subject: How to Purchase a Home In Scotland [print this page] How to Purchase a Home In Scotland How to Purchase a Home In Scotland
House buying in Scotland is completely different to the system in England.
You really should touch base with a solicitor at the commencement of search for a new home. It is vital that you contact one when you find a house that you wish to purchase. Your solicitor will get in touch with the vendor's solicitor to inform him of your intention to buy the property. This will make sure the property is not sold without you being given a the opportunity to submit an offer of your own.
Guide to House Buying In Scotland
The steps that follow will depend on whether you are the sole person interested in the property.
If you are the only person interested, your solicitor will then negotiate the purchase for you. Be aware that if you ask your solicitor to make any offer then, you will be bound by it even though the instruction was only given verbally. Be satisfied that you can meet the terms of the offer, if it is successful, before you ask your solicitor to make any offer.
If there are more interested parties, a closing date is typically fixed. The solicitors of the prospective buyers will then meet at the seller's solicitor and submit the offers in sealed envelopes. The envelopes are opened at the same time, and the selling solicitor then discusses the offers with his client. Normally the highest offer to be accepted, but the seller does not have to accept the highest, or indeed any, offer.
