There are a good few weeks to fill during the school summer holidays and you may be wondering how to keep the kids entertained without spending lots! Here’s a round-up of some free school holiday activity ideas in the west of Scotland – from picnics in the park, to garden camp outs and free museum events.

Sunny days

Park Life – What nicer (and cheap!) way to spend a sunny day than a trip to the park! Pack a picnic and take a ball to kick around, it’s easy to while away a good few days of the summer holidays at the various parks on our doorstep. Keep the wee ones entertained by doing a bit of nature spotting or by feeding the ducks – remember current guidelines say frozen peas or vegetable trimmings are better for them than your stale bread! Park highlights in the area include Glennifer Braes Country Park in Paisley, Finlaystone Country Estate in Langbank, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Balloch Castle Country Estate.

Get out into the Garden – Many of our childhoods were spent making our own entertainment in the garden, whether it was simply taking toys outside to play or getting wet under the sprinkler with a water fight! Other ways to create special summer holiday memories include den making, using bits and pieces from the garden or old sheets and clothes dryers. Or get the tent out and join kids for a spot of camping at home complete with a BBQ, marshmallow toasting and star gazing – guaranteed fun on your doorstep!

Beside the sea side – We don’t get much beach weather in Scotland, but the seaside can be a great place to explore even on an overcast day. Think cartwheels and races along the sand, paddling in the sea, sand castle competitions, shell collecting and rock pool exploration. Pack some sandwiches and make a day of it with bat and ball games, Frisbee throwing or kite flying if the wind picks up! We are spoilt for choice for beaches and coastline on the Ayrshire and Argyll coasts, with popular spots including Troon Beach and Argyll’s Secret Coast.

Good sport – Kids seem to have more energy than ever in the summer holidays! Keep them active with sporting activities, whether it’s cycling on one of the national cycling network routes or taking inspiration from Andy Murray at Wimbledon, looking out the rackets and heading to the public tennis courts. Get some other parents and kids together for a friendly game of rounders at a local green space. If yours are forever running around, sign them up to the free junior parkrun, 2k running events for kids aged 4 – 14 years.

Summer fruits – Teach kids about the food they eat and where it comes from with a day of fruit picking! The summer sees soft fruit season, when strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries and redcurrants are all ripe for the picking. Most farms won’t charge entry, though you will obviously pay for any produce by the punnet/weight. East Yonderton Farm in Renfrewshire has strawberries and other soft fruits as well as peas, broccoli and potatoes ready to pick in July and August. A great way to get your kids into their fruit and veg!

Rainy days

Must-see museums – Most museums are family friendly and there are loads to explore in Glasgow and the surrounding areas. Look out for children’s zones and free kids workshops that many museums organise, especially during summer holiday time. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre has a full programme of free events for children throughout the summer including fun with fossils, dinosaur adventures, sculpture making, crafts and mystery trails.

Kitchen creations – Turn them into little chefs and use up what’s in the cupboard of a rainy afternoon. With supervision, children can be captivated by getting stuck in in the kitchen. Bake a cake, scones or cookies or have a go at making your own pizzas – kids will love getting creative with topping combinations. There are lots of child-friendly recipe ideas online, including these fun foodie ideas from netmums.

Creative arts & crafts – Getting children settled with some paper and colouring pencils can be tricky at times! Make things more interesting for them by suggesting crafts like mask making, collaging, sock puppet making and stone painting. Save money on supplies by raiding the recycling to make Blue peter style models! Find lots of ideas, from origami animals to egg box crafts at parents.com.

Lovely library events – Keep wee one’s brains busy with a trip to the library to search for their favourite books, magazines and audio books. Libraries offer lots of regular free events for parents and kids, from toddler bounce and rhyme sessions to kids craft clubs. The Summer Reading Challengetakes place every year during the summer holidays at local libraries across the country. You can sign them up at your local library to read six library books of their choice in order  to complete the Challenge, with this year’s theme being ‘Animal Agents’. To tempt kids to take part there are exclusive rewards to collect along the way. And it’s all completely free to take part!

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.

