successful recent sales from Caledonia Bureau Dumbarton.

Barnhill Road, Dumbarton G82 2SD – SOLD

Offers Over £127,000

Delightful three bedroom mid terraced villa within a popular development with lovely views over Dumbarton.

The property has the added advantage of a lock up garage. Garden areas to the front and rear; front garden laid principally to lawn with planting section. Rear has slabbed patio area, bedding area and garden shed.

Mary Fisher Crescent, Dumbarton G82 1BF – SOLD

Offers Over £175,000

Immaculately presented three bedroom Semi Detached Villa within one of Dumbarton’s most sought after locations. The property comes with the added advantage of an integral garage. Gardens to the front are laid principally to lawn with planting and shrubbery area, multiple vehicle mono block driveway leading to side pathway with leads on to the rear gardens which are south westerly facing; this area has been landscaped with flagstone slabbing patio and again lawn and planting sections bounded by timber fencing.

Carrochan Crescent, Balloch G83 8PX – SOLD

Offers Over £225,000

***SOLD AT CLOSING DATE*** Truly outstanding three bedroom semi detached villa located within this sought after Balloch pocket. This larger style semi would be an ideal family home and offers flexible living space formed over two levels. Early viewings are highly recommended to appreciate this superb property.

Kirkton Road, Dumbarton G82 4AS – UNDER OFFER

Offers Over £375,000

Offering to the market this superb family size detached villa located within an extensive mature garden and close to the town centre. The property offers well presented accommodation over two levels and an early viewing will be beneficial.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.

Having someone come to view your home is a nerve-wracking experience as you want them to love your home as much as you do. This is the reason why a growing number of people decide to show the property to prospective buyers themselves. However, some prospective buyers may prefer this approach as the owner can answer questions about the property and the local area. For this reason, it’s beneficial for us to take you through what you should and shouldn’t do when showing your own home.

Learn the facts

Make a list of your property’s best features and anything of note which a prospective buyer will want to see. First impressions are incredibly important so if your kitchen is the most impressive room in the house you should start there, ensuring to list the features as you go. If the house has original or period features, then showcase these too as they all to the overall impression of the house.

Do a run through

Do you get stage fright before a presentation at work and need to practice a few times before doing the real thing? This is no different and it helps to have a script prepared beforehand so you don’t miss anything out or repeat yourself. Remember you’re selling the property and to do so you need to ensure you point out all the positives; think of what you love the most about your home, but also what viewers might be interested in and start your pitch from there.

Allow them time to view the property alone

Giving prospective buyers time to view the property without means that they can start to envisage themselves in the property, take in the view and make decisions on what they would do with the space if it was theirs.

Don’t talk about other viewers

This isn’t to say that if you’re asked how many people have seen the property that you can’t answer tactfully that there has been quite a bit of interest, without mentioning numbers. Also remember to never air opinions on anyone who has viewed the property previously or relate others what was asked.

Don’t be afraid to add some personality

If you’re the chatty type, then your script should be the same. Don’t feel that you need to hide who are in order to sell your house. Reminisce about childhood memories or a funny story to help you remember what you need to say. This also goes for the property itself – don’t be afraid to add any extra finishing touches to your home to make sure the impression you give is the right one.

Don’t talk business

Although you’re the one handling the viewing we advise you against talking business with prospective buyers, as this should be handled by us (one of the many reasons why estate agency is still a people’s business). By all means take a note of questions which have been asked and pass them on to be answered by your Caledonia Bureau negotiator but don’t attempt to answer anything to do with asking price or fees as this could potentally lower the final offered price and even endanger the progress of negotiations.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.

Letting property nowadays can be a complicated process, but when you work with professionals like Caledonia Bureau who manage hundreds of let properties in the West of Scotland, you know you will have expert advice on all aspects of letting procedure, legal obligation and maximising returns through pro-active management and superior customer service.

We have put together a quick checklist to help you get ready to put your first rental property on the market, as there are a few essential steps to ensure you are legally compliant but also that your property is ready for its first tenants. The more prepared you are, the easier and less stressful finding and keeping a good tenant will be.

1.     Is the property ready? You might need to un-clutter and do some maintenance job to make sure the property looks appealing to potential tenants. The easiest way to figure how much you should invest in that home is – would you live there? If the answer is yes then you are most likely on the right track.

