How it works

Selling your home in Dumfries & Galloway

Six steps from valuation to completion. One named contact throughout.

Get a free valuation
The process

From valuation to completion

1

Free valuation

I come to your property, in person, at a time that suits you, including Saturdays. I give you an honest valuation based on real market knowledge and comparable sales in your area. No computer estimate, no obligation to proceed.

2

Home Report

Before your home can be marketed in Scotland, you'll need a Home Report, a Single Survey, an Energy Performance Certificate and a Property Questionnaire. I can recommend trusted local surveyors and guide you through the process as part of preparing your home for sale.

3

Your marketing kit

Once instructed, I commission your professional photography, drone aerial footage, branded video tour and floor plans. Every instruction is handled by the same professional photographer, consistent, high-quality production on every property.

4

On the market

Your property goes live on Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket simultaneously. A dedicated social media campaign runs alongside the portal listings. Many local solicitor-agents in Dumfries & Galloway do not appear on the Rightmove agent finder, every Compass Estates instruction does.

5

Viewings and offers

I handle all viewings, provide feedback promptly and manage the offer process directly. All offers are submitted in writing in line with Scottish property law. I'll give you my honest assessment of each offer and help you decide how to respond.

6

Conclusion of missives and completion

Once an offer is accepted, your solicitor and the buyer's solicitor conclude the missives, the legally binding Scottish contract. I'll keep in close contact throughout the conveyancing period and flag anything you need to be aware of before your completion date.

Every instruction

What's included as standard

Every Compass Estates instruction includes the following as a flat package, not as optional extras or upsells.

Professional photography
Drone aerial footage
Branded video tour
Floor plans
Rightmove listing
Zoopla listing
OnTheMarket listing
Social media campaign
Weekly updates
Viewing feedback within 24 hours
Transparent pricing

Fees

Marketing fee

The marketing fee varies depending on the size of the property and the scope of the photography package required. It is agreed in full and confirmed in writing before you instruct. There are no hidden costs.

Commission

No-sale, no-fee

Commission is only due on a successful sale. The rate is competitive with local estate agents and is agreed at your valuation appointment. Worked example: on a £250,000 sale at 1% + VAT, commission of £3,000.

Scottish property law

Selling in Scotland, the key differences

Selling a home in Scotland differs from selling in England and Wales in several important ways.

Home Reports

Mandatory in Scotland since 2008. A Home Report must be no more than 12 weeks old when your property is first marketed. It consists of a Single Survey, an Energy Performance Certificate and a Property Questionnaire. Buyers are entitled to a copy within nine working days of requesting one.

Offers over pricing

Properties in Scotland are typically marketed at a fixed price or "offers over" a stated figure. The Home Report value is a key reference point for both your asking price and the mortgage lender's valuation.

Missives

The Scottish equivalent of exchange of contracts. Conclusion of missives creates a legally binding contract between buyer and seller, handled entirely by solicitors on both sides.

LBTT

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax is the Scottish equivalent of Stamp Duty. It applies to the buyer, not the seller, but understanding it helps in conversations about pricing and buyer affordability.

When I'm available

Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 9am to 1pm. Valuation appointments and viewings can also be arranged for evenings and Sundays by prior arrangement.

I respond to all enquiries within one hour during office hours and by 9am the next working morning at other times.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

According to GetAgent data, the average time to sell in Dumfries & Galloway is around 70 days. Every sale is unique and I've proven to substantially beat that figure on numerous occasions. I'll give you a realistic timeline at your valuation based on your specific property and current market conditions.
A Home Report is a legal requirement before marketing a residential property in Scotland. It consists of a Single Survey, Energy Performance Certificate and Property Questionnaire. I can recommend trusted local surveyors and guide you through the process as part of preparing your home for sale.
Yes. Everything discussed at the valuation is confirmed in writing before you instruct. There is no obligation to proceed after the valuation.
Commission is only charged on a successful sale. If your home doesn't sell, you owe nothing on commission. The marketing fee covers production costs already incurred.
Yes. Drone footage and video are particularly effective for rural properties where setting, land and outlook matter as much as the house itself. I sell rural properties across Dumfries & Galloway including farms, cottages and country houses.

Ready to find out what your home is worth?

Book a free, no-obligation valuation. I'll come to you, in person.

Get a free valuation