Your Complete Sellers Guide

Selling Your Home in
Inverness & the Highlands

From valuation to sold sign — everything you need to know about selling in Scotland, with someone who delivers results.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿  Scottish Law · Local Expertise · Real Results
“Everything I touch turns to sold.
Property Trav · Inverness

Selling your home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. It’s not just a transaction — it’s your next chapter. I’m here to make sure that chapter starts on the best possible terms, with no stress, no guesswork, and no settling for less than your home is worth.

Why Property Trav

I Don’t Have the Gift of the Gab.
I Have the Gift of the Listen.

Too many agents will tell you what you want to hear to win your business. I’d rather listen to what you actually need — your timeline, your circumstances, your priorities — and then go and deliver it.

Selling a home in the Highlands isn’t just about putting it on Rightmove and hoping. It’s about strategy, timing, presentation, and having someone in your corner who genuinely cares about the result. I take the stress off your shoulders from day one, and I don’t stop until your property is sold.

I don’t have the gift of the gab — I have the gift of the listen. I listen to what my clients want, and I get the results.
Everything I touch turns to sold.
The Inverness Market Right Now

A Strong Market for Sellers

The Inverness and Highland property market continues to perform well. Demand from families, remote workers, and lifestyle buyers remains strong, and well-presented properties in the right price range are still attracting competitive offers.

£238k Average sold price
Inverness, 2025
36 Average days to sell
across Scotland
+4.6% Annual price growth
Scotland, 2025

Scotland’s property market consistently outperforms much of the UK for speed of sale. The “offers over” system, combined with legally binding offers, means less risk of fall-throughs than south of the border. For sellers, that means more certainty once an offer is accepted.

📈 Inverness in 2025 Most properties in Inverness are selling above Home Report valuation. Tight supply and sustained buyer demand means conditions remain firmly in favour of sellers who price correctly and present well.

Real Results, Real People

Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what clients have said about working with Property Trav.

★★★★★

“Travis was perfect from start to finish. Made a difficult process so simple and easy, always on the end of the phone to answer any question. Highly recommend — professional service.”

★★★★★

“Travis was very helpful, prompt and got back to me when he said he would. Very efficient and still supporting even after settlement.”

Step by Step: From Decision to Done

Here’s exactly what happens when you decide to sell in Scotland. I’ll guide you through every one of these steps.

1

Appoint Your Agent & Get a Valuation

The first step is choosing the right agent and getting an accurate, honest valuation. Be cautious of agents who inflate valuations just to win your business — an overpriced property sits on the market, grows stale, and ultimately sells for less. I give you a realistic, research-backed price that attracts the right buyers from day one.

Where it all starts
2

Appoint a Scottish Solicitor

In Scotland, you’ll need a solicitor from the outset — not just at the end. They handle the legal side of your sale, draft the acceptance of missives, and manage the transfer of ownership. I can recommend experienced local solicitors who know the Highland market well.

Do this early
3

Commission Your Home Report

In Scotland, a Home Report is a legal requirement before your property can go to market. It consists of a Single Survey and valuation (carried out by a chartered surveyor), an Energy Performance Certificate, and a Property Questionnaire. You commission and pay for this as the seller — typical cost is £400–£750 depending on property size. Buyers can request it for free. A good Home Report builds buyer confidence and supports your asking price.

Legal requirement
4

Prepare Your Home for Market

First impressions are everything — online and in person. I’ll advise you on exactly what to do (and what not to do) to maximise your property’s appeal without spending unnecessarily. Professional photography, a compelling listing, and honest presentation go a long way in the Highland market.

Maximise your price
5

Go to Market

Your property is listed on Rightmove, Zoopla, and other key platforms, reaching local, national, and relocating buyers. In Inverness, we also benefit from a strong community of buyers who move quickly when the right home appears. I manage all enquiries, book viewings, and keep you updated throughout.

Your property live
6

Viewings & Feedback

I accompany viewings and gather real feedback from every prospective buyer. This is where listening matters most — understanding what buyers are saying (and what they’re not saying) helps us respond quickly, adjust where needed, and keep momentum. You’ll always know where things stand.

Ongoing
7

Setting a Closing Date (if required)

If there is strong interest from multiple buyers, a closing date may be set. This is a fixed deadline by which all interested parties submit their best and final offer in writing through their solicitor — a sealed bids process. It’s one of the Scottish system’s great advantages: it drives competition and maximises your sale price. I’ll advise you on whether and when to set one.

Maximises value
8

Accepting an Offer

Once you accept an offer, your solicitor formally accepts it in writing. In Scotland, this creates a legally binding contract very quickly — which means no gazumping, no last-minute pullouts, and much greater certainty for you as a seller. I’ll talk you through any offer received and advise on whether to accept, negotiate, or hold.

