Scotland has a distinct home-buying process. A Home Report may be available where required, and a solicitor can advise on noting interest, an offer and any closing date. Do not reuse an England-and-Wales checklist without accounting for missives and settlement.
Understand the milestones
The solicitor-led exchange of formal letters is known as missives. Conclusion of missives creates the binding contract. Ask your solicitor what is agreed, what conditions remain and what the proposed date of entry or settlement means for your moving arrangements.
Prepare the practical work
- Review the Home Report and discuss further investigation where needed.
- Coordinate finance and the lender's requirements.
- Record purchase costs and funds due.
- Confirm access and key handover before dependent bookings.
Use the official Scottish offer and missives guidance and Home Report information. Scotland uses LBTT, with separate rules for any Additional Dwelling Supplement; consult Revenue Scotland. The chain planner records milestones but cannot decide whether a contract is binding or predict settlement.
Put it into practice
Use the property chain and completion planner to organise your own figures or next steps. Keep its assumptions alongside your plan.