Archive for May, 2007
Thursday, May 31st, 2007
The local environment in which a property is situated remains the crucial factor when making a good investment, according to Caesar and Howie’s managing partner, David Borrowman.
Providing advice for Polish newcomers to the UK, Mr Borrowman has warned against investing in properties which appear to be a bargain based on the amount of space available, stating that this should raise questions about the nature of the neighbourhood.
While convenience, such as proximity to a workplace, is often important to buyers coming in from overseas, researching the local area is also key, he suggests.
"Too often, I have to say, newcomers zone in on property which appears to offer extensive accommodation for a cheap price," Mr Borrowman contends.
"When that is the case there is usually a reason – sometimes related to the quality of the neighbourhood."
He gave the example of a client whose ostensible "great buy" – a flat retailing at around half the price anticipated – turned out to be in an area with a record of drug and youth crime problems.
Mr Borrowman advises always imagining selling the property on within a few months of making the purchase.
"Will that property sell again quickly at the same or better price? You want a yes answer to that question – and if you get that you have effectively selected a desirable location," he adds.
Caesar and Howie, a division of the Central Scotland Law Group, has developed the website buyyourhomeuk.co.uk intended to cater for the needs of incoming Polish workers.
Through this service it hopes to provide help in gaining finance, provide conveyancing services and advising on all aspects of purchasing a new home.
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
A new initiative organised by law firm Caesar and Howie is hoped to make sweeping changes to the way that amateur sports clubs are funded.
SPORTSassist is intended to provide the many clubs which struggle for sufficient funding with a means to support their activities, while offering marketing opportunities for their sponsors.
The scheme works by clubs receiving a share of profits garnered by their marketing efforts, in place of the traditional flat sponsorship fee.
It is hoped that, by offering sponsors an opportunity to gain increased business through the activities of club members, the days of intermittent and unreliable funding of amateur clubs could be brought to a close.
David Borrowman, formerly a rugby player at Edinburgh Wanderers who heads up the SPORTSassist initiative and is managing partner at solicitors Caesar and Howie, told Renfrewshire World: "On a personal level, my family and I have been involved with sports clubs at all levels for as long as I can remember.
"Although my rugby-playing days are now long behind me, I have seen my children’s sports clubs facing exactly the same struggles for new strips, equipment, transport and practice facilities as my club did 30 years ago."
He added that he and his partners had spent a significant period seeking out viable, consistent funding methods, culminating in the creation of SPORTSassist.
"If clubs can motivate their officials and their members, they can create continuing revenue streams," he explained.
"This is self-help, not pleading with others for awards or money.
"If clubs and officials have the same passion for sport as we have, funding problems for clubs can be resolved permanently."
The services of SPORTSassist are available to amateur clubs throughout Scotland.
Recent activities by the organisation have included brokering a sponsorship deal between Edina Hibs boys’ club and Rothco, as well as the creation of the Scottish Premier Hockey League.
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
A football club is set to benefit from the sponsorship of a local firm thanks to the work of SPORTSassist.
Edina Hibs boys’ club is one of the earliest amateur teams in the country to engage in a new scheme devised by the initiative which will see teams and their sponsors work together to create greater funds.
However, their sponsor, the Dalkeith-based Rothco Group, is also set to benefit from the arrangement.
In place of the traditional flat sponsorship fee, the boys’ club is planned to receive a proportion of the profits achieved by the financial organisation.
Consequently the members of the club will have a vested interest in promoting the services of the financial body, the Evening News explains.
David Borrowman, managing partner at law firm Caesar and Howie and head of the SPORTSassist project, commented: "It is a great way of giving sponsorship to clubs on a long-term basis. The harder the clubs work, the more money they get, it is as simple as that."
Mr Borrowman estimates that through the word of mouth sponsorship arrangements, amateur clubs could gain significant sums in sponsorship each year.
Edina Hibs boys’ club secretary Steve Ponton added: "We have previously had some sponsorship from Rothco Group, but their involvement with SPORTSassist will give us a real boost."
SPORTSassist has also been involved in such projects as the creation of the new Scottish Premier Hockey League, splitting the country’s game into two leagues in the hope of preparing the teams for international fixtures.
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Friday, May 25th, 2007
A home-based Scottish ice-hockey league is to benefit from two years of sponsorship from SPORTSassist, it has been announced.
