THE letting market has an interesting dichotomy to consider these days: is it better to offer a property furnished, or unfurnished? Taking bets on the latter idea making a lot of sense to a lot of people is Stephen O'Neill. He agrees that most of the larger properties that come in the market in quality locations do, in fact, tend to be fully fitted, in all senses of the word.

Yet he has no problems with offering a detached villa in Whitecraigs, and a detached Victorian home in Bothwell - both described as immaculate, and both unashamedly unfurnished.

Whitecraigs provides three public rooms, large fitted kitchen, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. To give some idea of the space available, there is not only garaging but room in the driveway for six cars. Try a rent of #2100 a month, suggests Stephen.

The Bothwell alternative also has extensive gardens, with three public rooms, five bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a detached outhouse that could be an office or studio. The property was formerly owned by a firm of interior designers, and the word is that the inside is like a showroom. Rental here is of the order of #1300 a month.

Furnished or not, both properties come with a gardener to look after the landscaping.