Glasgow is one of the fastest-growing investment markets in Scotland. Whilst the flats that were built during the buy-to-let boom have generally maintained their value without appreciating, the prices for lovely periods homes found in suburbs such as Milngavie and Bearsden have surged. In other words, this is a good time to invest.
There are several reasons for these current developments in the property market, and we’ll cover some of them in the space below. But in any event, it’s safe to say that local investors and property owners are looking for ways to profit from the boom. For current owners, that often means renovating and improving upon their properties.
Whether you would like to renovate your property for the purposes of renting it out, or you’re interested in finding a property to fix up on your own, there are a few tips worth keeping in mind. In this article, we’ll be looking at practical ways that you can make the most out of your property holdings, with a focus on refurbishing or installing flooring.
A Promising Future for Glasgow’s Investment Market
For many years, Edinburgh was the leading Scottish city for property investment. At that time, Edinburgh was a prime candidate for the buy-to-let scenario. At that stage, there was plenty of carpet fitting and other forms of renovation going on in the capital. But property prices have risen to new heights, resulting in a less-promising investment market.
But what may have been construed as bad news for investors in Edinburgh is nothing but good news for those focusing on Glasgow. Now that Edinburgh properties are increasingly too expensive to leverage in this way, Glasgow is becoming much more promising, and a surge in new carpet and flooring installation has since developed here.
Of course, there’s plenty to love about Glasgow –with its lively music scene, buzzing city streets and Victorian architecture. Even without the potential for return on investment, this is a city worth owning property in.
Which Neighbourhoods See the Most Carpet Fitting in Glasgow?
Whether you are looking to install new flooring in a property that’s under construction, or you would like to refurbish the carpets in an existing Glasgow property, now is the time to get started. But certain neighbourhoods are more promising than others.
Here are three of the top Glasgow neighbourhoods where you might want to consider investing in new flooring or better carpets:
- Dalmarnock: Located along the River Clyde, this is a prime area for investment. There is a great deal of renovation going on at the moment, with flooring companies regularly installing and refurbishing carpet, hardwood and vinyl flooring.
- Gorbals: To the south of Glasgow, Gorbals is home to many new housing developments. With that in mind, new installations are more common. With so much new construction going on, you’ll see flooring specialists operating in the area on a daily basis.
- Langside: Also to the south of the city centre, Langside is another popular residential community. Property values here are rising quickly, so this is a good time for those with current holdings to renovate and sell if so inclined.
Refurbishing Carpets and Flooring in Glasgow
Given the current boom in the Glasgow property market, this is also a good time for those who already own properties to consider renovating or refurbishing them. Of course, there are many ways to boost the value of your property, not least by having the floors inspected and updated. Simply replacing your carpets in Glasgow is a great way to make the property more appealing. Even if this does not directly add to the sale value, it can still make the house appear more attractive to prospective buyers and tenants.
By and large, the conversation surrounding flooring and property value revolves around hardwood flooring. Hardwood requires a relatively large investment, but it does add value to the property.
However, there are many situations in which carpeting is the better option. For example, rental properties that are located within close proximity of other units do well with carpeting because it insulates against noise. Along those lines, tenants living in, say, a flat on Derby Street are less likely to disturb their downstairs neighbours if they have carpet (rather than hardwood) flooring.
Maintaining Floors and Carpets in Glasgow
For those who have capitalised on the buy-to-let movement in Glasgow, it’s also important to periodically check up on the quality of your flooring to see if it requires maintenance or cleaning. Naturally, this is of particular importance when a tenant is moving out.
As we mentioned above, there are several flooring specialists active in Glasgow. Some specialise in supplying and fitting carpets and vinyl flooring, whilst others focus specifically on cleaning and maintenance. However, the vast majority do plenty of both.
There are several ways to approach finding a flooring specialist in your area who can help with ongoing maintenance concerns. One is to ask around to find out who is active in the neighbourhood. Word-of-mouth referrals are useful, but they also significantly limit your pool of potential service providers to those that your neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances have personal experience with.
A more practical way to find the best flooring specialists in Glasgow is to find a reliable online directory. This allows you to quickly and easily see who serves your area, and it provides you with the contact info needed to obtain quotes. The fact that you can now find all of these carpet specialists in a single online location means you don’t have to waste time asking around or thumbing through the pages of an unwieldy phone book.
A Bright Future for Glasgow Investors
For those investors who are ready to get involved in Glasgow’s burgeoning property market, the future looks promising. Just be sure to give proper consideration to the flooring of the property you are planning to renovate or invest in. By chartering the services of local carpet installers and flooring specialists, you’ll be one step closer to having a highly attractive property that’s ready to go on the market.