According to The Telegraph, a well-kept garden can add whopping 20 per cent to the value of your home. Gardens are viewed increasingly by potential buyers as an extension of the home and should be well maintained and invested in to achieve maximum value of any property. When it comes to a property viewing ‘must-have check list’, a garden is often near the top of the list, and pretty properties with south facing gardens get snapped up especially quickly. Whatever outdoor space you have, take inspiration from some of these simple steps to create the most appealing garden possible, helping to boost your overall property value.

Basic maintenance: Before investing in your garden, start with what you have. Basic weeding, pruning, planting and mowing will get it looking the best it can, leaving you to fill with plants, colourful ceramic pots and furniture as you see fit. Keep an eye out for fences that could do with a lick of paint, paving stones that would benefit from a good clean and any garden ornaments that look particularly weathered too.

Simplicity: People can be put off by the time and money involved in the upkeep of fancy, landscaped gardens. If you have an abundance of lawn, break it up with paved or decking areas, flower beds or rockeries that will take the edge of the mowing duties.

Privacy – Erecting fences, walls or planting hedges create shelter and privacy, particularly important on residential estates and gardens in more built up areas. Being able to relax and utilise a garden in fair weather is the whole point of a garden for many.

Create space – Just as acres of land might be off-putting for some, a tiny garden may seem disappointing to others. There are tricks that can make even the smallest garden feel bigger such as using tall, thin plants and climbing plants to create a sort of optical illusion as well as allowing more light in. Storing away bulky equipment like furniture and barbeques frees up space too. Any small garden requires some careful planning to make sure you are using the right materials and maximising the space as best possible – there are lots of ideas online to help you do this.

Sheds & outhouses – Potential buyers love the flexibility and additional space that sheds and outhouses provide. Not just for Dad DIY enthusiasts, the garden shed has been transformed of late into something altogether more stylish – more like a mini log cabin for your backyard, where you can spend real time relaxing. If you have the space for it, an outside structure can certainly add appeal and value.

Decking vs paved patio – Most people will be looking for a garden that combines both lawn and non-grassy areas. Your two main options are decking and paving, though gravel, bark or slate chippings are also an option too. Though decking is popular and attractive, it does take a beating, especially in the UK’s climate, making it more difficult to keep looking its best. Paved patios are definitely sturdier – just remember to invest as much as you would for any quality hard flooring inside your home.

Outdoor seating and dining areas – Again this ties into the idea of creating flow with the rest of your indoor living space, maximising your garden as somewhere you can really use and enjoy. Consider creating an al fresco kitchen and dining area to score top points with viewers. A portable BBQ just doesn’t cut it for many nowadays, as separate buildings or sheds containing kitchen and/or dining space outside the house are becoming more popular and are very attractive to buyers.

Lighting – For those late night summer parties and outdoor dinners you are going to need some outdoor lighting. A bit of thought and planning into this can help create a really atmospheric space and help to showcase your garden at night time property viewings too. You can use anything from lanterns and fairy lights to spot lights and light-up pot plants.

Fancy features – Things like built-in BBQs, pizza ovens and hot tubs really can provide the wow-factor as long as your garden space is suitable and these extra features don’t crowd it.  If you plan to move, keep in mind who likely would be interested in your property and whether these extra touches might appeal. When it comes to bigger investments like swimming pools, though they provide a luxurious touch, pools can be massively expensive to upkeep and conjure up safety concerns for families with young children too.

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.   

We have a range of great family homes across all of our offices in the Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute areas at present – here’s a roundup of some of our top picks for under the £200,000 mark.

Antonine Gardens, Hardgate – Offers over £144,995

This 3 bed home in Hardgate, on the outskirts of Clydebank, provides an ideal set-up for a young family. The end of terrace property has been further extended, resulting in there being plenty of space throughout. The downstairs comprises of a large lounge, dining area with patio doors out to the rear garden, a well-appointed modern kitchen and separate utility room. A shower room and one of the bedrooms complete the downstairs space. Upstairs, the master bedroom has a fitted wardrobe and the second room also has storage space. The upstairs tiled bathroom has a shower with fitted screen.  Comfort and convenience is ensured with gas central heating, double glazing and off-street parking and there are additional features like the gas hob, kitchen extractor fan and dishwasher that make busy family life that much easier. The gardens to the rear are easy to keep, with plenty of decking space for kids to play outside. Hardgate is a popular family area, with many local shops and amenities to choose from as well as good schooling options. Being a 20 minute commute to Glasgow you can enjoy the best of what both the suburbs and the city have to offer.

