Expert tips Selby as an upcoming property hotspot

How did you end up in working in property? I sort of fell into the world of estate agency by accident. I originally studied regional planning and urban conservation at university in Dundee but my years as a graduate collided with the crash so there were not many planning jobs out there at all. That's how I found myself being offered a job at a combined estate agency and solicitors firm up in Scotland. I've always been a fan of home shows like “A Place in the Sun” and “Homes Under the Hammer”, so I had a feeling I would like the job a lot.

After working in property for over two years, mostly on student lettings, I moved with my wife to her hometown in Yorkshire and found my role at Carter Jonas,

How is the housing market faring in your patch? From a lettings point of view, I would say that the Yorkshire market is staying strong but places like York and Leeds sell themselves and have remained front of mind as hotspots. As for the golden triangle that makes up Harrogate, York and Wetherby, they have continued to grow in popularity. Anything from a one-bedroom apartment to a five or six-bedroom house in this area can let in just two or three days.

The excellent transport links, particularly from York, are still bringing Londoners to the area. We are even seeing young professionals and families from Kent move up here to relocate for work.

Are there any up-and-coming places you can tell us about? There is increasing interest in Selby, which is 13 miles south of York. We are seeing more people flock here as landlords reap the rewards of the area's strong investment yields, which creates more rental stock at a competitive price point. The area is undergoing a miniature revival at the moment and Selby is building a reputation as a new lifestyle destination.

If you were the Housing Minister what would you do? I would reverse the banning of the tenant fee and instead roll out a standardised fee across the country. If Landlords are left to pick up the bill at the beginning of the tenancy, many are left with no choice but to boost their rents. I recognise that there are agents out there that charge extremely high fees at the beginning of a tenancy, which is why I think a standardised, fixed fee is the way forward.

Where and what your ideal home? Yorkshire is a wonderful place to live, but I'm originally from Scotland and so I would love to move back someday. Not necessarily to my hometown of St Andrews, but it's always been a dream of mine to buy a big home in the Highlands overlooking a loch. I like the idea of having a barn or cabin style home with a large roof terrace.