How to Find a House in Scotland

Scotland is an attractive place to live.

Scotland is an attractive country to live in. It has vibrant cities, beautiful, dramatic countryside and seaside towns. The education system is respected, and it is possible to find parts of the countryside that are peaceful and sparsely populated. Property prices tend to be higher in the cities. Scotland is a separate country within the UK, with its own parliament and laws. Scotland also has its own system for renting and buying property.

Things You'll Need

• Money for a deposit.
• A lawyer.

Instructions

Research

1. 

   Local papers give details of properties in the area.

   Decide the area you wish to move to in Scotland. Check papers like "The Scotsman" to get a feel for the availiblity and price range in the area you are interested in. There are several websites that allow you to have a detailed look at specific properties. Local papers will have a range of letting agencies in the area, if you choose to rent a property, initially. This allows you to be on the spot, and buy a property in a more measured way.

2. 

   You will need a lawyer to carry out searches on the property.

   Secure your finances, when you have found a property you wish to purchase. Most mortgages in Scotland run for 25 years. You are likely to require a deposit of at least ten percent. You may need an established credit rating within the country, or be required to pay a higher deposit. Employ a lawyer to carry out searches on the property. Most purchasers buy a property through an estate agent in Scotland, though you can complete a private purchase.

3. Check that a Home Report is available on the property. This consists of: a single survey, an energy report and a property questionnaire. In Scottish property law this must be made available by the seller of the property. The estate agent's fees must also be paid by the seller. Make an offer for the property. This should be an "offer over," (more than the asking price), or a "fixed price offer", (the asking price).

Tips & Warnings

• In some circumstances it may be advisable to pay for a more detailed survey.

References

• "The Scotsman"
• Finding a Property in Scotland