The Arran (Type A), Alexandria – Fixed price £179,995

A great opportunity to snap up a brand new property at a brilliant fixed price. ‘The Arran’ is a semi-detached design part of Kinloch Court, a new Argyll Homes development of 12 detached, semi-detached and terraced homes. The properties have been carefully designed to create a light and bright living environment with plenty of living space. The Arran type A design offers a comfortable and practical layout, the reception hallway gives access to the downstairs bathroom and lounge area that leads onto an open plan dining kitchen, providing the perfect hub space for a family home. French doors open from the dining kitchen onto the grassy gardens. Upstairs, the master bedroom offers lots of built-in storage as well as an ensuite shower room and there are two more generous bedrooms, perfect for children or guests. Being a brand new property all fittings, features and appliances are brand new and of top spec, including gas central heating, double glazing, a 2 car driveway, sky plus cabling, chrome fittings and external lighting. Decorated in a tasteful, neutral manner, these homes are just waiting for a family to make their own!

Meadow Drive, Erskine – Offers over £159,999

This semi-detached villa in Erskine has provided a brilliant family home to current owners, now on the market for a great price. Located on a popular residential estate, the property is very well presented throughout and provides comfortable accommodation, offering 3 good sized bedrooms upstairs, one with ensuite. Downstairs there is space to relax in the lounge and dining kitchen, with patio doors out to the garden at the back. The property also offers lots of practical storage space, with a cupboard under the stairs, wall and floor mounted kitchen cabinets, fitted wardrobes in the bedrooms and an extra storage cupboard upstairs. There are schools, shops and supermarkets in the immediate town of Erskine and beyond in Paisley and Renfrew, with Glasgow a short commute away with the M8 network within 2 miles of the estate.

Sandy Road, Renfrew – Offers over £165,000

This end of terrace property has plenty of curb appeal and is fully refurbished throughout offering maximum comfort, being ideal for young families who prefer traditional style properties over newer builds. The interior is freshly decorated and bright, with carpeting and flooring all newly fitted. There is a large lounge to the front and a second living space to the rear which could be used as a second sitting room or dining area. The kitchen is newly fitted with oven, hob and extractor fan and is attractively finished in wood and neutral colours. Upstairs bedrooms are well proportioned and there is a new, white three piece bathroom suite with shower over bathtub. You have the best of both in the garden, with a well-kept lawn as well as a decking area. The exterior walls have been freshly painted in white to the rear, giving an attractive outdoor space to relax when the sun shines. A regular bus service links to Paisley and beyond and the M8 is close by, with lots of amenities including good schools in the local vicinity.

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.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, we round up some of the best sights to see in the West of Scotland to keep both kids and adults entertained.

Beaches & Coast

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! We are quite spoilt for choice in Scotland and there are many good beaches on our doorstep on the west coast. There is around 65 miles of coastline on the Ayrshire coast alone, from Ballantree in the south to Largs in the north, with many fine beaches to explore on a sunny day. Some of the most popular coastal spots include Ayr beach with its 1 mile promenade, Troon beach that runs from Royal Troon Golf Club past the town centre with its many amusements, play parks and snack bars and Irvine beach which hosts some of the finest sand on the Ayrshire coast. Largs is also a popular coastal day trip destination, though it’s beach is most shingle there is plenty to see and do in the town and you can hop on the ferry to the Isle of Cumbrae too. Some of Scotland’s most beautiful, sandy white beaches can be found around the coastline of Argyllshire and the Isles, including along Argyll’s scenic secret coast.

Castles

Get into your history of an afternoon with a visit to one of the west coast’s majestic castles. Culzean Castle, 12 miles south of Ayr on the coast is the late 18th century home to David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis, set in immaculate grounds and full of treasures to explore. Kelburn Castle and Country Centre will take you by surprise with its colourful, muralled exterior with a busy programme of events offering everything from music festivals to storytelling sessions. Further north in Argyll sits Inverary Castle on the shores of Loch Fyne, the ancestral home of the Chief of Clan Campbell, the Duke of Argyll. Tour around the beautiful grounds and historic artwork and objects of antiquity in the castle’s great rooms before stopping for a bite in the tearoom. Dumbarton Castle is on our door step, offering stunning views at the top of White Tower Crag and offering a well-preserved example of 18th century military architecture.