Braehead Paisley Pirates, Dundee Texol Stars, Fife Flyers, Solway Sharks and Edinburgh Capitals are due to share the £10,000 award from the initiative which sponsors their newly-formed league.
The sports funding organisation’s cash will allow the country’s top five teams battle for victory in the Scottish Premier Hockey League (SPHL).
Playing each other twice – once at home and once away – the five teams will compete between September and April, vying for the title of league champions.
SPHL’s spokesperson Charlie Ward described the new league as a "tremendous boost" for the sport in Scotland.
"There can’t be many leagues in the sport that can attract such a major sponsor in their first season and this excellent deal will allow us to build for the future," he asserted.
And Stuart Wilson, head coach for the Pirates, told the Paisley Daily Express that the league will encourage high standards for the activity in Scotland.
"What this will mean is that we see the back of crazy scorelines like 18 or 19-0 and the games will be much closer," he remarked.
"That extra competitiveness will help improve the players on every team and improve the quality of Scottish Hockey in general."
He added that the old Scottish National League would continue to operate for second-tier teams and that smaller squads would still engage with the country’s top players in cup competitions, so the unity of the sport was not expected to be compromised.
Charlie Ward concluded by reminding sports clubs that the sponsorship is intended for clubs at all levels to benefit.
"By signing up with SPORTSassist, recreational hockey clubs and junior Hockey clubs have a great opportunity to boost their club funds," he said.
David Borrowman, managing partner at Caesar and Howie and principle partner of SPORTSassist, told the Dundee Evening Telegraph: "As a new sports funding organisation we are committed to the financial welfare and overall development of amateur sports clubs in Scotland."
He contended that such clubs play an instrumental role in Scottish communities and that such funding was hoped to encourage their development.
"The SPORTSassist initiative itself is intended to provide a way for clubs of any size to regain control over their finances and we are looking forward to meeting with Scotland’s recreational clubs to show them how their passion for sport could resolve their funding problems permanently," Mr Borrowman concluded.
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Thursday, May 24th, 2007
Scottish law firm Caesar and Howie has welcomed a new paralegal specialising in conveyancing into their operations.
The Alloa office of the Central Scotland law group has garnered the services of Rachel Camilleri-Brennan, who is set to work with its residential property team.
A "full-time mother" for the last ten years, Ms Camilleri-Brennan brings with her previous experience having worked as a solicitor in Malta.
"There was not a big learning curve when I joined the firm, as Malta was ruled by the British for many years and most of the laws are exactly the same", she told the Alloa Advertiser.
Her new employers have eased the transition back into work through the provision of their own paralegal conveyancing course, which proved to be a useful refresher in the ins and outs of the Scottish house-buying system, Miss Brennan explained.
"I’m really enjoying my new position with the firm and am keen to start developing relationships with new and existing clients," she concluded.
While working alongside the rest of the Alloa property team, Ms Camilleri-Brennan will manage her own caseload, dealing with house purchases and sales and handling transactions "from offer to settlement".
Caesar and Howie offers a "comprehensive integrated service" for those hoping to buy or sell a home, including helping with mortgage arrangements where required.
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Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007
Failure to understand and comply with regulations surrounding the Scottish buy-to-let market could result in hefty fines, one expert has warned.
Writing in the Scotsman, David Borrowman, managing partner at law firm Caesar and Howie, has asserted that if a property purchased for rental purposes is to represent a secure investment with an assured rental yield then a number of checks should be carried out in advance of the transaction.
The concerns which need to be addressed are both budgetary and regulatory.
High on a future landlord’s checklist should be gaining a full understanding of tax bands and discounts available on a property, which can vary significantly in different areas, Mr Borrowman asserts.
For instance, council tax on new properties can "often be higher than expected", while rental discounts vary in different regions.
A second vital task for would-be landlords is the drawing up of a thorough short-term budget, taking into account such financial drains as initial set-up costs, advertising, agency fees and safety certificates.
Council registration fees, factor fees and the cost of drawing up a lease also need to be accounted for – while failing to register a property properly could result in "very large fines".
Additionally, long-term costs such as those associated with the upkeep of the property or ‘void periods’ – when the property is empty – should be addressed before entering into the market.
"It is a good idea to use an agent, but always remember that you get what you pay for, so don’t be afraid to ask your agent for references," Mr Borrowman remarks.
