What is a note of interest?
A note of interest is a formal message from a buyer's solicitor saying they may wish to offer. It commits neither side, but it entitles that buyer to be told if a closing date is set, and it is the clearest early signal of real demand a seller gets.
Reading notes of interest honestly
Notes are a signal, not a sale. Some buyers note interest on several properties to keep options open. What matters is how many of them have seen the Home Report, have funding in place and have viewed twice.
If notes arrive quickly and viewings stay busy, that supports a closing date. If notes arrive but viewings stop, the pricing or the presentation is filtering buyers out.
Common questions
- Does a note of interest stop the property being sold to someone else?
- No. It only means the buyer should be notified of a closing date, provided the seller's agent has been told about it.
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Written and reviewed by The Lothian Property team, Edinburgh property research team. General information about the Scottish selling process — not legal advice.