Parks & Gardens

National Trust owned Brodick Castle Gardens on the Isle of Arran is just one more reason to take the ferry to this lovely island. The castle grounds offer up a walled garden, the ice house where they used to store ice for the summer months and the Bavarian summer house, as well as many walking trails and an adventure playground for children. Carnell Gardens by Hurlford in Ayrshire have been celebrated by The Beechgrove Garden and Country Life as a fine example of a traditional walled garden, containing an herbaceous border, gazebos and the Lime Avenue, with plenty of roses in full bloom in July. Scotland’s largest regional park, Cyde Muirshiel Park is perfect to enjoy walking, cycling, wildlife spotting and camping as well as a variety of water sports for the more adventurous on Lochwinnoch at Castle Semple Visitor Centre.

Museums

For those inevitable rainy days, take the opportunity to visit one of the many brilliant museums on the west coast. The Riverside Museum on the banks of the Clyde in Glasgow is a must-see.  Exploring the rich history of Glasgow through transport, its home to over 3000 objects including old city trams and buses, bicycles, vintage cars and the odd Stormtrooper also makes an appearance. Catch the ferry to the Isle of Bute from Wemyss Bay and make your first pit stop The Bute Museum which hosts various artefacts and information detailing the history of life on the island. The Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine’s harbour side offers a day of exploring Scotland’s national collection of historic boats, maritime art and shipbuilding machinery. A trip to Greenock wouldn’t be complete without a stop at The Scottish Fire and Rescue Museum, an old station now turned into a museum that displays shiny red fire engines used throughout history as well as old firefighting uniforms and equipment – only open on Sundays.

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.

Becoming a landlord and investing in property has proven to be a lucrative move for many, but as with any big investment it is essential that you approach it with your eyes wide open, acknowledging the potential advantages and disadvantages. The more knowledge you have and the more research you do, the better the chance of your investment paying off. Below are some key points to keep in mind before getting into the property investment game, outlining what landlords should look for in a buy-to-let property. As estate agents working in the rental sector, we’d be very happy at Caledonia Bureau to sit down and talk about any plans to move into property rental and advise on how to get the best from any investment.

 Find the best area

Perhaps an obvious point, but an important one – before looking at specific properties it’s a good idea to get a feel for a variety of areas first. It’s not just trying to find the most expensive or cheapest areas but places that have a certain appeal and that have the most promising prospects.  Somewhere that is up-and-coming can provide a chance to catch a bargain whilst in the knowledge that there is increasing interest and desirability to move to that area. It’s a good idea to not only check out the property value in an area but to go and take a look around too, thinking carefully about the pros and cons of the location and how well rented property would perform there. As a local estate agent, we at Caledonia Bureau, have extensive experience and are in a perfect position to advise on potential areas for your investment. 

Consider your target market

When you get to the stage of viewing property, remember that it won’t be you who is staying there so keep your target audience firmly in mind. Who are they and what are they looking for in a property? If you are near to a university or college, renting to students is a great idea and the properties you are viewing will need to be comfortable and clean but not luxurious. You might need to offer them furnished or part furnished too. If you are looking in a popular family area, the properties need to have enough space, with 2 or more bedrooms, and be near to schools and local amenities. Young professionals might be looking for more luxurious finishing touches and proximity to transport links and nightlife. Deciding on the area and target market are the most important decisions that will influence all the other steps of the buying process, importantly, who you want your future property to be rented to and how much you’re going to rent it for.

Fixer-upper or newer build?

Consider how much time and money you have to invest in a property before you move tenants in and this may shape the decision on whether to buy a property that’s in move-in condition or one that’s needing updating.  Obviously there’s less work to be done in a newer property, you will have paying tenants in quicker and there is less chance of having to invest in maintenance needing done in the future. However, it is also worth looking at properties that need improvement as a way of boosting the value of your investment. The price of outdated properties or those needing renovation can often be successfully negotiated, leaving you with a bargain to then spruce up and add value to. Adding value to a home straight away also gives you a greater margin of safety on your investment if the price is low enough to cover refurbishment. A good rule to follow is the property developers’ rough calculation, where you want the final value of a refurbished property to be at least the purchase price, plus the cost of work, plus 20 per cent.

