From Corporate Life to Property Freedom: Elain McLaren's Story

In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Elaine McLaren, chartered management accountant turned property investor. Elaine shares her journey from growing up in Scotstoun with early exposure to renovations, to leaving behind the corporate mould and building a portfolio designed to give her family more freedom and flexibility.

From watching Homes Under the Hammer to investing £15,000 in property training, Elaine reveals the importance of vision boards, long-term planning, and staying focused on why you started. She also opens up about her successes, lessons learned, and her evolving strategy — from building buy-to-lets to flipping properties and taking on HMOs.

🎙️ Episode Highlights

🌟 Early Influences & Corporate Life

• Growing up around property thanks to her father’s renovation projects

• Pursuing a corporate career as a chartered management accountant

• Realising she didn’t fit the corporate mould and wanting more flexibility

🏡 Getting Started in Property

• Inspired by a colleague with 13 properties and Homes Under the Hammer

• Investing £15,000 in training and waiting a year before buying her first deal

• Why she believes education was worth the investment

🎯 Building a Vision & Portfolio

• Setting her first goal: 12 properties to leave her job and focus on family life

• The power of vision boards to stay motivated and productive

• Growing her portfolio with her husband, including four properties in St Andrews

🔑 Lessons & Advice

• Do your due diligence before investing in training programmes

• When planning for retirement, set your financial target — then add two more properties

• Why involving your partner can strengthen your property journey

🚀 Current Focus & Future Plans

• Working on flips and managing an HMO

• Feeling like she’s “drifting” without a strong new vision

• Setting her next big goal: helping her husband retire so they can enjoy more holidays and freedom together