2.     Does the property comply with all rules and regulations? There are many laws around health and safety for letting property, like the regulations around Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Also, all residential properties which are rented out must now have a risk assessment undertaken to determine the risk of Legionella, and must comply to the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, as well as the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulation 1993. While all this might look daunting, we have gone through the entire process with many landlords and will know exactly what needs to be done.

3.     Mortgage and insurance. When you decide to rent out property, you have to let your lender know as mortgage conditions differ for second homes and buy to let. The next step will be looking into specialist landlord insurance. Many companies offer now specialist policies that will cover risks that are specific to renting out property like Buildings insurance, including accidental damage and subsidence, Contents cover, including accidental damage or Loss of rent, with an indemnity period of 12, 24 or 36 months.

4.     Your letting plan. An important step in getting your property ready to let is defining your target market. Is your home suitable for families or for young professionals? Is it ideal for commuting? When taking property photos and marketing it we will keep all that in mind and bring the best

5.     Keep up to date. At Caledonia Bureau we will be with you every step of the way through all the process of getting your property ready to letting it in the best possible conditions. Our eProperty system allows you to keep up to date with viewers, feedback and track our progress across the entire letting contract.

With an experienced letting agent like Caledonia Bureau, we make sure we do the hardest parts for you, so becoming a landlord can be a very easy process. If you would like to find out more about becoming a landlord or how much your property would rent out for, why not give your local Caledonia branch a call today?!

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.

The biggest investment most people will ever make is the purchase of property. We all want to know how much our homes are worth, which can dramatically change over time, so it’s important to keep abreast of trends, forecasts, and property sales in your area. However, the vast majority of homeowners either underestimate or overestimate what their properties are worth. Whether or not you’re planning to sell your home now, in the near future, or not at all, it will always be beneficial to monitor the value of your home or buy-to-let properties because it has a direct impact on financial planning and borrowing, building and contents insurance, home improvement plans, and the best time to sell.

Financial planning

Before making any major decisions, it’s is always a good idea to assess your current net worth. By knowing the current market value of your property, you can determine if you are in negative equity or have made capital gains. This information is really important when making significant life choices, approaching banks for a loan, switching credit cards, remortgaging your property, investing in a buy-to-let property, or starting a new business. It is particularly useful to know how much your home is worth is you are planning to retire, downsize to a smaller home, or you hope to buy a bigger property in the future.

Home improvements

If you’re thinking of making home improvements to your property, either for your own benefit whilst living there or to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market, it’s important to know the current value of your home and of similar sized properties in the area. If your home is already one of the highest valued properties in the area, investing a significant amount of money in home improvements for the purpose of selling may not yield the desired returns. In such instances, it would be advisable to speak to a reputable local estate agent for advice before making any changes. They will be able to advise on the best way to make the most out of your investment.

Insurance

Many homeowners make the mistake of using the original purchase price or current market value of their property when getting a home insurance quote. In most instances, this will result in much higher monthly or annual premiums. Instead, you should use the rebuilding cost of the property – i.e. how much it would cost to rebuild if it were destroyed by fire – when renewing or taking out a new buildings insurance policy. Related to this, most people actually underestimate the value of their belongings for contents insurance, so be sure to take your time with calculating how much it would cost to replace everything you own, including things like CDs, records, clothes and shoes, cushions and curtains, etc.

Selling your home

This is most obvious situation when you would need to know how much your property is worth. Keeping track of the value of your home over the years means you will not be disappointed or surprised if it turns out that your property is not worth as much as you thought. This is particularly unpleasant news if you had set your sights on a larger property or a home in a more expensive area in the west of Scotland, only to discover you cannot afford it. By always knowing the value of your home, you can plan and save accordingly for a future move that requires more significant investment, thus avoiding disappointment.

Conversely, if the value of your home increases more than you had predicted, you will have more options than realised. You may choose to sell when you had not been considering it, or move a little sooner than planned because of high property values and demand from buyers, thus putting you at an advantage and perhaps releasing capital to investment or spend on other things. At the present time, we’er in the midst of a sellers’ market – mortgage approvals are up and interest rates are still incredibly low, so it is a really great time for anyone thinking of selling or hoping to make significant capital gains from their current property.

Arrange a Free Valuation

Do you own a property in the west of Scotland and need an idea of what it is currently worth? Let Caledonia Bureau give you a free no obligation valuation on your property. We’ll apply our in-depth knowledge of the property to provide you with an accurate valuation and make recommendations on ways to increase the value of your home.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.