Money matters

Do your sums! When doing calculations it’s important to factor in the costs of your own home as well as covering any mortgage repayments for your buy-to-let investments, not to mention unexpected maintenance costs and covering the mortgage payments between tenants when your property might be empty. There are always risks when making such a large investment, it is important to prepare for as many eventualities as possible.

When it comes to mortgages, resist walking into your bank and taking on the first deal offered – shop around. Read up-to-date articles online and check out mortgage lenders websites to compare rates. It often pays to enlist an independent mortgage broker to help decipher the best deal out there for you, just make sure you’re armed with some knowledge before any meetings too. Lenders typically ask for a deposit of at least 25% and insist that the rental income is 125% of the monthly mortgage payment.

If you would like to know more on your financing options, we recommend you speak to Stephen Stoops. With 28 years experience in the mortgage market, Stephen Stoops is the expert you need to speak to, with access to the major lenders he can guarantee some of the best mortgage deals around.

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 digitally focussed world, 97% of buyers will go online and search for their next dream home. That is why having good quality photos is essential to make the right first impression, as it is the first thing potential buyers will notice about your home. And our years of estate agency experience demonstrated that homes with good quality photos not only sell faster they also sell for more money.

Getting the Right Angle

Although interesting angles and atmospheric shots are nice to have when getting your home on the market, we have a more strategic approach, based on our experience with what buyers are actually looking for in a home.

First and foremost, we will try for the most attractive exterior shot. It highly depends on the type of property we are selling, but we will always try for the bets angle that puts your home and garden in the best possible light.

After we find that enticing exterior shot, we will cover the following key areas that help sell your home: one or two photos of the kitchen, showing the white goods, cupboards and general layout; one or two shots of the master bedroom; further photos of extra bedrooms and living areas, as well as a few extra shots of the garden. We pay a lot of attention to small areas like bathrooms, cloakrooms, the coveted walk in closets and even hallways.

To give a clear impression of the character of your home, we add the custom shots of what gives your home character, like a feature wood burning stove, a beautiful garden bench, decorated windows or beautiful views. A lot of thought goes into defining your home’s unique selling points and picking the right angles to put them in the best light.

Professional re-touching

But work does not end with just taking snaps. We also invest in retouching photos professionally. Every effort will be put into making the images bright and sharp so they stand out online. Sometimes blue skies are added as Scottish weather is not always enticing. All these little things might seem inconsequential, but in reality, it is a known fact that better weather makes the property market pick up and a home shines more appealingly under a blue sky.

Getting the Marketing Right for Ever Home

Of course, there are many aspects that are important in selling a home quickly and for the best price – like the way a description is written to attract the attention on the uniqueness of your home, but also where the property is advertised.

At Caledonia Bureau, we strive to offer the most efficient marketing to home sellers, paying attention to all details – big or small. From the first valuation, to taking photos to organising viewings and negotiating a price on your behalf, our experience will come in handy and we will be with you every step of the way.

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.

With the announcement of a snap general election on June 8th, those with property on the market or who are planning to put their house up for sale may be wondering whether this is the right time to make a move. Here are a few points to keep in mind to help settle any understandable worries and concerns for home sellers at present.

The UK has seen a few subsequent years of political uncertainty recently and the housing market has weathered these conditions before, remaining resilient. Though many media outlets and experts may forecast the worst, it’s worth remembering how much the housing market has already gone through in recent years and to questions how much this has in fact impacted locally. In addition, buyer confidence appears to be little changed according to results from an eMoov survey, with 57% of sellers said they would go ahead with their decision despite the election and only 18% saying they would now wait. Potential buyers were equally committed, with 59% still wanting to make a purchase, and just 18% saying they would put their plans on hold.

