What are my options for selling in Scotland?
Scottish sellers can use a traditional estate agency, a solicitor estate agent that also handles the conveyancing, an online-only service, or sell privately. All routes still require a Home Report and a Scottish solicitor to handle missives and settlement.
How the routes differ
The practical differences are who conducts viewings, who negotiates on your behalf, what marketing reach you get, and how the fee is charged. Negotiation and closing-date advice are where a good local professional earns their fee.
Selling privately saves the agency fee but leaves you handling enquiries, viewings, negotiation and the pressure of a closing date without representation. It suits some sellers and not others.
Deciding on evidence
Whichever route you consider, ask for evidence in your own area: recent comparable sales, what they were marketed at and what they achieved. Advertising claims are not evidence.
Lothian Property does not sell property and takes no side. Complete a property review and, if you ask, we will introduce you to independent professionals so you can compare them directly.
Common questions
- Do I need a solicitor to sell in Scotland?
- Yes. Missives, title and settlement have to be handled by a solicitor, whether or not you use an estate agent for the marketing.
Lothian Property is a property information and professional-introduction service operated by Maybury Scotland Limited. Lothian Property is not an estate agency. Where requested, we may connect homeowners with independent estate agents and other property professionals. How we work.
Written and reviewed by The Lothian Property team, Edinburgh property research team. General information about the Scottish selling process — not legal advice.