It might just be my imagination, but some recent positive vibes rippling out from the South may already be reaching Scottish shores. There has been a flurry of what can only be described as good news stories emanating from our industry over the past couple of weeks, and while the doom and gloom merchants are still (and always will be) talking things down, it is perhaps worth focusing on some of the more upbeat messages that have been aired recently.
A few weeks ago we learnt about the Redrow sale to Springfield, assisting the Elgin based company’s drive into the central belt, giving it a total of 30 sites across Scotland and the ability to build about 500 new homes per year. Congrats must surely go to Sandy Adam and his team for this confidence driving initiative
And then in the past couple of days we read that Scotia have unveiled a new financing deal with Lloyds Bank to see them through until 2014 ~ (when did we last read positive things about the banks and our industry ?) and only yesterday, the Muir Group, owner of one of Scotland’s best-known house builders Muir Homes, announced that it has continued its rapid recovery from the slump with a 48% rise in pre-tax profits to £2.5m. That follows the 70% rise a year ago from a depressed £1.1m in 2009.
On a smaller scale, but still on a positive note, nurses are being given a helping hand to get onto the property ladder and move closer to a new £842 million super hospital in Glasgow.
The scheme – the first of its kind in Scotland – allows first time buyers who work within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to apply for up to a 90% mortgage and secure the funds for an interest-free deposit on a property.
All in all, some fairly positive news to shout about. Dare I suggest that we can start counting the chickens now that some have started to hatch.
Remember, you heard it here first.