Something to remember with this particular election is that there is an especially short lead up time.  With just a month to go there is very little time for uncertainty and hesitancy to build to a point where property prices are affected. As such, our advice at Nicol would be to carry on as normal. If you have a house already on the market, it would not be advised to take it off, just as it’s not necessary to put a pause on any home sale plans you had in mind before the announcement was made.

You can, in fact, turn this into an opportunity. If other sellers do decide to wait this may mean less homes on the market and less competition this month. As historically we have seen a surge in post-election activity once the political landscape is clearer, you can look at this month as a way to getting ahead of the game. The lack of competition between sellers pre-election may well lead to a quick sale as buyers anticipate potential price rises that follow June’s results.

It’s also worth remembering that the spring months, from March through to June and beyond, tends to be when property sales pick up after the winter months, when people have renewed motivation to set their moving plans in motion. At Caledonia Bureau we have witnessed all the markets we serve enjoying a buoyant first quarter and believe this will continue throughout 2017 as demand continues to outstrip supply in many local areas.

Looking at the bigger picture, many economists, political commentators and property experts make the point that this election is important in aiming for a favourable Brexit deal that comes sooner rather than later – also good news for removing further uncertainty, which may impact upon the property market into the months and years ahead.

As with any big decision, getting the best expert advice is always your first port of call, and when it comes to the property market in the West of Scotland have a long history of selling homes in all sorts of political and economic climates. It’s business as usual for us during the campaign period and we would be delighted to hear from you to see how we can help with your house sale plans. Give our friendly team 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 first step on the property ladder is a hugely exciting moment! However, there can be lots of pressure involved when making such a big investment for the first time too. Finding the right place that meets your needs and, importantly, somewhere within your budget, can be tricky. With this in mind we have rounded up some of our very best properties on offer at present. All within the starter homes bracket, for £100,000 or under, there are some very attractive options that offer well-kept, spacious accommodation, and all within commutable distance to the city.

Dumbarton Road, Bowling G60 5AQ

Offers Over £79,995

Traditional ground floor flat within the sought after village of Bowling close to the Bowling harbour. The property is situated ground floor left position and has the added advantage of private small section of garden.

The property is decorated in mostly modern neutral shades complimented by carpeting and laminate flooring with tiling in the shower room.

Drumry Road, Clydebank G81 2LJ

Offers Over £99,995

This rarely available, bright and airy, two Bedroom modern apartment has recently come onto the market in Clydebank. Well-kept and tastefully decorated throughout, the accommodation is spacious with a large open plan living/dining room complete with fireplace and oriel window that is ideal for entertaining, complemented by a fully fitted kitchen. The master bedroom is fitted with two double mirror door wardrobes, providing ample storage, and the bathroom is partially tiled with both a bathtub and overhanging shower. Your comfort and safety is ensured with gas central heating, double glazing, a secure entry door system and shared, private parking. The local area of Clydebank offers excellent amenities, shopping, sports and recreation as well as quality schooling. You have the best of both worlds being just 20 minutes from Glasgow city centre by convenient bus, rail and motorway links, ensuring an apartment that’s ideal for commuters and young professionals looking for a particularly comfortable first time home for an attractive price.

Munro Court, Duntocher, G81 6ES

Offers Over £91,995

The best of village life but just minutes from Glasgow’s West End and city centre! This mid terrace villa in Duntocher, just on the edge of Clydebank, ticks a lot of boxes being well-maintained throughout and offering easily maintained garden space to the rear. The accommodation is presented over two floors, with a comfortable living area and spacious dining room complete with French doors opening onto the neatly kept garden with decking area – providing further space to relax and entertain outside during the warmer months. The well-appointed kitchen completes the ground floor and upstairs you will find two good sized bedrooms, the master with a double mirror-door closet space and a tiled bathroom with over-the -bath shower. Completed by gas central heating and double glazing, the property is ideal for first time buyers or as a first family-style home. Public transport links are plentiful and the local amenities in the immediate area and in nearby Clydebank offer convenience. Again, you are only 20 minutes away for the hustle and bustle of the city too! 

