Property interview with Tim Visser

The Property Buying Company were lucky enough to interview Tim Visser, at the end of August. Visser has played for the Newcastle Falcons, Harlequins and for his national team, Scotland. Scottish international Rugby Union player.

I’ve just finished my career as a professional rugby player and decided to move into my other passion, property. I’ve set up a property development company with a good friend focussing on the city centre of Edinburgh.

To start, tell us a bit about you and what you currently do?

"I’ve just finished my career as a professional rugby player and decided to move into my other passion, property. I’ve set up a property development company with a good friend focussing on the city centre of Edinburgh."

How long have you been involved in property?

"I bought my first apartment when I was 18 in Newcastle and have continued investing from then on. I now own a good residential portfolio together with another good friend of mine in Edinburgh."

What interests you about property?

"I love the architecture (especially in Edinburgh) and the possibilities that property offers. I have always been interested in making the asset work for myself in various ways, but also, how to gear correctly and unlock capital to expand the holding."

How many properties do you currently hold, and in what areas?

"Within our company, we currently own six properties that are all located in Edinburgh. However, I still own my very first apartment that is located in Newcastle."

How do you find the balance between your time on the pitch and working within property?

"At the company, we use the well-known ‘’set and forget’’ method. We buy the property and select an agency to help with the management of the property. From there, all we have to do is look for the return and check they come in at the correct times."

How have you found investing in property pre-Brexit?

"To be completely honest, the Brexit hype hasn’t hit Edinburgh yet. The city has outperformed the rest of the country year on year, and the market is still incredibly hot."
"It would be nice to have a bit more of a balance between being able to buy and sell easier. I do however fear for another Indyref, as I don’t think house prices will sustain themselves if Scotland were to leave the UK."

Do you think Brexit will affect the property market? If so how?

"I think it will in London, as a large proportion of residents and investors come from abroad. We can already see large multinationals settling in Europe to pre-empt Brexit."

"Less jobs in London will dampen the market through demand. In Edinburgh the effect will be much less, however many multinationals also have bases in the City."

"Hopefully this will continue to happen in order for these companies to serve the Scottish market. However, with another Indyref potentially on the horizon this may not continue.

What are your plans within property for the next ten years?

"We want to develop and sell twenty-four residential units per annum within two years."

"Eventually we would like to setup an investment arm too, in order to hold some of our developments and enjoy the healthy returns that the city of Edinburgh continues to generate in real estate."