Nearly there
9

Conclusion of Missives

Missives are the formal exchange of letters between your solicitor and the buyer’s solicitor that form the binding contract of sale. Once missives are concluded, both parties are fully committed. This typically takes a few weeks, though it can sometimes take longer depending on the complexity of the transaction.

Legally binding
10

Settlement & Handover

On the agreed date of entry, your solicitor receives the purchase funds and the title deeds are transferred to the buyer. You hand over the keys. The sale is complete. Time to move on to your next chapter — and if you’re buying too, I can help with that as well.

Keys away 🎉

What Buyers Notice First

You don’t need to spend thousands to make your home more saleable. A few targeted improvements go a very long way — especially in the Highland market where buyers often travel from afar and make quick decisions.

Kerb Appeal & First Impressions

  • Clean and tidy the front garden or entrance
  • Repaint or clean the front door
  • Clear gutters and wash windows
  • Remove any clutter from the driveway

Inside the Home

  • Deep clean throughout — especially kitchens and bathrooms
  • Declutter every room — less is genuinely more
  • Fix minor snags: squeaky doors, dripping taps, cracked tiles
  • Neutral, fresh décor if a repaint is needed

For Photography Day

  • Clear all worktops and surfaces
  • Open blinds and curtains for natural light
  • Remove personal photos and clutter
  • Fresh flowers or plants add warmth

Highland Property Tips

  • Highlight views, land, and outdoor space prominently
  • Showcase any original features (stone walls, beams, fireplaces)
  • Note proximity to schools, amenities, and the A9/A96
  • Ensure interlinked fire alarms are fitted (legal requirement)
📷 Professional Photography Almost every buyer starts their search online. Professional photography isn’t a luxury — it’s what gets people through your door. I ensure your property is presented at its absolute best before a single photo is taken.

Sellers’ Costs in Scotland

Unlike buying, selling in Scotland doesn’t attract a transaction tax — but there are costs to plan for. Here’s a clear breakdown so there are no surprises.

Cost Details Typical Amount
Estate Agent Fee Commission on sale price (sole agency). I work to earn every penny. 1%–2% of sale price
Home Report Legally required before going to market. Commissioned by you. £400–£750
Solicitor / Conveyancing Fees Legal transfer of ownership, missives, title deeds £800–£1,500
Mortgage Exit / Redemption Fee If you have a mortgage, check for early repayment charges £0–£2,000+
Removal Costs Depends on volume, distance, and whether you self-pack £400–£1,500
Capital Gains Tax Only applies if this is not your main residence (e.g. second home, rental) Seek tax advice
💵 No Stamp Duty to Pay as a Seller Unlike buyers, sellers in Scotland do not pay Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT). Your main costs are the Home Report, legal fees, and your agent’s commission — all of which come out of the sale proceeds at completion.

How Scottish Pricing Works

Understanding how to price your home in Scotland is crucial — and it’s different from the rest of the UK.

Offers Over, Fixed Price & Closing Dates

  • “Offers Over”: The most common approach. Your property is marketed at a price buyers are expected to exceed. In a competitive Inverness market, final sale prices are often 5–15% above the listing figure. Your Home Report valuation is the key reference point for buyers.
  • “Fixed Price”: The property is sold to the first buyer who meets the asking price. Useful in quieter markets or if speed is your priority over maximising value.
  • “Offers Around”: A middle ground, indicating you’re open to offers near the stated figure — both above and below.
  • Closing Dates: When multiple buyers note interest, a closing date is set for sealed, best-and-final offers. This competitive process regularly drives prices above expectation and is one of the strongest tools in a seller’s arsenal.
  • Home Report Valuation: The independent surveyor’s valuation in your Home Report sets the baseline. Buyers’ mortgage lenders use this figure, so pricing too far above it can create financing hurdles. Pricing it right matters.
⚠️ Avoid Overpricing The biggest mistake sellers make is overpricing at launch. Properties that sit on the market attract scepticism from buyers. A well-priced home, launched correctly, will generate more interest — and ultimately a better final price — than one that’s been reduced twice.

Your Seller’s Checklist

Before You Go to Market

  • Appoint a trusted, local estate agent (that’s me)
  • Get an honest, accurate valuation based on current market data
  • Appoint a Scottish solicitor early in the process
  • Commission your Home Report from a chartered surveyor
  • Check for any mortgage early repayment charges
  • Ensure interlinked fire alarms are fitted throughout (legal requirement)
  • Declutter, clean, and prepare your home for photography

Once You’re Live

  • Keep the property tidy and ready for viewings at short notice
  • Be flexible with viewing times — evenings and weekends included
  • Let me handle all buyer enquiries and negotiations on your behalf
  • Review any offers carefully with both me and your solicitor
  • Once missives are concluded, begin organising your move
  • Keep communication open with your solicitor through to settlement

Let’s Get Your Home Sold

I know this market, I know what buyers want, and I know how to get you the best result. Let’s start with a conversation — no pressure, no obligations.

“Everything I touch turns to sold.”

Book Your Free Valuation