In today’s digital world, many are left wondering if a human touch is still necessary in buying and selling homes. In our experience, the answer to that question is a resounding yes, estate agency is still very much a people’s business. And here we explain why:

A home is a unique product

In our experience, each home is unique and you need a trained eye with local experience to value its individual selling points. What market is it ideal for? Does it have potential to extend? What lifestyle does the location offer? Some features might be quantified without actually seeing the house,

Great value

Because the home you own might be the most valuable asset you will ever own, can you rely on a software to actually sell it at its true value? We have years of local experience and most likely know all historic sales in the area as well as current interest from active buyers. Although digital platforms are great tools to reach information, it is the collecting and disseminating it discerningly that offers the true added value in a property transaction.

The art of negotiation

While you can rely on managing offers via online messaging, having an expert negotiator on your side, able to pick cues and leverage their experience in reading people and their reactions can make a difference of thousands to the final sale price.

All the unpleasant aspects of a home sale – handled by professionals

Home viewings, listening to buyer feedback, asking uncomfortable questions to vet potential buyers, are all part of our job. Some might be easily handled online but others hinge on looking a person in the eye and asking the right questions at the right time.

A hand to hold

Buying and selling, letting and renting are all life changing, stressful events. Having the support of an experienced professional who understands the ins and outs of the transaction and is able to offer advice and support can make a world of difference in the process. We love the fact that we meet people from all walks of life in our daily jobs and help them get to where they want to be. Sometimes personal stories get intertwined in our professional work but that is ok, that is why we as humans are here, to listen and help in difficult moments, as well as celebrate with you in the happy ones.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.

The town of Paisley has a rich history, from its abbey to its famous Paisley pattern shawls. Paisley’s growth in the early 19th century was primarily through textiles and the Paisley Thread Mill Museum details the town’s historic textile industry. (source) With an average property price of £110,526 according to Rightmove, Paisley is an affordable option for home buyers wishing a quiet location within comfortable commuting distance from Glasgow.

An attractive proposition for young professionals and families alike, Paisley offers varied property types to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Here are a few of the properties we currently market on behalf of home owners in and around Paisley:

Pioneer Park, Renfrew PA4 8ZG

Offers Over £268,000

Caledonia Bureau are delighted to present to the market this outstanding executive Detached Villa situated in a prime location within this popular modern development,

This contemporary home is located within the sought after Riverside Point locale of Renfrew and offers a family sized home, finished to the highest standard throughout. The present owners have upgraded and maintained the property to offer a home in true walk in condition.

Moredun Drive, Paisley PA2 9LW

Offers Over £220,000

Offering this spacious detached villa to the market. An ideal family home with open views to the front over the south side of Paisley.

Cairnhill Circus, Crookston, G52 3NL

Offers Over £135,000

Offering to the market this superb semi detached villa, located close to all local amenities and an ideal buy for a young family. Internally the house is in superb condition having been improved and maintained by the present owner.

Craigmuir Road, Penilee G52 4DN

Offers Over £150,000

Offering to the market this spacious modern semi detached villa with a popular modern development, ideal for first time buyers or a young family.

If you are thinking of selling your home in or around Paisley, get in touch with our friendly Paisley team! We offer fantastic packages to local home sellers, with no upfront marketing costs, discounted home reports and no sale no fee. Together with top quality marketing materials, exposure on the UK’s highest ranking property portals, extended opening hours and the willingness to go the extra mile in helping all our clients, your property will be matched to our own extensive database of buyers who are ready to move.

At Caledonia Bureau our aim is to make your buying, selling, letting or rental journey as straightforward and stress free as possible. Call us today on 0141 648 0888.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.

Having a relaxing place to go to at the end of the day makes a huge impact on our daily lives. And given that most of our time is spent indoors, it is important to build that all necessary oasis to recharge your body and soul.

At Caledonia Bureau we believe it is important to pay attention to your home and make the best of your living space no matter how big or small.

In today’s noisy world, our homes are becoming a personal retreat, an ideally soothing space where we can relax and be ourselves, By taking steps to secure that safe, quiet environment you will enjoy your home that much more and that will impact your level of daily stress.

In creating that safe, soothing space not only interior design and looks play a role, but actually paying attention to your personal space, encouraging your style to come through and make your home your own personal retreat.