Chestnut Drive, Parkhall G81 3PE

Offers Over £89,99

Here is a beautifully presented lower cottage flat, on a rarely available large corner plot in the Parkhall area of Clydebank. This two bedroom property is ideal as a starter family home or as an apartment for a young professional couple, who could easily create an office space in bedroom two. The apartment is spacious and sophistically decorated throughout, with wood flooring in the entrance hallway and living room and quality carpeting in the bedrooms. The kitchen is particularly well appointed, with wall and floor mounted units, an integrated oven hob, extractor fan and large storage cupboards. The family bathroom is also well-proportioned and maintained, with a large bathtub with power shower. A private driveway and plenty of outdoor garden and patio space on this corner plot add to the charm and appeal. Early viewings recommended!

Williamson Place, Johnstone, PA5 9EW

Offers Over £87,500

Offering to the market this spacious modern ground floor flat within a popular modern development, close to Johnstone town centre.

The accommodation comprises reception hall, large lounge/dining room, modern fitted kitchen, two double size bedrooms, master with en suite shower room and family size bathroom.

Johnstone town centre is within 0.25 mile from the property and offers a selection of shops, supermarkets, schools and transport services. Bus and rail links give regular access throughout the area and into Paisley or Glasgow if required. The M8 motorway network is within 1 mile and provides additional links to Glasgow International Airport, intu Braehead and Glasgow City Centre.

Alexander Terrace, Neilston G78 3LW

Offers Over £79,995

Offering to the market this well presented traditional upper cottage flat situated within the popular village of Neilston. Ideal for first time buyers or young couple.

Neilston has a selection of local amenities including shops, schools and transport services. Bus and rail links give regular access throughout the area and into Paisley or Glasgow’s South Side if required. The M8 and M77 motorways are both within easy reach and can provide additional links to Braehead, Silverburn, Glasgow Airport and Glasgow City Centre.

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.

Based on the analysis of data from the Office of National Statistics from 2016, Aviva suggests that an additional half a million young adults in the UK may still be living with their parents over the next 10 years. This follows a 37% increase over the last decade of people aged between 25 and 34 who are still living their parents, taking the current number up to around 1.23 million. Based on the latest projections, the UK could have an extra 452,000 adults within that age group remaining in the family home by 2027.

This trend coincides with an average 45% increase in UK house prices for first time buyers, with the average price paid for a property rising to £211,000. Reportedly, findings from a separate surveyconducted by Aviva show that 62% of the 500 participants cannot afford to move out of the family home to rent or buy a property. However, 47% of the did say the were “very happy” with their current living arrangement with their parents, with 24% saying they enjoy being “looked after”.

Is there a solution?

Raising a deposit to buy a property is one of the biggest challenges faced by would-be first-time buyer, with many adults having to resort to borrowing a sizeable sum from their parents. For those who do not have the option of financial assistance from family, the Help to Buy equity loan scheme introduced by the Government can provide certain first-time buyers with a 5% deposit and 20% interest-free loan over five years.

You may be able to purchase with parents on a joint mortgage, sole owner basis, where parents’ income is taken into account in order to generate a bigger mortgage but they are not on the property deeds so you avoid paying higher stamp duty.

It’s also worth expanding your search area for properties to and explore more affordable areas. It is well known areas in the West of Scotland where Caledonia Bureau is active are a lot more affordable than Glasgow, while still in commuting distance. This may result in a longer comment to and from work and being further away from friends and family, but it could enable first-time buyers to get their foot on the ladder. As a long-term strategy, it’s a worthwhile consideration.

A final option would be to share a mortgage with a friend, partner of family member who finds themselves in the same position or who is willing to accommodate such a set-up. There are a number of lenders who offer this type of mortgage product, so it could be a real possibility.

The best course of action for anyone hoping to buy their first property, whether on their own, as a joint applicant, or with assistance from family, friends or the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, is to make an appointment with an independent professional advisor for impartial advice. It’s an incredibly complex area; therefore, professional advice is paramount.

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.

Demand for property in Dumbarton and West Scotland has been steadily increasing since the crash in 2007-08. We’ve seen particular growth since the beginning of 2016, 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.

Once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde, Dumbarton lies inland to the west of Glasgow on the north bank of the River Clyde. The name of the town comes “Dun Breatainn”, which is a Scottish Gaelic phrase meaning “fortress of the Britons”. Until the mid 15th century, Dumbarton was knows as Dunbretane. It’s unclear why the “n” in the town’s name became an “m”, and why the council area is inconsistently known as Dunbartonshire. A confusing anomaly!

