Selling in England & Buying in Scotland

CBB947

Hi Missile. You are correct that moving to Scotland IS our dream - but it's one we are determined to achieve. We HAVE done some research. I hold quotes for removals, and lists of local Estate Agents and their fees. We bought our current home just over four years ago, so know roughly how much we are likely to pay for conveyancing (I also have a current list of conveyancing solicitors).We found a place that fits what we are looking for, and which has been on sale since July of 2018. I can understand the reasons why some people would be put off. The price IS less than our current home is worth, though it lacks a number of things we have in our current home (it has no mains drainage , for example, no conservatory, no garage, no solar panels, no feed in tariff (refund of costs for transferring unused generated electricity to the National Grid), and only a shared drive for access). I've read the Scottish Governments guide to "House Buying in Scotland", but it does NOT tell me WHEN in the process a deposit is required. It does confirm that the "Missives" are completed BEFORE conveyancing takes place, but gives no time scales for these processes. You are correct that I need a plan. My husband is currently waiting for an appointment to have more injections to his back - he has a spinal nerve injury which causes severe pain in his back and hip (where the spinal nerve is trapped). Once we know what date his appointment will be, we will arrange for a trip to Scotland to view the property and be certain that it is the one we want to buy. This will involve three overnight stays. We will break up the journey between our home and our destination roughly half way, both outgoing and returning, as well as a one night stay in the town nearest the house, so that we can look around there, too. Given our physical limitations, it would certainly be much easier to just stay where we are. We have spent all our savings on adapting this home to our needs, and will need to undertake at least some similar expenditure on our new home. We were aware that we would never find EXACTLY what we wanted in Scotland, but (as the property shows have it) LOCATION is everything!

CBB947

Hi Artful. Would you be willing to say why, after living in Scotland - you decided to move back to England? I would happily give my email address if this is permitted under Forum Rules - should you wish to correspond privately rather than answer on this thread.

googler

CBB947 wrote: »

I've read the Scottish Governments guide to "House Buying in Scotland", but it does NOT tell me WHEN in the process a deposit is required. It does confirm that the "Missives" are completed BEFORE conveyancing takes place, but gives no time scales for these processes.

You shouldn't be asked to pay a deposit.

The missives are concluded at some point between the offer being accepted, and the entry date. This can vary according to the individual sale.

Your solicitor should not conclude missives on your behalf without absolute certainty that you will be able to complete the transaction. In Scottish sales which are dependent on other sales, completion of missives further along the line would be taken as such, but this won't apply in your case.

You must have an agreed entry date before missives can be concluded, and all other matters must be resolved to finalise the deal; the process of concluding missives is simply the solicitors on behalf of both parties finally stating

"We agree, with no further amendment or modification, to the sale on the basis of all missives exchanged between us up to this point"

The offer that you send to the seller and their agent is the first missive, the final acceptance the last.

davidmcn

CBB947 wrote: »

We know roughly how much we are likely to pay for conveyancing (I also have a current list of conveyancing solicitors).

For both England and Scotland? Bear in mind some costs will differ e.g. in Scotland it's generally the sellers who obtain searches, which means you're moving in the money-saving direction from that point of view. Whereas LBTT can be more than SDLT (depending on price bracket) and the Land Register tends to be more expensive than in England.

I've read the Scottish Governments guide to "House Buying in Scotland", but it does NOT tell me WHEN in the process a deposit is required.

That's because there isn't a deposit required.

It does confirm that the "Missives" are completed BEFORE conveyancing takes place

Not necessarily, it's possible to do all the work first and conclude missives at the last minute.

but gives no time scales for these processes

They'll vary. Solicitors are likely to move at the timescales dictated by the parties and e.g. how long it takes for a mortgage offer to be issued. It can all be done in a few weeks if there are no complications or other reasons to stretch it out.

sheramber

You need to submit your offer via a solicitor. Usually, you would make your offer with an entry date included.

It can be a fixed date or a date followed by .mutual agreement.

We have always discussed what entry date the seller wanted when viewing. In our latest case the seller wanted a sale asap when we viewed in July. We did not want to move until January but the seller agreed to wait until then.
Our buyer was in rented accommodation and did not want to move until December when tenancy agreement ended.
We all agreed on a December entry.

There have been cases locally ( rural northern Scotland) where the seller has been prepared to wait for an English buyer to complete but that is purely a personal decision by the seller. If a house isn't selling then the seller may be prepared to come an agreement.

The estate agent and your Scottish solicitor will be able to guide you.

theartfullodger

CBB947 wrote: »

Hi Artful. Would you be willing to say why, after living in Scotland - you decided to move back to England? I would happily give my email address if this is permitted under Forum Rules - should you wish to correspond privately rather than answer on this thread.

Marriage. 3rd...

comeandgo

I've read your reply regarding your hoped for Scottish property and alarm bells are ringing. Your description suggests it's rural in possibly farm land. If your shared access is with a farmer it could be troublesome.
You mention the property does not have solar, very few properties in Scotland do, it's got something to do with lack of sun and daylight. We do have wind turbines in Scotland or hydro power.

CBB947

Hi Comeandgo, We wanted to be out of town. Somewhere at least semi-rural. The property is near Buckpool, but is on a major road (A909)) - but yes, it is entirely possible that there could be a farm, or even something like a scrap yard next door - which is why we plan to visit to check exactly what is either side (and in front or behind) the house. We accept that it will be a major expense, possibly two sets of Solicitors fees, and especially is we need to pay for accommodation, and maybe storage for the furniture and another cost for removing from there into the house. We also have two cats who might need a cattery. We are going to have a very long "to do" list!

jennifernil

Is that Buckpool near Buckie on the Moray coast? The main road there is the A990.

The A909 is in Fife.

missile

CBB947 wrote: »

Hi Comeandgo, We wanted to be out of town. Somewhere at least semi-rural. The property is near Buckpool,....!

I know Buckpool very well. A good location in a rural setting well serviced by public transport. All the amenities you might want are close by in Buckie town centre and Inverness city is only an hour drive away. Given your husband medical problems you will be interested to know there is an excellent hospital in Elgin.

If you want to PM me with the address of the property, I will be better able to advise you.