Natural Elements

It is said that natural materials like wood, cork, wool and using functional furniture that offers you the best use of space have an impact on recharging you and helping you get rid of stress. A bright airy space and living plants are all said to impact our mood. So pay attention to tactile, delightful materials that you will enjoy touching daily, encourage your passion for gardening even if it is indoors, paint your home in light colours and keep windows open daily. Pay attention to what works for you and do more of that.

Tidy or Not?

Some people thrive in their own organized mess, while for others a minimalistic space is the way to go. As long as you listen to your instincts, cultivate your interests and hobbies and purposefully go about creating the right environment for you, you are doing it right.

The Power of Colour

It has been long studied that colours have an impact on our overall wellbeing and mood, so choosing the right colour scheme for your home is an important element for creating a relaxing, healthy home environment. Whether you want to get on board with the latest colour trends in interior design or have your own favourites, go with the colours that make you feel good, energise you or calm you down, depending on the area of the home.

Paying attention to all these aspects when looking at decorating your home helps you create a space that will help us cope better with the outside stress and busy lives we all lead. What’s even more, we will all love our homes a little bit better when each corner has been mindfully constructed to suit our needs.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.

Buying your first home can be an incredibly exciting time as well as life changing and stressful. We have prepared a few tips to help guide you through the maze of finding a home, making an offer and making sure it gets accepted.

Is It the Right Home for You?

Most of the times, your first home might not be the last, so while you are looking for that first step on the property ladder, you want to make sure it is the right investment. In a few years time when you feel ready to step up, you wont to make sure your investment paid off.

Look into location – is it convenient for commuting? That will ensure your investment is well protected as an easy commute is something most first time buyers are interested in.

Can You afford it?

We all had to start somewhere, so it might not be that beautiful forever home you dream of, but it is a great first step towards it. Making sure you secure a mortgage is essential before starting placing offers. So a sound financial check and pre-approval for a mortgage will raise you chances in searching the right home and offering the right price.

Will Your Offer Be Accepted?

As a first time buyer, you have that benefit of not having a lengthy and complicated chain you depend upon. That, together with having a pre-approved mortgage makes you a highly desirable home buyer for sellers, as it means less potential surprises later on in the transaction.

Look at previously sold homes in the area to make an idea of current values and go with a realistic offer that you consider fair and that you can afford.

The Waiting Game

Even if you might miss out on a couple of homes you had your heart set on, the right one will still be out there. Buying a home is a process and only by constantly keeping an eye on the market and being in a position to buy immediately will bring the right home to you.

As estate agents with 30 years experience, we understand the local market and are happy to advise and guide you toward that first home buy. The areas we serve (Dumbarton, Paisley, Clydebank and Helensburgh) all have great potential for first time buyers as they have great value homes in commuting distance to Glasgow and beyond. Just check our current books or give us a call to find out how to secure your first home.

You have decided to put your home on the market – congratulations, what an exciting time! Now here is hoping for that quick easy sell. What might help, aside from luck is having a knowledgeable estate agent on your side that will not only advise you but make sure your home is presented in the right way to attract the right buyers.

While there are many things that us as an estate agent can do to raise interest to your home, here are a few tips on what you might do while waiting for those first eager home buyers to come view your home:

Pay attention to the outside of your home

A fresh flower pot by a freshly painted door can make a right first impression. It has been said that home buyers make their decision in the first few minutes of seeing a home so make sure that first impression is the right one.

Small maintenance jobs

Home buyers are facing a huge investment and they want to make sure they do it right. That is why tackling the some tasks can help with buyers interest as that will be one less hassle (and expense) for them to worry about when moving in.

Clean and Declutter

It has probably been said too many times, but for good reason: a clean, tidy home is more inviting and will be more welcoming to potential buyers. They will more easily see themselves and their possessions in their new home. A lovely fresh scent also helps and some go so far as to bake cookies right before a viewing so the smell is as inviting as can be.

Add finishing touches

Add a bouquet of fresh flowers on the dining table, a crisp set of bed linen in the master bedroom, make sure the rooms are as bright and aired as possible – and you are ready.

Potential buyers appreciate these touches and you will see that in the level of interest your home raises as well as the final sale price.

Talk to us today about selling your home and we will advise you on all the little things that make for a quick and successful home sale.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.