Dumbarton is renowned for its major shipbuilding industry during the 19th century, as well as Dumbarton Rock – an imposing 240ft-high volcanic plug which is home to Dumbarton Castle. Well exposed and positioned on a prominent southern outcrop, visitors can admire the castle’s 18th-century Georgian military architecture and climb more than 500 steps to the top of iconic Rock to enjoy breathtaking views over the River Clyde, Loch Lomond and Argyll.

The area is ideally situated for enjoying the many outdoor activities on offer in the West of Scotland, and is just a short drive or train journey from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Helensburgh, and Glasgow city centre

Properties for sale in Dumbarton

Established over 30 years ago, Caledonian Bureau is the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents. Our experienced, committed team will make the process of buying or selling your home as easy and as stress free as possible.

Whether you are a first-time buyer or are looking to move to a new home, Caledonia Bureau will assist you every step of the way. Take a look at some of the wonderful Dumbarton properties we have for sale at the present time.

Dalreoch Place, Dumbarton

Offers Over £98,000

A spacious, modern first-floor apartment, conveniently located just a few yards from Dalreoch Train Station. The property sits within factored communal grounds and provides allocated residents parking plus visitor spaces.

Accessed via a security entry system leading to a well-maintained communal lobby, the apartment is double-glazed throughout and comprises: reception hallway with utility storage cupboard; large lounge with patio doors and open plan modern fitted kitchen; bathroom; two double bedrooms with inbuilt hanging and storage, and en-suite shower room in master bedroom.

The property has been fully refurbished throughout, decorated in modern neutral shades with new carpets and vinyl flooring.

Bonhill Road, Dumbarton

Fixed Price £145,000

A recently converted two-bedroom apartment within a stunning detached blonde sandstone villa in the centre of Dumbarton. Enjoying an elevated ground floor position, the two-bedroom property is within walking distance of Dumbarton Common, Meadow Centre and Dumbarton Central railway station.

Accessed through electric gates to an enclosed private car park and grounds with outside storage, the recently completed development of four luxury apartments boasts a grand communal reception hall and has been beautifully decorated throughout.

Internal accommodation includes: reception hallway leading to spacious lounge with traditional tall ceilings and coving; modern fitted kitchen with integrated fridge freezer, hob, oven, extractor and washing machine; shower room; and two double bedrooms, with an en-suite shower room in the master.

Decorated in neutral shades and complimented by hard wood flooring and quality carpeting, the property also benefits from refurbished traditional windows and new gas central heating and electrics.

Milton Brae Road, Dumbarton

Offers Over £206,000

A well-presented three-bedroomed detached bungalow situated in an elevated position with stunning views over the Clyde estuary and open farmland views to the rear. Accessed via a wrought iron gate, the gardens and patio are bounded by stone and brick walling and the entrance path is flanked by lawns, planting and shrubbery areas.

Decorated throughout in modern, neutral shades with hard wood flooring and carpeting, accommodation consists of: vestibule porch leading to reception hallway; spacious lounge/dining room with feature picture window; fitted breakfasting kitchen with large larder cupboard, three double bedrooms, one of which has patio doors to the rear of the property; family bathroom. The property also has a cellar under the stairs and amply loft access.

Enjoying a semi-rural locale and conveniently situated to the A82 road network, this is an ideal family home and perfect or commuters.

Helenslee Court, Dumbarton

Fixed Price £320,000

Situated within one of Dumbarton’s most desirable areas, this impressive five-bedroom detached villa sits within a sizeable plot with well-maintainedgardens and a generous driveway for multiple vehicles. A rarely-available modern family home, the property is within walking distance of Levengrove Park and a short distance from Dumbarton Town Centre and all local amenities.

Internal accommodation comprises: large reception hallway with staircase to lower level; two spacious sitting rooms with feature fireplaces; dining room and fitted kitchen; five double bedrooms, four of which have in-built storage; bathroom and separate shower room; utility room; and large storage room.

The property enjoys lawned gardens to the front and rear, bounded by walling and timber fencing. The rear garden also features with planting and shrubbery, feature pine tree, and a timber garden shed.

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.