Buying guide
Follow the Scottish buying process from budgeting and mortgages through to offers, missives, moving day and dealing with common problems.
View full buying guide →Guides for buyers, sellers and investors
Selling guide
How to prepare your home for sale, arrange a Home Report, choose an agent, handle viewings and keep the sale on track through to completion.
View full selling guide →Investors guide
A practical introduction to buying property as an investment in Scotland, including buy-to-let basics, yields, tax and ongoing responsibilities.
View full investors guide →
Buying process (9 steps) →
First-time buyers →
Costs involved in buying →
Buy-to-let guide →
Possible problems & pitfalls →
Guides & resources FAQs
What kinds of guides do you provide?
We publish plain-English guides for people buying, selling or investing in property in Scotland. These include step-by-step buying and selling processes, Home Report guidance, costs and tax explainers, and checklists to help you stay organised.
Are your guides specific to Scotland?
Yes. Our resources focus on the Scottish property system, including Home Reports, offers over, missives and Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT). The process and terminology differ from the rest of the UK, so Scotland-specific advice is important.
Can I use these guides instead of legal or financial advice?
No. Our guides are for general information only and do not replace advice from a solicitor, surveyor, mortgage adviser or tax professional. Always speak to a qualified adviser about your own situation before making decisions.
How often are the guides updated?
We review and update key guides regularly to reflect changes in the Scottish property market, tax rules and typical buying and selling practice. The “updated” dates on individual guides give you an indication of how recent each one is.