Finally, the solicitor recommends seeking references for all tenants, if possible from previous landlords, to prevent long and costly evictions processes in the event of a bad tenant.
Meanwhile, Landlord Mortgages has released research today which suggests that increased numbers of landlords are suffering repossessions resulting from proliferation of easy mortgages on the market.
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Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
A comparison of the working practices adopted by city and country law firms in Scotland has seen Caesar and Howie’s Kate McCutcheon detailing her work life over a one-week period, in the Scottish Law Gazette.
The wide range of legal services offered by the firm are demonstrated by Kate’s schedule, which commenced on Monday with an application for full civil legal aid and the taking of statements from a client who had been the victim of domestic abuse.
Tuesday’s tasks include the continuation of work on this case alongside meetings with clients regarding adoption and employment law.
Wednesday saw Ms McCutcheon successfully apply for protection orders for her client from the Sheriff, while consulting with a senior member of the court department to ensure the smooth running of the case.
"I know most of the court department now so even if Robert is in court it’s normally easy to find someone who is willing to help," she explains.
Arrangements for Sheriff Officers to serve a court order to the victim’s opponent dominated Thursday morning, while the rest of the afternoon was spent receiving instructions from clients.
The day was punctuated by a lunch poring over photos of the Christmas party with colleagues – reflecting the nature of the firm which, while dispersed over a number of local offices, nonetheless maintains a friendly and close-knit atmosphere, the trainee lawyer explains.
Ms McCutcheon’s week culminated in an appearance at civil court, preparing for continuations, motions and options hearings including child welfare hearings, while her afternoon was spent corresponding with clients before joining colleagues for a well-earned drink in a local bar.
The Scottish Law Gazette is published by the Scottish Law Agents Society, the council of which meets monthly to discuss current topics and make recommendations to the Scottish Law Society, the government and other bodies.
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Monday, May 21st, 2007
When selling a property, most homeowners prepare themselves to be landed with significant agency fees, but one Bathgate resident found the process wasn’t nearly as costly as expected.
Mrs Michelle Vassie was informed that, contrary to expectations, she would be charged only £1 by the agents organising her sale.
She was the winner of a prize draw established by solicitors and estate agents Caesar and Howie – the Central Scotland Law Group.
Each seller who listed their property with Caesar and Howie during the first quarter of 2007 was entered into the draw, the firms explains, with Mrs Vassie emerging as the winner.
“We were absolutely delighted and very surprised to hear we had won,” she said.
It is the first time that Mrs Vassie has used Caesar and Howie’s estate agent and conveyancing services, which she described as “friendly, efficient and professional”.
“Winning the prize is just the icing on the cake. The money we saved will definitely come in handy for the new house!” she concluded.
Caesar and Howie offers a house sales services which includes a free pre-sales valuation and computer matching marketing service.
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Friday, May 18th, 2007
A new initiative is to herald in a new system of funding for amateur sports clubs operating in Dumfries and Galloway.
SPORTsassist, which operates across Scotland and is a division of Caesar and Howie, hopes to provide sports clubs with regular finance and is being supported by a number of local businesses, reports the Dumfries and Galloway Standard.
According to the scheme’s website, participants will agree a two-year marketing deal
committing them to advertise a number of professional service provides.
In return they receive a quarterly income and access to a range of services such as mortgages and medical insurance.
David Borrowman, the principle partner at SPORTSassist said the initiative is essentially "self help" adding "if clubs and officials have the same passion for sport as we have, funding problems for clubs can be resolved permanently".
If participating officials and members are "motivated", they can help to "create continuing revenue streams", he added.
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Thursday, May 17th, 2007
Aegon Scottish Equitable has published a warning that many pensions investors may have unwittingly created funds that have crept above the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold.
The firm has suggested that investors making full use of an Isa or Pep since 1987, when they were launched, could by now have accumulated £375,000.
It observes that this is significantly higher than the current £300,000 threshold, meaning that on their death investors’ next of kin could be faced with a weighty IHT bill.
Margaret Jago, technical manager at the firm, explains: "We believe many individuals will have crept over the current IHT threshold without realising they have done so.
"While this type of investment is tax-free throughout their lifetime, when the investor dies, it becomes part of their estate for IHT purposes."
The government has recently committed to increasing the threshold for IHT to £350,000 by April 2010, although the Taxpayers’ Alliance continues to argue for its abolition.
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